Weight Reduction Safety Q's
 

I know that this has been asked before, but search isn't cooperating, so I thought that I'd get you guy's opinion on it.

I've decided to that since the car is relegated to WEEKEND/TRACK DUTY ONLY now, I'm going to make it more of a true "Drag" car. I'm pulling a bunch of weight (again), in anticipation of drag racing seriously this winter once I get my axle under her.

There are two things that concern me:

I'm pulling the front and rear bumper supports, and don't want the nose to sag (I'm aware of the potential for damage in a wreck, so spare me), I've seen some guys who use aluminum flat stock to make brackets. I was just wondering how well that worked for you, and if your car is a DD or a Weekend Warrior.

Second, I'm pulling the panhard support brace. Keep in mind once again that this is a weekend car, and it won't be street driven much, and when it does see the street, it won't be turning hard or anything. My question is how well does the bracket hold up in a situation like that, and I would like experience from guys WHO HAVE ACTUALLY DONE THIS for a good length of time, have you had any issues, and is it a DD or WW?

Any response would be greatly appreciated, and after all this weight reduction is done, y'all might see a SI car go 11.9xx with street tires and a sick 10-bolt.

Hell, I did both of those when I was driving my car daily. No issues.

I have had the upper PHB out for a long time, it's fine but the car does handle worse on the street.

You can just use some metal to make short brackets to support the nose.

I'm not TOO worried about the handling, 'cause I drive like a Grandma most of the time anyway. :jest: I'm pulling the front swaybar and brackets (again), so I won't be tempted to take turns hard. I figure that if push comes to shove, I can always borrow a welder and weld some extra metal in there to strengthen the bracket.

That's what I was planning on doing, heading to Home Depot to get some aluminum for support, as well as find some brackets to relocate my catch can and overflow tank to where the battery was. I'm thinking of taking out the plastic inner fenders, what do you think of that?

It's time to put this fat bitch on a diet. :devil: