Please g body gurus, deities, and aficionados, grace me with some advice. I'm about to do a bunch of stuff, but I'm young and this is my first car so I basically need advice with everything. This is probably going to be a lot of info, so thanks if you decide to read all this and help me out with whatever info/advice you can share. Anyway, here's what's going on:
I'm buying a 403 from somebody on this forum. It's going in my '84 Cutlass Calais as part of the process to make it into a bad*ss street machine. It has a 307 and a... TH-200c or something? whatever they came with. cant remember, but the pan looks like this 💾. I'm assuming this isn't going to work with the 403. But we'll get to that later.
For now= the engine is in pieces. Here's the seller's words: Its a 403 block thats been bored .040 over, still needs torque plate honed to final dimension. Has a 330 steel crank in it that has been turned 10/10 and been run, but looks to be in good condition. performance products balancer, 330 flex plate, toronado pan, oil filter adapter and timing cover. Included in the crate of parts are a set of C heads that have been rebuilt and have mild port work. Will need milled for compression and holes reamed for use on the 403. The engine also comes with a very rare set of NOS trw forged .040 pistons and stock connecting rods that have been resized. Theres a couple hei distributors in the crate, a new set of wires, a set of solid lifters with dyno time (if you dont want them, toss them) roller rockers, and an edelbrock performer rpm intake. Basically you would need to finish the machine work, assemble the engine, supply rings, cam, springs, timing set and some other small parts.
soooo. Machine work. got that. also, I need a cam, rings, springs, timing set, and bearings according to texting with seller. He also texted me that I need lifters. would the dyno'd ones not work?
Should I go with the performer rpm camshaft as well to compliment the intake?
What rings (piston rings?), springs (for the valves?), timing set, and bearings (for crank or what?) would I get? Do they have specific measurements that I need or are can they be generalized to the motor? I know that the heads and other parts are not stock. Would the machine shop tell me what to do?
Furthermore, It needs a carb. Should I use the CCC q-jet off my 307, or should I just spend 400 bucks to get an aftermarket unit? I know we like the rochesters but would the computer be difficult to incorporate? Also the 307 does not run the greatest so I'm thinking the q-jet may have to be rebuilt. again I'm not an expert so I apologize.
Also, I have read that these engines have a little bit of a bottom-end issue in terms of durability due to the windowed main webs. Some have said they used a girdle to strengthen this area. Should I have this done since the engine's already apart? If so, could somebody please direct me to a brand or part number of girdle to buy?
Cooling. I have read that the 403 tends to run hot due to the lack of coolant passages between cylinders (the bore is huge, holy crap!). I expect this will be exacerbated due to the overbore. So, a new radiator? some on this forum have praised cold case radiators. would a set up such as with the dual electric fan kit be good? https://www.coldcaseradiators.com/product/80-87-gm-g-body-aluminum-performance-radiator
I also plan to remove the front bumper (the plastic part underneath the thin metal part that holds the grilles) and install a cowl hood. this would probably help keep it cooler as well, right?
I'm assuming with the electric fans there's a way to wire it up to a toggle in the cabin that i would just manually flip when I start my car? or do I need to connect it to a computer?
Are there any other issues with this engine that should be addressed while it is apart like this. OIling issues, weird things?
Next, the transmission. I am expecting that the stock transmission will not stand up to this engine. The seller recommended a TH-350. I saw this unit from TCI and I thought it would be a cool idea to pay homage to the Lightning Rods and make my car a little more interesting/fun to drive if I wanted. https://www.tciauto.com/streetfighterr-th350-transmission-69-79-6-tailshaft-buick-olds-pontiac.html
Would this fit with my stock driveshaft and everything? or do you guys recommend a different brand or model that has worked well in your experience?
Finally the rear end... I think this stock rear end on my cutlass might get destroyed if I try to run this kind of power through it. is this true? what would be a good replacement? some newer gm unit? I know there is maybe some connection with 90's ford rear ends as well
Thank you for anybody who takes the time to read this and actually put thought into a response. I have a lot of questions haha!
God bless all of you talented mfkrs
I'm buying a 403 from somebody on this forum. It's going in my '84 Cutlass Calais as part of the process to make it into a bad*ss street machine. It has a 307 and a... TH-200c or something? whatever they came with. cant remember, but the pan looks like this 💾. I'm assuming this isn't going to work with the 403. But we'll get to that later.
For now= the engine is in pieces. Here's the seller's words: Its a 403 block thats been bored .040 over, still needs torque plate honed to final dimension. Has a 330 steel crank in it that has been turned 10/10 and been run, but looks to be in good condition. performance products balancer, 330 flex plate, toronado pan, oil filter adapter and timing cover. Included in the crate of parts are a set of C heads that have been rebuilt and have mild port work. Will need milled for compression and holes reamed for use on the 403. The engine also comes with a very rare set of NOS trw forged .040 pistons and stock connecting rods that have been resized. Theres a couple hei distributors in the crate, a new set of wires, a set of solid lifters with dyno time (if you dont want them, toss them) roller rockers, and an edelbrock performer rpm intake. Basically you would need to finish the machine work, assemble the engine, supply rings, cam, springs, timing set and some other small parts.
soooo. Machine work. got that. also, I need a cam, rings, springs, timing set, and bearings according to texting with seller. He also texted me that I need lifters. would the dyno'd ones not work?
Should I go with the performer rpm camshaft as well to compliment the intake?
What rings (piston rings?), springs (for the valves?), timing set, and bearings (for crank or what?) would I get? Do they have specific measurements that I need or are can they be generalized to the motor? I know that the heads and other parts are not stock. Would the machine shop tell me what to do?
Furthermore, It needs a carb. Should I use the CCC q-jet off my 307, or should I just spend 400 bucks to get an aftermarket unit? I know we like the rochesters but would the computer be difficult to incorporate? Also the 307 does not run the greatest so I'm thinking the q-jet may have to be rebuilt. again I'm not an expert so I apologize.
Also, I have read that these engines have a little bit of a bottom-end issue in terms of durability due to the windowed main webs. Some have said they used a girdle to strengthen this area. Should I have this done since the engine's already apart? If so, could somebody please direct me to a brand or part number of girdle to buy?
Cooling. I have read that the 403 tends to run hot due to the lack of coolant passages between cylinders (the bore is huge, holy crap!). I expect this will be exacerbated due to the overbore. So, a new radiator? some on this forum have praised cold case radiators. would a set up such as with the dual electric fan kit be good? https://www.coldcaseradiators.com/product/80-87-gm-g-body-aluminum-performance-radiator
I also plan to remove the front bumper (the plastic part underneath the thin metal part that holds the grilles) and install a cowl hood. this would probably help keep it cooler as well, right?
I'm assuming with the electric fans there's a way to wire it up to a toggle in the cabin that i would just manually flip when I start my car? or do I need to connect it to a computer?
Are there any other issues with this engine that should be addressed while it is apart like this. OIling issues, weird things?
Next, the transmission. I am expecting that the stock transmission will not stand up to this engine. The seller recommended a TH-350. I saw this unit from TCI and I thought it would be a cool idea to pay homage to the Lightning Rods and make my car a little more interesting/fun to drive if I wanted. https://www.tciauto.com/streetfighterr-th350-transmission-69-79-6-tailshaft-buick-olds-pontiac.html
Would this fit with my stock driveshaft and everything? or do you guys recommend a different brand or model that has worked well in your experience?
Finally the rear end... I think this stock rear end on my cutlass might get destroyed if I try to run this kind of power through it. is this true? what would be a good replacement? some newer gm unit? I know there is maybe some connection with 90's ford rear ends as well
Thank you for anybody who takes the time to read this and actually put thought into a response. I have a lot of questions haha!
God bless all of you talented mfkrs