Help with my new '96 GT

[S10-92V8]

hey guys i just got this car a couple days ago and i had a few questions. first where should i be power wise with the mods i have, and second how can i lighten up the car without literally stripping/guttin the car.

mods:

-MAC CAI
-C&L mass air
-BBK 70mm TB/elbow
-3.73's
-Pro 5.0 shifter
-full MAC exhaust w/longtubes

any help would be much appreciated, this is my first dip into the blue oval from my bowtie background

 

[Winters98GT]

210-225rwhp.

Dynabatt battery
Rear seat delete or just take it out
removing stock hardware or getting an aftermarket hood
lightweight seats
weld racing, centerline, or other drag wheels
aluminum driveshaft, not greatly beneficial, lighter weight, but slighlty larger in rotation,
thats where I would start, then go k member, etc.

 

[2002BLGT]

210-225rwhp.

Dynabatt battery
Rear seat delete or just take it out
removing stock hardware or getting an aftermarket hood
lightweight seats
weld racing, centerline, or other drag wheels
aluminum driveshaft, not greatly beneficial, lighter weight, but slighlty larger in rotation,
thats where I would start, then go k member, etc.

If weight is the objective , I would remove the AC before I would spend money on a battery , I would only do the battery if yours is bad .....take out all the interior and remove the insulation on it , remove spare tire , lightweight seats are not as comfortable for long trips so be ready for a harsh ride . and remove front sway bar

 

[COramprat]

Depends on your goal. Is it a daily driver or a weekend strip car?

 

[Winters98GT]

If weight is the objective , I would remove the AC before I would spend money on a battery , I would only do the battery if yours is bad .....take out all the interior and remove the insulation on it , remove spare tire , lightweight seats are not as comfortable for long trips so be ready for a harsh ride . and remove front sway bar

The battery is not really a big deal. ive run dynabatts for years with no problem. They really save a lot of weight on the front end with little or no problem. They don't last as long, but you have to expect that.

 

[CobraRed_96_GT]

My guess is you're around 225-230 through a 5-speed. You're really restricted by the heads n such. Oh and if you still have an intake manifold that has a plastic coolant cross over you're going to need to swap that out and might as well get a PI intake.
Edit: later revised

 

[LI98GTStang]

Stock 96ers dyno about 185 through a 5 speed, so with the mods you have listed, I would say you have in the neighborhood of 205-215rwhp.

Since you don't have the stock mid pipe anymore, that's a big weight difference right there, so your already on your way. The Battery does save some, but if it's not a DD, it will go dead <2 weeks (I know). Not too much in way of stored energy, plenty of cranking power though.

Sticking with your stock rims - not upgrading to larger and heavier ones makes a big difference as well. Not too much else really. Is the dogbone still there, Aftermarket LCAs could save you, the stock STB weighs some - I got the Steeda Chrome moly one that weighs next to nothing.

 

[S10-92V8]

the intake is the original so i was planing on a PI intake swap already cause of the crossover. this is a DD so i want it to be comfortable but just lighter. do u think maybe with a SCT tune, 180 deg thermo, and a PI intake i could hit 250rwhp?

i also had another question. has anyone ever cut the bottom half of a PI intake off hollowed it out to make shorter crossram style runners and then plastic welded them back together? just a thought it would definetly breathe better

 

[CobraRed_96_GT]

Stock 96ers dyno about 185 through a 5 speed, so with the mods you have listed, I would say you have in the neighborhood of 205-215rwhp.

Since you don't have the stock mid pipe anymore, that's a big weight difference right there, so your already on your way. The Battery does save some, but if it's not a DD, it will go dead <2 weeks (I know). Not too much in way of stored energy, plenty of cranking power though.

Sticking with your stock rims - not upgrading to larger and heavier ones makes a big difference as well. Not too much else really. Is the dogbone still there, Aftermarket LCAs could save you, the stock STB weighs some - I got the Steeda Chrome moly one that weighs next to nothing.

LI98 is right, most do dyno 185-195 stock - i was only subtracting the gains PI heads have over NPI not counting the cams. Yeah 210-220 is more like where you are. PI intake and tune w/ full exhuast wont net you 250 to the ground im thinking. Otherwise i'd be around at 250 and i sure know im not.