I installed the rear suspension and got it on the scales. Total weight is 1365 with only 43.52% on the front, not too bad.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...1baa9306_b.jpg20190719_174817 by Yelcamino, on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...a36a5838_b.jpg20190719_173002 by Yelcamino, on Flickr

As I assembled everything, I weighed each part so I could see where the weight was coming from and also to help when it comes time to balance left/right/front/back. This is what I have so far:


Steering rack - 15lbs
Driver side upper/lower arms, spindle, C7 hub - 31lbs
Passenger side upper/lower arms, spindle, C7 hub - 31lbs
Coilovers (11lbs ea) - 22lbs
Rotors (20lbs ea) - 40lbs
Calipers & pads (8lbs ea) -16lbs
Wheels & tires (48lbs ea) - 96lbs
Front Suspension total - 251lbs

3 links & hardware - 15lbs
Watts links - 9lbs
Rear end housing assembly (no oil or axles) - 220lbs
Rear axles - 20lbs
Calipers & pads (8lbs ea) - 16lbs
Coilovers (11lbs ea) - 22lbs
Wheels & tires (51lbs ea) - 102lbs
Rear Suspension total - 404lbs

Chassis & cage - 710lbs

Total weight - 1365lbs

If you remember, after I first test fit the body to the chassis, I scaled it and it was 1875 lbs. None of the cage components were in it at the time but all the suspension parts were.

It will be interesting to see how much the body will add.

It's looking nice! Kind of cool to see it as each 'module' gets assembled w/the next. Digging the 'through tubes' for the brake hose ducting as well.

It looks like my last post was four weeks ago. Some things have happened since then.

The big mile stone is the body is back on the chassis to stay...

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...8da6f027_b.jpg10134 by Yelcamino, on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...d30c347c_b.jpg10132 by Yelcamino, on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...8ac8ec3b_b.jpg10133 by Yelcamino, on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...0778ee1f_z.jpg10135 by Yelcamino, on Flickr

Those 315's look absolutely huge on there!

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...4de9c5ba_z.jpg10137 by Yelcamino, on Flickr

And of course, I weighed it.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...2b46dc8e_z.jpg10136 by Yelcamino, on Flickr

So 2129 lbs includes the body, chassis, cage work, suspension, wheels & tires. Before I started the cage if you remember, it weighed 1875 lbs, which means all of the cage components only added 254 lbs. Another interesting thing, the chassis with suspension, wheels & tires, and cage weighed 1365 lbs. That means the body, which includes glass and all door components, but no hood, floor, front/rear fenderwells, or interior, added 764 lbs.

The only other thing I've done since the body went back on is to install the bumpers to help make sure everything is centered properly.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...75640339_b.jpg10138 by Yelcamino, on Flickr

While trying to free up some room in the shop, I decided to make an engine test stand using some of the old roll bar I removed from the Chevelle and scrap tubing left over from the new cage. It's not pretty, I just slammed it together and the only money I spent on it ($20) was a set of casters from Harbor Freight. All the other stuff that's bolted to it, I either had sitting on a shelf, or I bought it to go in the Chevelle.

This also gave me an opportunity to see how much the all aluminum big block actually weighs!

Test stand - 98 lbs
Engine on stand (no intake or TB) - 614 lbs

Since I already weighed the bellhousing (30 lbs), clutch assembly 43 lbs), and test stand, I subtracted them from the 614, which put it at 443.

Then I weighed the Hogan intake and Holley throttle body (24 lbs) and now that gives me an engine weight of 467 lbs.

In the pic, the front accessories are in place and where during the weighing. The water pump & pulley (6 lbs), alternator, bracket, bolts, belt (12 lbs), PS pump, bracket, bolts, belt (5 lbs), and motor plates (4 lbs).

If my math is correct, just the engine from oil pan (includes 8 qts of oil) to intake, only weighs 440 lbs! I guess I don't need an LS to save weight! :thumbsup:

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...9b6da03e_b.jpg10142 by Yelcamino, on Flickr

I haven't run it yet because I'm still getting all the little pieces like fittings, hoses, etc, in place. Once it's running, I'll post a vid.

Looking good! What's your plan for tin work to cover the offset 3-link? Will you be making setup adjustments from above, or under the car?

Nice work Herb!! Getting to the fun stage for sure...

My plan is to fabricate aluminum sheets from the cage to the original package tray to cover the suspension and seal it off from the interior.

Looking into the trunk, I imagine you will be able to see the top of the rear end housing and upper suspension so I can make basic adjustments without having to get under the car. The wheel wells will be in and some form of trunk floor will be fabbed, but it will look all business.

Yep, this is going to be fun. Once the engine is running, I'll really be motivated to keep moving! :thumbsup:

I assume the headers were not included in the motor weight??? What block and bore. I have a Brodix with a 4.6 inch bore - the bigger the bore the lighter the block because the steel liners are thinner. Looks great!

Pappy

Correct, the headers in the picture are not included in the engine weight in my post. However, I did weigh these headers and the pair came in at 35 lbs.

The block is standard deck height, 4.5" bore, 4" stroke, 6.535" rods.

Thanks!