[High_Octane]

If I just removed all the a/c components and got a shorter belt as opposed to leaving the a/c in the car but leaving it off, would I have the same outcome? (performance wise) or does the shorter belt have something to do with possible increased performance?

 

[-qaz-]

I think the only benefit you'll gain is the slight reduction in weigt and maybe a tiny bit more since its one less pulley to turn. Not worth it unless your A/C is dead, maybe not even then.. lots of work for almost no gain.

 

[mikehawk]

I wouldn't recommend doing this on a street car, but if you're gutting it out to be a race car, hell yeah, go ahead and do it.

IIRC, a car is faster and gets better gas mileage at high speeds with the windows up and a/c on than it would with the a/c off and windows down. So unless you like to sweat or unless you live in a really cold environment, I wouldn't do this to street driven vehicle.