I've been searching the boards for a while now, and I can't seem to get a consensus as to what the weight of a third gen is. I'm trying to compare whether or not I want to buy and work a third gen, or a fourth gen. I've read numbers between 3,150lbs and as much as 3,500lbs on a stock third gen. If it's closer to 3,100lbs, I'm interested in buying a 91-92 Firebird or Formula to do a motor swap with. If it's closer to 3,500lbs, I'd rather save and buy an 98+ LS1, since they're about 3,500lbs as well.

Sorry if this question is redundant, but I can't find any form of unanimity as to numbers. I think I'll probably go with a third gen one way or the other. I want to drop it down to 2,800lbs or so without me in it. I'm sure I could find a rolling chasis to make a project out of, that I wouldn't mind ripping thigs out of. I think I'd want to leave a newer car alone.

 

I think a third gen is much easier to work on with a 4th gen engine than a 4th gen with a 4th gen engine. Third gen - more engine bay room, and 1/3 of the engine isn't underneath the windshield. A 4th gen you have to take the engine out by dropping it from the bottom or do some major cutting. I'm comparing my brother's 95 trans am to my 95 LT1 in my 86.

Weight. 3rd gens are supposed to weigh slightly less. I think LS1 fully loaded third gen go around 3200-3300. Dont know for sure but thats what i've seen on this site.

I like sitting inside of a thirdgen more than a 4th gen but maybe i'm not used to a 4th gen???

Um, 4th gens are more expensive. I think a 4th gen windshield runs $600.

so i guess i like thirdgens more...

 

I think theyre about 3200-3400 depending on model. I know theyre less then a 4th gen and 2nd gen. I think 4th gens weigh around 3500-3600

 

Yeah it depends on the model and trim. I think the GTA's weigh the most because they have all the interior gizmo's and stuff, but not entirely certain. I think my 91-92 Camaros are in the 3400 range and the IROC-Z is lighter, but not sure on this. 2800 w/o driver is a steep goal, but not impossible. Thats my goal for my IROC-Z but I'm planning on extreme weight reduction for track only (chassis, suspension, engine, trans, windows, and then all the easy stuff interior, body parts, etc)

 

The only weight # I know for sure is my fully loaded 98 SS that I weighed. Leather, T-roof and all power options. It is 3460lbs with a 1/2 tank of gas.

I've heard a fully loaded 3rd gen GTA weighs in the heaviest. Around 3500lbs. Not hard to see that with all the stuff on it. The drivers seat gotta be a good 60 - 70lbs it's self. The lightest of the bunch in V8 form is likely a Formula followed by a hard top IROC.

 

Lose power windows, locks, basic seats (non power), no t-tops, aluminum drums, no ground effects (like on a formula), and lose AC and you are probably close to 3000.

 

Where did you get that information? Seems a little too easy to me. I've gutted alot, and had friends that gutted alot. While we never officially weighed in the cars, I have personally held alot of this stuff in my hands and I know its not easy to drop a few hundred pounds, especially just by removing stuff.

 

Here's are some weight savings. Some of these numbers might be off, so correct me if I'm wrong. I've found them on other sites.

Spare and jack- 35lbs
Back seat- 20-25lbs
Light weight rims and tires- 35-50lbs of rotational weight
Removal of ALL A/C components- 55lbs
Fiberglass hood- 15lbs
Chromoly K- member- 60lbs
Lexan hatch- 60-70lbs
Racing seats- 60lbs
Aluminum radiator- 10lbs
Aluminum or carbon fiber driveshaft- 8-12lbs of rotational weight
Light weight carpeting and sound deadening material- 40-50lbs
Headers- 9lbs

I don't want to make my car look different, aside from the hood and lack of back seats. I need heat, so I can't remove the heater core. I want an LS6, which would probably shave off an extra 100lbs, though I'm not sure if this would be the weight after the other necessary components were upgraded (Rear, Transmission). Thanks for the help guys, I really appreciate it. Again, if you don't agree with something, feel free to call

 

hey, my car went from 3615 to 3220.... (both weights are with me in the car.. full raceweight)

but i went from a dead stock iron motor auto, to a all alum motor 6spd.... *shrug*

 

Um, those numbers there are way off. Stock front seats are less than 60lbs together, stock hatch is prolly around 60-70 lbs (lexan should be around 15lbs) and I'm not positive on the chromoly K-member, but I think it's closer to 30 lbs than 60lbs...

 

Oh yea, I forgot to say...

If you want the lightest possible car, look for an 82/83 base model w/ no power options. If I remember correctly, they're around 31-3200 lbs before weight reduction.

Also, what trans do you plan on running?? T5 is the lightest I've read about on here, T56 adds quite a bit of weight, but gives you a 2nd overdrive gear for better MPG and higher top-speed

 

why must we start another thread on weight, noone knows! if anything that much should be known by now, noone has any f*cking idea how much a certain model thirdgen is supposed to weigh, heh
and theres so many variables with these cars, if you want to start with a light car get an unoptioned camaro sc thats probably going to be your lightest thirdgen
but as for exactly how much that weighs.. noone knows

 

my car wieghs 3,247 lb's with a lil over a half tank of gas... T-tops, and all options except leather and power seats. I'm sure half a tank (about 7 gallons) is quite a bit of wieght too.

I have an aftermarket stereo also... Amp, headunit, 10 inch sub, box, wiring... Probably another 30 or 40 lb's altogether.

It's also got alston subframes, 36mm front swaybar (they say it's lighter than stock because it's hollow... but it's so much bigger, I don't know... Felt close to the same to me), wonderbar, 1LE endlinks (doubt that makes a difference, lol)

It's a 3.1 v6 with a 5 speed manual (T-5)

 

It also has Lexan T-tops though

alot lighter than the glass ones. I'm guessing they only wiegh about 5 lb's each. easy for me to install them with one hand, I like that alot.

Mine look like crap though, so I'm on the hunt for glass anyways. But yeah, anyone want to trade some crappy looking but good working order lexan tops for some perfect glass ones + a lil cash?

 

Scroll down to the bottom of this link

https://www.thirdgen.org/newdesign/tech/techdb.shtml

its lists the weights of third gens and the weights of components if your looking to strip your car.

 

^ You need to rephrase that lol.

(paraphrase of what you said) "willing to take crappy looking but good working lexan t-tops for some good looking glass ones + some cash"

should say "willing to take crappy looking but good working lexan t-tops + cash for some good looking glass ones"

 

84z responded while I was typing heh. It was meant for Disturbed.

 

Sorry. I got my weight #'s from a 4th gen site. He switched from stock seats to Corbeau Forza racing seats, and claimed a 32lb decrease in weight. The passenger seat was 34lbs. He probably had power seats, lumbar support and leather, which would explain why they were so heavy. I think you're right about the lexan. I am almost certain about the chromoly K member, however. I've read in a few catalogs that swapping to a tubular K member will shave off 42lbs, and a chomoly K member would drop 60lbs. They could have been exaggerating the numbers though. Wouldn't surprise me.

Here's something I found-

92 Firebird

Curb Weight: 3121 (Hard top)

I'm weary of accepting these numbers as factual, as every online source is different.

84Z's link lists mainly Camaro's. Are the two similar in weight? I've heard that Camaro's are lighter than Firebirds, but I've heard the reverse as well.

Thanks again guys. Sorry for my ramblings.

 

My numbers were actual item weight, not how much weight would be dropped/lost/saved/whatever. You said "a chromoly K member would drop 60lbs" but the weight I said (30lbs) was about how much I think it actually weighs when you put it on a scale. I guess we're just looking at the same stuff from two different perspectives haha. You're looking at how much is lost compared to stock/OE, and I'm looking at how much the stuff weighs when you put it on the scale.

 

Oh! Now I gotcha lol. Now I have to find someone that's good at photoshopping. I guess the photoshop section might be a good place to start

 

IF you want to know the weight of your car or one you are wanting to buy.. go look @ the sticker on the driver door with the manufacture date, vin, weight, etc. on it... (unless your car has been repainted and the sticker removed/painted over)

seems simple enough for me.... If I have time I'll go look @ both of my cars tomorrow and post the weight

Both are T/A's...one 82 and one 91

 

Red1991TransAm... That info is wrong... The # listed on the door is the GVWR (gross weight rating). That's the weight of the car, plus avg. people in it, all fulids, plus all weight car can haul.

I weighed alot of my parts as I was replacing them..

jrmaatta... Your alittle off on the seat weight. Mine weighed 36 lbs each.. That's non powered, vinly covered stock seats, with tracks on em'.

My "race seats" fancy name brand rip offs, weighs 31 lbs each with tracks on em' to fit in the car

If you went to the poly bucket race seats, they would be 13 lbs each w/o the covers or tracks. If you add in the covers you can buy then they would be 14 lbs each....


My 1988 camaro with power windows and glass T tops weighs...
3320 lbs total....With 1900 lbs front.....1420 lbs rear

That's with...
full 16 gal of fuel. (about 102 lbs)
rear speaker plate and 2 10" speakers (26 lbs)
No spare tire or jack.

Repleced carpet with light weight stuff, Removed ECU and all of it's wiring, "old school" 350 engine, alum intake, iron heads, alum. rad., headers, dual exhaust, th-400 trans, 11" converter, alum rear brake drums, Spohn SFC, LCA brackets and LCA's, alum 1978 trans am 15" x 8" wheels, 235/60-15 front tires and 255/60-15 rear tires.


My dad's 1982 firebird with power windows, and power driver's seat weighs....
3240 lbs total.... 1820 lbs front....1420 lbs rear

That's with 15 gal of fuel (about 97 lbs)
non stock spare tire and jack (50 lbs)

Ram air II fiberglass hood, Repleced carpet with light weight stuff, Removed ECU and all of it's wiring, "old school" 327 engine, alum intake, iron heads, alum/plastic rad., headers, dual exhaust, th-350 trans, 12" converter.

 

auto trader says the 83 firebird s/e has a curb weight of 2866lbs,with the v6,and the curb weight is defined as a fully loaded, every option vehicle ,1 average passenger and all fluids.[full tank of gas].

so if auto trader is correct,the fbody is a light car .

i just gutted mine today from the t tops back,and the crap i took out[carpets,headliner,plastic panles,seat backs]weighs about 50-65 lbs.

most v8 powered f bodies should have a power to weight ratio of 1-10 ,which is really good,my duke has about a 1-37 ratio!!!sad

 

here is what someone needs to do... take your origional camaros and firebirds to a truck weigh station. Did this with my buddies second gen. at 3800 lbs I was suprised, the thing feels like a 5000lbs car compared to my camaro.

to drive that is... Im no heman

 

What do you need done? I'm not too bad w/ photoshop.

They really way that much?? Dayum. I've taken the seats in and out of my Cavailer all the time, and they seem more bulky than heavy. I'll have to toss one on the scale to see the actual weight of it, I can't imagine that Firebird seats would way much more than them (about the same size/dimensions)

Another option that's not always as easy as truck stops are smog places. If your car has to be tested, they also weigh it and it's on the print-out that they give you. That's how I found out that my old Bird was something like 3400 lbs (2.8 auto, hardtop, no weight reduction, don't remember how much gas, prolly had my system in too)

 

Lots of drag strips have weigh scales too. Most folks will find a truck weigh station easier iffin' your not into drag racing.

 

Would you be able to paint this car-



With this color?-

I'd really appreciate it

 

Storms of War, check your PM's. I photoshopped it for you.... now back to the subject at hand - weight!

 

so how much DOES a thirdgen fully loaded stock weigh?

and a fully stripped fbody,too.


or is auto trader right?

 

There's no way auto trader can be right..
From what you said.....

83 firebird s/e has a curb weight of 2866lbs,with the v6,and the curb weight is defined as a fully loaded, every option vehicle ,1 average passenger and all fluids.[full tank of gas].


Well now Look at real world weighed for own self weight, on a CAT cert 2 pad scale for my dad's 1982 firebird v-8 WITH OUT ANY BODY IN IT.

3240 lbs total.... 1820 lbs front....1420 lbs rear

That's with a good bit of weight removed. Fiberglass hood, about 35-45 lbs took off from the heavy stock carpet, alum intake which weighs about 20-25 lbs less than iron., 13 lbs worth of wiring and the ECU took out, headers which weighs alittle less than cast iron manifolds, and a few other things

The listed weight of the 2.8 L v-6 is 350 lbs

The listed weight for a small block chevy v-8 is 575 lbs.

So you add up the diff...

If auto trader is right.. Then my dad's v-8 1982 firebird before cutting weight should weigh 3091 lbs with an avg. size person in it. (I added in the diff in weight of the v-6 vs. v-8 listed weights)

Well over 100 lbs was took off his car.. and weighs 3240 w/o a person in it..

add in your avg. weight man of about 155 lbs and you have a weight of 3395 lbs after taking over 100 lbs off the car, and remember there's also 5-6 lbs not added to my dad's car for that last gal of fuel.. He only had 15 gal in it.. You sais full tank, that would be 16 gal, and fuel weights around 5 lbs a gal for a quick est.

So that brings us to 3400 lbs with a 155 lbs driver and full tank of fuel after over 100 lbs was took off the car.

 

autp trader must be wrong then.

but with my duke ,i bet the car only weighs 3200lbs with me in it. and i can cut that weight down some more.

all i want is 200hp and 300lbs of wieght,or any where close to that.

right now im at 80hp and 3300lbs