1980 Olds Cutlass 442

[TDY442]

^^ This. Plus I would add a better intake like an Edelbrock performer. Open up the breathing on the top and the bottom is the best thing to do. You're right though, "bone stock" its not at its best. It's not the same game as the 60's muscle cars and I doubt it ever will be. Leave the Q-jet alone.

I didn't see a gear ratio listed (assuming its a TH350 trans) but if its not already, I would upgrade it to a 3.x series posi axle. With the added torque from breathing better you'll really feel it. Maybe even mild suspension upgrades (shocks/springs/sway bars) to go with it.

Great feedback on intake & carb. Here is a copy/paste on the drivetrain......Turbo-Hydromatic 350 Transmission (Code "LJ", special W-30 application). Code "AB" non-locking 2.73 rear axle.

Lastly, it does have a factory sway bar and I will replace the shocks when I get new rubber, the current tires are 30 year old.

 

[TDY442]

Welcome, beautiful car and awesome that you are the original owner. Dual exhaust will help, performance recurve on distributor will help, I'd pass on the Holley carb as a well built Quadrajet will be better but some of our resident Olds people will be along to help further.

Thanks for the feeback!!!

 

[69hurstolds]

I like the way you think....LOL

I was only joking. It seems every junkyard LS style engine ends up in something. If you want to de-smog, then de-smog. Keep all the original parts and DON'T cut anything. Sure, the G-bodies may not reach the 60s status over time, but permanently changing such a nice car would be bad. Not recommended. But that's the purist in me.

 

[TDY442]

Welcome! Very nice car!

Thanks!!!

 

[TDY442]

Welcome TDY 442, There only original once but in this case you being the original owner and keeping all the original parts I would make it fun to drive. Lots of good info here and everyone is willing to help you out.😎

Thanks, I'm impressed with the responses and willingness to help. I haven't been very excited about it in a long time and I getting the fever again.....and it has me digging up some old high school memories from my Sr. year when I bought it.....it's a good thing back seats can't talk....LOL

 

[TDY442]

Wow how cool is that , to have bought it new ! Nice looking car , your right to go ahead and have a little fun with it , it will take another generation to appreciate and move the value of the g body cars , and im not sure if they will ever have the following of the 60,s and early 70,s cars . We all grew up hearing the stories of the tire smoking, wheel standing cars of that era ! That,s half of what made them so poplar . But i can tell you from having over a half dozen of them over the years , they will never ride , drive , or be as comfortable as the ole g body . Have you ever run across any 442 4 speed cars ?

I agree on the generation comment, interesting is that my 30 year old son is now all pumped about it, he grew up riding in it and staying clear of it in 3 different garages over the years.....he just back from SEMA and headed staright to my house today to talk turkey.

 

[TDY442]

Welcome, beautiful car and awesome that you are the original owner. Dual exhaust will help, performance recurve on distributor will help, I'd pass on the Holley carb as a well built Quadrajet will be better but some of our resident Olds people will be along to help further.

Thanks, and it seems like a common thought on the Holley.

 

[TDY442]

Welcome! Very nice ride! Always had a soft spot for Cuttys.


Removing Emissions is an interesting subject. I just obtained a 86 Grand Prix, Bone Stock, with a 305 that's loaded up with emissions out of the proverbial Grandma's Garage in the middle of Nowhere, OH..

I may save you some questions from the reading I've done. I've never stripped emissions before, so wanted to do research first before I looked into stripping mine.... This is what I am understanding so far:


First off, Stripping Emissions isn't going to magically create a ton of horsepower. The By-Product OF stripping the emissions will.

What I mean is, the engine now is producing what it would without emissions on it, IF The Components all worked Properly Without the Emissions System - which they don't, and need replaced.

You would be getting your power from changing the things that don't jive WITHOUT a Computer (Distrib and Carb), or vice-versa - Computer don't jive Without THEM (O2 sensors)...

So, you're looking at replacing the following: Distributor, Intake Manifold, Carb, Headers, Exhaust..

Just adding those to any engine is typically referred to as "Letting it breathe" and makes noticeably more power.. Not the fact that you just scrapped a 30+ year old emissions system.


I have already obtained my Headers and Exhaust System.. I am looking into Distributor, Intake, and Carb now.. Then I will probably be stripping mine, cleaning up the engine compartment a bit, and dressing it up a little.. maybe even a serpentine system, retaining the A/C.. Anything I put on will transfer over to a 350 should the 305 go south, but with 50k miles on it, its probably going to last quite awhile longer.

*tosses $0.02 on the table*

-Gonz

Gonz, awesome feedback!!!.....and please keep me posted on your project.

 

[TDY442]

I was only joking. It seems every junkyard LS style engine ends up in something. If you want to de-smog, then de-smog. Keep all the original parts and DON'T cut anything. Sure, the G-bodies may not reach the 60s status over time, but permanently changing such a nice car would be bad. Not recommended. But that's the purist in me.

My goal is push up the HP some but nothing radical and will for sure keep what little we take off....thanks! I agree on the LS engines. I know a guy in the Greater Houston area that is a Texas Country singer that has an even bigger passion for customizing about anything, he sticks an LS in every project. Check him out on FB......Cassidy Customs

 

[olds307 and 403]

The cam is ridiculously lame and the 3A heads are crack prone, have a horrible exhaust port and small 1.5" valve. A retune of the Qjet and at least dual exhaust is a good start. Then a better cam, new timing set, early 330 or 350 heads, headers and the Performer RPM intake, 2000+ stall and 3.08 or better gearing. Actually an earlier solid main 350 is a better platform to build, tuck that one in the corner.