Put the Maverick on scales today....

[GrabberGT]

I asked her what she weighed today and got slapped pretty hard. I was expecting something around 2900 - 3000. She weighs 3350 with me in it (180#) and a full tank of gas (100#). The good news is my Front to rear balance is 51.4/48.6 with a cross weight of 49%.

Ttl 3348

LF 884 RF 839
LR 811 RR 814

Front total 1721 51.4%
Rear total 1626 48.5%
Cross 1641 49%

I need to find a way to get her to drop a few lbs but Im not sure were to start and dont want to make any drastic changes like a full tubular front end. I'd prefer to remove weight from the front end and not the rear but theres not much I want to sacrifice up front. Ive already got Alu heads, intake and radiator. I want to keep my power rack/pinion and AC. Its got tubular upper and lower control arms as well as coil over shocks. I might replace my rad support with an aluminum one but I dont see that saving much weight. I could pull up the sound deadener (peal-n-stick) and go back in with lizard skin but thats a bunch of work and I'd only save 25lbs or so. Im planning on going to 18" wheels but the rumor is that will add weight over 17's. If I did all of these things and find a way to get a Carbon Cowl hood from California (shipping issues) I might be able to shave 100 lbs off the car. That wouldnt be too bad. Anyone have any other ideas?

[oestek]

Move the battery, non-power brakes, mini-starter, alum. water pump, internally regulated alternator, alum. master cyl, headers... then start drilling holes!

[Bryce]

Bummer, A little heavy. IIRC, you have a modified TCI torque are, How much weight did you add there. Another falcon guy said the tri-4 link was the same weight as his leaf springs.

Next step is a fiberglass front clip! My car weighs around 2750-2800 with the heavy wheels.

[GrabberGT]

Move the battery, non-power brakes, mini-starter, alum. water pump, internally regulated alternator, alum. master cyl, headers... then start drilling holes!

Of your list, Mini-starter and hole drilling are the only ones I have not done. The mini starter idea sounds pretty good.


Bummer, A little heavy. IIRC, you have a modified TCI torque are, How much weight did you add there. Another falcon guy said the tri-4 link was the same weight as his leaf springs.

Next step is a fiberglass front clip! My car weighs around 2750-2800 with the heavy wheels.

The torque arm added quite a bit. The net weight added for the entire system was close to 120 lbs. Thats not including the swap from the 8" to the 9" rear. Im not sure what the weight difference is there but I hope its a lot.

Here is the torque arm system just before I installed it.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/10/2010081220192717-1.jpg


I have to pull the motor and trans this winter to repair a rear main seal I think I'll be cutting out the existing core support to make the motor pull easier and then I'll try fabricating an aluminum core support similar to yours. Any idea how much weight you saved with that?

[Vegas69]

This Pro-Touring.com, not racecar.com. Enjoy your car, 100 lbs isn't going to make you happy with your car.

[GrabberGT]

This Pro-Touring.com, not racecar.com. Enjoy your car, 100 lbs isn't going to make you happy with your car.

HA!!! This from the guy who has well over 600 hp to play with.

Have fun at Optima. I cant wait to see how things shake out for you. I enjoy following your progress thread. Very impressive.

[Bryce]

Chris,

I probably saved a little with the aluminum just because I have less surface area compared to the stock steal. I have a bigger radiator opening and a huge hole for the trans cooler. Aluminum is 1/3 the weight of steel and my thickness is roughly 3 times as thick as the steel. I could go home and verify this tonight. But with my design I am much stiffer probably 5 times and its removeable to accomodate easier engine swaps.

[DartorDemon]

JMO, 18s would be too large for a maverick.

I'm really surprised by that weight. I would have guessed the car being much lighter.

[rusty428cj]

I'm also surprised by that weight since my 69 428CJ Mustang ready to race with a roll bar weighs 3175. I had to add 200# so I could race C/SA.

[GrabberGT]

Think so? I've been trying to decide. Here is a recent photo with 17's

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

[67zo6Camaro]

Ok, I was able to shave over +-200# from my Camaro Convt. Of course some things you will not be able to do as mine is a full time roadster now. But, here are some ideas. Fiberglass inner finders (old 25#, new 6#), front seats (lost 40#), back seat (lost over 25#), did not use rubber sound mat, carbon fiber drive-shaft, moved battery to back, replaced metal interior body parts with fiberglass, kept top out, kept windows out. And just as a side note, based on above picture, I like the 17's in front and 18's in back (that's what I run) and I think it feels up the wheel well pretty good with allowing clearance.

Thats my 3 cents
Brett

[RobNoLimit]

Well we have been getting the silver bullet ready for the Optima Challenge. The truck weighs 3288 without a driver and a full tank of gas. What a pig!!!!!

LF 957 RF 950 59%
LR 661 RR 659 41%
Yes, you need to know what it weighs. I would love to have the front to rear balance as the Maverick has but even though the truck is nose heavy it handles pretty good.

Rob

[Kenova]

The 17s look good on the Maverick. Perhaps a taller tire on the rear to fill the wheel well.

Ken

[DartorDemon]

Think so? I've been trying to decide. Here is a recent photo with 17's

[IMG]http://lh3.ggpht.com/_3mL3bzR5rtc/TMWbYiUHjVI/AAAAAAAABK8/rEH7mZzcMD4/s1152/2010-10-24_18-30-39_270.jpg[IMG]

Do mavericks run leaf springs out back? If so, you'd be perfect with a 1/2" block to level the car.

As for 17/18 combo. No offense to the other poster, but i have never seen it look good. Excluding the vette that was designed that way.

[67zo6Camaro]

Do mavericks run leaf springs out back? If so, you'd be perfect with a 1/2" block to level the car.

As for 17/18 combo. No offense to the other poster, but i have never seen it look good. Excluding the vette that was designed that way.

No problem....just some pics to change your mind LOL.

[DartorDemon]

It really doesnt. I still think the car would look better with equal size wheels. Plus, you're using what would be the "best" wheels to do that with and i still don't think it works. Many other wheels look way worse with that combo.

[GrabberGT]

Well we have been getting the silver bullet ready for the Optima Challenge. The truck weighs 3288 without a driver and a full tank of gas. What a pig!!!!!

LF 957 RF 950 59%
LR 661 RR 659 41%
Yes, you need to know what it weighs. I would love to have the front to rear balance as the Maverick has but even though the truck is nose heavy it handles pretty good.

Rob

I love the truck and wished I had been able to make it to Lonestar GG to challenge you for the OUSCI spot. Maybe next year. I've got some time to finish preparing the car and build some skill.


The 17s look good on the Maverick. Perhaps a taller tire on the rear to fill the wheel well.

Ken

Its a constant battle for me. 17-17, 17-18, 18-18, or 18-19. No matter which direction I go, It will deffinately have some rake built in.


Do mavericks run leaf springs out back? If so, you'd be perfect with a 1/2" block to level the car.

As for 17/18 combo. No offense to the other poster, but i have never seen it look good. Excluding the vette that was designed that way.

I installed a TCI torque arm kit which is part of my weight problem. I could lower it more easily but the Mav looks funny when sitting level. It needs that rake to look right.


No problem....just some pics to change your mind LOL.

That looks awesome. Im looking at Rushforth Superspokes with brushed hoops and matte black centers for mine but the 18's add 4 lbs/corner.

I've got lots of ideas now for loosing some weight.

Carbon Fiber hood. (anyone feel like transporting it from Los Angeles to Texas for me)
Mini Starter
Alu master cylinder
remove a layer of fatmat
trim down overbuilt seat brackets
possibly an Alu core support

[droptop73]

Try looking for places to trim metal. Extra long flanges, excess length on brackets, lightening holes (within reason), a friend has an early Mustang drag car and by doing this he pulled 60lbs of metal out one winter, He pulled 6lbs from the glovebox door.

[DynoDon]

The difference between 8" and 9" rears will vary depending on which brakes etc.
Having said that, and early Mustang 8" weighs approximately 160lbs complete. A 9" small bearing with the smallest drums weighs 205, the bigger drum versions can weigh up to 225, while a Versailles Disc brake 9" weighs 215 (bigger axles, heavier housing, heavier brakes). Currie makes an Aluminum center Section (3rd member) for the 8" that will drop another 13.5 lbs!

[GrabberGT]

Was the glove box built like a bank vault? Wow!

[GrabberGT]

The difference between 8" and 9" rears will vary depending on which brakes etc.
Having said that, and early Mustang 8" weighs approximately 160lbs complete. A 9" small bearing with the smallest drums weighs 205, the bigger drum versions can weigh up to 225, while a Versailles Disc brake 9" weighs 215 (bigger axles, heavier housing, heavier brakes). Currie makes an Aluminum center Section (3rd member) for the 8" that will drop another 13.5 lbs!

I went from an 8" limited slip with drum brakes to a large bearing 9" limited slip 31 spline with wilwood 12" disc/integral parking brake and welded on link brackets. I figure I gained at least 50lbs there.