Reducing vehicle weight
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| − | Lighter vehicles run faster, accelerate more quickly, and consume less fuel. Think twice before removing anything that can't be easily put back. Also, keep in mind that any weight reductions might prevent your vehicle from being a viable daily driver or family car. | + | Lighter vehicles run faster, accelerate more quickly, and [[Improving fuel economy|consume less fuel]]. Think twice before removing anything that can't be easily put back. Also, keep in mind that any weight reductions might prevent your vehicle from being a viable daily driver or family car. |
==Replacing steel body parts with lighter materials== | ==Replacing steel body parts with lighter materials== | ||
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*Radio, antenna, and cables. | *Radio, antenna, and cables. | ||
*Carpets and floor mats. | *Carpets and floor mats. | ||
| − | *Spare tire and jack. | + | *Spare tire and [[Hydraulic jacks|jack]]. |
*Chrome trim. | *Chrome trim. | ||
*Power windows and locks, and all associated parts. | *Power windows and locks, and all associated parts. | ||
*Power seats. | *Power seats. | ||
| − | *Sound deadener. | + | *[[Sound deadening|Sound deadener]]. |
*Insulation. | *Insulation. | ||
*Dashboard (can be replaced by a barebones aluminum dash panel). | *Dashboard (can be replaced by a barebones aluminum dash panel). | ||
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==Nose weight vs. tail weight== | ==Nose weight vs. tail weight== | ||
| − | For a drag car, nose weight is undesirable, while you want as much tail weight as possible. Nose weight is the amount of weight located over the front tires. Tail weight is the amount of weight located over the rear tires. Most cars have a balance of 47% to 53% ratio, with the front being heavier. A lot of cars have the battery, | + | For a drag car, nose weight is undesirable, while you want as much tail weight as possible. Nose weight is the amount of weight located over the front tires. Tail weight is the amount of weight located over the rear tires. Most cars have a balance of 47% to 53% ratio, with the front being heavier. A lot of cars have the battery, radiator overflow and some other essential items located under the hood. Moving the battery back to the truck area can help the weight precentages favor the rear. Your typical drag car would want 53% rear weight with a 50/50 split on the left and right weights. Here are some items that you can replace with its lighter counterpart. |
==Sprung weight vs. Unsprung weight== | ==Sprung weight vs. Unsprung weight== | ||
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*Springs | *Springs | ||
*Shocks | *Shocks | ||
| − | * | + | *Driveshaft |
| − | *Engine | + | *Engine and transmission components |
*Wheels | *Wheels | ||
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