GrabberGT Ev. 5

love the workl you have done to the car got any new updates?

 

Its up in the air again. Getting ready to pull the motor and trans. I've got a new-to-me G-Force t5 to put in and need to replace my rear main seal. I'll be shaving the shock towers while Im at it. Fresh plugs, wires, rotor and cap, then its back on the road.

 

Just a thought so don't shot me. So how much weight are you trying to shave. You did not say anything about the rear seat. What type of pulleys do you have? What about the shock tower braces? I replaced my stock gas tank with a plastic one, it's seemed lighter, I don't know for sure. I would stay with the 17 inch tires. I thought 17's are faster than 18's. Is the battery in the truck?

 

I'd like to lose 100lbs from the front. Im not going to take out the rear seat as my son needs a place to ride. Theres not much I can do with it. I am going to replace the shock tower braces with something different and add a Monte Carlo bar. Both of which will be adding weight. I can offset that with a compact starter but for the cost why bother? I read today that the shipping weight of a vintage air GenIV setup is 58 lbs. Im not giving that up either. Center console is another 20 or so and I dont plan on getting rid of it either. So the weight being 3350 really isnt that bad considering everything I've got in it. It'll prob stay about where it is.

The pulley system is from March Performance.

17" wheels/tire combo is said to be lighter than 18" which would give better performance weight wise and depending on what you want to do with the car, the added sidewall of a 17 might also be a benefit.

The battery is in the trunk.

 

These cars are at least, if not more, nose-heavy than a lot of other musclecars. I think you are on the right track as far as focusing on losing weight in the front. It will make the car more balanced for overall handling.

Even if the focus was just drag racing ... It is OK if the car has some weight, as long as it is working to press the rear tires down.

I would not worry about taking any weight off of the rear, unless the scales tell you otherwise. Getting one of these cars to 50/50 front-to-rear would be a small miracle in my book, without actually moving the motor back, etc.

If the weight seems a little high ... make more power.

 

Well since you said so..... I've got a secret plan that will not only get it closer to 50/50 but also add monster power to overcome the overall vehicle weight.

 

Rear mounted turbo? or Nitrous?

 

trailer with jet motor. :bananaman

That would be one heck of a Nitrous bottle.

 

I read a story about a guy who did something like that. Didn't end well... but I bet it was one hell of a ride!!

Seriously, tho, I've been watching your build up and I must say, I like it a lot. That rear suspension setup is something I've been thinking about and I'm really glad to see someone jump on it like you did. That is one sweet setup!!

 

I decided to make a few cuts today... Anyone know a good welder?



Im thinking of buying this thing and trying it myself.... Any suggestions.

http://www.eastwood.com/175-amp-mig-welder-w-spool-gun.html

 

I did the same thing to mine. Your gonna love it. Much easier to change plugs.

 

I taught myself how to MIG with a lot of online research and a few mistakes made along the way. It is not bad once you get into it a bit.

I bought my welder from Northern Tool ... their house brand ... and been very happy with it. It is half the price of the one in your link there. Runs on 110v and should be enough to handle anything you will do on a car.

The only problem so far was that I needed to power it with an extension cord at one point, and felt that the cord I was using was starving it a bit. Went out and bought a larger gauge extension cord (about $30 IIRC) and no other real issues.

 

I've got a Lincoln Weld Pack 100 that I have had for a couple years that I dont like much at all. It uses Flux Core wire. I thought about just using it and adding gas for cleaner easier welding but will be on the lookout for a more powerful setup.

 

I had the weld pack 100HD I did MIG the conversion kit on it. It worked great for me since the thickest i ever did was 1/4". I sold it a while back to my uncle but I borrow it every now and again.

 

Thanks. Good feedback. I may just do that myself since I got the welder pretty cheap. I'd hate to invest MORE money if I didnt have to.