Weight Accounting: early vs late

[ryangray]

I apologize if this has been covered in an earlier topic: if so, just point me there and I'll delete this.

 

Has anybody got numbers for the elements that drive weight difference between early and late cars? For example, we all know the late bumpers are tanks. How much do the actually weigh, and how much heavier than earlier configurations are the bumper assemblies? Same question for doors with and without side impact reinforcement? Same for other bits that changed in the late cars?

 

Thanks!

 

 

Edited October 31, 2016 by ryangray
typo

[Mike Self]

Can't give you specific component weights, but squarelight cars are about 200 lbs heavier than roundies, and early roundies (68-70) are a bit lighter than the later ones.  This presumes either all have air or none do, as the whole A/C setup adds about 50 or so lbs to the car's weight.  

 

mike

[JohnH]

bmwfans.info lists parts weights

 

Here is the US front bumper http://bmwfans.info/parts-catalog/114-Sedan/USA/2002-M10/browse/vehicle_trim/bumper_usa_front/

[ryangray]

3 hours ago, mike said:

Can't give you specific component weights, but squarelight cars are about 200 lbs heavier than roundies, and early roundies (68-70) are a bit lighter than the later ones.  This presumes either all have air or none do, as the whole A/C setup adds about 50 or so lbs to the car's weight.  

 

mike

Super helpful link, thanks JonhH. So far, I can calculate the delta due to bumpers, doors (US late model vs non-US). Any pointers on where else to look>?

[Conserv]

I believe that the bumpers alone are a small piece of the round-vs.-square-taillight weight difference.  The U.S. square taillight cars have reinforcements -- in quarter panels, doors, trunk floor, trunk sides, etc. -- that were required to meet U.S. DOT requirements.  In addition, square taillights seem to have more insulation, heavier seats, etc.

 

You haven't explained why you're asking but, for instance, swapping chrome European-spec bumpers onto a U.S.-spec car isn't going to change the overall weight by much or turn an '02 into a Lotus.

 

Regards,

 

Steve

 

[Henning]

40 minutes ago, Conserv said:

I believe that the bumpers alone are a small piece of the round-vs.-square-taillight weight difference.  The U.S. square taillight cars have reinforcements -- in quarter panels, doors, trunk floor, trunk sides, etc. -- that were required to meet U.S. DOT requirements.  In addition, square taillights seem to have more insulation, heavier seats, etc.

 

You haven't explained why you're asking but, for instance, swapping chrome European-spec bumpers onto a U.S.-spec car isn't going to change the overall weight by much or turn an '02 into a Lotus.

 

Regards,

 

Steve

 

 

Last not least: isn't pink heavier than polaris, Steve?

 

hen

 

[eurotrash]

My big bumpers weighed in at 66 lbs. Just the bumpers and shocks. Probably an easy 70 with everything. 

 

http://1leadshoe.blogspot.com/2011/01/rear-bumper-conversion.html?m=1

Edited November 1, 2016 by eurotrash
Because

[ryangray]

3 hours ago, Henning said:

 

Indeed, Henning. My situation in this: I just bought a fairly nice '76, but it does have some body issues. I am going to be replacing some things - possibly flaring the car as well (a lot of soul searching happening right now in this topic). I know I am not going to get to some super low weight on this car - it is not going to be a track toy - but a quick-ish street car. I've had track toys, and I want this to be (slightly) more comfortable than that. I've had a '69, and a '73. This '76 just feels a little heavy (bumpers are already swapped out). I've not had it on scales. I am trying to get a handle on where the extra fat is on the late model cars so I can chase any reasonable weight savings as I progress through this. 

 

As an example, I have some door rust to deal with. If I am buying doors, and can save an easy 16# by using early model doors, I probably would do that. That is the kind of thing I am trying to learn about. 

 

BTW, I bought Stu's car. He's a regular user on here, and a super nice guy!

 

Thanks!

 

 

[NYNick]

On 10/31/2016 at 9:21 PM, eurotrash said:

My big bumpers weighed in at 66 lbs. Just the bumpers and shocks. Probably an easy 70 with everything. 

 

http://1leadshoe.blogspot.com/2011/01/rear-bumper-conversion.html?m=1

Weight is right on...my big bumpers with shocks and everything were 70lbs. 

There they sit, in my trailer with nothing to do.

[Conserv]

6 minutes ago, NYNick said:

Weight is right on...my big bumpers with shocks and everything were 70lbs. 

There they sit, in my trailer with nothing to do.

 

And my question -- not for you, Nick, but for anyone -- is:

 

What is the total weight of front and rear chrome bumpers (either pre-'74 or Euro-spec '74-'75), complete, with overriders, hardware, and mounting brackets -- just so that we're comparing apples with apples?  Are they, say, 40 lbs in total (e.g., 20 lbs front and 20 lbs rear)?  I'm curious how much the big bumpers alone added to the '02's weight.

 

Thanks and regards,

 

Steve

 

[saaron]

I should have weighed them when I had them re-chromed, lol!  

 

The parts and pieces aren't very hefty.  The brackets on each end of the car probably weigh as much as the entire front or rear bumper.  I guess the earlier ones might be lighter than the '72 and '73 since the earlier ones don't have the extra weight of the rubber strips and associated hardware.

 

Someone that has them lying about could give us the stats...

 

Scott