i'm wanting to take as much weight off the front end of my T-Bird as possible for as little money as possible.
i have already:
-removed AC including lines and condensor
-removed PS
-removed all emissions equipment
-replaced clutch fan/shroud with electric fan
i am planning:
-aluminum radiator from Advance Auto ($90)
-remove swaybar
-relocate battery to trunk
what i am wondering is
-how bad handling will be without the swaybar?
-if it is safe to use the cheapo battery boxes for boats?
my brother has an 88 mustang that handles great without the swaybar, but it is also lowered and my bird isn't (yet).
Unless the car is going to be used only for drag racing I'd keep the sway bar. These cars lean badly enough in turns as it is.
if i lower it, would i need the swaybar?
you're gonna wish you had the swaybar later on i'm sure. weight-loss is good, but unless it's strictly a drag car, not really practical. if you make enough HP, it will make up for the comforts you do keep.
well i dont have the links on my laptop but to save weight... fiberglass front end :-D well they are 83-86 tbird front ends but 4 eyes are better ;-)
Welll you would be right, 4 eyes are beeter, they loook cooler!!!!!But i didnt know anyone made F/G front clips................
ill see what i can do for a link on fg front end
removing the front bumper reinforcement will save some weight, too. and a fiberglass hood.
Why are you taking weight off the front end only?
I would only assume to make the front to rear weight ratio close to 50/50 as you can for handling. Then you get that four wheel drift not the front sticking and the rear coming around. Trust me alot like my turbo coupe. Other than that in Drag to help the front in come up and plant more weight on the rear for traction. Then there is that HP to weight ratio to consider too.
I did something similar to a TC...
http://foxtbirdcougarforums.com/showthread.php?t=8418&highlight=weight+loss
well folks... took some searching but i have found fiberglass thunderbird front ends for 83-86 AND 87-88 folks... so you are in luck http://hairyglass.com/thunderbird.html
i hope this gets your intrest
PMGR starter.....around 15 pounds saved IIRC.
Aluminum heads....'bout 50 pounds.
Gonna need some different springs up front unless you're going for the Gasser look...
That is some really cool f/g stuff, too bad no 88 cougar!!!!! guess its time to go 4 eyes or tc!!!
that f/g front clip and hood are tempting as hell, to bad i'm broke...
i hear ya on that dougy. i am too... i am dissapointed that there is no cougar front clips or rear bumpers. guess ill just have to learn and do it myself