Fox T-Bird/Cougar Forums

Technical => Misc Tech => Topic started by: vinnietbird on April 10, 2007, 12:00:33 AM

Title: Weight question...
Post by: vinnietbird on April 10, 2007, 12:00:33 AM
Anyone have any idea how much an '88 T-Bird Sport weighs?Also,an estimate without the a/c compressor and bracket,and the smog equipment removed.Thanks.
Title: Weight question...
Post by: P71 on April 10, 2007, 09:13:46 AM
Depending on options, maybe 3600 ish? My 88 Cougar LS 5.0 was around that, but it was a moonroof car.
Title: Weight question...
Post by: EricCoolCats on April 10, 2007, 09:29:45 AM
I've got a published weight of 3,485 lb. for a base 1988 XR7 (see here: http://www.coolcats.net/fox/1988.html). That would be about the equivalent of a Sport; deduct some weight for the XR7's 8.8" axle and you're in the neighborhood of 3,425-ish for a basic Sport V8.

A/C equipment adds about 60-80 lbs. to the car's weight; most of that is in the compressor, but the condenser, lines, etc. all add up. The smog pump and system aren't really that much...maybe 20-30 lbs.

I'm sure there's a link to a Mustang site out there with the measured weights that JeremyB will provide. ;) I did weigh a few things when I removed them from the convertible but don't have the numbers now. I also didn't remove the evaporator core from the car.
Title: Weight question...
Post by: Thunder Chicken on April 10, 2007, 10:12:05 AM
Hard to believe these cars were considered heavy back in the day, isn't it? A Shelby GT500 weighs upwards of 4,000 pounds, now...
Title: Weight question...
Post by: Ether947 on April 10, 2007, 11:33:02 AM
Quote from: Thunder Chicken;139172
Hard to believe these cars were considered heavy back in the day, isn't it? A Shelby GT500 weighs upwards of 4,000 pounds, now...

That's because people compare it to the almighty Mustang.
Title: Weight question...
Post by: Jim_Miller on April 10, 2007, 12:19:46 PM
What is the weight differance between these and a stang of comparable equipment?
Title: Weight question...
Post by: vinnietbird on April 10, 2007, 03:01:18 PM
I have removed the a/c compressor,a/c lines,and everything else under the hood,and all of the smog equipment.I also have the off road x-pipe,which is much lighter than the factory Mustang catted h-pipe.I think I'll run the car down and have it weighed,and I'll post all of my car's details,and the current weight,and how much gas is in the car.I think my car looks heavier than it really is.
Title: Weight question...
Post by: the_intimidator03 on April 10, 2007, 06:50:05 PM
i do beleive the tbird's and cougars look heavier than what they really are... i guess you could compare it to a woman and her askin her husband the death question... Does this make me look fat?
Title: Weight question...
Post by: JeremyB on April 10, 2007, 07:13:59 PM
Quote from: EricCoolCats;139167
II'm sure there's a link to a Mustang site out there with the measured weights that JeremyB will provide. ;)
Um, you got me there. I've seen an "OFFICIAL WAITS THREAD!!11!one!!" on the Corral somewhere. I can't (and wouldn't) vouch for the accuracy of them.

I purchased an A/C scale over the winter that will go up to 240 lbs and is accurate to .01 lb or .1% of the reading, whichever is greater. Resolution is .02 lbs. I'll be weighing the 8.8 and 7.5 when I do my 5-lug swap, along with every bit and piece from the Fox/SN95 spindle assembly. If anybody is driving by my way, feel free to drop off any Fox/SN95 related piece that you want me to weigh.

Ok, time to head to the Hospital, be back in a few weeks.
Title: Weight question...
Post by: ZondaC12 on April 10, 2007, 07:52:19 PM
Quote from: Aerobird Motorsports;139163
Depending on options, maybe 3600 ish? My 88 Cougar LS 5.0 was around that, but it was a moonroof car.

 
WOW then what the hell does mine way!? Eric's site says specifically for mine "3350 lbs" what happened to that?
 
i thought fox stangs were like 3000 and we were like on avg ~200 lbs more. :confused:
Title: Weight question...
Post by: daboss351 on April 10, 2007, 08:32:01 PM
shiznit you guys don't wanna knwo the weight on the tag on the inside of the door on my car it will scare you!
Title: Weight question...
Post by: EricCoolCats on April 10, 2007, 11:27:44 PM
Quote
WOW then what the hell does mine way!? Eric's site says specifically for mine "3350 lbs" what happened to that?

OK...well, that's for a basic 20th. Add a moonroof and all the other options and it gets pretty hefty. But probably still not as hefty as an '88 XR7. Ultrasuede seats aren't light. That's essentially a fully-loaded '87 car.

The 1983's and 1984's were the lightest of the Aero Cats and 'Birds. Every year afterward they got progressively heavier because of added features. Thicker (and more) insulation, thicker carpeting, beefier suspension components, the Traction-Lok axle, quad shocks, even different engine configurations...all that stuff adds up. You start with a basic V6 commuter car in 1983 at roughly 3100 lbs., and on the top end you have a 1988 Cougar XR7 at almost 3500 lbs. Where's that 400 lbs.? Strip down one of the later cars...you'll find things out really quickly. ;)

Also, on the Mustang side, the 1987-93 GT's were every bit as heavy as our cars. The convertibles, even more so. Again, the 8.8" axle, heavy duty suspension, and especially the ground effects kit, all added to the total. That's why LX's are the sleepers.

And don't forget, Mustangs had 15-gallon tanks...the later Fox Cats and Birds had 22-gallon tanks. Plus an additional foot of overhang past the rear axles. Our cars were much more balanced in overall handling because of the longer wheelbase and longer trunk. But Mustangs had definite weight distribution advantages, even a GT. I believe our cars had an all-time best of a 57/43 weight distribution with a V6 or V8 (the turbo cars were a little closer to 50/50 IIRC). That's nearly 60% of the weight on the front part of the car. It's no wonder we have trouble getting traction in the winter with a peg-leg rear end. ;) The Mustangs were definitely closer to 50/50 than our cars.

As bad as you think our cars are, though...just think of Mark VII's. ;)
Title: Weight question...
Post by: 5.8fastcat on April 11, 2007, 12:01:42 AM
My car with a single turbo and the air ride with 17 Cobra wheels, All asscories( a/c,p/s,alt) no smog, with 8.8  1/2 tank of fuel weighted in @ 3660lbs and the 351 windsor but with aluim heads.

 The new car will probably end up close to 3900-4000. With the addition of cage,22lbs of welding wire, anti roll bar and such.

 Just need to turn up the BOOST.  LOL
Title: Weight question...
Post by: TurboCoupe50 on April 11, 2007, 11:17:12 AM
My TC weighed in at 3560. That was with all smog and the major AC components in place(Compressor, evap, condenser, but no hoses). It also had the mini spare, 3/4 tank of gas and probably 40 lbs of other junk/tools in the trunk... It has dual power seats, and of course the 8.8" rear and 11" front brakes, but no hole in the roof... Probably still weighs about the same, as I've ditched the smog pump but installed the remainder of the AC system...

BTW it also has a off road H pipe plus the aluminum heads knock off another 45lbs...
Title: Weight question...
Post by: V8Demon on April 11, 2007, 02:43:32 PM
Quote from: daboss351
shiznit you guys don't wanna knwo the weight on the tag on the inside of the door on my car it will scare you!


That weight is your GVWR.  That is NOT your car's weight.  It states what the car should not exceed weightwise with passengers, luggage fluids, etc.

Quote from: TurboCoupe50
My TC weighed in at 3560

You still have the stock TC suspension as well.  Would that weigh more than a non TC suspension without the adjustable firmness settings?  Also that weight was WITH the 8.8 and 11" brakes, correct?

Iv'e deleted all smog and A/C stuff and switched to a Powermaster ministarter (THAT saved 18 pounds by itself) along with the lighter heads, and some sound deadener.  My headers weigh much less than the stock logs that this car had from the factory (don't know if they weigh less than HO headers)
Title: Weight question...
Post by: TurboCoupe50 on April 11, 2007, 03:08:05 PM
100% stock Turbo Coupe, brakes, rear etc(I did pull the dog bone off the rear)...

The ride control and ABS may add 35-40lbs total, but it isn't a huge amount... The extra wiring harness and computers would be most of it(runs from engine compartment into trunk area). Strut/shock actuators are maybe 1/2lb each, doubt there is a 1/2lb difference in the shock/struts themselves... The electric master cylinder/ABS unit probably weighs 6-8 lbs over the vac booster
Title: Weight question...
Post by: ZondaC12 on April 11, 2007, 03:16:19 PM
wow. makes me appreciate even more how much work my engine is doing to go as fast as it does, and why it takes so much power to get one of these things to truly haul ass, as in low teens in the 1/4 or something similar.
 
land-barges FTW!!!! :birdsmily: :cougarsmily:
Title: Weight question...
Post by: Thunder Chicken on April 11, 2007, 05:48:46 PM
Options add weight to these cars in a big way. Ever pick up a power seat base? I'd bet that sucker weighs close to 50 pounds, if not more. With dual power seats, there's an extra 100 pounds right off the bat. That's the reason I didn't install the power seat bases from my parts TC - I was actually planning to, until I lifted them...

I'll have to weigh the PRC struts I've got in the shed, just to see what they weigh. I don't have any standard, non-PRC struts to weigh for comparison, though...
Title: Weight question...
Post by: Ether947 on April 11, 2007, 06:09:57 PM
*Ahem (http://"http://foxtbirdcougarforums.com/showthread.php?t=8418&highlight=weight")* :D
Title: Weight question...
Post by: daboss351 on April 11, 2007, 06:39:41 PM
I know my car weighs about 3700 less now with no exhaust!
Title: Weight question...
Post by: thunderjet302 on April 16, 2007, 12:10:43 AM
Quote from: Thunder Chicken;139448
Options add weight to these cars in a big way. Ever pick up a power seat base? I'd bet that sucker weighs close to 50 pounds, if not more. With dual power seats, there's an extra 100 pounds right off the bat.


Yeah they are heavy. I pulled mine out over the winter to have them reupholstered. My first thought was "shiznit these are heavy s". Pull the seat bases off and the seats aren't that heavy. Mine are probably heavier because I have power recline as well.
Title: Weight question...
Post by: ZondaC12 on April 16, 2007, 11:39:24 AM
geeeezz!!!! why are the power seat bases THAT heavy!!! that is really sumtin else...
Title: Weight question...
Post by: V8Demon on April 17, 2007, 12:24:43 AM
Quote
why are the power seat bases THAT heavy!!!


American technology in the '80's FTL as far as weight is concerned.....
Title: Weight question...
Post by: daboss351 on April 17, 2007, 11:14:18 AM
hell i wonder much my full power with lumbar and bolster lsc seats weigh!
Title: Weight question...
Post by: 32VFoxBird on April 19, 2007, 01:23:05 AM
mine weighed 3465 with me(150ish) in it. no weight reduction at all, and i dont remember how much gas i had in it. it'll weigh around 2900-3000 when the motor and tranny goes in now. :D
Title: Weight question...
Post by: Prototype Services on April 29, 2007, 12:25:25 AM
My 87 Sport weighed 3330 with about a half tank of gas, but not sure if I was in it when it was weighed. I would suspect not, comparing to posted weights. At the time, I had 16" Enkei mesh wheels, but it was stock other than that.
Dave
Title: Weight question...
Post by: gumby on May 02, 2007, 10:06:35 PM
Quote from: thunderjet302;140397
Yeah they are heavy. I pulled mine out over the winter to have them reupholstered. My first thought was "shiznit these are heavy s"....

funny, my first though was "which bolt did i forget?" :punchballs:
Title: Weight question...
Post by: thunderjet302 on May 03, 2007, 07:00:38 PM
Quote from: gumby;144416
funny, my first though was "which bolt did i forget?" :punchballs:


I though I left some wiring connected:hick: