Why are ls1 cars still so heavy?
05-18-2008, 10:24 AM
#1
Why are ls1 cars still so heavy? So, I was looking at the curb weight of a 98-02 trans am ws6, and cannot figure out why it should weigh ~3400 LBS!
with the plastic (fiberglass?) doors, fenders, RA hood, roof, fascia...
plus an aluminum LS1, aluminum rims, and an aluminum T56 (If I get one anyway), and an aluminum driveshaft.
why do these things weigh as much as my El Camino did from the factory with all iron 305, 2004r, steel driveshaft, steel rims, about 100lbs of 80's emissions BS, and a FULL FRAME. not to mention the giant steel bumpers and the fact that practically the only plastic in the whole body is the inner fenders.
I think the third gens even weigh about 3500 lbs with all their metal.
with the plastic (fiberglass?) doors, fenders, RA hood, roof, fascia...
plus an aluminum LS1, aluminum rims, and an aluminum T56 (If I get one anyway), and an aluminum driveshaft.
why do these things weigh as much as my El Camino did from the factory with all iron 305, 2004r, steel driveshaft, steel rims, about 100lbs of 80's emissions BS, and a FULL FRAME. not to mention the giant steel bumpers and the fact that practically the only plastic in the whole body is the inner fenders.
I think the third gens even weigh about 3500 lbs with all their metal.
05-19-2008, 08:22 AM
#2
TECH Junkie
Manufacturer cost is a major factor for producing lightweight bodies. Almost everything with a 'performance description' weighs over 3,000 lbs, especially with a V8. Even my little 2 seat roadster with an in-line 6 weighs 2998, basically 3000 pounds. You pay big $$ for lighter performance cars like a new Corvette. Our F-bodies actually are NOT that bad compared to the new high performance Mustangs, Chargers, etc.. You would think that 6 years later they would be made lighter than ours but it is just not the case. Everything has power this and that, and a/c is almost standard in everything. Just too many standard options that add weight.
05-19-2008, 10:49 AM
#3
Safety stuff, air bags, ABS, traction control, crash survivability improvements, and all the sensors / electronics that go with them, they all add weight to a vehicle. Add to that better sound systems (more speakers), A/C standard, cushier seats, widgets (power mirrors, windows, ding-dong bells for whatever), it all adds up.
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very true!
05-19-2008, 03:53 PM
#9
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