Gen I 350 versus Gen III 5.3 weight - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

smokinstang70 · 11-21-2010, 07:56 PM

Anyone out there know the weight difference between a stock Gen I 350 and turbo 350 trans.... versus a Gen III 5.3 with a 4L60E? I am concerned that their might be a weight difference and the 2 inch lowering springs that I loved with the GEN I installed will not be enough when i throw in the LS1.

Any thoughts?

Thanks as always guys

*mrhino* · 11-21-2010, 08:43 PM

Im not sure what a sbc weighs but I was going to ship a 5.3 once and i think it was right 500# complete. but not positive

68Stepbed · 11-22-2010, 09:32 AM

There is a weight difference, but I don't think it will make a major difference in the drop. It won't raise it enough that you would really notice the difference. I would imagine the difference of weight in the engine would be offset by the tranny's weight. A TH350 doesn't weigh a whole lot. Most 5.3 engines are iron anyway. The only major weight change would be if you had an aluminum block.

smokinstang70 · 11-22-2010, 09:46 AM

Thanks... it is a iron block 5.3... I just wanted to ask the question to the community and make sure I wasn't making a mistake before I started.

Thanks guys

Ole Greenie · 11-22-2010, 02:56 PM

FWIW, while I was looking for a spring set for my 70 BB LS6, there was no distinguishing between the SB versus the BB. Maybe I didn't look hard enough. I guess the factory deemed the difference in weight negligeable for weight, warranty, etc. I would think the same for the 5.3...that the weight diff between the SB and the newer LS motors is not enough to be concerned about. Just my take on it.

68Stepbed · 11-22-2010, 06:52 PM

It depends on who sells them. Alot of companies don't offer different springs for BB & SB. ECE has them listed seperately though.

Ole Greenie · 11-22-2010, 09:38 PM

Yep...Though I would be interested to discover whether there is a difference in the spring rates or if it is a marketing thing. As well, I would like to see if the springs were different form the factory. I can tell you that I have not seen a build sheet with one or the other annotated but it would make for an interesting discovery. If there is a difference, GM may have included in the 396/400 engine upgrade. I'll call the GM dealer tomorrow to find out if there is a difference.

11-21-2010, 07:56 PM	#1
smokinstang70 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Savannah GA Posts: 505	Gen I 350 versus Gen III 5.3 weight Anyone out there know the weight difference between a stock Gen I 350 and turbo 350 trans.... versus a Gen III 5.3 with a 4L60E? I am concerned that their might be a weight difference and the 2 inch lowering springs that I loved with the GEN I installed will not be enough when i throw in the LS1. Any thoughts? Thanks as always guys

11-21-2010, 08:43 PM	#2
mrhino Account Suspended Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: USA Posts: 1,223	Re: Gen I 350 versus Gen III 5.3 weight Im not sure what a sbc weighs but I was going to ship a 5.3 once and i think it was right 500# complete. but not positive

11-22-2010, 09:32 AM	#3
68Stepbed Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: 10-Uh-See Posts: 5,609	Re: Gen I 350 versus Gen III 5.3 weight There is a weight difference, but I don't think it will make a major difference in the drop. It won't raise it enough that you would really notice the difference. I would imagine the difference of weight in the engine would be offset by the tranny's weight. A TH350 doesn't weigh a whole lot. Most 5.3 engines are iron anyway. The only major weight change would be if you had an aluminum block. __________________ Matt 68 C10 stepside, LS1/700R4, TCI Engineering suspension system

11-22-2010, 09:46 AM	#4
smokinstang70 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Savannah GA Posts: 505	Re: Gen I 350 versus Gen III 5.3 weight Thanks... it is a iron block 5.3... I just wanted to ask the question to the community and make sure I wasn't making a mistake before I started. Thanks guys

11-22-2010, 02:56 PM	#5
Ole Greenie Registered User Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Hagerstown, MD Posts: 246	Re: Gen I 350 versus Gen III 5.3 weight FWIW, while I was looking for a spring set for my 70 BB LS6, there was no distinguishing between the SB versus the BB. Maybe I didn't look hard enough. I guess the factory deemed the difference in weight negligeable for weight, warranty, etc. I would think the same for the 5.3...that the weight diff between the SB and the newer LS motors is not enough to be concerned about. Just my take on it. __________________ John Paap Ole Greenie Hagerstown, MD My Mistress 70 CST Short/Step LS 5.3/4L65E New motor install Thread:http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=667773

11-22-2010, 06:52 PM	#6
68Stepbed Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: 10-Uh-See Posts: 5,609	Re: Gen I 350 versus Gen III 5.3 weight It depends on who sells them. Alot of companies don't offer different springs for BB & SB. ECE has them listed seperately though. __________________ Matt 68 C10 stepside, LS1/700R4, TCI Engineering suspension system

11-22-2010, 09:38 PM	#7
Ole Greenie Registered User Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Hagerstown, MD Posts: 246	Re: Gen I 350 versus Gen III 5.3 weight Yep...Though I would be interested to discover whether there is a difference in the spring rates or if it is a marketing thing. As well, I would like to see if the springs were different form the factory. I can tell you that I have not seen a build sheet with one or the other annotated but it would make for an interesting discovery. If there is a difference, GM may have included in the 396/400 engine upgrade. I'll call the GM dealer tomorrow to find out if there is a difference. __________________ John Paap Ole Greenie Hagerstown, MD My Mistress 70 CST Short/Step LS 5.3/4L65E New motor install Thread:http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=667773



Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.