The Weight Reduction Thread!
The Weight Reduction Thread!
As many of you realize are cars are quite a bit heavy, so in my quest for lighter 3rdgen, I decided to just play around with a few parts and a scale probably not the most accurate one, but good enough to get a rough estaminet "give or take 0.5 lbs."
I'll begin with the most basic stuff. as my cars pretty much all disassembled im going to ditch some weight by trading the heavier parts for lighter ones,
I hope this will help out some other 3rdgeners in the quest to ditch the extra non-needed pounds, Feel absolutely free to add to the list!
Heres some of the stuff i did,
1. "083 casting 5.7 tpi head"
2. "iron exhaust manifolds"
3. "iroc hood"
4. "hatch no spoiler"
5. "aluminum drive shaft"
6. "radiator"
I'll begin with the most basic stuff. as my cars pretty much all disassembled im going to ditch some weight by trading the heavier parts for lighter ones,
I hope this will help out some other 3rdgeners in the quest to ditch the extra non-needed pounds, Feel absolutely free to add to the list!
Heres some of the stuff i did,
1. "083 casting 5.7 tpi head"
2. "iron exhaust manifolds"
3. "iroc hood"
4. "hatch no spoiler"
5. "aluminum drive shaft"
6. "radiator"
Last edited by NEEDforSPEED; Feb 12, 2005 at 12:07 AM.
Supreme Member
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,428
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From: SW Chicago 'burbs
Car: American Iron Firebird
Engine: The little 305 that could.
Transmission: Richmond T-10
Axle/Gears: Floater 9" - 3.64 gears
Front bumper support = 37lbs
Air bag sensors combined (3 pcs) = 2lbs
Nose = 16lbs
36mm sway bar with brackets/bushings = 15lbs
AC compressor = 15lbs
AIR pump = 7lbs
AIR diverter valve + lines = 4lbs
Stock LCAs = 10lbs/pair
Pro-fab tubular poly/poly LCAs = 8lbs/pair
Stock torque arm = 10lbs
BMR Adj torque arm = 16lbs
Formula wheel with bald 225/50/16 tire = 40lbs
Formula wheel with 245/50/16 tire = 50lbs
GTA wheel with 245/50/16 tire = 44lbs
15" x 9" Draglite XP = 22lbs
15x9 Draglite XP with 275/50/15 Hoosier Quicktime = 41lbs
15x3.5 Draglite with 165r15 = 25lbs
Stock starter = 20lbs
Turbobuicks.com ministarter = 9lbs
PHB brace = 5lbs
Air bag sensors combined (3 pcs) = 2lbs
Nose = 16lbs
36mm sway bar with brackets/bushings = 15lbs
AC compressor = 15lbs
AIR pump = 7lbs
AIR diverter valve + lines = 4lbs
Stock LCAs = 10lbs/pair
Pro-fab tubular poly/poly LCAs = 8lbs/pair
Stock torque arm = 10lbs
BMR Adj torque arm = 16lbs
Formula wheel with bald 225/50/16 tire = 40lbs
Formula wheel with 245/50/16 tire = 50lbs
GTA wheel with 245/50/16 tire = 44lbs
15" x 9" Draglite XP = 22lbs
15x9 Draglite XP with 275/50/15 Hoosier Quicktime = 41lbs
15x3.5 Draglite with 165r15 = 25lbs
Stock starter = 20lbs
Turbobuicks.com ministarter = 9lbs
PHB brace = 5lbs
Last edited by nape; Feb 14, 2005 at 07:21 PM.
if someone dosnt beat me too it, i have leather - leather power - and regler camaro ones - i'll hit them all.... 4thgens are much lighter then are 3rdgens by more then half! just a fyi 
PS. im not pulling thos out to see how much they are
lol

PS. im not pulling thos out to see how much they are
lol
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 13,576
Likes: 30
From: Harford County, MD
Car: camaro sportcoupe
Engine: 7.0L
Transmission: G-Force GF5R
Axle/Gears: Moser 9"
fourth gen seats + third gen sliders = instant lightweight seats! i didn't weight mine, but by carrying them around, i have to say that they dropped about 8-10lbs. a piece. and look NICE too!
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1 peice rear seat with seat bottoms 27 lbs
the seatbelts for those seats are easily more than 3 lbs though i didnt weigh them
GTA crosslace wheels are 45 lbs less all together than the 16" "turbo fin" wheels
the seatbelts for those seats are easily more than 3 lbs though i didnt weigh them
GTA crosslace wheels are 45 lbs less all together than the 16" "turbo fin" wheels
Originally posted by mw66nova
*update* went to the track today and weighed the car, official results:
3045lbs.
*update* went to the track today and weighed the car, official results:
3045lbs.
Senior Member

Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 905
Likes: 3
From: Weyauwega, WI
Car: 86 Camaro
Engine: none
Transmission: none
Axle/Gears: GT4, 3:73s
i havent weighed my sportcoupe yet but i think its close to mw66nova's, no power windows, no power locks, no power hatch, no ac, no smog.
o yea and the GFX are about 100 pounds IIRC
o yea and the GFX are about 100 pounds IIRC
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 13,576
Likes: 30
From: Harford County, MD
Car: camaro sportcoupe
Engine: 7.0L
Transmission: G-Force GF5R
Axle/Gears: Moser 9"
3045 is without me. it's 3300 with driver in race trim.
no front sway bar
manual door/locks/windows
only accesories are wp/alt/ps
fiberglass hood
fourth gen seats with thirdgen sliders
no sound deadening material
headers/dual exhaust which i know weighs less than stock
aftermarket front carpet
no subs, but stereo is in tact
no back seat
can't think of anything else
fatties and skinnies would put me under 3000 w/o driver.
no front sway bar
manual door/locks/windows
only accesories are wp/alt/ps
fiberglass hood
fourth gen seats with thirdgen sliders
no sound deadening material
headers/dual exhaust which i know weighs less than stock
aftermarket front carpet
no subs, but stereo is in tact
no back seat
can't think of anything else
fatties and skinnies would put me under 3000 w/o driver.
Interesting.
I have P/S delete, A/C delete, smog delete, AIR delete, headers, 3" hooker exhaust without cat, stereo delete, fiberglass hood, T5 trans swap, no sound deadening, rear seat delete, front sway bar delete, and a pruned engine and dash harness. I wonder if I'd be under 3000 pounds yet? I do have power hatch, windows, locks, and GFX still though. Power hatch will be coming off soon in favor of the old slam and close
Oh yeah, I also have paint deleted...
EDIT: Does anyone know if rt66 raceway has a scale? Do they charge to use it?
I have P/S delete, A/C delete, smog delete, AIR delete, headers, 3" hooker exhaust without cat, stereo delete, fiberglass hood, T5 trans swap, no sound deadening, rear seat delete, front sway bar delete, and a pruned engine and dash harness. I wonder if I'd be under 3000 pounds yet? I do have power hatch, windows, locks, and GFX still though. Power hatch will be coming off soon in favor of the old slam and close
Oh yeah, I also have paint deleted...EDIT: Does anyone know if rt66 raceway has a scale? Do they charge to use it?
Last edited by onebinky; Feb 13, 2005 at 12:59 AM.
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 8,023
Likes: 90
From: DC Metro Area
Car: 87TA 87Form 71Mach1 93FleetWB 04Cum
Seems like some camaros come in really light. I’ve had my ’83 TA and my ’87 Formula stripped down pretty far and I’m nowhere near that. My formula, with basically everything in excess removed under the hood, simplest exhaust everything that could be easily removed, removed, basic stereo (head and 4 speakers), light wheels/tires… still weighs in at 3710 with me (I’m probably about 300#) which is still nowhere near what some of you camaro guys are reporting. I know that the flip up headlights are worth an extra 30-40lbs and looking at your list I see maybe a little over 50# difference, but that still leaves 200some lbs unaccounted for.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 541
Likes: 0
From: garland,tx
Car: 1988 gta
Engine: 5.7
Transmission: turbo 350
i just found a car in the junkyard with a/c delete and radio delete. i grabed the heater box and controls, and the interior panels that have no sail panels and no speaker holes. i think it was a match made in heaven for me, since i was just looking for a black interior plastics set. i always wondered what i would put over the speaker holes.
Originally posted by vejatabul
i just found a car in the junkyard with a/c delete and radio delete. i grabed the heater box and controls, and the interior panels that have no sail panels and no speaker holes. i think it was a match made in heaven for me, since i was just looking for a black interior plastics set. i always wondered what i would put over the speaker holes.
i just found a car in the junkyard with a/c delete and radio delete. i grabed the heater box and controls, and the interior panels that have no sail panels and no speaker holes. i think it was a match made in heaven for me, since i was just looking for a black interior plastics set. i always wondered what i would put over the speaker holes.
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 13,576
Likes: 30
From: Harford County, MD
Car: camaro sportcoupe
Engine: 7.0L
Transmission: G-Force GF5R
Axle/Gears: Moser 9"
anyone got a lighter car than me? looks like right now i have the lightest street driven thirdgen on the boards, i don't know of anyone with a lighter one that is their everyday driver.
Supreme Member
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 5,321
Likes: 4
From: Northern CA.
Car: '82 Z28
Engine: 350
Transmission: TH400 4,000 stall
Axle/Gears: Currie 9", 4.56 gears
Just changed out my water pump tonight to an aluminum one.
Stock replacement water pump: 14.5 lbs
Edelbrock's Victor series aluminum water pump: 8 lbs
Stock replacement water pump: 14.5 lbs
Edelbrock's Victor series aluminum water pump: 8 lbs
Last edited by EvilCartman; Feb 16, 2005 at 02:06 AM.
Originally posted by mw66nova
anyone got a lighter car than me? looks like right now i have the lightest street driven thirdgen on the boards, i don't know of anyone with a lighter one that is their everyday driver.
anyone got a lighter car than me? looks like right now i have the lightest street driven thirdgen on the boards, i don't know of anyone with a lighter one that is their everyday driver.
I bet mine is lighter
I have to get it weighed though. I wouldnt be surprised if i came in under 3000.
Well now that I think about it, I did add a 9 inch to it and that is a heavy SOB so maybe not... we'll see... but i have more stuff removed than you do, lighter wheels, and a t5 which is 100lbs lighter than the 700r4
Last edited by Pablo; Feb 16, 2005 at 08:24 AM.
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 13,576
Likes: 30
From: Harford County, MD
Car: camaro sportcoupe
Engine: 7.0L
Transmission: G-Force GF5R
Axle/Gears: Moser 9"
eventually, i will be doing more weight reduction, to include lighter wheels (fatties/skinnies) and an aluminum ds. i would like to put some more aluminum stuff like waterpump, etc. but funds aren't saying i can do it just yet. i am putting in a 10" torque converter, and that thing weighs alot less than the stock 13incher.
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 13,576
Likes: 30
From: Harford County, MD
Car: camaro sportcoupe
Engine: 7.0L
Transmission: G-Force GF5R
Axle/Gears: Moser 9"
Originally posted by Pablo
I bet mine is lighter
I have to get it weighed though. I wouldnt be surprised if i came in under 3000.
Well now that I think about it, I did add a 9 inch to it and that is a heavy SOB so maybe not... we'll see... but i have more stuff removed than you do, lighter wheels, and a t5 which is 100lbs lighter than the 700r4
I bet mine is lighter
I have to get it weighed though. I wouldnt be surprised if i came in under 3000.
Well now that I think about it, I did add a 9 inch to it and that is a heavy SOB so maybe not... we'll see... but i have more stuff removed than you do, lighter wheels, and a t5 which is 100lbs lighter than the 700r4
I removed the front crash beam and everything under the nose, no fog lights, no washer reservior or motor, aluminum water pump, removed the entire left bracket and tensioner for the serpentine setup, just running the right side with my own fabbed up tensioner slider doohicky. No spare, no jack, no carpeting, no evap canister no emissions equipment of any kind, no ac, no ac/heater fan or box or panel of any kind. Corbeau race seat for the driver, no hood insulation. No swaybars front or back.
Probably a bunch of other things here and there. When you open my hood all you see is an engine and basically nothing else.
Before i converted it to a T5 and did basically everything to it i weighed it at 3270 or so.
Doing the AC and crash beam was probably close to 100 lbs alone
Probably a bunch of other things here and there. When you open my hood all you see is an engine and basically nothing else.
Before i converted it to a T5 and did basically everything to it i weighed it at 3270 or so.
Doing the AC and crash beam was probably close to 100 lbs alone
Senior Member

Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 905
Likes: 3
From: Weyauwega, WI
Car: 86 Camaro
Engine: none
Transmission: none
Axle/Gears: GT4, 3:73s
is anybody running a S-10 manual steering box on here? ive been looking in to them lately, excellant way to shave some weight
.
. Supreme Member
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,265
Likes: 2
From: Hill AFB, Utah
Car: 1988 Trans Am GTA Notchback
Engine: 305ci, 5.0L, TPI, HO
Transmission: Borg Warner T5 5-Speed
Axle/Gears: 9-Bolt Positraction Rear w/3.45 Grs
You should trade out your stock hatch for a Notchback! It's a lot lighter and looks sweeeeeeeeeet!
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 13,576
Likes: 30
From: Harford County, MD
Car: camaro sportcoupe
Engine: 7.0L
Transmission: G-Force GF5R
Axle/Gears: Moser 9"
personally, i think that the notchbacks look hidious
my car was originally a v6 car, so when i swapped, i pulled most everything out. i am running a serp/v-belt combo from an 87 v8 car, hope to get underdrive pulleys for it soon too. but it has no emissions stuff, etc, etc. i do however, have the non ac heater box with blower motor in and operational.
my car was originally a v6 car, so when i swapped, i pulled most everything out. i am running a serp/v-belt combo from an 87 v8 car, hope to get underdrive pulleys for it soon too. but it has no emissions stuff, etc, etc. i do however, have the non ac heater box with blower motor in and operational.
Supreme Member
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,428
Likes: 0
From: SW Chicago 'burbs
Car: American Iron Firebird
Engine: The little 305 that could.
Transmission: Richmond T-10
Axle/Gears: Floater 9" - 3.64 gears
Originally posted by Pablo
Doing the AC and crash beam was probably close to 100 lbs alone
Doing the AC and crash beam was probably close to 100 lbs alone
i included the bracketry (the serpentine bracket and tensioner) and ac box and motor, the ac head unit etc
Maybe not quite 100 but more than what people generally quote for weight drop when they remove their ac.
Maybe not quite 100 but more than what people generally quote for weight drop when they remove their ac.
Supreme Member
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,428
Likes: 0
From: SW Chicago 'burbs
Car: American Iron Firebird
Engine: The little 305 that could.
Transmission: Richmond T-10
Axle/Gears: Floater 9" - 3.64 gears
Originally posted by Pablo
i included the bracketry (the serpentine bracket and tensioner) and ac box and motor, the ac head unit etc
Maybe not quite 100 but more than what people generally quote for weight drop when they remove their ac.
i included the bracketry (the serpentine bracket and tensioner) and ac box and motor, the ac head unit etc
Maybe not quite 100 but more than what people generally quote for weight drop when they remove their ac.
Passanger side bracket bare should weigh 10-12 lbs and an AC delete heater box with no motor weighs ~3 lbs.
I'll get weights on the stock AC coffin when I finish my swap.
it should be 70.7, witch should be right on the money
at lest thats what mine came out too, look above in the thread i took off 28lbs off the front clip so 28 -
Air conditioning 41.7 with V-6
Air Conditioning 42.6 with 305 TPI & 700R4
Air conditioning 46.3 with 305 TBI & 700R4
Air Conditioning 42.7 with L98
=
at lest thats what mine came out too, look above in the thread i took off 28lbs off the front clip so 28 - Air conditioning 41.7 with V-6
Air Conditioning 42.6 with 305 TPI & 700R4
Air conditioning 46.3 with 305 TBI & 700R4
Air Conditioning 42.7 with L98
=




Thats light 

