Chapter 9: Diet Continues

Losing weight = fast for cheap. No cheaper way to go faster than to make the car lighter. Continued weight loss is always a priority for this car. Since I removed the A/C compressor and condenser, along with unplugging the heater core, the blower motor and A/C evaporator weren't doing much of anything, so out they came. This left a gapping hole in the firewall. Using some sheet metal, I made a block off plate to cover it up. After removing the gigantic enclosure, the amount of empty space on the passenger side of the engine compartment is just stupid. Working on that side is the motor is now significantly easier.

With more space to work and finally finding some spare time, I got my headers installed. My used, $100 headers. They are significantly lighter than the stock cast iron manifolds, and should make more power too. With many components missing from the engine compartment, installing them wasn't difficult, just time consuming.

After installing the headers, I finally got around to re-weighing the car. Back in Chapter 4, the car weighed 3055 lbs with most of the interior missing. Now, with approx the same amount of gas, the car is 2930 lbs. While 125 lbs is a significant amount of weight, I was really hoping it would be lighter. Front/rear weight distribution has improved to 54/46. Next up on the diet to do list: extra wiring, heater core, passenger air bag, more dash components, HVAC ducting, popup headlights, more wiring, power antenna, and even more wiring.

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