Project LSZ: What Does It Weigh?

Tom
Update by Tom Suddard to the Nissan 350Z project car
Mar 15, 2018

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We’re going to install an LS1 and a Tremec Magnum six-speed manual in our Nissan 350Z soon, but before we do, we wanted to find out how much the stock car weighs.

In order to do that, we needed corner weight scales. We broke out our trusty set, then… they broke. Hey, after nearly 20 years, even our scales deserve some time off. Fortunately we’re just a few minutes away from VMP Performance, an amazing facility that devotes most of its expertise to Mustang tuning. They kindly let us borrow their scales so we could weigh our 350Z.

So, how much does a completely stock 2003 Nissan 350Z with a full interior, full tank of gas, and automatic transmission weigh? 3299 pounds, with nearly 54% of that on the front axle.

That begged the question: Will removing the stock drivetrain and adding two cylinders increase the weight? We’ll find out soon enough, but it’s definitely going to be a close race.

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Comments
tuna55
tuna55 MegaDork
3/15/18 8:38 a.m.

That's a pretty trim weight. I can't wait to see this play out. I am especially curious how you're going to handle engine management and the pedal box.

DeadSkunk
DeadSkunk UberDork
3/15/18 8:44 a.m.

If it's not too late, you should weigh the car with the original bits removed, and then again with the LS installed. Or just weigh the LS parts seperately. There's never proper weights for drive train swaps on the internet.

Run_Away
Run_Away GRM+ Memberand HalfDork
3/15/18 9:01 a.m.

That's lighter than expected for an auto with a full tank. 

I'm interested in seeing how the weight distribution end up with the T56

Kreb
Kreb GRM+ Memberand UberDork
3/15/18 9:04 a.m.

The VQ35 is a pretty lightweight motor. I expect the LSX + tranny to add heft - but not a heck of a lot. Could probably be offset by creative weight stripping/moving. Will be interested to see how this plays out.

 

FuzzWuzzy
FuzzWuzzy Reader
3/15/18 9:11 a.m.

God, if you could get weights of JUST the LS and then JUST the Tremec, you guys might be the saviors of the internet since apparently no one has ever actually weighed the engine and trans before.

Even just finding out what the 350z sans engine/trans weighs would help satisfy some curiosity.

 

Robbie
Robbie GRM+ Memberand PowerDork
3/15/18 9:42 a.m.
Kreb said:

The VQ35 is a pretty lightweight motor. I expect the LSX + tranny to add heft - but not a heck of a lot. Could probably be offset by creative weight stripping/moving. Will be interested to see how this plays out.

 

Machinenbau might be able to get us an exact weight on the vq in a couple of weeks here if we ask nicely (and maybe suggest a method to accurately weigh a motor).

His research agrees with yours that the vq is very light.

I hope grm does the swap first without any weight reduction and then does the weight stripping after. 

dcamp2
dcamp2 New Reader
3/15/18 9:48 a.m.

My Dad had a 350z as a track car for a few years.  He took it to a landscape materials place to use their truck scales before and after stripping the interior.  Got about 250 lbs out of it (interior, air conditioner, stereo, 1/2 dash etc). 

 

It weighed just over 3000 after stripping.  Not bad for a fairly big car with a V-6.  

Robbie
Robbie GRM+ Memberand PowerDork
3/15/18 10:13 a.m.
dcamp2 said:

My Dad had a 350z as a track car for a few years.  He took it to a landscape materials place to use their truck scales before and after stripping the interior.  Got about 250 lbs out of it (interior, air conditioner, stereo, 1/2 dash etc). 

 

It weighed just over 3000 after stripping.  Not bad for a fairly big car with a V-6.  

If you bring scrap metal in to be recycled, they PAY you to weigh your car. Doesn't get any more grm than that!

evildky
evildky SuperDork
3/15/18 11:23 a.m.

It's only about 30 lbs lighter than my 06 Grand Touring with 3/4 tank. Guessing yours is the Touring trim?

Tom Suddard
Tom Suddard GRM+ Memberand Digital Experience Director
3/15/18 11:49 a.m.

I think so, yes. It has traction control, which I think means it isn't the base model.

I am going to weigh each piece of the drivetrain as it goes in/out, and the car will be put together "stock" first. I'm even keeping the factory floor mats in place for its first post-LS1 weighing! From there I'll start removing weight and adding fancy new performance parts. Basically going to build a "stock" LSZ, then modify that.

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