Weight reduction rehash

[Scott4957]

Not to beat a dead horse as there are thousands of posts all over the internet about reducing weight for better 1/4 mile performance, but I thought I would share some thoughts after my recent sub install. Now that I am an expert in dismantling the back half of an MKS i realized that there has to be 200+ pounds of crap that can be pulled in about 20 minutes LOL. I'm not sure how the SHO is, but the rear seat back in the MKS is a beast, easy 60-75 pounds. The bottom is far less but still pretty heavy, and of course the spare wheel for those that have it with the associated tools. I also have a 30# car seat in my car at all times. I would imagine the front passenger seat is near 100 pounds alone and can't be too difficult to pull. My best guess off the top of my head is 250+ pulled in less than an hour. This should make a significant difference on track day or for a grudge race.

The most used equation is 1/10th for every 100 pounds.  1hp per 10lbs, 10hp per 100lbs etc. I went in search of some proof of this, I found a guy that did some pretty good testing with an AWD audi that was a 11.3 second car with VERY consistent runs. He would add weight and test. He found that it was about .13 for every 100lbs. Every car will be different and depend on where the weight comes from but I have a feeling that our cars will line up closely with his results, we don't have cars running faster than that so it should be the same or slightly magnified. For example a 9 second car would not see the same results necessarily. Bench racing I am going to say I could get 3 tenths off my normal running setup, we may never know because I may just pull it all the first time at the track and then not tell anyone when I post the time slip Other than builds with no options, has anyone pulled a bunch of stuff and made a run?

[J_C]

I've also been curious how beneficial pulling weight out of these awd cars really is? It was common practice in the tbss community to pull as much weight possible to help with getting a personal best time. Mine was achieved by removing the spare , Jack, passenger seat, and back seat. Pretty much a tin can with drag radials on all four corners..lol

[AnotherGreenFusion]

Physics is physics so this will work no problem as long as you don't skew weight distribution in undesirable ways.


When I finally head to the track to nab a real PB instead of just testing I will most certainly pull out all the stops including as much of the interior and liners that I can.

[ZSHO]

I would make your wife..girlfriend..boyfriend real happy by shedding off a few pounds lol  Z

[f8tlSHO]

I race how I roll on the streets, child seats and all..


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[Scott4957]

And according to your sig it runs well! You never know when you might need a couple more tenths to work with!

[GT500R]

I race how I roll on the streets, child seats and all..


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Bingo.... I hate the discussion of taking out seats just for a track run to see what you can do. 

I imagine grudge match convos a week later go like
"What did it run"
"12.3"
"Wow quick, you should run my 5.0, it ran 12.4"
"Oh yeah, give me like 2 hours, I just need to grab my tools and take everything out to run you so it would be a close race"
"What?"
"Oh yeah, I had to take out the back seat, spare, sun roof, glasses, snapple bottle, paper clips in the car, with that in ... it runs 12.7"
"Okkkkk, good thing I didn't waste my gas......."

[Scott4957]

I race how I roll on the streets, child seats and all..


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Bingo.... I hate the discussion of taking out seats just for a track run to see what you can do. 

I imagine grudge match convos a week later go like
"What did it run"
"12.3"
"Wow quick, you should run my 5.0, it ran 12.4"
"Oh yeah, give me like 2 hours, I just need to grab my tools and take everything out to run you so it would be a close race"
"What?"
"Oh yeah, I had to take out the back seat, spare, sun roof, glasses, snapple bottle, paper clips in the car, with that in ... it runs 12.7"
"Okkkkk, good thing I didn't waste my gas......."

Don't grudge race if that's how you think it works. They should see your car run a 13. It should actually run a 12.5 and the stupid idea of removing weight will net you another two tenths...for example. Then negotiate a length and the hit on a 12.0 car and take the money.

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[f8tlSHO]

I race how I roll on the streets, child seats and all..


Sent from my iPhone

Bingo.... I hate the discussion of taking out seats just for a track run to see what you can do. 

I imagine grudge match convos a week later go like
"What did it run"
"12.3"
"Wow quick, you should run my 5.0, it ran 12.4"
"Oh yeah, give me like 2 hours, I just need to grab my tools and take everything out to run you so it would be a close race"
"What?"
"Oh yeah, I had to take out the back seat, spare, sun roof, glasses, snapple bottle, paper clips in the car, with that in ... it runs 12.7"
"Okkkkk, good thing I didn't waste my gas......."

Agreed.. If I drive it on the street with all of that stuff missing than fine, but I'm not driving a stripped down 50,000$ car.


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[StealBlueSho]

I race how I roll on the streets, child seats and all..


Sent from my iPhone

Bingo.... I hate the discussion of taking out seats just for a track run to see what you can do. 

I imagine grudge match convos a week later go like
"What did it run"
"12.3"
"Wow quick, you should run my 5.0, it ran 12.4"
"Oh yeah, give me like 2 hours, I just need to grab my tools and take everything out to run you so it would be a close race"
"What?"
"Oh yeah, I had to take out the back seat, spare, sun roof, glasses, snapple bottle, paper clips in the car, with that in ... it runs 12.7"
"Okkkkk, good thing I didn't waste my gas......."

Agreed.. If I drive it on the street with all of that stuff missing than fine, but I'm not driving a stripped down 50,000$ car.


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This.... I didn't buy a SHO to treat it like a tin can...I want my ass to be massaged while I run down the track making all the coyotes cry.. might have my back massaged on the next run.. who knows.. but I do know I will be comfy!

[f8tlSHO]

I race how I roll on the streets, child seats and all..


Sent from my iPhone

Bingo.... I hate the discussion of taking out seats just for a track run to see what you can do. 

I imagine grudge match convos a week later go like
"What did it run"
"12.3"
"Wow quick, you should run my 5.0, it ran 12.4"
"Oh yeah, give me like 2 hours, I just need to grab my tools and take everything out to run you so it would be a close race"
"What?"
"Oh yeah, I had to take out the back seat, spare, sun roof, glasses, snapple bottle, paper clips in the car, with that in ... it runs 12.7"
"Okkkkk, good thing I didn't waste my gas......."

Agreed.. If I drive it on the street with all of that stuff missing than fine, but I'm not driving a stripped down 50,000$ car.


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This.... I didn't buy a SHO to treat it like a tin can...I want my ass to be massaged while I run down the track making all the coyotes cry.. might have my back massaged on the next run.. who knows.. but I do know I will be comfy!

I raced 12 times last night.. No one beat me.. I love it, respectable cars too..corvettes , mustangs, s4, didn't matter


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