Restomod Weight
 

Me too (that's a "movement")! I am attempting to put together this 67 with SRIII and LS3...I have guessed it will end up about 2900lbs....but it would be good to hear from someone who has weighed one...

My '59 has a Corvette Corrections frame, 572 GM crate motor (heavy), 4L80E(also heavy), no AC, no heater, no radio, roll cage, hardtop, fiberglass bumpers. With me (150#) in the car Total = 2990#
Charles

I don't know what the actual definition of a restomod is, I just built my car to suit my tastes. My '69 is 2750# with full factory interior (p/s, p/b, t&t, radio, stock non-A/C). My engine specs are just a touch better than the Chevy 427/480 crate motor.

Need to go a little more into detail on "Engine" to help figure define power. If you are talking only about using GM late model crate engine same as used in current corvettes, LT and LS ones then you/we can use GM's SAE HP/TQ numbers. After market custom built engines, makes it a little tougher to get SAE Numbers as a lot are rated using STD Number which will be a little higher.

Next whose frame will you use. Depending on whose you choose, the Crub weight even with a lighter LS/LT engine vs original cast iron engines used in originals can weight 300-400 LBs heavier than Original curb weight of different year model Midyears.

One of the best example of what just swapping an LS into a Midyear car do for just curb weight reduction Vs original Curb weight of car. If I remember correctly he posted 1/4 mile ET on street tires I think of 12.04 which matches up with LS powered C6's.

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...tribution.html

His C2's curb weight is about the same as my stock body 66 vert and LS7 swap with a not so light late model 6l80E 6 sp automatic, with A/C and about 100 lbs of sound deadening and heat shielding added, along with heavier c6 seats cut down, with aftermarket frame, of 2816 LBS.

Compare that to my 64 Coupe with Ls3 480 HP Hot cam engine that weighs in at 3410 LB due mostly with the way the body on the Car was modified an with more soundproofing and heat shielding weight of just over 150 Lbs, C6 powered seats, GM 4L80E based 6sp automatic. hot cam engine is rated at 480 HP, at wheel HP was 360 on a Mustang dyno an 409 HP on a Dynojet. HP was down on engine due to not having 4.0" intake tube feeding air into it.

The build I was working on with flared body panels also, but body panels made using mold made body panels that matched very close to stock replacement body panels weight wise, I was hoping to bring it in at around 2800LBs using the same frame as above car, an maybe even a little lighter if I made fiberglass bumper for it. It would have had an LS7 rated 505 SAE HP by GM and same trans as above car. Also wheels on it were a lot lighter than ones on above car.

There maybe as much as a 400LB weight difference between after market frames. One may weight around 300 Lbs more than stock frame, so HP to weight will vary between builds due to frame/chassis choice. Also weigh will vary depending on what late model generation of suspension used.

Since no one else seems to have actually measured the weights, here is a breakdown on some of the various components on my '59.
Corvette Corrections frame with crossmembers (trans mount, driveshaft loop) and pads for roll cage = 380#
Complete 94 rear suspension, no wheels, no shocks = 225#
Complete 94 front suspension with crossmember, no wheels, no shocks = 172#
Engine+transmission - 572+4L80E = 925#
Roll cage = 81#
4 Wheels – 17x8.5 with tires = 188#
Body, trunk lid, soft top lid, doors, hood, steering column, dash pod = 500#
Body weight was before adding fender flares and hood scoop.

Charles

I recently weighted my modified 65 coupe at 2740 with quarter tank of gas. Car is stock frame and stock 327 short block. No PS or PB but added Vintage air. Have added loads of after market parts with goal of lowering the weight.
aluminum heads, water pump, intake, EFI, radiator with electric fan, mini starter and Odyssey battery
aluminum flywheel with Keisler 5 speed.
Van Steel suspension with 4 wheel coil overs. Wilwood mini light calipers and aluminum master cylinder. Steroids R&P
Light weight American Racing wheels.
Fiero seats. No spare or jack or front bumper

Charles,

What is your car's curb weight?

Is it more or less than than GM's listed curb weight. What was the HP rating of original engine in it. Note that HP number is not HP at the rear wheels.

For fair halfway HP to Weight ratio comparison between modern an older cars OP asked for you need to know the curb weight of your car as modified and engine at the Crank HP, not rear wheel HP/TQ rating that will be lower.

My overweight restomod 64 coupe for comparison purposes, would be 3410 lbs / 380 HP rated at crank HP = HP to Weight ratio of 8.97 lbs to 1 HP.

At the rear wheels HP to Weight Ratio is 3410 lbs / 360 lbs = HP to weight ratio of 9.47 lbs to 1 HP.

Me in the car with only 5 gallons of fuel, and HP to weight ratio goes up to 9.97 lbs to 1 HP. As raced that day car's ET was 11.79, MPH 119 with 1.97 sixty foot time on 300 tread wear street tires.

Best thing the OP could do is build the car to his liking, go to Drag Strip and see how it goes, using engine of his choice. Then drive the wheels off it, and no street racing, for comparison purposes that way...LoL

Our Black Widow weights in just at 3,000 LBS.
Full Hand Built Tube Chassis.
LS9, Tranzilla 6 speed.
Full stock interior with dual layers of Dynomat and Dynoliner.
All the creature comforts, A/C Stereo Push To Start, electronic EBrake, Power windows.
Enjoy The RIDE.....

See post #3

You are bound to come out ahead on a 'resto-mod' as opposed to a new factory car that must comply to crash test, safety, and emissions and fuel economy standards. New cars are heavy.....check the curb weights of some smaller new cars and you will be surprised. My '65 GTO weighs less than a 1990's Firebird or a late Nissan Z car. With a resto-mod, you can go really light if you want to spend the $$$.

Thanks everyone for the great responses.

Charles - I specifically had your car in mind as it relates to a new Z06 or a Hellcat. It looks like you are around 4.6 #/HP, where a Z06 is around 5.4. That is a significant performance difference.

2990 / 620 HP (flywheel) = 4.8 # / HP. 650 ft/lbs @ 4500 RPM also, so I sometimes have trouble hooking up.
Charles

My 63 coupe weights 2550 with 1/2 tank of fuel. Jamison chassis LS3 Trimac 5 speed C4 susp front and rear AC, PS.
My 69 Conv weights 2740 same build but a 4L60E auto trans.
Mark

My '63 vintage racer (see avatar) has a Grand Sport tubular ladder frame and weights 2400 lbs. If I were motivated to do more work on it, I could probably reduce its weight by another 100 - 150 lbs.

I've been working like a dog to pull weight out of my '69 (while keeping a stock interior). I've got the heavier coupe construction, but the much lighter four speed. May I ask what all have you done to get the weight down to the mid 2700's? Thanks.

My 65 coupe has a LS3, TKO 600, power rack, Dewitt's rad, Vintage AC, tubular upper a-arms, with a stock frame. Just weighed in at 2954 with full tank of gas. But the key is taking approx 200 lbs off the front end. Yes it is fun to drive.

The stats for a 1964 Coupe is 3180 lbs from the factory. The 1967 Coupe was 200 lbs. more. Each year of C2 is slightly different. Options also makes a difference.