Sometimes I consider changing from the factory front suspension and K member to lighter weight components.

My 1990 Firebird has an S-10 manual box, light weight custom column and Santhuff double adjustable struts. All other front suspension and steering is factory.

In addition, it has Lemons 1 3/4 x 1 7/8 headers so that fit is important.

The car weighs 3020 with driver and runs 6.10's 1/8 mile with aluminum head SBC.

My expectations are:

* remove about 80 pounds net from the front-most section of the car
* improve engine and header access
* car would have less steering effort at low speed
* front suspension would retain full suspension travel

For those of you who performed this conversion did it accomplish what you expected?

 

I did not make myself clear, I would change to rack & pinion steering as part of the upgrade. In addition, would consider changing to lighter weight brakes.

 

Larry, I did this conversion to reduce weight off the front end because I am putting in a BBC, this would off set the increased weight of the new engine. I did tubular A-arms and K-Member as well as rack and pinion. Move battery to back of car.

 

Although the front k-member looks big and bulky, switching to tubular doesn't shave off as much weight as you would expect. It does however give a lot more clearance around the engine. You're not going to remove 80 pounds by switching to tubular.

 

The difference might be about 20 lbs. Hood, doors and hatch are the heavy culprits on these rides...