Lightweight Parts
 

What are the best weight-reducing parts you can buy for reasonable money? I am modifying a '90 LX Notchback 2.3L. Do the Pro 5.0 front ends advertised to reduce 150lbs. work on LX 2.3's?

Also, I'm thinking about installing a NOS 50hp kit and several mods and the guy from Walsh Racing told me a 60mm 5.0 throttle body would be his idea. Does anyone know if the fit w/o trouble.

Thanks,
DCB

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How about some free weight reduction? Take out the carpeting and plastic interior panels, and then discard the sound deadening insulation underneath. If the car is for street use, then reinstall the carpeting and plastic panels. Get the car up in the air and scrape, pressure wash, and scrub all the gunk, grease, and dirt off. Some cars are carrying around 20-30 pounds of crap. Remove all of the air conditioning parts, junk the radio and speakers, remove the back seat. You should be able to get 100 pounds off the car for free.

Any suspension pieces that will work on a 5.0 will work on a 2.3.

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E-cam, pullies, 3.27, Mac Off-road, 2 chamber Flowmasters, 5 lug conversion

U know, you ought to get a 2.3L turbo engine, is a lot more worth your money.

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Brad
88lx 2.3T soon to have 350hp
www.turboford.org

If I went through the trouble and cost to install a motor, it would be a 302 or a 351 at least.

Sure, if you don't mind spending more money, more time, more hassle (lot more involved than just swaping the motor), less gas mileage, more parts to replace. Personally if I were you I would just get a tubo engine drop it in your car (should take but about half a day) and you would be set with a 200hp engine stock (actually I did do this), with great gas mileage and very modifiable (you really can't modify a 2.3L non turbo and get the performance u desire), I am modding mine 'cheaply' up to 350hp, if you ever swap in a 5.0 let me know, I wanna race :-).

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Brad
88lx 2.3T soon to have 350hp
www.turboford.org

P.S.

You can buy a complete turbo engine anywhere from $300-$500, I bought mine for $550, but i got the computer/wiring harness, complete engine, and the trac-loc 3.73 rear-end.

Brad.

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Brad
88lx 2.3T soon to have 350hp
www.turboford.org

I know where a '90 LX is with a fairly new 302 dropped in it is for $800. It also has a B&M ripper and has the complete computer and mounts. The car itsself is very rough, but the motor, tranny and rearend are in good condition. It is apparently a project car gone wrong, but if my engine was in rough condition, I wouldn't think twice about selling it.

Well, if you have the money go for it, but it is going to be a tough job.

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Brad
88lx 2.3T soon to have 350hp
www.turboford.org

Now back to your original question.


What are the best weight-reducing parts you can buy for reasonable money? I am modifying a '90 LX Notchback 2.3L. Do the Pro 5.0 front ends advertised to reduce 150lbs. work on LX 2.3's?

Forget reasonable money, there are a few free things though.

Remove sound deadning material, lots of weight here at least 35+lbs.

Remove back seat, they have a kit that turns it into a shelf.

Aftermarket wheels, the lighter the better.

Fiberglass hood (I prefer the Mach 1)
Fiberglass trunk.

Move battery to rear of car with batt relocator.

Leave spare tire, jack in the rear, this helps with traction.

that's about it, you could remove your a/c, radio.

As for the pro 5.0 it will fit, the car is the exact same thing except the engine, which if you do get it you will need to remove the engine to put it in.

Also, I'm thinking about installing a NOS 50hp kit and several mods and the guy from Walsh Racing told me a 60mm 5.0 throttle body would be his idea.
Does anyone know if the fit w/o trouble.

Forget the nitrous, don't do it unless you don't care about possible damaging your mill.

As for the throttle body if he says it will fit it will, but, if you do go this route at least gut/port/polish the upper/lower air intake, this however will reduce some torque but will give more top end.

I think you need to go ahead reduce and move as much weight as possible to the rear, and get a new rear-end. Your rear now is not trac-lok (only one wheel spins) and has crappy gearing, well not crappy for gas mileage. I would suggest you get a turbo rear (yes like mine) that is a 7.5" (like yours now) which has trac-lok and the great 3.73 gears which will get you moving fast.

Brad.

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Brad
88lx 2.3T soon to have 350hp
www.turboford.org