Anybody strip their Mark Viii down for track racing?

[avrfan]

I have a 1995 Mark Viii that I was considering parting out but then because my love of the car, sometimes I am tempted to keep it. The reason I am parting it out is funds are a little tight and also the back registration (I let it slip and the DMV never sent me notice), the penalties and such were just too much. It also has a couple minor issues like the rear wheel bearing and a slow leak on the tranny. I always loved the power and sound of its motor.

What I'm getting at is I was wondering if I should fix the minor issues and turn it into a track car. What do you guys think? How much weight can I shave off if I strip the interior and all the sound deadening etc? What else can I do to lighten this thing up?

thanks

 

[driller]

If you think keeping it on the road is expensive, wait til you take it to the track!

 

[97CobraLSC]

What you gain in not paying for registration, inspection, and other items, you'll exponentially increase parts wear and replacing tires and suspension parts.

It'd be sweet to see a ~3500lb Mark hooning around a track, though.

 

[avrfan]

hmmm... I'm definitely still weighing this choice... whats the stock curb weight on these? I guess about 4000lbs?

 

[driller]

whats the stock curb weight on these? I guess about 4000lbs?

Actually ranges from 3600 to 3800 lbs depending on fuel level and options.

 

[MICAHS97m8]

If you want to turn this platform into a track car, start with a t-bird. You will never get a Mark VIII into that weight class. There is foam and sound deadening in places you will never reach....

 

[BigRock91]

If you want to turn this platform into a track car, start with a t-bird. You will never get a Mark VIII into that weight class. There is foam and sound deadening in places you will never reach....

There are several places that offer that class on the west coast for trophy type (amateur) competition. I would assume cone and drag tracks most anywhere also.

 

[avrfan]

I still can't make up my mind... sigh. I think its more a problem with me than the car actually... :-(

 

[KStromberg]

I got my 98 LSC down to about 3650 without me in it on the track setup. That is with FULL interior, nothing in the trunk, riding on coils, Hoosier QT Pros out back on factory wheels, 11.5# racing battery up front, a/c delete, aluminum mini-spares with 185-80-16 M&H front runners and about 1/2 tank of gas. The car was just under 3900# with me in it.