1988 Olds Cutlass Classic 455

[wskirvin]

Figured i would start a build thread to show progress for what I’m building. Bought a 88 cutlass supreme classic someone already did a BBO 455 swap in. Motor was knocking and had a blown head gasket. Pulled her apart, had the engine rebuilt. Went through the trans (turbo 350) fresh seals and gaskets and a coat of paint. Car was a bench seat column shift car so i picked up another 88 parts car that was buckets and console shift and started the interior work while waiting on the engine. Car now has grey buckets with a console. Modified the console to fit a b&m quicksilver shifter. I picked up a set of electronic gauges from New Vintage USA but have not installed them yet. Got the engine back and instead of the stock rebuild I’ve torn it back apart and put a bigger cam, higher compression pistons and a set of rebuilt E big block heads. (Had j’s on it before) next step is going to be trading the turbo 350 for a 200-4r and then I’m planning on upgrading the rear end to a quick performance 9”. i've done the jeep steering shaft upgrade and put a floor shift column in it. also picked up a 3 row aluminum radiator with dual electric fans Here are some of the pictures of the progress along the way. Shes not pretty but she’s mine and i can say I’ve built everything i could myself. Still need to swap the new front nose header over due to mine being busted but ill wait till the engine is in for that. Still have to install the new brake lines, rebuild the front suspension and do the wiring from the gauges to the engine compartment but she's slowly coming along! my goal in the next week is to reassemble the engine with the new parts and get it painted in the correct Olds blue instead of the standard GM Blue that my first engine builder painted it. then if i get froggy, start on the suspension and powerstop brake upgrade. I eventually want to get a set of the GNX black snowflake wheels and a 2" cowl steel hood. but that will come as budget allows.

 

[clean8485]

Looking good!

 

[wskirvin]

Looking good!

Thanks! This is the 7th Cutlass I've owned but the first one I've actually done any kind of a build on.

 

[fleming442]

Fusick sells the 455 blue, but it's pricey. It's also really close to Pontiac LeMans blue (exterior color).

 

[wskirvin]

Fusick sells the 455 blue, but it's pricey. It's also really close to Pontiac LeMans blue (exterior color).

I actually just got the paint in Monday from Tamraz Parts.

 

[O. D. Showtime]

Looking good....nice progress!

 

[wskirvin]

Looking good....nice progress!

Thanks!

 

[Injectedcutty]

Great job so far! Call me biased, but I'm partial to the euro Cutlass. I've owned my '87 since 2001. It's cool you're keeping it Olds powered. I wanted to do a 455 back in the day, but it was too pricey so I chumped out and went with a 355 SBC which died a few years back. Now onto a turbo LS build.
Looking forward to the progress, keep the pics coming!

Scott

 

[ck80]

If you get a chance, the gnx style wheels are literally the front wheels off a 16" cross lace pattern set off a Firebird GTA.

Depending on year some are more "correct" than others due to the presence/absence of "dimples" in the lace section.

Fronts only though, rears had a different backspacing and only work with spacers. If you don't mind painting a gold set black can save even more money.

 

[wskirvin]

Great job so far! Call me biased, but I'm partial to the euro Cutlass. I've owned my '87 since 2001. It's cool you're keeping it Olds powered. I wanted to do a 455 back in the day, but it was too pricey so I chumped out and went with a 355 SBC which died a few years back. Now onto a turbo LS build.
Looking forward to the progress, keep the pics coming!

Scott

Thanks! my first car was a 86 Cutlass Broham that I never got to drive due to my dad tearing it apart for a cracked head and never put back together then my Senior year of high school I picked up a blue 87 Supreme classic Broham that had the pillowtop seats and full leather top instead of the half top. i was my baby and made me fall in love with the Euro front ends too. Unfortunately like a dumbass I sold it after blowing the engine. bought it back several years later but the guy that had it had stripped it and parted 90% out. by the time i got it back. the frame was rotted through and wasn't worth rebuilding. I'll see if I can find a picture of it.