Confirmed weight of a '59 El Camino?

[Richard/SIA]

Can anyone here give me the confirmed correct weight of a '59 El Camino with a "W" engine?

As near as I can find from on-line sources it should right around 3500 pounds, possibly a little less.

That is light enough that a mere 400 H.P. may be sufficient for decent performance, 500 H.P. seems a reasonable goal for a street driven 380" stroked 348. :)

The exact true weight would be nice to know for calculating brake upgrades, H.P. needed to achieve performance goals, etc.

[Bosco]

500 H.P. seems a reasonable goal for a street driven 380" stroked 348. :)

QUOTE]

:rofl:rofl:rofl

[DonSSDD]

I think the listed stock weight is just under 3500. BUT, with me in my car, I went over a scale at a garbage dump at 4000 lbs. 283, with Saginaw at the time- I weigh 180ish.

Don

The 409 weighs maybe 100 lbs more than a SB?

Don

[Richard/SIA]

I think the listed stock weight is just under 3500. BUT, with me in my car, I went over a scale at a garbage dump at 4000 lbs. 283, with Saginaw at the time- I weigh 180ish.

Don

The 409 weighs maybe 100 lbs more than a SB?

Don

Another reason for aluminum heads.
I think that brings the engine weight about even with the small-block?

I'm going to be looking at several small efforts to shave weight, but I'm also adding a Jag IRS rear, which will add a little. :doh

4000 lb. / 500 H.P. = 1-8, not too bad.
4000 lb. / 400 H.P. = 1-10, not so great.
3500 lb. / 400 H.P. = 1-8.75, still not too bad.
3500 lb. / 500 H.P. = 1-7, :clap GOAL! :deal

I really need that single plane manifold project to reach it's conclusion!

F.I. or Blower, either way I have to get that manifold, or scratch build one, to reach my H.P. to weight goal.