Cutlass Cruiser resurrection ~ Single Turbo + 4.8L

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Nutty Cutty

Apprentice
Apr 30, 2019
66
93
18
Hey everyone,

I am building a car and have been lurking here for a while trying to gain some knowledge. I picked up a running driving 1980 Cutlass Cruiser from a friend for $1,250 a while back and started collecting stuff to do a LS swap with a single Hiroshima Hairdryer. The ol Bangkok Block knocker. Teriyaki Tornado..or whatever you like to call the Ching Chong twirly boi. I really mostly plan for it to be a weekend track car. No plans at all to make it super nice and comfy. I don't have the budget or desire to make a clean ultra street-able driver.

Here is my parts list with links for anyone going through the same thing. This is a VERY budget build so keep that in mind. I am attempting to post pictures and will add them in when I can upload them to my Drive from my phone.

Here is my plans so far and the direction I am going.
Stock used 4.8L $450
SFI 80 lb Injectors(Made from Bosch core, Basically a Deka copy) I read bad info about these but contacted the guy and he stated they now flow them and test them just like manufacturers and replace no questions asked so I figured it was better than decaps $275
340 lph In-tank EFI fuel pump Pump $80
Aeromotive Boost reference FPR with fittings Aero FPR $210
GM 2 Bar map GM 2 Bar Map $90
92-95 Astro Van Fuel sending unit (Supposed to fit G-body tank, has return etc.) Sending Unit $60
Custom Single turbo kit with China GT45, Stainless headers, center mount - $900 Supposedly a 76mm but honestly It looks huge
Stand-a-lone harness built from truck harness with P01 ECU - Came with turbo kit
Pump 93 due to no E85 in my region(Big Bummer I know)
This kit was ran before Non-intercooled but I'm putting a cheap one on it (See below)
Intercooler Link $80.24
Turbo-Smart style Dual stage controller - Yes, I over paid $110
DIY Water/Meth Injection I am building - This pump, Worth a shot $22 , McMaster Carr 3 gph nozzle , 9.5 gph nozzle $5-10 each, Ebay - LINK Hobbs switch to make meth pump kick on at 4psi $14 Hopefully this won't fail at 10 psi boost in 90* heat.... lol
Stock TH350 from the Cutlass - Freebie
Converter my buddy has ( Unknown stall speed) Will buy much better later - Freebie
Stock Driveshaft with whatever flange/U-joint setup needed - ???
Mustang 8.8 from 04 GT with disc brakes (It's the long one so either I'll be rolling fenders a bunch or run the 7.5 until I get it cut it down then install the 8.8) $100
SR motor mount plates (Ebay) Motor mount plates $28.54
Flex plate adapter This one $10
New F-body Oil pan from a guy who never used- $150 with this -10AN Bung welded in -10An bung for Oil drain , Paid $40 to have it welded in. Yes I need a Tig
Oil Pick up Link $38
Oil Dip stick tube Link $10
Oil Indicator stick ( Dip stick ) Link $15
Fittings for Oil drain 10AN 45* fitting $10 x 2
Heater Core delete hose Ebay Link $10
Custom made A/C-Heater delete panel made by myself Freebie - Normally $50-100 on Ebay
RaceStar Drag wheels - 17x4 and 15x8 - Almost sold out but killer deal $78.99 each wheel
Cheap Turbo Blanket - Ebay Link $15.62
I got the new HP Tuners MPVI2 for $225

Hope you like my project

Pics coming soon
 
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motorheadmike

Geezer
Nov 18, 2009
8,976
27,522
113
Saskatchewan, Truckistan
You had me right up to the rant. If it is too good to be true it probably is - and you just have to accept a return to reality.
 
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Nutty Cutty

Apprentice
Apr 30, 2019
66
93
18
That's fine. At the point that I was successfully able to purchase the Manifold, my money was taken and I was awaiting shipping of that item I was pretty put off by the company calling me to tell me they weren't going to honor the sale due to a listing error. That rant does make me sounds like an ******* but I'm honestly not that bad.
 

87National

G-Body Guru
Apr 15, 2009
661
679
93
eastern SD
Sounds like a fun project.

If my calculations are correct......8" wheels with 5.5" backspace should clear in a gbody with 99-04 8.8 rear.

If I were you, I would go with a 78/75 turbo and a good quality converter from the start.....but I can appreciate the desire to keep it low budget
 
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Nutty Cutty

Apprentice
Apr 30, 2019
66
93
18
Here's some pictures of the car and misc. I am just about to put the motor in. I have been having trouble with the mounts. I bought the swap plates and then the 3 bolt sbc mounts from summit. The frame mounts that are original from the 260 do not line up with the motor sbc mounts. The frame mounts sit too low. It actually looks like I can just take them off and flip them around and it will then line up.
Can anyone confirm this?

20190705_132532.jpg
 

Nutty Cutty

Apprentice
Apr 30, 2019
66
93
18
I have been having trouble with the mounts. I bought the swap plates and then the 3 bolt sbc mounts from summit. The frame mounts that are original from the 260 do not line up with the motor sbc mounts. The frame mounts sit too low. It actually looks like I can just take them off and flip them around and it will then line up.

Can anyone confirm this?
 
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