Safe weight reduction?

Lets start with info. Its a 1994 Firebird Formula. Im getting it ready for a life of straight line performance.

I am trying to find places to remove stuff and find lighter than stock pieces for the car. Here is my plan.

Tubular K-Member and coil over kit with control arms. (Anyone know a good manufacturer?)

Ram air hood or cowl induction hood. (Who makes the lightest high quality hood around?)

Remove all seats and replace with a Sparco driver seat and 5 way harness.

Remove all unnecessary bumper supports and such things as that. (Has anyone removed this stuff? If you have do you have a list of things that are safe to remove without taking away from the rigidity of the frame?)

Weld drag rims... not sure if I want the drag lites or the pro stars.

Replace steering wheel with a Grant wheel. (I cant stand the stereo controls on here without them working on my aftermarket radio.)

If you have any suggestions on what else I can remove to get this car as light as possible without hurting its structural integrity then Im open to suggestions. Thanks!

For the K-member and A-arms I woudl look to BMR. http://www.bmrfabrication.com

I would get the K-member that comes with the manual rack. Removing the power steering will save you some weight as well.

A/C and Heater Core, those go bye bye.

Structural supports in the doors, front bumper, and rear bumper can all be removed.

Remove the factory carpet and install light weight carpet.

Go to an aftermarket battery and locate it in the rear, don't forget your shut-off switch and battery box.

While you have the dash off doing the Heater Core removal you can remove the venting and all un-neccasary wiring.

These are all small things, but together they add up. I'm sure some of the more seasoned guys here will be able to help you out. Good Luck

:D

I can't add much to that.

Using a 5 point harness usually includes installing a roll bar. My 6 point bar added 70 pounds to the car.

Removing weight is cheap. Changing things to reduce weight gets expensive. You could get fiberglass doors and front fenders.

Change the windshield and door glass to Lexan. Changing the windshield will cut 10 pounds off. Keep the rear glass. Although it's very heavy, it's in a good spot over the rear wheels.

Rip out all the wiring and rewire only what you need. The factory harness can be as thick as a wrist and most of the wires are not needed.

Aluminum rad and heads will cut a lot of weight off the front.

How "stock" do you want the interior to be? If the radio is removed, you might as well remove all those speakers.

If the car is going to be an all out race car and never see street use again there's lots more to remove to cut off weight.

Installing a small fuel cell is good. The factory gas tank is 25 pounds empty.

I want to remove as much possible without the car failing inspection. I want it to be able to pass inspection yet be as light as possible. I dont need interior or a radio. Im fine without any of that stuff.

Failing what kind of inspection?

im not big into weight reducing cause i got a daily driver but this could help. i dont know whats good and whats not so ask around but this stuff is lighter than stock and has the cowl hood. its bold on or pin on. pin on hood would save some weight too. good luck hope it helps http://www.vfnfiberglass.com/site.htm