Curb Weight
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 9,063
Likes: 2,736
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Curb Weight
I had the chance to get my 77 weighed today......so with almost a full tank of gas, and me sitting in the car, the weight was 3420 lbs....subtract my 180 pounds out, and that makes curb weight 3240 lbs....about 300 lbs less than factory advertised curb weight.
I am very happy with that number. How did I get there? -
- Aluminum Dewitts radiator
- Aluminum AFR heads
- Aluminum Edelbrock RPM intake
- Aluminum Edelbrock water pump
- StainlessWorks stainless headers and exhaust system
- No Emissions garbage
- No Airconditioning
- No heater hoses
- No radio or antenna
- No power steering (factory manual steering)
- Original Borg 4 speed (less weight than automatic transmission and associated coolers, hoses, etc.)
- Aluminum YJ8 reproduction wheels - much lighter than Rallye wheels
- VBP Composite rear spring
- Otherwise, the car is in stock configuration, including spare tire carrier (tire only, no wheel).
Power to weight baby!
I am very happy with that number. How did I get there? -
- Aluminum Dewitts radiator
- Aluminum AFR heads
- Aluminum Edelbrock RPM intake
- Aluminum Edelbrock water pump
- StainlessWorks stainless headers and exhaust system
- No Emissions garbage
- No Airconditioning
- No heater hoses
- No radio or antenna
- No power steering (factory manual steering)
- Original Borg 4 speed (less weight than automatic transmission and associated coolers, hoses, etc.)
- Aluminum YJ8 reproduction wheels - much lighter than Rallye wheels
- VBP Composite rear spring
- Otherwise, the car is in stock configuration, including spare tire carrier (tire only, no wheel).
Power to weight baby!
Last edited by Shovels and Vettes; May 9, 2018 at 06:11 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,453
Likes: 976
From: RI, Now Franklin/Nashville TN
That is a great number for weight!
I am in the same boat as you with my 78 with many of the same weight saving components:
AFR Aluminum Heads
Dewitts Aluminum radiator
Stewart Stage 2 aluminum water pump
Long Tube Ceramic coated Stainless Steel headers
No AC Compressor
No emissions Hardware including AIR pump and hardware, cat, etc
4 Speed Tranny
SLP 17 inch rims/tires-Lighter than the 255/60/15 and OEM aluminum Rims
Composite rear spring
80 Clam Shell Fully bolstered Seats-Much lighter than the Stock 78 seats
No Spare tire or spare tire carrier
I am guessing about 3150-3200 for my 78.
I am in the same boat as you with my 78 with many of the same weight saving components:
AFR Aluminum Heads
Dewitts Aluminum radiator
Stewart Stage 2 aluminum water pump
Long Tube Ceramic coated Stainless Steel headers
No AC Compressor
No emissions Hardware including AIR pump and hardware, cat, etc
4 Speed Tranny
SLP 17 inch rims/tires-Lighter than the 255/60/15 and OEM aluminum Rims
Composite rear spring
80 Clam Shell Fully bolstered Seats-Much lighter than the Stock 78 seats
No Spare tire or spare tire carrier
I am guessing about 3150-3200 for my 78.
Last edited by jb78L-82; May 8, 2018 at 06:18 PM.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 20,905
Likes: 962
From: I tend to be leery of any guy who doesn't own a chainsaw or a handgun.
I had the chance to get my 77 weighed today......so with almost a full tank of gas, and me sitting in the car, the weight was 3420 lbs....subtract my 180 pounds out, and that makes curb weight 3240 lbs....about 300 lbs less than factory advertised curb weight.
I am very happy with that number. How did I get there? -
- Aluminum Dewitts radiator
- Aluminum AFR heads
- Aluminum Edelbrock RPM intake
- Aluminum Edelbrock water pump
- StainlessWorks stainless headers and exhaust system
- No Emissions garbage
- No Airconditioning
- No heater hoses
- No radio or antenna
- No power steering (factory manual steering)
- Original Borg 4 speed (less weight than automatic transmission and associated coolers, hoses, etc.)
- Aluminum YJ8 reproduction wheels - much lighter than Rallye wheels
- VBP Composite rear spring
- Otherwise, the car is in stock configuration, including spare tire carrier.
Power to weight baby!
I am very happy with that number. How did I get there? -
- Aluminum Dewitts radiator
- Aluminum AFR heads
- Aluminum Edelbrock RPM intake
- Aluminum Edelbrock water pump
- StainlessWorks stainless headers and exhaust system
- No Emissions garbage
- No Airconditioning
- No heater hoses
- No radio or antenna
- No power steering (factory manual steering)
- Original Borg 4 speed (less weight than automatic transmission and associated coolers, hoses, etc.)
- Aluminum YJ8 reproduction wheels - much lighter than Rallye wheels
- VBP Composite rear spring
- Otherwise, the car is in stock configuration, including spare tire carrier.
Power to weight baby!
I've had mine on a diet for the past several years too. I finally learned how to weld aluminum, so in addition to most of the items you mentioned above, I managed to swap out several steel items for fabricated aluminum substitutes.
Keep us updated on future weight reductions.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 23,375
Likes: 1,067
From: Virginia USA
Nice job.
My '71 Convertible without power anything and with similar mods as you as far as changing everything that was cast iron over to aluminum I weighed in at the garbage dump scales a 2997! Woot! I was trying to just get below 3000. Did I mention I took out the spare tire and tire carrier, no jack etc? That should shave off close to 50lbs give or take a few.
Of course I started at a significant weight advantage than you not having the 5mph crash bars front and rear and mine being a base car without any options. The shipping weight of my car was 3167
My '71 Convertible without power anything and with similar mods as you as far as changing everything that was cast iron over to aluminum I weighed in at the garbage dump scales a 2997! Woot! I was trying to just get below 3000. Did I mention I took out the spare tire and tire carrier, no jack etc? That should shave off close to 50lbs give or take a few.
Of course I started at a significant weight advantage than you not having the 5mph crash bars front and rear and mine being a base car without any options. The shipping weight of my car was 3167
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 9,063
Likes: 2,736
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
77
Nice job.
My '71 Convertible without power anything and with similar mods as you as far as changing everything that was cast iron over to aluminum I weighed in at the garbage dump scales a 2997! Woot! I was trying to just get below 3000. Did I mention I took out the spare tire and tire carrier, no jack etc? That should shave off close to 50lbs give or take a few.
Of course I started at a significant weight advantage than you not having the 5mph crash bars front and rear and mine being a base car without any options. The shipping weight of my car was 3167
My '71 Convertible without power anything and with similar mods as you as far as changing everything that was cast iron over to aluminum I weighed in at the garbage dump scales a 2997! Woot! I was trying to just get below 3000. Did I mention I took out the spare tire and tire carrier, no jack etc? That should shave off close to 50lbs give or take a few.
Of course I started at a significant weight advantage than you not having the 5mph crash bars front and rear and mine being a base car without any options. The shipping weight of my car was 3167
I am pretty happy I knocked off 300 plus pounds. As for more, I am considering dumping power brakes, but not sure yet, mostly because of the scale of the job, not because I like them. I think I would prefer manual brakes to go with the heavy clutch and manual steering.
More subtle weight reduction includes fact I have no windshield washer tank or hose, no wheel in my spare tire carrier (I hate the empty look without the carrier), no options at all when it comes to silly early model gadgets like fiberoptics and windshield wiper doors or headlight washers, no power windows, no electric window heat defrosters, no Astro ventilation, no hood insulation, no radio, radio wiring or radio speakers, no "deluxe" door panel carpet.
So, its about as light as its going to get.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 20,905
Likes: 962
From: I tend to be leery of any guy who doesn't own a chainsaw or a handgun.
If someone will refresh my memory here, please. An item I swapped out to pull several pounds off my '69 was the cast iron steering column support bracket (11#, IIRC). The later stamped steel support piece was about 4#. I don't remember which model year in the 70s that the change was made to the lighter bracket. Anyone recall when the change was made?
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 6,240
Likes: 1,013
From: Watkinsville, GA and Glen Cove, NY
If someone will refresh my memory here, please. An item I swapped out to pull several pounds off my '69 was the cast iron steering column support bracket (11#, IIRC). The later stamped steel support piece was about 4#. I don't remember which model year in the 70s that the change was made to the lighter bracket. Anyone recall when the change was made?
Bill
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,532
Likes: 1,185
From: Arizona - If you don’t know CFI, STOP proliferating the myths around it...
That seems heavy to me for an early model C3. By 82 the C3s put on more pounds and with a half tank of gas and me in it, mine weighs in at 3350 according to the scale which I thought was awesome. I have similar things like yours, but no tire carrier now and pwr steering. Book says mine is 3342 stock. The book says a 77 weighs in at 3541 stock.
I have similar things like yours, but no tire carrier now and pwr steering. Book says mine is 3342 stock. The book says a 77 weighs in at 3541 stock.
Last edited by Buccaneer; May 9, 2018 at 10:00 PM.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 9,063
Likes: 2,736
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
That seems heavy to me for an early model C3. By 82 the C3s put on more pounds and with a half tank of gas and me in it, mine weighs in at 3350 according to the scale which I thought was awesome. I have similar things like yours, but no tire carrier now and pwr steering. Book says mine is 3342 stock. The book says a 77 weighs in at 3541 stock.
I have similar things like yours, but no tire carrier now and pwr steering. Book says mine is 3342 stock. The book says a 77 weighs in at 3541 stock.Anyways, I am very happy to have shaved off 10% weight, but I doubt there is much more I am willing or able to do. With my pumped up engine, and reduced weight, I think the car is quick and for me, it just satisfying to have eliminated unnecessary weight.
Last edited by Shovels and Vettes; May 10, 2018 at 07:04 AM.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 441
Likes: 22
From: Northeast OH
You could lose another 20 pounds or more by switching to a mini AGM battery. I just did this two weeks ago, got the Braille 15-pound one, it was easy and not much more expensive than a good-quality normal battery.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 20,905
Likes: 962
From: I tend to be leery of any guy who doesn't own a chainsaw or a handgun.
I can only think that this must have been an incredibly cheap component taken from an early 60s impala or something.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 20,905
Likes: 962
From: I tend to be leery of any guy who doesn't own a chainsaw or a handgun.
I'm currently running a 16# battery in mine. I've got a thread in the Autocross/racing section asking for input from guys running the uber lightweight Lithium batteries. I keep hearing comments (elsewhere) ranging from "they work great" to "that's a fast way to burn down your Corvette". I want to keep taking weight out of my car, but I don't know what to think about these lithium batteries at the moment.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,453
Likes: 976
From: RI, Now Franklin/Nashville TN
If you are referring to my 77, me being the OP, you are correct that book weight is 3541, so I am 300 lbs lighter than that, so not sure what your comment means about heavy. Comparing to an 82 is a different frame, etc. and in fact I believe book weight on 82 is lighter than 77, as you said, but about 200 lbs - they supposedly lightened the frame, the diff mounts lighter, etc.....CAFE requirements.
Anyways, I am very happy to have shaved off 10% weight, but I doubt there is much more I am willing or able to do. With my pumped up engine, and reduced weight, I think the car is quick and for me, it just satisfying to have eliminated unneces sary weight.
Anyways, I am very happy to have shaved off 10% weight, but I doubt there is much more I am willing or able to do. With my pumped up engine, and reduced weight, I think the car is quick and for me, it just satisfying to have eliminated unneces sary weight.
Last edited by jb78L-82; May 10, 2018 at 01:46 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 11,949
Likes: 4,507
From: Virginia
The N90 aluminum wheels of 80-82 saved 32 lbs over the YJ8 wheels of previous years. That is a not insignificant amount of unsprung weight, comparable to the savings of going from stock to Wilwood aluminum calipers.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 9,063
Likes: 2,736
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Frame
The 63-82 C2/C3 Frames are all the same, essentially. There has been some talk of the weight difference, but I don't think anyone has shown, conclusively, that there was a weight savings. The 80's were lighter by a couple hundred pounds mostly from the aluminum batwing suspension/Diff cradle and the fiberglass panels used in 80-82 were thinner , thus lighter. These changes shaved about 150lbs.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 9,063
Likes: 2,736
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Wheels
Are you sure about that? I know the YJ8 wheels saved 40 lbs over the steel Rallye wheels, but I doubt N90 wheels could be another 32 lbs less than YJ8.... they are not that much different in design, a single back rib versus two??? Slots slightly different. But I could be wrong. Where did you find this information?
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 11,949
Likes: 4,507
From: Virginia
Are you sure about that? I know the YJ8 wheels saved 40 lbs over the steel Rallye wheels, but I doubt N90 wheels could be another 32 lbs less than YJ8.... they are not that much different in design, a single back rib versus two??? Slots slightly different. But I could be wrong. Where did you find this information?
https://www.hemmings.com/magazine/hmn/2012/02/Corvette-YJ8-Aluminum-Wheels/3708551.html
I have a set of each. I should weigh them sometime.
Last edited by Bikespace; May 10, 2018 at 04:00 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 53,648
Likes: 878
From: Southern Cal Ca
St. Jude Donor '22
That seems heavy to me for an early model C3. By 82 the C3s put on more pounds and with a half tank of gas and me in it, mine weighs in at 3350 according to the scale which I thought was awesome. I have similar things like yours, but no tire carrier now and pwr steering. Book says mine is 3342 stock. The book says a 77 weighs in at 3541 stock.
I have similar things like yours, but no tire carrier now and pwr steering. Book says mine is 3342 stock. The book says a 77 weighs in at 3541 stock.late c3s.