Since becoming involved in Pitviper`s 2000hp hybrid race, I have been having a good look at how weights and weight reduction affects a car`s (hybrid) handling..
There does appear to be a link between the body / base weight / weight reduction and actual car name used.
Too light a weight, or the use of "made up" weight / reduction codes quite often results in the car tipping over. It can also seriously affect the car`s handling, ie leck of traction and constant spinning out.
I have built cars with low weights, but have used only "real" weight codes and linked these with the body and / or name I have been using, this appears to work.
As a comparison :
My 1000hp / 1100lb `67 Cobra laps Rome Night at 1.01:043 at 242.83mph and Rome Full at 55:393 at 220.72mph.
So, you don`t really need to build a big hp hybrid, just choose the correct combination of parts..
As far as other body parts is cobcerned, you can only alter what`s there, it`s not possible to "cut and paste" body mods.