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Holden 6 vs 8 weight

Started by _UCaLX_ , Feb 07 2010 01:58 PM

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12 replies to this topic

#1 _UCaLX_

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Posted 07 February 2010 - 01:58 PM

G'day all, I was reading in AMC issue 9 the article on the XU-2. And Harry Firth was being interviewed. He was quoted saying;

The front to rear weight distribution was much better than the XU-1 and overall the car only weighed 50lbs (22kgs) more than the six cylinder car.

(This was about the first prototype built and was fitted with a 253)
I have this arguement with my mate where I reckon the holden v8 is more compact than the 6, where the 6 is an overall longer motor. Hence better weight distribution with a V8 . But he reckons the six is much lighter so it will always handle better. Going by what Harry says 22 kgs seems like bugger all in the scheme of things. So has anyone actually weighed a complete holden 6 and a complete holden 8 with cast iron heads and all that? And what's the difference? :dontknow:

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#2 Heath

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Posted 07 February 2010 - 02:42 PM

Wouldn't the second exhaust alone weigh half of that difference?

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#3 ls2lxhatch

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Posted 07 February 2010 - 03:17 PM

The weight distribution may have been better with the V8 if the car was heavy in the rear with the 6.

The are so many variables (headers, exhaust systems, induction systems, flywheels, gearboxes) that comparing the bare weight of different engines does not tell the full story.

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#4 FastEHHolden

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Posted 07 February 2010 - 08:41 PM

All I know is I cant pick up a Holden V8 short motor.

202 and trimatic weigh 200 kg according to our forklift...which doesn't really help.

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#5 76lxhatch

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Posted 08 February 2010 - 07:12 AM

The difference in front end height is pretty obvious when you swap from one to the other...?

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#6 _NZ Toranaman_

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Posted 08 February 2010 - 07:19 AM

approx. 20kg was the difference between 6 and 8 in an old parts catalogue from a dealer. I was racing a HT years ago and wanted to know if it was worth my while. Needless to say I chose the v8.

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#7 orangeLJ

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Posted 08 February 2010 - 10:42 AM

2 of us can pick up a fully assembled holden 6.

took 4 of us (one doing less then the other 3) to pick up an assembled 253 from the trailer.

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#8 _UCaLX_

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Posted 08 February 2010 - 02:47 PM

approx. 20kg was the difference between 6 and 8 in an old parts catalogue from a dealer. I was racing a HT years ago and wanted to know if it was worth my while. Needless to say I chose the v8.

cheers

That parts catologue seems to be pretty consistant with what Harry Firth said, between the weight of the XU-2 vs XU-1.

Having said that though, i agree ^ that a 202 is alot easier to move by hand with two people than a 253/308. 20+kgs difference just seems to little :dontknow:

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#9 Heath

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Posted 08 February 2010 - 04:19 PM

Regardless of 'all the variables' (which I completely agree do exist), we should be able to do a decent comparison at some point, surely someone will do a conversion and can measure? I could have done it a few weeks ago if I knew this thread was gonna happen!

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#10 _LJ355_

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Posted 09 February 2010 - 07:30 AM

I have been told a 308 with alloy heads is almost the same weight as a 202

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#11 orangeLJ

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Posted 09 February 2010 - 09:04 AM

Ive got a 253 sitting next to the shed and a 202 aswell.

I just dont have scales! haha

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#12 _Bomber Watson_

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Posted 13 February 2010 - 12:12 AM

Borrow some off a fish??

Having driven my mates LC both with a 186 and then with a 253 i'll say it def handled better with the 253. Didnt go much better though. And he was able to keep the same springs, only dropped the car about 1/2".

Cheers.