[JimP]

Ok, this question is for anyone who has the answer and it's mostly in response to COBRA427's post.

What is the weight difference between a comparably equipped LS1/LS6 and the Viper V10? How about V10 compared to a small block (iron) engine with aluminum heads?

DV indicated that a Viper crate engine complete (All accessories, AC compressor, Belt, Power steering pump, clutch bellhousing) was 711 shipping weight including crate and all accessories 711lbs -30lb (est crate, probably heavier) = 680lbs with lots of stuff on it. LS1 is shows as 390lbs out of crate weight without any accessories or clutch/bellhousing. Assuming the engines are made similar (both completely aluminum) and that weight would increase by cubic inches if we compare 350ci at 390lbs then at 488ci we get 544lbs for a bare Viper engine. Would the accessories/clutch/bellhousing/starter weigh 140lbs to make up the difference? I think it would be fairly close.

An Iron block engine compared to an aluminum engine is about 80lbs more for the iron block. So 390+80=470lbs for iron block engine compared to 544 for Viper engine.

So using these really accurate numbers (sarcasum) one could assume that the weight difference between an LS1/LS6 and the Viper V-10 is about 160lbs and the difference between an Iron block small block V8 is 80lbs.

Also, I don't think it's fair to compare HP. It's much more accurate to compare cubic inches. HP is variable based on cubic inches and the Viper engine HP will go up dramatically without adding any more weight.

I would like to get some firm numbers. DV - you've built alot of cars, can you compare finished weights of similar cobras with different engines? That may be a more accurate way of determining how much a viper engine adds to the weight of the car. Is my math anywhere near the ballpark?