I was pooking around the internet and found some races with GT500s versus Vetts and other cars. The GT500 just seems to be wayyy heavy, and needs far more power to beat the other car with much less power. Example I found a C6 Vette with full bolt ons and a cam vs GT500 with full bolt ons. The GT500 has about 100 more ponies and still gets beat by the vette. So my question is whats some ways to remove weight from these tanks?
Build a nice aluminum based shortblock for it... Aside from that, it's no different from any other Mustang when trying to shed the weight. To give you an idea on what sort of weight you're hauling around right on the front end, Your 5.4L SC engine assembly (dressed) has a shipping weight of 715lbs. A 4.6L 3v, or 5.0L 4V both weight right about 430lbs dressed. That's a HUGE difference. Some of that weight is the iron block, but the rest are the heads, and the SC assembly.
Check out this thread. http://www.s197forum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=13162 Seats Rear seat delete Wheels Battery swap A few quick ones.
I prob Won't ( knock on wood ) tear the block out of her reason being the stock block holds 700+ RWHP. I was looking at that thread the other day and there is some great ideas thrown in that thread. Thanks for the link stkjock. Yeah I know how to do that much lol
I know they're plenty strong, and I too probably wouldn't touch it until I had a real good reason. Although it would be tempting.
They are indeed heavy. It is no fun having to add much more power to compete. Here is one of the popular choices for my customers:
If you wanted a light car, you bought the wrong one. All that weight comes from the very thing that differentiates the GT500 from the GT. Stick with the OEM K-member and A-arms. We've seen on this forum members that have had the BMR A-arms break. The OEM K-member could save your life in a crash.
The only breakage I've seen was this: http://www.s197forum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=41309&highlight=BROKEN+CONTROL+ARM&page=6 And it was shown that the early versions of the control arms were a bad design. The latest version of the arms are considerably stronger and there have been no known failures since. I autocrossed with UPR's tubular arms in my '03 Cobra, and IMO those arms are complete garbage. I'd put trust into the latest BMR stuff anyday.
If I had a dime for the following: Customer calls to ask about the strength of our K/Arm set-up. (Because they read somewhere about an arm that broke, which they do not know the entire story) They purchase it, and race happily ever after. I would have over $100 If I had a dime for the following: Customer calls to tell me their K/Arm combo has broken. We then verify with pictures, and replace their parts. I would have LESS than $0.50 Thousands on the road/tracks....not one K-Member issue, and less than 5 Arm issues.
You just got that beautiful GT500 and you're wanting to molest it already? I vote BAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Let's trade, you can molest a GT all you want but the GT500 is the top of the food chain. You wanna beat a Vette? Add more power, don't de-beautify that gorgeous car!!!!
I have an aluminum block as well, however your side airbagged Recaro's are heavier than my non-airbagged Sparco's...
