Weighed my vert and track update, need opinions.

[Nacho]

I'm pretty pleased with my sn95 convertible's weight, it came in right at 3180 lbs. I think that's pretty good for a fat pig(not me, my car).

Quick FYI, my previous best had been a 13.0 @ 105 with a 1.68. Last time I went to the track was about 1 month ago and only 3 changes were done to my car.

1. Swapped out my t5 for a properly working one
2. MSD gave out so I took it off
3. Swapped from 20w50 to 10w30

Now to the bad part, I had 3 passes this past Friday and these were my times:
1st 2nd 3rd
I1: 1.764 1.750 1.735
I2: 5.493 5.447 5.410
I3: 8.585 @ 80.226 8.507 @80.898 8.472 @ 80.810
ET: 13.461 @102.120 13.369 @102.728 13.323 @ 102.737

At least it was consistant but I'm not happy at all. One major difference that I noticed was that I was hitting the 1320 with the shift light blaring in my face, this didn't happen before. I've always shifted at or about 5700rpm. The car felt strong but I just couldn't hit my previous best, I ran my timing at 18* w/ 43psi of fuel pressure (stock injectors). I had run 13.1-13.0s several times with over 104 mph, so I know it wasn't a one hit wonder. Now to my theory, could it be that this tranny that I installed is off a 4 cylinder? Could that cause my times to be off? I need to check the serial numbers. Anyone have that info? Also, I know I don't need a taller tire cause I had some 27x10 Hoosiers that I ran a couple of times and they slowed me down to about the times I just posted. As soon as I went back to the 26x11.5, I hit my 13.1-13.0 times. What do you guys think, I know I wrote a lot and didn't ask much, but provide some feedback please. Any other ideas of why the hell my car lost 3 tenths with 3mph!?!

Thanks

 

[Hybridbird]

The 2.3 T5 has a lower gear ratio to help compinsate for lack of bottom end, also you need a special pilot bearing because the input shaft is smaller in diameter on the 4cyl. than o n the V8.

 

[Nacho]

The 2.3 T5 has a lower gear ratio to help compinsate for lack of bottom end, also you need a special pilot bearing because the input shaft is smaller in diameter on the 4cyl. than o n the V8.

Really? I had never heard of that, I need to look into it. FYI, my clutch is slipping. It does it more in 4th and 5th gear. Now I have to get a new one so I can hit my times again. O0

 

[Downshift]

What mods do you have? I thought the verts weighed more than that, is there any weight reduction there? Too bad you didnt do the clutch with the tranny... oh well at least you can get a better look at stuff this time around.

 

[Nacho]

Yeah, verts weigh over 3600lbs but some weight reduction has been done on my car, as you can tell. I still think 3180lb is pretty damn good.

I didn't change out the clutch cause I didn't think I needed one, but oh well, might as well change it out already and hit my sub 1.7 60's again.

Regarding the mods, nothing special, unported gt40 heads, e-cam, explorer intake and all other bolt-ons.... :blah2:

 

[DropTopPony]

thats a good weight for a vert, mine was @3450lbs when i got it...what all did you eliminate to drop 300lbs.

 

[Nacho]

A lot of crap. I'm pretty sure you're familiar with the fender weights, well those are gone. All the sound deadning(sp?) in the doors. The dogbone, the smog pump, rear seats, gutted the trunk, al. driveshaft, and am running pro stars. Will be losing another 30lbs as soon as I get my k member in. O0

 

[uncltrvlnmatt]

If your clutch is slipping, that will do it.

 

[Nacho]

All better now. 8)

 

[ReplicaR]

How gutted is your car that it only weights 3180? My car with full tank of gas stock tipped the scale at 3340.

 

[94 DropTop]

please explain those fender weights to me.

 

[rgs]

wow wtf my car weighs 3450 and im a coupe...

 

[Nacho]

I was as surprised as you guys when I saw the weight.

In the fenders, ONLY ON VERTS, there are 1 weight on each corner of the rear fender. They're pretty heavy. There's also a 25lb wieght in the front fender. I have no back seat and has a set of prostars when I weighed it, no heavy chrome wheels.

 

[ReplicaR]

Where are these weights that you speak of? Do you have any pictures?

 

[Nacho]

sorry I don't. Keep in mind they're only on CONVERTIBLES. The rear ones are on each corner of the rear bumper. The one in front is behind one of the fog lamps, not sure which side.

 

[GDawg]

1.7 60' times.... <sigh> I had 2.7 60' times this last weekend with no weight transfer.

Regarding the weights, what is their purpose in the first place? I'm not removing anything without understanding the ramifications.

Shifting at 5700rpms... aren't you out of the the peak powerband at that point? I shift at 5200 rpm (or try to) before my hp starts to drop off.

I know my car is 2 seconds faster at my 6,000 elevation but I'm working on traction issues.

I have a 3.27 gear... I don't think anything more than a 3.55 will work for me. Right now I run out of 1st way too fast. I'll probably do a 3.55 swap but no more.

 

[DropTopPony]

I haven't noticed any weights in the rear but i'm gonna look...50lbs is worth a peek...
The front weight is only on 94-95 verts from what i was told...i looked and didn't see it a few years ago.

 

[Nacho]

regarding my shifting, I haven't taken it to the dyno to see exactly where I should be shifting but with my cam, rockers, and springs, I shouldn't have any trouble making power up to about 5400rpm, so if I shift at 5700rpms, I fall nearer to that peak power.

Regarding the weights, they are said to be used as counterweights for the convertibles. They're said to provide more stability, BUT I didn't notice any difference when I took them off.

DTP, you may be right on the 94-95 part, I'm not sure, I've never owned any other year.

Don't forget the dogbone, that's an easy 10lbs to lose.

 

[Hicks]

How you like that e303?
I am putting one on my 347, although i need a bigger cam, it will have to wait due to Father... :nonono:
lol...

My roller will help the lift more, but i was thinking 540's or 550's of a lift would be perfect for my setup.
I dunno..
GREAT JOB running 13's with that tho man, im proud of that!!

What kindof weight reduction's have you done?
Rear seat delete etc?
Fill a preacher in man i need speed COMONG erkngfjnb :rant: :hammer: O0

 

[Nacho]

^^ thanks man. the cam is great, I get a lot of compliments on the sound, and it's running awesome as well. a custom cam is always the way to go, especially for your stroker!

about the weight reductions, there's so much you can do. I'll give you a brief list.

1. remove dogbone (under the differential pumpkin)
2. rear seat delete
3. gut the trunk
4. remove door/rear panel foam
5. remove front sway bar (about 22lbs)
6. get rid of all your egr/smog crap
7. get some racing wheels

Those are the major ones that I've done. I'm not sure if the coupes have the weights on the rear fender, check it out.