Chevy engine wt. comparison - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Nima · 09-18-2016, 11:27 PM

Hi:

How much does a SBC 350 weighs in comparison with a 5.3 (LM4 I guess) and 6.0 (LQ4)? How these wt. changes can affect the front suspension/steering and overall performance?
Thanks

DjS71 · 09-19-2016, 08:06 AM

Quick search says BBC 665, SBC roughly 575lbs, Iron block (LQ4) Gen III+ roughly 520lbs, Aluminum block (LM4) Gen III+ subtract 75lbs or so.

The trucks are front heavy on account of the bed just being a sheet metal open top box and the windshield, battery and motor/trans forward of the center of the truck.

As to how better weight distribution actually affects the vehicle I don't have any more google time. Visually i'd imagine it would affect ride height.

68Stepbed · 09-19-2016, 08:47 AM

I don't have the paperwork in front of me, so my numbers may be slightly off, but I know their close. A few years ago, I weighed my truck on a four corner scale at a RideTech booth at a show. At the time, it had a 350/TH350 mounted in the factory V8 (forward) location. Later that summer, I blew that engine and swapped in the LS1/700R4. The engine is mounted in the 6 cyl(rearward) location along with offset adapter plates.

With the 350 combo:
3737 lbs and almost right at a 60/40 weight bias.

With the LS1:
3590 lbs and about a 55/45 weight bias.

davepl · 09-19-2016, 12:05 PM

I started with an iron-headed 396.
Installed aluminum heads, intake, headers - nose came up 1/2"
Replaced iron 396 with aluminum 376 (LS3) - nose came up 1/2"

Now for some reason either I got weirdly used to it or it settled, because I was going to swap springs down to small block springs but the ride height is fine. I guess my point is that swapping to a much lighter motor will change your ride height and alignment.

brad_man_72 · 09-20-2016, 11:46 PM

Sbc to 5.3 swap. I also moved the engine back and relocated the gas tank under the bed. It handles much better.

09-18-2016, 11:27 PM	#1
Nima Blue 67 Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Western WA Posts: 1,179	Chevy engine wt. comparison Hi: How much does a SBC 350 weighs in comparison with a 5.3 (LM4 I guess) and 6.0 (LQ4)? How these wt. changes can affect the front suspension/steering and overall performance? Thanks __________________ 1953 GMC 3/4 ton: current project 1967 C20: 5.3 voretc with T5 conversion, 4 wheel 8 lug disc brake 1972 Nova: my 4 door sport sedan! 5.3 voretc + T5 conversion. drivable project, FUN!! 1979 Camaro Z28: 5.3 vortec conversion with build TH350: drivable project, Fun to drive 1992 Camaro RS convertible (Z28 clone): 5.3 conversion with build T5: on going project 2005 Silverado 2500, 4x4 Duramax, original owner

09-19-2016, 08:06 AM	#2
DjS71 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Santa Rosa, CA Posts: 267	Re: Chevy engine wt. comparison Quick search says BBC 665, SBC roughly 575lbs, Iron block (LQ4) Gen III+ roughly 520lbs, Aluminum block (LM4) Gen III+ subtract 75lbs or so. The trucks are front heavy on account of the bed just being a sheet metal open top box and the windshield, battery and motor/trans forward of the center of the truck. As to how better weight distribution actually affects the vehicle I don't have any more google time. Visually i'd imagine it would affect ride height. __________________ 1971 C10 Short/Fleet 307-2BBL/3OTT 1999 Silverado 2500 ECSB 6.0/4L80

09-19-2016, 08:47 AM	#3
68Stepbed Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: 10-Uh-See Posts: 5,609	Re: Chevy engine wt. comparison I don't have the paperwork in front of me, so my numbers may be slightly off, but I know their close. A few years ago, I weighed my truck on a four corner scale at a RideTech booth at a show. At the time, it had a 350/TH350 mounted in the factory V8 (forward) location. Later that summer, I blew that engine and swapped in the LS1/700R4. The engine is mounted in the 6 cyl(rearward) location along with offset adapter plates. With the 350 combo: 3737 lbs and almost right at a 60/40 weight bias. With the LS1: 3590 lbs and about a 55/45 weight bias. __________________ Matt 68 C10 stepside, LS1/700R4, TCI Engineering suspension system

09-19-2016, 12:05 PM	#4
davepl Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Redmond, WA Posts: 6,332	Re: Chevy engine wt. comparison I started with an iron-headed 396. Installed aluminum heads, intake, headers - nose came up 1/2" Replaced iron 396 with aluminum 376 (LS3) - nose came up 1/2" Now for some reason either I got weirdly used to it or it settled, because I was going to swap springs down to small block springs but the ride height is fine. I guess my point is that swapping to a much lighter motor will change your ride height and alignment. __________________ 1970 GMC Sierra Grande Custom Camper - Built, not Bought 1969 Pontiac 2+2 427/390 4-speed Coupe 1969 Pontiac 2+2 427/390 4-speed Convertible

09-20-2016, 11:46 PM	#5
brad_man_72 the boat guy Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: springfield mo Posts: 2,339	Re: Chevy engine wt. comparison Sbc to 5.3 swap. I also moved the engine back and relocated the gas tank under the bed. It handles much better. __________________ 67, swb, fleet, tach, throttle, 5.3, 4l60e, 3.73's, fuel cell, 5 lug, p.d.b., 4-6 drop. great little truck 66, stevens drag/ski 18' silouette, 350, 2.02 doublehump heads. comp extreme marine 278 cam, vette 7 fin valve covers, old polished edelbrock intake, velvetdrive, casale v-drive, adj cavitation plate. 28, model a rpu project,



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