I was wondering if others who have done engine swaps have had their car weighed.

I took mine to the scale just a little while ago. The car is an 87 five speed GT with T-tops and 5.7 LS1 conversion. I topped it off with gas just before putting it on the scales.

It weighed 1240 Lb. Front axle 1660 rear axle and 2900 total. That comes to 42.7% front 57.2% back. What is the weight of a stock GT with t-tops, and if others know the weight of other swaps I would be interested in knowing.

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LS1 in and running :)

http://ls1swap.tripod.com/

Mine is an 87 T-Top GT, 5 speed, AC, with a carbed 345 hp ZZ3. When the wswap was done in 1993, it weighed in at 2750 lbs in the stock configuration prior to the install (I don't know how much gas was in it) and 2880 lbs after the swap (with stock wheels and cast iron exhaust manifolds - and again amount of gas unknown). I only have tickets with total weight on the scales - no front and rear distribution. I need to weigh it again with the headers and 17" wheels.

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Tom Corey
Melbourne, FL
87 Green T-Top GT 5Spd SBC V8
88 Yellow T-Top GT, 4.9L Caddy, 4T60E

Hmmm the figures baffle me. I believe one of us must have gone to inaccurate scale. I doesn't make sense that a cast iron zz 350 would weigh 20 lb. Less than the LS1. I was told that an LS1 Is 90 lb. lighter than an LT1 don't get me wrong I am sure those are the numbers the scale operator gave you... I just don't see how they both can be correct.

I have an '84 SE, power everything, no cruise or AC and stock wheels with a '72 350 that has iron heads aluminum intake and cast iron exhaust manifolds.
The only scales around here are digital grain truck scales at the local co-op.
With me in it(240 lbs) and a full tank of gas they said it weighed 3140.
I'm sure the accuracy is +or-10% that low on the scale.
It's made to scale ten times that weight.
Take it for what you will.

tstroud

Well, again I don't know how much gas was in the car, however, the ZZ3 does have aluminum heads and intake manifold, and only a little bitty Holley carb. It was weighed with the stock wheels and tires on it and the spare tire in it as well. Since the scales were routinely used in Port Canaveral for weighing cargo, I would think they were fairly accurate, but have no idea what the + or - specs were on the scales. The block and exhaust manifolds are cast iron.

quote Originally posted by LS1swap: Hmmm the figures baffle me. I believe one of us must have gone to inaccurate scale. I doesn't make sense that a cast iron zz 350 would weigh 20 lb. Less than the LS1. I was told that an LS1 Is 90 lb. lighter than an LT1 don't get me wrong I am sure those are the numbers the scale operator gave you... I just don't see how they both can be correct.

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Tom Corey
Melbourne, FL
87 Green T-Top GT 5Spd SBC V8
88 Yellow T-Top GT, 4.9L Caddy, 4T60E

Grain scales are not just calibrated, they're licensed and certified at very short intervals. They have to be in order to be legal for trade. They must be accurate to within +/- their displayed resolution which is usually 10# throughout their certified range. If you don't believe it, just go weigh yourself on an accurate "people" scale and then go stand on the scale at the elevator. It will be within +/- 10#.

Truck stop scales, OTOH, are not necessarily certified, but many are. Interestingly though, the scales DOT carries to weigh trucks are neither calibrated or certified on a regular basis. I got stopped once ans was 6,200# overweight and got ticketed (not a minor ticket, 10 cents/lb and court costs). When I got to the elevator, I was only 1,800# overweight on their certified scales. I took it to court and beat it. The court ruled that a reasonable person would agree that a regularly certified scale was most likely to be more accurate than portable scales. Didn't even have to pay for the 1,800#. I was charged with being 6,200# over and I wasn't, so I was not guilty.

John Stricker

quote Originally posted by tstroud: I have an '84 SE, power everything, no cruise or AC and stock wheels with a '72 350 that has iron heads aluminum intake and cast iron exhaust manifolds. The only scales around here are digital grain truck scales at the local co-op. With me in it(240 lbs) and a full tank of gas they said it weighed 3140. I'm sure the accuracy is +or-10% that low on the scale. It's made to scale ten times that weight. Take it for what you will. tstroud

I posted this info before but people were too busy telling me how inaccurate Scales were to pay attention.

We removed the stock 4 cyl. Engine and replaced it with a 400+ HP 350 engine with cast iron heads and Alum. Intake manifold.

Both times the car was weighed it had half tank of gas and all other conditions were the same.

The "Before" weight was measured 07-04-99 and the car weighed 2620 lb.

The "After" weight was measured 07-17-99 and the car weighed 2780 lb.

The net gain for the V-8 swap was 160 lbs. Total from 4 cyl to 8 cyl.

Archie

Thanks for all the replies. I have to admit I am still stumped. Everyone else's numbers jive but mine. Maybe the scale I was on was inaccurate, or the LS1 is heavier. Although I doubt the latter. Aluminum block and heads plastic intake, and aluminum flywheel. Here is my weight slip. The scale I went to are at the Hampshire shell oasis just off 90 by 20. I guess I will have to try a different scale, and see if I get the same results.

What a great thread How about some of you 3800, N*, 4.3, 4.9 guys getting in on this. This is really useful information and it would be great to have a set of full weights for all engine swap types. Personally I'm very interested in the 4.3 weight.

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quote Originally posted by jstricker: Grain scales are not just calibrated, they're licensed and certified at very short intervals. They have to be in order to be legal for trade. They must be accurate to within +/- their displayed resolution which is usually 10# throughout their certified range. If you don't believe it, just go weigh yourself on an accurate "people" scale and then go stand on the scale at the elevator. It will be within +/- 10#. John Stricker

So are you saying that my weight is probably accurate?

quote Originally posted by LS1swap: Thanks for all the replies. I have to admit I am still stumped. Everyone else's numbers jive but mine.

Did you weigh your car before the swap? If not, you have nothing to compare against, so there's no real way to tell for sure.

Anyone doing an engine swap in the future, I'd highly recommend a before and after weighing so you can tell exactly what changed. Try to weigh it with a full tank of gas to take one more variable out of the equation. Then we can start getting some real empirical data instead of conjecture.

for the people with the front/rear measurements, was the battery or anything else moved front to rear or even vice versa? if you added anything like stereo equipment, nitrous, or other aftermarket equipment, did you try to get it up front or one side or the other or what ever to keep bias as even or stock as possible?

No I didn't weigh the car before the swap. I had loaned the car to a friend , and he blew up the V6 so it was in a non running condition before the swap.

I moved the battery up front on mine.

I would like to see some other swaps listed as well

I've got two identical '88 GTs, 'cept one is stock and the other isn't.

Dave

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- Electron Blue '88 GT 5-speed (1 of 1): Before After ZZ430 Ram-Port FI--Wanna Race? Follow it here on the Forum!
- Silver '88 GT 5-speed (1 of 139) w/cammed 3.4
- '98 6-speed Corvette Coupe, '87 Coupe SOLD!

Did you see the weight slipss I posted above?

Archie

quote Originally posted by Formula88: Did you weigh your car before the swap? If not, you have nothing to compare against, so there's no real way to tell for sure. Anyone doing an engine swap in the future, I'd highly recommend a before and after weighing so you can tell exactly what changed. Try to weigh it with a full tank of gas to take one more variable out of the equation. Then we can start getting some real empirical data instead of conjecture.

LS1Swap,

Go to the scale in McHenry. As you're driving east on 120 and coming down the hill into town, there's a gravel pit on the right hand side. I know that those scales are calibrated very regularly as many of my friends haul gravel out of there.

The last time I was there, I was charged like $7.50 for the weigh and it was accepted by the Military as "Moving Weight" meaning they compensated me for moving my own stuff. Anytime the Military pays out cash, they like to make sure that the calibration is correct. It was all accepted and I got my check with no problems.

If you want to double check the numbers, this is the best place I know and it's not far from you at all!

Bob

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As Alice Cooper once said...

quote Feed My.... Frankenstein!

I had my 88GT weighed at the scales near my shop.I could have had a certified weight slip,but just got it weighed.It is the GT in my sig.With me and a full tank of gas and a longitudinal zzz 350 with a 425A transaxle the car weighed 1200 lbs. front and 2200 lbs. rear.for a total of 3400 lbs.I weigh 160 lbs.I replaced the 350/425A with a new 3800SC with a 4T60E trans.Again with a full tank and me the car weighed 1280 lbs.front and 1880 rear or 3160 lbs.total.

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#1112
Question my ability,question my intelligence,never question my integrity!

I am familiar with Meyers pit, but I don't know if their scales can break it apart by axle or not. There is a set of scales across the street from where I was weighed. Maybe when I have some time I will go down there.

Removed the 350???? Why...... nothing wrong with the 3800 SC it is just if you already had the 350 why did you switch

Hugh, i curious to what you did with the only engine set up?

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--Adam--
1987 Blue GT 5-speed
IM AOL: GTFiero
What oil leak? That puddle under the car is just sweat from all that horsepower.

quote Originally posted by Archie: Did you see the weight slipss I posted above? Archie

Yup, I sure did Archie. My suggestion was for more people to start doing it so we can build a database of sorts of different types of engine weights. We know from your example how much an iron head SBC swap gains over a Duke. I'd like to see some other swaps, too, so everyone gets a good reference.

How much difference between 2.8 and 3800SC?
Duke vs LT1?
Duke vs 3.4DOHC
2.8 vs Northstar

You get the idea.

If you look at the weights,the car didn't handle.It was too back heavy.I am in the process of getting the parts to put the engine in a 86SE with a 4T60.I'm changing the heads to AFR 190 heads and putting on a Superam intake system controlled by a DFI computer.

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#1112
Question my ability,question my intelligence,never question my integrity!

Sheeshus what a pig! keep this one around every time some nut suggests that tranny!

Best!
Ben

quote Originally posted by hugh: I had my 88GT weighed at the scales near my shop.I could have had a certified weight slip,but just got it weighed.It is the GT in my sig.With me and a full tank of gas and a longitudinal zzz 350 with a 425A transaxle the car weighed 1200 lbs. front and 2200 lbs. rear.for a total of 3400 lbs.I weigh 160 lbs.I replaced the 350/425A with a new 3800SC with a 4T60E trans.Again with a full tank and me the car weighed 1280 lbs.front and 1880 rear or 3160 lbs.total.

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Ben Cannon
88 Formula, T-top, Metalic Red. (2:13.138 at Sears Point) "Every Man Dies, not every man really Lives"
88 Formula, Northstar, Silver, In-Progreess. -Mel Gibson, "Braveheart"

[QUOTE]Originally posted by artherd:
[B]Sheeshus what a pig! keep this one around every time some nut suggests that tranny!

Best!
Ben

People who have yet to complete their N.. swap should not throw stones... ( are you trolling??) Please clarify what trans you are calling overweight...

has anyone done each wheels load seprately??
I bet the right side rear is way heavyer then the left on a chevy V8 swap.
as they start out with more weight on the right rear wheel with a 2.8 v6

and side to side balance is important to good handeling

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Question wonder and be wierd

quote Originally posted by ray b: and side to side balance is important to good handeling

Possibly why they might have the engine in that direction, maybe to counter the weight of the driver on the left side? hmmmm...

Read the message bub. 425. As in TH425. Do you want me to draw you a picture?

A *3400lb fiero?!* THAT is the pig (and Hugh knows it, and changed the car.)

No, I'm not trolling, Archie V8s gain maybe 150lbs. That's a passanger. (all the same, you can feel a passanger in a Fiero... I'd have to go with a Donovan Al block if I did an SBC

Best!
Ben.

quote Originally posted by SanBerdueFiero: [QUOTE]Originally posted by artherd: [B]Sheeshus what a pig! keep this one around every time some nut suggests that tranny! Best! Ben People who have yet to complete their N.. swap should not throw stones... ( are you trolling??) Please clarify what trans you are calling overweight...

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Ben Cannon
88 Formula, T-top, Metalic Red. (2:13.138 at Sears Point) "Every Man Dies, not every man really Lives"
88 Formula, Northstar, Silver, In-Progreess. -Mel Gibson, "Braveheart"

quote Originally posted by artherd: Read the message bub. 425. As in TH425. Do you want me to draw you a picture? ......

)))) good answer...