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FlightService
FlightService Reader
10/19/10 12:04 p.m.

Does anyone know of a website that lists engine weights?

I am trying to find some but the Google thingy on the Internet machine isn't giving me what I want.

kb58
kb58 Reader
10/19/10 12:08 p.m.

Yeah well... take whatever you find with a BIG grain of salt. The problem is that - almost always - they don't say what's included and what isn't. Those "300 lb V8" claims are BS. Anything short of a picture of it on a scale is itching for bad information.

ArthurDent
ArthurDent Reader
10/19/10 12:08 p.m.

Decent resource: http://www.locostusa.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=4299

Keith
Keith SuperDork
10/19/10 12:22 p.m.

Yeah, it's impossible to get realistic numbers unfortunately.

FlightService
FlightService Reader
10/19/10 12:29 p.m.

HA! I love it. 5th post goes to a GRM forum.

ArthurDent
ArthurDent Reader
10/19/10 12:30 p.m.

There is a decent number of people who are members of both forums not too surprisingly I guess.

FlightService
FlightService Reader
10/19/10 12:31 p.m.

In reply to Keith:

I keep reading stuff like

"A chevy LS* engine is within 100 lbs of a Porsche 4 cylinder in a 944 Turbo." Things like that are just bugging me. Looking for some answers and trying to get ideas for a Challenge build.

FYI: According to that sheet, VW engines must be made from Gold/Lead. Probably Gold given the weight and how much parts are.

Otto_Maddox
Otto_Maddox Reader
10/19/10 1:03 p.m.

After reading that Locost thread, well, I wish I could scrub all the misinformation out of my head.

Strike_Zero
Strike_Zero Reader
10/19/10 1:03 p.m.
ScottRA21
ScottRA21 Reader
10/19/10 3:59 p.m.

It's all this misinformation that causes confusion.

I think a impartial, trusted, respected magazine should perhaps compile their own database on engine and transmission weights

....whistles and walks away innocently

Keith
Keith SuperDork
10/19/10 4:16 p.m.

The problem is that most of these weights are taken by different people, in whatever configuration they have handy. For GRM to compile the database, they'd either have to have some control over the condition of the weighed engine or they'd have to do it themselves - and that's a lot to ask.

Next time we have one running free, I'll get a weight for an LS3. How should I rig it?

  • with or without accessories?
  • with or without flex plate/flywheel?
  • with or without stock iron manifolds?

The engine will have intake manifold, coils, plugs, throttle body and oil pan. I've got an LS1 in a similar getup right now too, come to think of it. Transmissions are easier as they have fewer removable parts, but I can get an F-body T56 weight around the same time.

I'll see if I can get a Miata engine with the same collection of parts as well, although that might actually take longer!

Nashco
Nashco SuperDork
10/19/10 5:12 p.m.
Keith wrote: Next time we have one running free, I'll get a weight for an LS3. How should I rig it?

IMO, it's best to weigh the "removable" components and weigh the bare minimum with the individual component weights listed in the exact same place so that people can understand better. A picture of the bare engine is also awesome in case future questions arise like which intake, oil pan, etc. was on if there is some reason that's important. Example:

Engine: RocketLSxHemi
Bare weight (dry): 99 kilograms
Additional parts not included in bare weight:
1. AC Compressor - 2.3 kg
2. Alternator (xxx amps/OEM part number?) - 2.4 kg
3. Power steering pump - 1.1 kg
4. Steel flywheel (application/OEM part number?) - 17 kg
5. Cast iron manifolds (application/OEM part number?) - 5.7 kg total
6. Miscellaneous accessory brackets, mounts, etc. (picture?) - 2.9 kg total

This is my dream situation. This way, you have a pretty damn good idea of the minimum weight, and if you ditch components or replace them with lighter alternatives, you'll have a very good idea of where you stand.

Bryce

Keith
Keith SuperDork
10/19/10 5:27 p.m.

I'll see what I can do. There are LS engines littering the shop right now. And thank you GM for casting the part number into everything, that's really helpful.

JFX001
JFX001 SuperDork
10/19/10 6:56 p.m.

Older version with the right idea, just wish that he would update it:

http://gasalley.thetumbleweeds.net/tech_archive/general/engine_weights.htm

Knurled
Knurled HalfDork
10/19/10 8:15 p.m.
ScottRA21 wrote: It's all this misinformation that causes confusion. I think a impartial, trusted, respected magazine should perhaps compile their own database on engine and transmission weights ....*whistles and walks away innocently*

Go to The Source:

http://www.bacomatic.org/~dw/library/txt/engfyi.htm

Every engine weight has a footnote, indicating the source. Many of those sources are the author weighing the thing hisownself.

FlightService
FlightService Reader
10/19/10 8:46 p.m.

What have I started?

JFX001
JFX001 SuperDork
10/19/10 8:54 p.m.
Knurled wrote:
ScottRA21 wrote: It's all this misinformation that causes confusion. I think a impartial, trusted, respected magazine should perhaps compile their own database on engine and transmission weights ....*whistles and walks away innocently*
Go to The Source: http://www.bacomatic.org/~dw/library/txt/engfyi.htm Every engine weight has a footnote, indicating the source. Many of those sources are the author weighing the thing hisownself.

deja vu....

internetautomart
internetautomart SuperDork
10/19/10 9:31 p.m.

to me engine weights should be a long block only. No timing covers, no oil pan, no valve covers (pushrod covers accepted), no manifolds (intake or exhaust), no pulleys, no flywheel, no plugs, wires, coils or distributor. Just a bare long block. Camshafts, pushrods, timing chain/belt , gears are to be included.

Knurled
Knurled HalfDork
10/19/10 9:48 p.m.
internetautomart wrote: to me engine weights should be a long block only. No timing covers, no oil pan, no valve covers (pushrod covers accepted), no manifolds (intake or exhaust), no pulleys, no flywheel, no plugs, wires, coils or distributor. Just a bare long block. Camshafts, pushrods, timing chain/belt , gears are to be included.

Is that like the people who say that an FD has the entire engine behind the front axle centerline and a V8 doesn't therefore the V8 is bad... while ignoring the intercooler and oil cooler or two that the V8 won't require? (Sane V8s, anyway)

Accessory weights really should be included. Engine's useless without them.

ScottRA21
ScottRA21 Reader
10/19/10 10:17 p.m.
Knurled wrote:
internetautomart wrote: to me engine weights should be a long block only. No timing covers, no oil pan, no valve covers (pushrod covers accepted), no manifolds (intake or exhaust), no pulleys, no flywheel, no plugs, wires, coils or distributor. Just a bare long block. Camshafts, pushrods, timing chain/belt , gears are to be included.
Is that like the people who say that an FD has the entire engine behind the front axle centerline and a V8 doesn't therefore the V8 is bad... while ignoring the intercooler and oil cooler or two that the V8 won't require? (Sane V8s, anyway) Accessory weights really should be included. Engine's useless without them.

Agreed. Knowing the weight of the long block itself is interesting, but kind of worthless information in the end of things.

And especially confusing is: Why no valve covers, oil pans, or timing cover? Unless the engine is a V8 from one of 3 manufacturers, pickings are slim for aftermarket parts. And lets face it, while people here (and many other places) will chant, "LS1 LS1!" for days on end anytime someone mentions a swap, for a lot of people, a V8 of any kind is just not what they are looking for.

So the level playing ground is: Engine ready to run. All accessories, all wires. All intakes. It gives everyone a straightforward baseline to compare engines with.

Keith
Keith SuperDork
10/20/10 12:30 a.m.

How do you install the timing belt without pulleys?

mr2peak
mr2peak Reader
10/20/10 12:46 a.m.

I vote weight of a stock-configured running engine. ECU, wiring harness, intake to exhaust manifold. Everything you need to make it run minus a battery.

RossD
RossD Dork
10/20/10 7:23 a.m.

with gas tank, too?

Giant Purple Snorklewacker
Giant Purple Snorklewacker SuperDork
10/20/10 7:53 a.m.

My thinking here is... if you want to know how much an engine weighs then weigh the engine. Stuff specifically not part of the engine:

  • alternator
  • PS pump
  • air box & plumbing
  • external cooling
  • AC crap
  • clutch, pressure plate, flywheel

If I want to know how much a power steering pump weighs... well, that is a different part and I'll put it on a scale. Its not part of the ENGINE.

Mikey52_1
Mikey52_1 HalfDork
10/20/10 9:36 a.m.

You COULD weigh the iron ore before it gets milled, but there's a lotta stuff needed to make it go zoom. I vote for ready-to run, minus A/C.

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