Average weight for AI LS-1 F-body? Options

[ledfoot2]

Does anyone know what most LS-1 cars are running weight wise? I am about 3350 with me in the car. My motor should be way over, so I am going to run a restrictor.

I don't believe in reinventing the wheel. You guys have a lot more experience at this than me. IS there an ideal weight range?

[JKnight]

My wife's LT1 powered AI car is ~3180 post race. I probably add ~50 pounds to that.

Now, as for the "average" LS1 powered AI car, I can only think of Mike Patterson's, so with only one in the set the average is whatever his car weighed, which I think was in the 3500s (I could be wrong, but it was up there). He managed to wheel it around the track sufficiently quickly.

Jason

[mitchntx]

My wife's LT1 powered AI car is ~3180 post race. I probably add ~50 pounds to that.

Now, as for the "average" LS1 powered AI car, I can only think of Mike Patterson's, so with only one in the set the average is whatever his car weighed, which I think was in the 3500s (I could be wrong, but it was up there). He managed to wheel it around the track sufficiently quickly.

Jason

Mike's car has all the door windows and mechanisms, windshield wipers, lights and even HVAC less condenser and compressor.

[Chris Ronson Jr]

My wife's LT1 powered AI car is ~3180 post race. I probably add ~50 pounds to that.

Now, as for the "average" LS1 powered AI car, I can only think of Mike Patterson's, so with only one in the set the average is whatever his car weighed, which I think was in the 3500s (I could be wrong, but it was up there). He managed to wheel it around the track sufficiently quickly.

Jason

Mike's car has all the door windows and mechanisms, windshield wipers, lights and even HVAC less condenser and compressor.

wow! (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)

[ledfoot2]

Thanks guys. I am trying to regulate the power at this point to get it right. There is a local dyno day here this weekend, and I am going to play with some restriction ideas toget the power down to where it needs to be. It just seems like there should be a "sweet spot" in there somewhere. I can take out more weight, but I will have to restrict the power even more.

Mitch, what are the CMC cars running weight wise?

How about the CMC-2 cars with LS-1's?

I know it is not the same, but I am just thinking I will overtax the tires more than Iwill miss the horsepower....but this is all late night theory on my part.

[firehawkclone]

Right now im 3240lb post with an lt1. I'm hoping to be under 3200lbs next season, and could be 3000lbs if I had $$$ for lighter wheels/brakes/ hatch.

All with driver.

[mitchntx]

Thanks guys. I am trying to regulate the power at this point to get it right. There is a local dyno day here this weekend, and I am going to play with some restriction ideas toget the power down to where it needs to be. It just seems like there should be a "sweet spot" in there somewhere. I can take out more weight, but I will have to restrict the power even more.

Mitch, what are the CMC cars running weight wise?

How about the CMC-2 cars with LS-1's?

I know it is not the same, but I am just thinking I will overtax the tires more than Iwill miss the horsepower....but this is all late night theory on my part.

Most 4th gen CMC cars around here are well under 3300 post race. Steve is at 3280 even with all his creature comfort junk installed and he has pulled another 20 or so pounds out of the car. Glenn is mid 32s and James is a tick lower than that.

My CMC2 Pontiac is 3350 post race, fully laden with driver comforts and I always start with a full tank of fuel to make the handling predictable. I out-weigh those guys ... probably out-weigh James by 100lbs!

Minimum weight for a CMC2 LS1 car is 3350, I think. Because I'm carrying the weight any way, I have considered installing an LS1 motor so that I can get some of that weight off the nose.

[Tommy55]

My 95 Firebird w/ ls1 is at 3145 post race. That is also with 90# ballast. It worked pretty good for me.

[CMC #37]

Thanks guys. I am trying to regulate the power at this point to get it right. There is a local dyno day here this weekend, and I am going to play with some restriction ideas toget the power down to where it needs to be. It just seems like there should be a "sweet spot" in there somewhere. I can take out more weight, but I will have to restrict the power even more.

Mitch, what are the CMC cars running weight wise?

How about the CMC-2 cars with LS-1's?

I know it is not the same, but I am just thinking I will overtax the tires more than Iwill miss the horsepower....but this is all late night theory on my part.

Most 4th gen CMC cars around here are well under 3300 post race. Steve is at 3280 even with all his creature comfort junk installed and he has pulled another 20 or so pounds out of the car. Glenn is mid 32s and James is a tick lower than that.

My CMC2 Pontiac is 3350 post race, fully laden with driver comforts and I always start with a full tank of fuel to make the handling predictable. I out-weigh those guys ... probably out-weigh James by 100lbs!

Minimum weight for a CMC2 LS1 car is 3350, I think. Because I'm carrying the weight any way, I have considered installing an LS1 motor so that I can get some of that weight off the nose.

My LT1 CMC2 'Bird is about 3300 post race. I thought about the LS1 route for it too then decided it was not worth the expense of getting an LS1 trans as well. I'm deep in LT1 T56s and have a nice low mile LT1 I can use.

[roadracetransam]

I am around 3100 with me and a 1/2 tank of gas.
Windshield and hach are still glass, plus k-member control arms are stock.

[ledfoot2]

I am around 3100 with me and a 1/2 tank of gas.
Windshield and hach are still glass, plus k-member control arms are stock.

Dang that is light!

What is the trick?

[StanIROCZ]

I'm deep in LT1 T56s and have a nice low mile LT1 I can use.

From what I've seen the lt1 T56's are worth more since there are a lot of people looking to swap them to older Gen I SBC's. Might be able to sell/trade them for LS1 t56's and come out ahead or help pay for your LS1. Just a thought.

[Tommy55]

I am around 3100 with me and a 1/2 tank of gas.
Windshield and hach are still glass, plus k-member control arms are stock.

That's pretty light for full glass and stock k-member.

[BryanL]

My LS1 CMC2 car comes off from a 20 minute race at 3370 so 3200 without me. I still have a pretty easy 100 pounds to pull out of the car as well.

Aren't you running cam, ported heads, and headers? You should be up around 400 rwhp and I'm guessing you will need to be around 330. The smallest restrictor I have is a 45 mm. It cut me down to 248 rwhp and 285-290 tq I think. Unrestricted I think I am a little over 300 hp 320's tq.
I'm thinking that you will still need to add weight even after restricting the car unless you go to such a restricted level that it might have terrible throttle response-think Talladega.

Let us know what the car does on the dyno unrestricted. Let me know if you want some restrictors or want to see all my dyno pulls.

[ledfoot2]

My LS1 CMC2 car comes off from a 20 minute race at 3370 so 3200 without me. I still have a pretty easy 100 pounds to pull out of the car as well.

Aren't you running cam, ported heads, and headers? You should be up around 400 rwhp and I'm guessing you will need to be around 330. The smallest restrictor I have is a 45 mm. It cut me down to 248 rwhp and 285-290 tq I think. Unrestricted I think I am a little over 300 hp 320's tq.
I'm thinking that you will still need to add weight even after restricting the car unless you go to such a restricted level that it might have terrible throttle response-think Talladega.

Let us know what the car does on the dyno unrestricted. Let me know if you want some restrictors or want to see all my dyno pulls.

It just has a big cam, LS-6 heads and headers. I'm thinking around 400rwhp un-restricted. I figure I need to get down to around 350hp/370tq for the weight I am at right now.

I was going to play with tape over the outside of the air filter to see how I can restrict the power. Anyone have a source for restrictor plates?

[ledfoot2]

Hey guys. Well here is the news after the dyno. Three runs: three very different hp levels.
Run 1. 323hp
Run 2. 343hp
Run 3. 368hp

I think that the issue might be caused by my cut off switch. It shuts power to everything, including the computer. I think the car re-callibrating itself.

So how do wire it so that it does not need to re-learn each time? I have the switch between the positive and power cable and interrupting the exciter wire.

Here is a video of the last run.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PUjHN5TB-F4...re=channel_page

This post has been edited by ledfoot2: Dec 14 2008, 03:56 AM

[roadracetransam]

I am around 3100 with me and a 1/2 tank of gas.
Windshield and hach are still glass, plus k-member control arms are stock.

Dang that is light!

What is the trick?

Everything forward of the engine is gone, except an aluminium radiator and an aftermarket fan, and the frame rails. Bumper/splitter supports out of 1/2 inch tubeing and aluminium channels. On the inside everything went including the dash. Exaust system kept to the minimum.

Plus I am tall and skinny.

[Chris Ronson Jr]

My 95 Firebird w/ ls1 is at 3145 post race. That is also with 90# ballast. It worked pretty good for me.

is that your car in the pic?

[MikeP-99Z]

Around 3410 post race. I actually removed the door glass (still have the windshield, hatch glass, headlights etc as mentioned above), but had to add 50# ballast to the floorboard....

[mitchntx]

Around 3410 post race. I actually removed the door glass (still have the windshield, hatch glass, headlights etc as mentioned above), but had to add 50# ballast to the floorboard....

You need to get back to texas and let LAW MS do some work to that beast. And in the mean time, you need to eat a burger or 2.