BA weight reduction - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

T_Terror · 11-08-2004, 04:14

We all know that the BA is a bit fat.

So if you had a BA for cheap (hint hint...) what could you do to get it down to around 1500kg at least instead of the barge 1800kg its at stock.

Im thinking, removal of spare wheel, lessen sound deadening, rear seats but waht else?

What makes the BAs weigh so damn much?

VARMAX · 11-08-2004, 04:30

For 1800 kgs u r obviously talking about the V8 models as the base XT is about 1630 kgs. So to reduce weight i would suggest pull out the V8 and chuck in a turbo barra6 which will save u atleast 100 kgs . Then chuck out the control blade rear and put the rear end of a ute which might help u with another 50-60 kgs. Now put in carbon fibre race seats,bonnet,wheels,rotors,discs,body kit etc. Pull out the rear seat,sound deadening,sound system,air con,spare wheel,airbag and related accessories.
Maintain ur weight at <65 kgs.
Now that will save u atleast 250-300 kgs.
Hope that helps.

Then again i might as well drive around in a gemini (weighs around 1ton) with a fully siiiick turbo and sound system with my seat reclined to a point of no return and my cap backwards.

TJS-81 · 11-08-2004, 16:19

From the Ford website...the XR8 ute is heavier than the XR8 sedan...does this sound right?

FPV TURBO · 11-08-2004, 17:47

Yes the utes have always been heavy bastards, even in the AU....

REV28K · 11-08-2004, 18:04

The side and rear glass (and motors) are also heavy - replace these with plastic ones.

Bolt on panels - replace with lighter fibreglass or thinner acid-dipped ones.

Drill holes in some of the metal bits.

Forged wheels instead of cast. Carbon fibre prop shafts. Magnesium casings, carbon-fibre brake discs.....where do you want to stop?

VARMAX · 11-08-2004, 18:31

The utes probably heavier due to the weight of the steel tray and extra underbody reinforcements to cater for the payload. Its the control blade rear end that caused the biggest weight increase over Eseries and even from the au. Previously ford had multi link rear end which was not a bad setup but from what i heard the conrol blade is far superior.

XpCoupe · 11-08-2004, 18:32

With the GTP cars the honey comb insert behind the bumper bar weighs a bit take it out of the front and rear. Heater and air con cores weigh a bit. Go the perspect windows. and reskin the doors, boot, bonet with alloy. Even now aof a couple of GTP car that have reskined the roof with alloy. Depends on what you are aiming for. If it is racing. It is the high weight you want to loose to reduce the centre of gavertiy.

jimmy_c · 11-08-2004, 21:05

Your also forgetting how much bloody copper wiring is in the BA with the new Computer and electrical system they run. I remember when the BA first come out, it said in the faqs somewhere that there was 100kms of wiring lol

I guess, Carbon Fibre door panels and boot etc. but your looking at $$$

T_Terror · 11-08-2004, 21:44

Unfortunately ive come to the same conclusions, that there isnt much "cheap" weight saving to be had there.

Still that 1630kg in the XT is alot better than i expected, thats a massive 150kg plus saving on the XR6T!

Perana XR8 · 11-08-2004, 21:46

Im pretty sure the XT's are closer to 1700kg still...
Ford quote in the brochure 1694kg for a BA XT Auto..