Factory thirdgens with a curb weight under 3,000lbs? - Third Generation F-Body Message Boards

Thirdgen89GTA · 09-10-2009, 06:39 PM

I'm in a slight argument here with another member on a different forum and I need to reach out there.

I've never seen any magazine or sales media corroborating this guys information. He's saying that early V8 camaro's could have a curb weight under 3,000lbs.

He says his 1986 TBI thirdgen came in at 3050lbs. Which is very light. About 100lb lighter than the lightest I've ever found listed in any magazine anywhere.

I found an article here in TGO showing a 83 V6 with a curb weight of about 3053lbs.
http://www.thirdgen.org/tech/images/1983Z28Eback.jpg.

My friends 91' V6 bird came in at 3200lbs or so. He had all of the power options and knick nacks though. And being a 91 it had the extra body glue and later additions from GM.

I'm aware that the if any thirdgen was going to do a sub 3000lb factory weight it would be a iron duke M4 camaro.

I also know that GM later phased out the aluminum bumper supports, but I believe that was before 86.

The post is located here for reference.
http://www.moderncamaro.com/forum/sh...5&postcount=26

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Stephen · 09-10-2009, 06:54 PM

1982 Base Firebird OHV-four 2d hatchback
2,750 lbs

(i assume Camaros would be roughly the same)

Dens71TA · 09-10-2009, 06:55 PM

The lowest I've seen for V8 cars is around 3100 lbs on early '82-84 F-bodys with hardtop, manual tranmission and no major options.

A no option I4/4M car is around 2800lbs.

Thirdgen89GTA · 09-10-2009, 07:28 PM

What you are all posting is pretty much in line with my understandings.

I know there is a list of option weights somewhere on the boards, or on TGO's articles area showing the weight comparison between say power windows and manual windows.

Assuming a V8 car, the biggest savings would have to be a T5, followed by non-ac I would think.

Quote:

1982 Base Firebird OHV-four 2d hatchback
2,750 lbs

(i assume Camaros would be roughly the same)

That would be the 4cyl iron duke i'm assuming.

Stephen · 09-10-2009, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thirdgen89GTA

What you are all posting is pretty much in line with my understandings.

I know there is a list of option weights somewhere on the boards, or on TGO's articles area showing the weight comparison between say power windows and manual windows.

Assuming a V8 car, the biggest savings would have to be a T5, followed by non-ac I would think.

That would be the 4cyl iron duke i'm assuming.

Thirdgen89GTA · 09-10-2009, 07:51 PM

I can't find a single example of a factory production V8 F-body at 3,050lbs. I haven't even seen one at 3,100lbs yet. Its just too light for these cars. And a 305 really isn't any lighter than a 350 as they have the same external dimensions.

I can find V6's close to that weight.

If any V8 cars were going to do it, it would be early examples, most likely camaro's using the aluminum bumper support and composite hood with no options. But i don't even think those would approach that weight with full interiors.

Stephen · 09-10-2009, 08:01 PM

ANOTHER TGO weight thread......

http://www.thirdgen.org/techboard/bo...d-gen-has.html (What firebird Gen. has the lightest curb weight?)

bestracing · 09-10-2009, 09:01 PM

I remember a few old articles in Hot Rod talking about stripped down Camaros with V8's being sold for racing applications like stock class in NHRA. No A/C or any power options, I just don't remember what the weight would be. If any v8 car would be close it would have been that one I would think.

Thirdgen89GTA · 09-10-2009, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bestracing

I remember a few old articles in Hot Rod talking about stripped down Camaros with V8's being sold for racing applications like stock class in NHRA. No A/C or any power options, I just don't remember what the weight would be. If any v8 car would be close it would have been that one I would think.

Oh, I'm not arguing that possibility. There are plenty of guys on these boards that have gotten thirdgens below the 3,000lb mark. Its not hard, you just have to keep removing things.

Afterall, the steel body everything bolts too on our cars isn't really that heavy. its just everything that bolts to it.

madmax · 09-11-2009, 01:46 AM

This post should help
http://www.thirdgen.org/techboard/su...t-invoice.html (Have build sheet or invoice? Post shipping weight.)

xcalibur · 09-11-2009, 09:24 AM

My '89 Formula 350 (non-1LE) had only the mandatory options required to get the 350, the major/heaviest being A/C and automatic. It weighed in at 3262.

L695speed · 09-21-2009, 09:08 PM

My L69/T-5/CC1 T-top car came in at 3205lbs. Included the NP5 leather group and B20 Luxury and subwoofer and I think the top of the line stereo. I was shocked, I was guessing around 3350-3450.

Jason444 · 09-22-2009, 04:17 PM

The invoice on my '89 1LE says the "SW" or actual shipping weight is 3223 lbs., and the only option on the car other than the 1LE items is the 1SB package which was the heavy duty battery, aux. lighting and body side moldings which couldn't have made much of a weight difference if any. I don't see much else you could leave off from the factory and get a whole lot lighter than that, because these cars already had the aluminum spare wheel and driveshaft.