New gbody owner

[D123gt]

Hi everyone looking forward to being on this site and reading and learning as much as I can. I just got a 1980 cutlass wagon that has had a basic ls swap. It has a healthy 6.0 and a th400 and has 4:10 gears. First things I wanna do is change the rear gears so it’s a little more highway friendly and get the suspension back slightly stiffer and the back end up some. What has everyone found is the best way to get the back for the wagon up. I am looking for more of the drag car look. Thanks for the recommendation.

 

[melloelky]

welcome to the site,nice ride.

 

[Longroof79]

Welcome aboard! Cool Cutlass Cruiser. Nice to see more wagons coming out of the woodwork.
Could we see more pics of it? Also, you might want to look into putting an overdrive trans in it.

 

[fleming442]

Ls swap? Check
Left the 3 speed? Check
TT2s? Check (even look 14"!)
Anything interesting going on?

 

[5spdCab]

D123gt, welcome to GBF from Seattle, Wa.
Ride stiffness is a personal preference thing. How are the shocks that are currently on it? If it still has original 40yr old springs, that would also affect your perception of stiffness. Rubber body mount bushings and suspension bushings wear out and degrade with age.
On my car ('78 GMC Caballero), for example, I swapped in a v8 for the factory v6. The front scraped often because of the added weight, so I ordered new front springs. While I was at it, I replaced upper/lower control arm bushings and ball joints. That stiffened things up considerably. A few months after that, I also replaced the rear springs and bushings which improved stiffness even more (added air bags as well for when I haul stuff). I have yet to do the body mount bushings.
Many others here have done similar to upgrade the ride quality of their cars.

 

[D123gt]

welcome to the site,nice ride.

Thanks

 

[D123gt]

Ls swap? Check
Left the 3 speed? Check
TT2s? Check (even look 14"!)
Anything interesting going on?

6L ls with almost 500 hp built th400 which is way I don’t wanna put an od trans in it. Old school wheels is one of the reasons I want to get the back up to get that look completed.

 

[D123gt]

D123gt, welcome to GBF from Seattle, Wa.
Ride stiffness is a personal preference thing. How are the shocks that are currently on it? If it still has original 40yr old springs, that would also affect your perception of stiffness. Rubber body mount bushings and suspension bushings wear out and degrade with age.
On my car ('78 GMC Caballero), for example, I swapped in a v8 for the factory v6. The front scraped often because of the added weight, so I ordered new front springs. While I was at it, I replaced upper/lower control arm bushings and ball joints. That stiffened things up considerably. A few months after that, I also replaced the rear springs and bushings which improved stiffness even more (added air bags as well for when I haul stuff). I have yet to do the body mount bushings.
Many others here have done similar to upgrade the ride quality of their cars.

Those are fair points. It probably has the original springs since the rear scraps over big bumps. It currently has worn out shocks in it so I’m sure the springs match. I don’t want it lower or to be a handling machine. I am more into the drag look but I also would like a little more modern ride quality if that makes sense. The ride quality now it good if you like floating down the road.

 

[D123gt]

Some maybe quick questions. That should the ride height be roughly with a 28-29 inch tall tire in the rear. Are air shocks still a good route to go to get the rear of the car up or downs someone make springs that will get you the same results. What has everyone found for a good gear with a three speed trans so it’s not screaming on the highway. Currently has 4:10 and 70mph is 3500 rpm. Lastly what’s the widest and tallest tire I can fit on the rear without rubbing and cutting.

 

[fleming442]

6L ls with almost 500 hp built th400 which is way I don’t wanna put an od trans in it.

A 4L80E would be a wiser choice than keeping the TH400.