Stripping SHO (What's Dead Weight?)

[Xs SHO 1]

Dave Kegel:
The slicers weigh 19 lbs.

Dave Kegel

'99 SHO wheels weighs around 19 lbs....

<small>[ January 17, 2003, 11:24 PM: Message edited by: xssho1 ]</small>

 

[Off Road SHO]

AHH, the old lighter is quicker challenge. Lotus Racing used to have a philosphy that they should build their cars JUST strong enough to cross the finish and THEN fall apart. HA HA

If you want to accelerate quicker, take weight off of things that rotate like your wheels and tires. And the farther from axle centerline the weight is, the more torque it requires to spin it. Mountain bikers know this, dune racers know it also. Good luck.

Tom

 

[SHOneedaJOB]

Thomas,

Yes, I'm aware of eliminating sprung weight, which rotates. I plan on putting smaller tires on the wheels (which weigh less) because they'll get the engine on it's power curve quicker.

Also, I plan on dropping 7 or so lbs off of the flywheel...maybe more. I have a guy here in Dallas that will shave a flywheel down for $150 and balance it. Takes 2 days and does wonders for the SHO's acceloration and torque curve.

But...one thing I've noticed that is especially important is to take weight out of SHOs because they don't have just TONS of torque to move all of the weight...and they seem to REALLY want to move the car MUCH quicker when you eliminate weight because it's much easier for it to get moving and on it's power band.

So a combination of the lightweight flywheel, rims and tires with the weight reduction will be very leathal on the track, road course, autocross and highway. Thanks for the advice though. It's very good and important advice.

 

[CTOESHO]

xssho1:

Dave Kegel:
The slicers weigh 19 lbs.

Dave Kegel

'99 SHO wheels weighs around 19 lbs....

I think they are actually 16lbs each. I will find out when I pick mine up in a week.

 

[myothercarisamustang]

I think the SHO is the ultimate daily driver due to it's perfect balancing of gas mileage, performance, and comfort. I don't understand why you guys get so in to trying to make them faster that you throw off the balance between performance and comfort. If you really want to go fast, why pick up a 2 door sports car and turn it into a drag car?
Even if you drop 500 pounds, your 1/4 mile time is still going to be high 14's. Mustangs do that from the factory, fully equipped. shrug

 

[X-15 SHO]

Mustang lover, go to a mustang forum and talk stang talk -500lbs will get a 89 SHO in at least mid 14's and high 14's with a dumb driver

 

[myothercarisamustang]

I love my SHO too, man, just for different reasons.

 

[3.8Lwagon]

if you realy want a fast sho fine one of the Alumin intensive Taurus that Ford build. i believe they made 3 total. 2 sadens and 1 wagon.
i think they weighed 600lb less with full trim and with the stannard engine. you coule loose another 100 lb if you can get an alumin block.
hummm ever tryed making alumin or carbonfiber body panals?

 

[jthomas68]

They were Sables,and there were none built into wagons.You won`t find any,they`re not for sale.

 

[SnoSho]

Cause some of use drove 5.0's breathing through NOVI 1000's and then had kids wink

 

[1slickRED89]

my 8-way power seats weight 65lbs each. the full power doors tip the scales at over 85lbs each. another idea, fitting steelie 14' wheels from a SLO and some cheap tries might be fun try. you would need the 10" brakes though. which is good from a rotional mass point of veiw anyhow. for that matter, put in a 9.25" clutch while your at it. it's stamped steel pressure plate weighs less than the cast iron P.P. in the larger 9.75" unit.

i like the idea of a bench seat, better yet a vinal covered one. it would be like a 1950's hotrod style instead of a generic 1990's style. plus the other obvious advanges. lateron, Corey