Awesome

[Nightrage]

Just ordered a Pro 5.0 shifter, 6" short stick and a skip shift eliminator (i know i don't need one but it was only $15, i figured i might as well just get it while i was there). Ordering from WS6store.com. Came out to like $220 for everything including shipping. Where should i go next? I was thinking subframe connectors. What do you guys think? I guess i should do a basic tune up before i start modding- new plugs, wires, cap, rotor and i need to clean the K&N filter. I'm thinking that might get me some better gas mileage seeing as how i'm averaging about 14MPG's right now I finally got my back seats out after lots of frustration. I'm also thinking about taking out the air conditioning unit seeing as how everytime i get the A/C fixed, it just breaks again. That'll drop some weight off the front end (50 some odd pounds i believe?). I'm debating whether or not i want to pull out the carpeting and sound deadening material. I don't want the car to be excessively noisy but if i remember correctly, that's another 50lbs i'd be losing. I'm going to try and get $600 for my 88 Formula so i'll be 2/3's of the way to a ram air hood since i'm just getting the hood and no airbox. On top of that, i have connections with a body shop for paint. That's another 30lbs off the front. That gone, then out comes the spare tire and jack for another 30lbs. Assuming these numbers are correct, grand total, i'll be losing almost 200lbs out of the car. Maybe an aluminum flywheel and aluminum driveshaft some time down the road for less weight and more power to the wheels. I want make a checklist so over time, i can do whatever's next on my list and then move on. It would also give me some sense of direction and allow me to plan everything out instead of running around like a decapitated chicken like i've been doing. Any input would be appreciated Thanks guys

[Dave M]

At 100 lbs of weight saved equals a tenth in the quarter, you're tearing all this stuff out of the car... carpet, back seats, sound deadening material, even a/c so you can be .2 faster? Unless you're car is strictly a racer and you need every last hundredth you can get, I wouldn't do it. They'll be a time when you need the back seat, or the a/c... or you'll get tired of the constant road and wind noise... not to mention it kills any resale value you have left in the car. To me it's simply not worth it. I understand for someone who doesn't have money to mod it's a tempting way to make the car faster, inexpensively... but to me it's just not worth it. My .02, take it for what it's worth.

[ws6drbob]

At 100 lbs of weight saved equals a tenth in the quarter, you're tearing all this stuff out of the car... carpet, back seats, sound deadening material, even a/c so you can be .2 faster? Unless you're car is strictly a racer and you need every last hundredth you can get, I wouldn't do it. They'll be a time when you need the back seat, or the a/c... or you'll get tired of the constant road and wind noise... not to mention it kills any resale value you have left in the car. To me it's simply not worth it. I understand for someone who doesn't have money to mod it's a tempting way to make the car faster, inexpensively... but to me it's just not worth it. My .02, take it for what it's worth.

I totally agree... unless this is a trailer car that never gets daily use i would have to say that you may regret it someday.

[alenstein]

Don't get rid of the A/c, 1. Just think of the hot humid nights and days in the summer in our area. 2. I have 132k on the clock and the ac has not faield yet.3 Just like mentioned unless its a tailer car, you dont want to loose these comforts. my 2 shiny cents !

[Nightrage]

My A/C's been repaired 3 times so far. As of right now, it's still not working. I just drive with the windows open. It's a lot more fun. I guess i could leave the A/C and carpeting in but i want to lose some weight. My best friend is nearly 300lbs and i want him to see what it pulls like for me when i'm alone. What are the advantages or disadvantages of a tubular K-member? I have a possible race with a Dodge Magnum or 2 in the future ( i know two people that are getting them) and my step brother is probably getting a Camaro some time in the near future. I want to be able to embarass them all. I'm not just looking for speed though. Better braking and handling are also turning me towards weight reduction. Maybe some light weight wheels. I'm bulemic with my car. Vomiting up all that extra weight lol. From what i understand, less weight on the front end gives you a better launch. I still need to relocate my battery to the trunk eventually. Now that i have some money coming in, i can start modding. I might do some heavier modding like porting the heads or adding a different camshaft in the future but i don't want to get too crazy. Thanks for the input.

[Injuneer]

You won't save 30# with the Ram Air hood.... the stock Firebird hood only weighs 38#, and the SLP composite hood is not much lighter. You could get the paper thin VFN pin-on hood.... that only weighs 11# and allows you to delete the hinges, latch and struts.

I think the A/C stuff is closer to 45#, but I haven't pulled the evaporator yet.

Before you pull the carpet completely out (if that's what you meant), think about how you plan to use the car. A lot of the F-Body specific events, particularly the "street car" type, require a fully carpeted interior and two seats (GM High-Tech events require 2 matching seats). You can get a light weight carpet kit that will be a lot less work than trying to pull the insulation off the backing of the stock carpet.

If you are a real fanatic, I could sell you a set of my custom "sunvisor delete" plates, and a "radio delete" plate...... You also can delete one of the two horns.....

[Nightrage]

I could never get rid of my radio. I just want to get rid of things i don't use often. The sun visors are a necessity. I always get blinded while driving on the parkway when they're not down. I'm just trying to put together a list of ideas. 3,600lbs sounds morbidly obese to me. I want to drop it closer to 3,300lbs. I guess i can try getting the A/C fixed a 4th time but after that, i think i'm going to pull it out. Any numbers i used were from the weight reduction list that Dave (i think it was Dave) posted a while back. I'm trying to think of other things to do now. I'm thinking sub frame connectors and then sway bars. After that i'll save up for a new clutch and flywheel. I want to teach my girlfriend how to drive stick so that's probably going to take some life off my clutch. I want a stronger clutch in the car anyhow just in case i decide to start getting crazy with mods (not to mention the car has 75,000-ish miles so the clutch is probably starting to wear, i also learned how to drive stick in this car and probably burned it up a bit). I want to start taking Thai kickboxing soon too so i can't go blowing all my money. You guys interested in helping me make a "to do" list?

[Injuneer]

Problem is that as you start to mod the car, you add parts that add weight... the SFC's and heavier sway bars being a good example. My Formula tipped the scales at Englishtown (NJ) Raceway Park at 3,760# and that was without A/C, no back seat, light weight wheels and tires, light weight driver's seat, etc. Any weight reductions were more than offset by a roll bar (chrome moly, so it only weighs 60# instead of 100#), heavy torque arm, SFC's, STB, TH400, 12-bolt, etc. That's "race weight" with no more than 5-gal of fuel, and me (185# + helmet and fire jacket)

Another round of major deletions... bumper crash pads, 50# 4" Mufflex catback, most of the audio system, drivers air bag + light weight steering wheel, cruise control, AIR, front sway bar, spare and jack... partially offset by the addition of a Gear Vendors O/D unit... only brought it down to 3,635#. I think I may have it down to 3,575# this year.

[Nightrage]

Finally got the Pro 5.0. Still on the short stick and the skip shift eliminator. I'm going to try getting the shifter done tomorrow with my step brother. Can't wait. Only thing is that the stick itself seems angled oddly. Not because of a defect, just because of how it's bolted to the shifter. Guess i'll see what happens when it's installed- looks relatively easy.

[Z Ya Later]

Dude, the car has plenty of power to impress your buddy without having to lighten it up, believe me. I had 4 people in mine and she still pulled hard. Like everyone else has said, if she's not gonna be a trailer queen don't gut the interior. Sub-frame connectors will definitely stiffen up the car and make it feel more "confident", so to speak . The 1LE driveshaft will free up some power lost in the drivetrain and doing the throttle body coolant bypass will free up some power lost from excessive heat. Some people don't like it, but the throttle body air foil will add a couple ponies, its cheap and easy to install. Plus, if you're not happy with Flowmaster's sound (and/or you don't want to deal with it when it rusts), get a better cat-back. Hope this helps.

[Nightrage]

My buddies been in it before. i was just saying that it oulls like crap when he's in it. Combined we're nearly 500lbs. I'm thinking a cam and some head porting eventually but i guess i'll settle down for now. Suspension mods are a definite in the future.

[Z Ya Later]

Dude, I'm almost 300 lbs., my buddy is a little over 200 lbs. and we had our g/fs in the car with us. That's well over 500 lbs. (that's sheer weight, not and insult :P) and the Z still pulled hard. If you're noticing that much of a difference, then maybe you should do more maintenance and less gutting. What's your fuel pressure sitting at? The tune-up will definitely help too. Heck, how new is your belt? Just something to think about.

[raroZ28]

I made my own short stick... Really simple!! You're going to love that pro 5.0.

I would rec. removing the allen studs that hold the stick on, coat it with loc-tite blue, and put it on tight. I had one of mine fall out on me, even after I tightened it myself. Too much rattle in the drivetrain not to use loctite.

Here is my modified stock 5.0 shifter. I figured I'd rather see what I could do with the stock one before I blew money on a short stick.

[Nightrage]

Yeah, i can't wait. Maybe tomorrow. I got a 6" short stick that's going to go perfect. I like when the shift boot covers the entire stick but the stock stick is too long and the boot just slides off. I want to get a Camaro shift knob next. I don't really like the Hurst of SLP knobs but the round leather one that comes stock on a 93-97 Camaro would be perfect. The mushroom shaped knob (the stock knob) that my car has is strange.

[raroZ28]

Yeah, i can't wait. Maybe tomorrow. I got a 6" short stick that's going to go perfect. I like when the shift boot covers the entire stick but the stock stick is too long and the boot just slides off. I want to get a Camaro shift knob next. I don't really like the Hurst of SLP knobs but the round leather one that comes stock on a 93-97 Camaro would be perfect. The mushroom shaped knob (the stock knob) that my car has is strange.

Those round knobs suck. If you want one I got one sittin' here that'll probably see the trash before too long.