1st Generation Specific (1979-1985) 1979-1985 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections

LS1/T56 85 GSL-SE - Guess what she weighs?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Oct 21, 2011 | 04:36 PM
  #1  
jonathan_ed3's Avatar
Thread Starter
Full Member
Tenured Member 05 Years
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 90
Likes: 0
From: Dallas
LS1/T56 85 GSL-SE - Guess what she weighs?

1985 GSL-SE with 1998 LS1/T56

No A/C
No Heat

Does have power steering

Power Windows, Power Mirrors, Rear wiper, basically full interior except for the rear "cargo" bins

3" aluminum driveshaft

Stainless Steel headers with dual 3" steel exhaust (do NOT have the heavy exhaust heat shields under the car, though)

205-50-15 up front

295-50-15's out back

Full Glass

Full Tank of gas

Just got it weighed...what do you think it tipped the scales at?? I will say it's not as light as I hoped, but a good starting point before I try to remove anything.
Reply
Old Oct 21, 2011 | 04:43 PM
  #2  
RX-7 Chris's Avatar
Rotary Freak
iTrader: (19)
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,014
Likes: 0
From: Colorado Springs, CO
I'm guessing about 2700 lbs
Reply
Old Oct 21, 2011 | 04:53 PM
  #3  
jonathan_ed3's Avatar
Thread Starter
Full Member
Tenured Member 05 Years
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 90
Likes: 0
From: Dallas
2520lbs

Makes it less than 2700lbs with me and a full tank. Not too bad.
Reply
Old Oct 21, 2011 | 05:11 PM
  #4  
slow_Fc3s's Avatar
Full Member
 
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 136
Likes: 0
From: Hayward, cali
wow, NICE!!! time to go drifting!!!!! haha

and good luck with traction! haha
Reply
Old Oct 21, 2011 | 07:24 PM
  #5  
Directfreak's Avatar
I am a Jeeper Now.
Tenured Member 20 Years
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 9,371
Likes: 4
From: 3OH5
Damn, even lighter than mine.

Nice, Mine was 2750 WITH a Ford 8.8 Rear end, 13BREW, TII Tranny,TII Brakes front and rear,
A/C, PS, full GSL-SE body/interior, fire extinguisher, spare tire, half tank of gas and a 6 point (mild steel) cage.
(Basically the stuff in my sig)


Pics of your ride?

Last edited by Directfreak; Oct 21, 2011 at 07:29 PM.
Reply
Old Oct 22, 2011 | 11:06 AM
  #6  
84stock's Avatar
Lives on the Forum
Tenured Member: 20 Years
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 5,547
Likes: 12
From: calgary
we want pics!
Reply
Old Oct 22, 2011 | 11:32 AM
  #7  
MOBEONER's Avatar
It's finally reliable
Tenured Member: 20 Years
Liked
iTrader: (18)
 
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 3,514
Likes: 10
From: NEW YORK CITY
Want videos
Reply
Old Oct 22, 2011 | 03:58 PM
  #8  
orion84gsl's Avatar
My 7 is my girlfriend.
Tenured Member 10 Years
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,162
Likes: 1
From: London, Ontario, Canada
Pics and videos wanted.
Reply
Old Oct 22, 2011 | 10:05 PM
  #9  
Directfreak's Avatar
I am a Jeeper Now.
Tenured Member 20 Years
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 9,371
Likes: 4
From: 3OH5
Manlaw should apply to pics of the ride in question...
Reply
Old Oct 22, 2011 | 10:46 PM
  #10  
HadaGSL-SE's Avatar
1st gens only
Tenured Member 15 Years
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,125
Likes: 0
From: Ormond Beach, FL
That weight bodes well for me. I just sold my SP 13B and picked up an LS1/T56. Before my car weighed 2450 with no AC but everything else installed.

Any advice or write up you could do on the wiring?

Thanks,

Greg
Reply
Old Oct 23, 2011 | 01:39 AM
  #11  
dmedz8's Avatar
04 RX8 & 79 RX7 *****
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
From: Lincoln, CA
Wow, thats not too heavy at all. I hope to finish my ls1/t-56 build soon!
Reply
Old Oct 23, 2011 | 08:05 AM
  #12  
peejay's Avatar
Old [Sch|F]ool
Tenured Member: 25 Years
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 12,870
Likes: 574
From: Cleveland, Ohio, USA
That's really good! My car (basically a GSL-SE now, with FC frontend) weighs around that much.

Now if only they made a cheap 4-cylinder crank and cam for that block, I'd be in business! My problem with a V8 is that much torque is too difficult to drive, throttle-modulation wise. 200ft-lb would seem to be the sweet spot in the drivability/gruntiness ratio.

And yes, I *do* frequently think of getting a cheap LS1 and removing the entire left bank of cylinders, like the old Pontiac 194. I think Midget guys remove the right bank, or they remove the left bank but stand the engine up. Anyway, it shouldn't be too difficult to do given the block architecture, assuming one didn't want to just block off one side of the water pump and make a sheetmetal cover to keep the bugs out of the cylinders on one side.

I've driven a Corvette with a failed wiring harness where one bank's coils were completely dead, and as much as I like "big bang" engine theory, this shook way too much to consider as a performance engine so an even-firing crank and cam would be great to have.... and expensive. (ever PRICE Midget engine parts? Sheesh!) The vibration couldn't have all been from dragging four (uneven) dead cylinders. A 2800cc four cylinder has a lot more mass than the 600cc four cylinders commonly used for motorcycles
Reply
Old Oct 23, 2011 | 10:07 AM
  #13  
84stock's Avatar
Lives on the Forum
Tenured Member: 20 Years
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 5,547
Likes: 12
From: calgary
still waiting on pics....
Reply
Old Oct 23, 2011 | 10:56 AM
  #14  
Directfreak's Avatar
I am a Jeeper Now.
Tenured Member 20 Years
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 9,371
Likes: 4
From: 3OH5
Originally Posted by peejay
Now if only they made a cheap 4-cylinder crank and cam for that block, I'd be in business! My problem with a V8 is that much torque is too difficult to drive, throttle-modulation wise. 200ft-lb would seem to be the sweet spot in the drivability/gruntiness ratio.
Why don't you just swap in a *Good* 4 Cylinder engine in, and call it a day?
All of these are very mod friendly too.

  • Nissan SR20 (Sentra)
  • Nissan SR20DET (Turbo 200sx/S14)
  • Honda K20A (DC5 Integra Type-R )
  • Mitsu 4G63 (Eclipse/Evo)
  • Nissan K24 (torquey from 240sx)
  • Toyota 3SGTE (Mr2 Turbo / Supra engine with only 4 cyc)
  • Dodge Chrysler Turbo 2.2/2.5 (Omni GLH)
  • Ford 2.3 Turbo (Very Torquey)
  • Honda F20C (S2000)***
  • Honda F22C (S2000)

***The Honda S-2000 V-Tec is by far one of the best 4 cylinder engines in the world 9000(F20C) rpm redline, 1997cc, 240 Hp...and not turbo charged. (the way you like em).

Last edited by Directfreak; Oct 23, 2011 at 11:11 AM.
Reply
Old Oct 23, 2011 | 01:21 PM
  #15  
peejay's Avatar
Old [Sch|F]ool
Tenured Member: 25 Years
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 12,870
Likes: 574
From: Cleveland, Ohio, USA
Originally Posted by Directfreak
Why don't you just swap in a *Good* 4 Cylinder engine in, and call it a day?
All of these are very mod friendly too.
  • Nissan SR20 (Sentra)
  • Nissan SR20DET (Turbo 200sx/S14)
  • Honda K20A (DC5 Integra Type-R )
  • Mitsu 4G63 (Eclipse/Evo)
  • Nissan K24 (torquey from 240sx)
  • Toyota 3SGTE (Mr2 Turbo / Supra engine with only 4 cyc)
  • Dodge Chrysler Turbo 2.2/2.5 (Omni GLH)
  • Ford 2.3 Turbo (Very Torquey)
  • Honda F20C (S2000)***
  • Honda F22C (S2000)

***The Honda S-2000 V-Tec is by far one of the best 4 cylinder engines in the world 9000(F20C) rpm redline, 1997cc, 240 Hp...and not turbo charged. (the way you like em).
Counting down:

Very expensive, few N/A parts available
Extremely expensive, no simple RWD transmission option
Expensive to find in decent shape, few N/A parts available
Truck engine, garbage
Expensive, few N/A parts available, RWD conversion doable yet costly
Extremely rare nowadays, junk engine anyway, RWD trans option sucks (although I had been considering a Neon engine for a while)
Had one, is quite bulky, good luck finding a cheap decent clutch (why I sold it - could buy a car for what a good 2.3t clutch costs)
Phenomenally expensive, also very tall engine, has reliability issues

I've thought about this just a bit Basically there ARE no good RWD-able four cylnders in the US, that fit neatly in an RX-7 engine bay, if you take the constraint that you can't have a turbo so you need something in the 2+l range with a head and camshafts available to have a nice 5000-8000+ powerband. The S2000 engine is close but I've heard too many stories of them siezing pistons when subjected to road course style use... and what I do makes road racing look like drag racing Besides, for how much an S2000 engine costs, you could almost buy one of them 300+hp half-a-V8s with no worry... and they're designed for circle track abuse.

Well, there is one, and it's not on your list, but they are still quite expensive to buy 'round these parts. Can buy an LS2 for what one of those things runs. But it's a Mazda engine, which is nice.
Reply
Old Oct 23, 2011 | 04:53 PM
  #16  
Directfreak's Avatar
I am a Jeeper Now.
Tenured Member 20 Years
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 9,371
Likes: 4
From: 3OH5
I disagree on the SR20DET though... Not that expensive, and they are swapped into
240's (S13/S14/S15 Chassis) cars all the time. It's Japan's favorite Dorifto engine.
Lot's of aftermarket support. They are RWD. They even offer a 6 speed.

Plus, it makes a nice swap.

Did you see the one in the FB?


How about the MG?


And if MONEY is an issue, just keep it Rotary.
Reply
Old Oct 23, 2011 | 05:12 PM
  #17  
peejay's Avatar
Old [Sch|F]ool
Tenured Member: 25 Years
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 12,870
Likes: 574
From: Cleveland, Ohio, USA
Uh-huh. So you pay $2k or whatever for an SR20DE, how much do camshafts cost? Would like something in the 300-310 degree range so I can run 12-13:1 compression on pump gas. Oh yeah gotta get pistons too. And valvetrain. And hope the bottom end is strong enough for RPM, probably is.

Turbos are fine for trucks, but they have no place in a performance car. Even the best modern turbo engines have horrible throttle response.
Reply
Old Oct 24, 2011 | 12:50 PM
  #18  
Kentetsu's Avatar
Lives on the Forum
Tenured Member 15 Years
 
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 11,359
Likes: 14
From: Grand Rapids Michigan
Eh, whenever I want more horsepower I just pull another useless chunk of metal out of my car.

2280 with a full tank and me in it...

But of course, my car is quick rather than fast. Yours on the other hand.....





.
Reply
Old Oct 24, 2011 | 07:01 PM
  #19  
twinkletoes's Avatar
Eats, Sleeps, Dreams Rotary
Tenured Member: 15 Years
iTrader: (17)
 
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,740
Likes: 6
From: Las Vegas, NV
Very nice! I have no clue what mine weighs. I bet hes getting traction with 295s in the rear lol. Pics..

Manlaw indeed DF lol
Reply
Old Oct 24, 2011 | 07:23 PM
  #20  
twilight slide's Avatar
That looks broken
Tenured Member 15 Years
 
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 654
Likes: 0
From: WA
Good numbers Hope my FC is within 200lbs of that.

Originally Posted by peejay
Uh-huh. So you pay $2k or whatever for an SR20DE, how much do camshafts cost?
I can't comment on cost of head parts, but DEs are quite a bit cheaper than 2k
http://www.ebay.com/itm/JDM-94-97-Ni...#ht_1412wt_694
http://www.ebay.com/itm/JDM-S14-N-A-...#ht_7018wt_694
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Jdm-S14-Engi...#ht_2310wt_928

FWIW.
Reply
Old Oct 24, 2011 | 08:33 PM
  #21  
snowbreaker's Avatar
now 17 with 2 cars **)
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 262
Likes: 1
From: grand rapids, michigan
now why would you say you got an ls1/t56 in a first gen and not post pictures
and also the only thing i can say about my car is that its light enough to push uphill
on my own
Reply
Old Oct 25, 2011 | 04:22 PM
  #22  
84stock's Avatar
Lives on the Forum
Tenured Member: 20 Years
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 5,547
Likes: 12
From: calgary
Originally Posted by snowbreaker
now why would you say you got an ls1/t56 in a first gen and not post pictures
Exactly
Reply
Old Oct 25, 2011 | 08:57 PM
  #23  
peejay's Avatar
Old [Sch|F]ool
Tenured Member: 25 Years
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 12,870
Likes: 574
From: Cleveland, Ohio, USA
Originally Posted by peejay
Basically there ARE no good RWD-able four cylnders in the US, that fit neatly in an RX-7 engine bay, if you take the constraint that you can't have a turbo so you need something in the 2+l range with a head and camshafts available to have a nice 5000-8000+ powerband.
A challenger has appeared. I know what's going into my car in 2013.
Reply
Old Nov 19, 2011 | 11:48 AM
  #24  
elwood's Avatar
Rotary Freak
Tenured Member: 20 Years
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,590
Likes: 46
From: Michigan
I just weighed my car, and came up with something similar -- 2580 lbs, with all the correction factors to make it the full curb weight. It's about what I expected, so I'm pleased. My car started life as a GSL, but it now has the following mods that would affect weight:

Weight Reduction:
- Removed A/C and associated hardware
- Composite racing seats
- Fiberglass hood
- Removed rear storage bins
- Removed rear wiper
- Stainless exhaust w/o cat or cast manifold
- FC aluminum water pump housing
- Removed spare

Weight Adders:
- Larger wheels and tires -- 15 X 7 with 205/50F & 225/50R
- Front big brakes -- 12" X 1.25" rotors
- Turbo, I/C, and plumbing
- Roll bar (rear half of a cage)
- FC turbo transmission
- Larger radiator (increase more due to added coolant weight than the rad itself)
- Water injection system (I have a big 5 gal tank, and the weight is with it full)
Reply
Old Nov 19, 2011 | 02:29 PM
  #25  
Starfox07's Avatar
Environmentally-Hostile
Tenured Member 15 Years
 
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,662
Likes: 3
From: Ennis/Arlington Texas
Originally Posted by peejay
Counting down:

Very expensive, few N/A parts available
Extremely expensive, no simple RWD transmission option
Expensive to find in decent shape, few N/A parts available
Truck engine, garbage
Expensive, few N/A parts available, RWD conversion doable yet costly
Extremely rare nowadays, junk engine anyway, RWD trans option sucks (although I had been considering a Neon engine for a while)
Had one, is quite bulky, good luck finding a cheap decent clutch (why I sold it - could buy a car for what a good 2.3t clutch costs)
Phenomenally expensive, also very tall engine, has reliability issues

I've thought about this just a bit Basically there ARE no good RWD-able four cylnders in the US, that fit neatly in an RX-7 engine bay, if you take the constraint that you can't have a turbo so you need something in the 2+l range with a head and camshafts available to have a nice 5000-8000+ powerband. The S2000 engine is close but I've heard too many stories of them siezing pistons when subjected to road course style use... and what I do makes road racing look like drag racing Besides, for how much an S2000 engine costs, you could almost buy one of them 300+hp half-a-V8s with no worry... and they're designed for circle track abuse.

Well, there is one, and it's not on your list, but they are still quite expensive to buy 'round these parts. Can buy an LS2 for what one of those things runs. But it's a Mazda engine, which is nice.
So...what's wrong with a streetported 13b again? n/a to n/a, a rotary is hard to beat. Some of the K and F series Honda engines will put up a fight, but really nothing else can. What naturally aspirated 4 cylinder can put down a solid 300whp without spending over $10,000? I doubt any can. The power to cost to reliability of a naturally aspirated wankel is unbeatable in my eyes. Rotary ftw.

Also show me a 4 cylinder that sounds this good:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aKKvw...ure=plpp_video
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:55 PM.