We also put both his car and my car on my scales. Here's what we found.
Since I'm a stickler for details, this post is going to include way too many.
The cars:
'88 Formula
5-spd Getrag, PW, PL, tilt, cruise, AC, sunroof
Stock wheels and tire sizes
'88 GT
5-spd Getrag, PW, PL, PM, tilt, cruise, AC, sunroof
18x8 245/40-18 rear, 17x7 225/40-17 front
12" 'Vette rotors with adaptors and stock calipers
Battery in front
The first thing we did was drive both cars to the gas station and fill them up with gas, so both tanks are full.
The scales:
I have a set of these: http://www.pegasusautoracing.com/produc ... ?RecID=851 I've weighed a bunch of cars on them and I've found that they tend to be consistant within about a percent. I do not know how accurate the total weights are, but for my normal purposes the connsistancy is what matters so I haven't upgraded to the good digital scales yet.
The short version of that is: Don't swear by the actual weights, but the relative weights of the cars is close, as are the percentages.
The testing method:
1) Weigh Formula
2) Weigh GT
3) Weigh Formula again to check for scale consistancy. As mentioned above, it was within a percent.
All weights are without driver.
The picture of Dave's car on the scales with mine in the background:
The data:
1) Formula
Code: Select all
LF RF Front
620 660 1280
43.3%
Total
2956
LR RR Rear
828 848 1676
56.7%
Left Right
1448 1508
49.0% 51.0%
LR+RF diagonal
1488
50.3%
RR+LF diagonal
1468
49.7%
2) GT
Code: Select all
LF RF Front
612 692 1304
41.6%
Total
3136
LR RR Rear
928 904 1832
58.4%
Left Right
1540 1596
49.1% 50.9%
LR+RF diagonal
1620
51.7%
RR+LF diagonal
1516
48.3%
3) Formula again
Code: Select all
LF RF Front
612 652 1264
43.1%
Total
2936
LR RR Rear
848 824 1672
56.9%
Left Right
1460 1476
49.7% 50.3%
LR+RF diagonal
1500
51.1%
RR+LF diagonal
1436
48.9%
The summary:
The V8 GT is 180-200lbs heavier than the similarly optioned V6 Formula, and carries about 1.5% more of its weight on the rear tires.
Because the published weight difference between the Formula and the GT was largely due to their difference in base options, I think most of this is due to the V8. Dave said 180lbs is what V8Archie has been saying, and our data agrees with this. Admittedly, the Formula vs. GT body panel weight difference is one variable that we didn't hold constant. I guess we need to figure out a way to get my scales, my Formula, Dave's V8 GT, and Dave's V6 GT in the same place. I can probably scrounge up some digital scales for that.
My thoughts on V8 Fieros and the importance of the weight difference:
First, thank you very much Dave for letting me drive your car. I really enjoyed it.
As far as straight line acceleration, this is the fastest Fiero that I've driven so far. In addition to the two stock motors, I've driven a couple 3.4 DOHCs and a NA 3800.
I've said in the past that I'm not a V8 guy because I thought a high winding motor suited the character of the car better. I must say that after driving that small block, "really stinking fast" suits the character of the car pretty well, too.
Is that extra 180lbs and 1.5% rear weight important? Not really. I say that with the knowledge and experience that in a race car 180lbs is huge. But these aren't race cars, they're street cars. Look at it this way: how much of a handling difference do you notice when your friend jumps in the passenger seat? Because that's the weight difference we're talking about.
The extra power more than makes up for it with any kind of driving that is safe or legal on the street. Dave and I drove some twisties (and we all know Fieros rule in the twisties) and the car handles quite well.
So is there a small block Fiero in my future? Nah, but only because it's not really my style. But I'll jump at every chance I get to drive one. :thumbleft:
Thanks Dave!
, so an 11.5 gallon tank adds about 80# to the car's weight... just enough for an empty tank to make a difference in the 1/4 mile.
