. . . figure on how much my project car would weight. The following has been removed:

drivetrain
suspension
hood and front fenders
all interior (including wiring)
gas tank

Me and my dad are going to build an adjustable frame with some pneumatic wheels so we can roll it around the shop with ease. Biggest 10" wheels I can find are rated at 450~500 lbs. so I need to make sure we support it well enough.

Note: I though about posting this on the Fabrication Board, but I just figured the susp/chassis board would be better for the question about the weight.

Thanks.

 

drivetrain and hood are the most noticeable.

suspension and interior as well as the fuel tank (when full) will definately loose some weight. if you figure a factory 3rdgen is roughly 3,450 lb area just figure out what you removed. there is the weight listing in the faq section on the home page here. also all can be found searching the internet a little looking for the individual weights of each.

 

Thanks, I totally forgot about the FAQ section. I'll run up the numbers and see what I'm left with.

 

Well, the FAQ didn't have exactly what I was looking for. From the FAQ I can estimate that the 91 t-top 6 cylinder/auto firebird weighed roughly 3100 lbs, the AC system weighed 41.7 lbs, and the engine and tranny weighed 500 lbs.

I would at least hope that all of the interior, suspension, and gastank weigh at least 1000 lbs. because if not I will have to look for some stronger wheels.

If anyone can confirm numbers on parts that they have weighed please post them here. If I get enough, I will make a list and we can add it to the FAQ boards. I will try and weigh a few myself as well so if there are any odd requests, just ask. Thanks.

 

there is no way the suspension, interior and gastank weigh 1,000lbs.

springs, struts, sway bars are not that heavy...

 

Yea, that's the reason I started this thread. I am really trying to figure out the weight of a bare subframe with the added weight of the doors, and all glass. The figures I keep coming up with are in the neighborhood of 2000 lbs. or just shy of it. That's still a little heavier than what I was hoping for, but I guess I'll just have to use 6 wheels for the frame instead of 4.

 

Keep in mind, the wheels/tires of the car probably weigh in at 150lbs as well, so knock that off the weight of the car. Suspension isn't that incredibly heavy in these cars (though it could be lighter!). Interior weighs a decent amount, but not more than 200lbs for everything I wouldn't think. Hood is probably a good 50-60lbs. Rear hatch is right around 100lbs if you wanted to take that off to make it a bit lighter.

By the way, what exactly ARE you doing to this car?

 

In short, I am making a daily driver.

I picked up a 91 t-top Firebird with a seized motor for 200 bucks. Bought it from an original owner (never been wrecked but has a dented driver's rear quarter panel and the mounting tab for the fender underneath the car has inappropriately been used for jacking up the car.) Have some slight surface rust to repare: t-top area, battery tray, and the other usual suspects. I plan to take the entire shell down to the metal and have it refinished. The original primer from the Van N. plant was horrible along with their method. Once it's all painted I can start putting it all back together, running the wiring, installing the suspension, drivetrain, interior, etc. I know it seems like a lot of work, but I've learned so much just by tearing it apart I think it will be well worth it. Besides, it something me and my father can do together. I can teach him about all the car stuff he doesn't know, and he can teach me about welding and fabrication.

 

that is alot of work for a daily driver. when i pull my cars apart i strip them down but i just make a simple dolly for them when it comes time to move it around. is that all your trying to make?

 

That's basically all I am trying to make. That way I can move it around the shop, outside, and even onto a trailer for transport.

It definitely is quite a bit of work for a driver. But for me, this is one of the best ways to learn. I would like take it to some shows and maybe even go for the long haul on the Powertour when it's done. Besides, I'm sure I'll want to add a stronger powerplant down the road, and when that day comes I'll already have a nice car to work with. The car is already striped down so it's not like I have a choice now.

 

Why don't you just leave in the rearend and front K-member, A-arms, springs, and struts. Then just roll it around on the wheels it came with. That'll allow you to pretty much take the rest of the car all apart.

 

i suppose if you have that much time, money and resources that sounds great... certainly nothing wrong with it. the first time i built a thirdgen i left all the underside. i pulled it apart when necessary doing little things at a time but i was limited to my driveway and nothing else.

good luck with it.

 

It's already all apart. It's been all apart for quite some time now actually. I want the room to work in the engine bay to work on the little rust spots that are there. The rearend and crossmember are already off so I'll be sandblasting those. Even if I put the suspension back on, I have to reinstall the steering column and dash so moving it wouldn't be a total pain.

Kandied91z,

Thanks, I'm sure I'll need it. I should have the dolly made in a couple of weeks. It won't be anthing fancy, just some C-channel, square tubing, wheels, and landscape timber (softer for supporting the framerails, may come up with something else). I'll be sure to post some pictures when it gets underway.

 

Got the mover built. Used 6 wheels instead of 4. Good for 2100 lbs. I'll get some pics later this week.