81 Cutlass build thread

[81cutlass]

Well I finally have enough pictures to do a build thread. I was looking for a regal but this cutlass will fulfill my desires sufficiently. It has almost zero rust (knock on wood) that I have found. Doors are solid and mostly everything is there. Only bad thing is that it must have had a really lazy previous owner, or as I like to call them a redneck. The carpet is spraypainted black, the firewall has a big dent in it for the disributor to clear, and there was a 2.5" exhaust pipe going into a 3 going into the 2 1/4 stock exhaust, with no conections.

Plan is to put a 231 turbo inplace of the 455. Needs some interior work and some other stuff will update later.

The first day I saw it.

Big, rough running 455

Home

Liked to get hot.

After the the 455 blew the trans

Almost bare engine bay.

Boy, do I love reatives that farm!

Now, back home, with a clean trunk.

Painted and cleaned.

 

[dogsht]

If the 455 won't do and you are going to a turbo buick motor I'll bet this thing is going to get sinister. Hate to see 455s pulled and not going back in but look forward to following this thread.

 

[outsider_27]

I've never seen a yellow 455 before.

 

[custom442]

If the 455 won't do and you are going to a turbo buick motor I'll bet this thing is going to get sinister. Hate to see 455s pulled and not going back in but look forward to following this thread.

Ya I'd hate to waste a 455 too...

81 cutlass - just curious about what your plans are with this car, do you already have a good deal on a 3.8 T?

 

[Blake442]

I'll take the 455 off your hands if you don't have any plans for it...

I've never seen somebody use V8 block mounts on top of V6 frame pads! :shock:

Look forward to following your progress!

 

[81cutlass]

455 is getting pulled for a few reasons.
1. Trans is shot
2. It was put in very poorly
3. This is my first car, Dad doesnt want me to have the power of a 455
4. Need more MPG, its a Daily Driver
5. Its YELLOW
6. Id need an 8.5" rear

I'd like to keep it in but the negatives of it outweigh the postitives. About the only positives are

1. A load of power
2. Its in it aready

I wouldnt mind keeping the 455 for a wagon as it would make an awesome sleeper but Im not sure if I want to have it sitting around for a bunch of years until I find an olds wagon and can afford it.

 

[81cutlass]

The T motor going in it was a $250 find that was very local. It ended up needing a rebuild kit along with crank and pistons. Got expensive but I hope that it will be a fun little motor. It came out of a turbo monte carlo. Heres the build pictures. The completed motor is siting on the back of the flatbed in the 9th pic.

 

[81cutlass]

Bah! Forgot about my plans/todo list

Plans-
Wheels-Either Trans am snowflakes or some 15" ralleys most likely in gold
Paint-Dark green, same color thats on a lot of the GM pickups
Interior-Un woodgrainify it. can't stand that stuff.
Maybe a rear wing off a TA or something
Possibly a scoop or cowl?

To do-(in no particular order) Just the stuff to make it drivable better
-Finish up underhood stuff
-Reassemble Heater AC box along with doing some fiberglassing on the corner thats knocked out
-Build an exhaust system for it.
-Find some front buckets for it
-Get AC system working
-Get headliner in
-Buy some buckets and a center council for it
-Get the title
-Drop in the motor
-Fix the leaky rear window
-Get the radio working
-Pull out the dent on the firewall
-Reinstall driveshaft
-Get a guage cluster set up for it


Bout it that I can think of right now.

 

[robwkamm]

good progress. i was NOT expecting that version of a turbo motor. i doubt youll need the 8.5 rear. looks great though. what is the letter on the 455 heads ? just curious. cant wait to see the install.

 

[81cutlass]

good progress. i was NOT expecting that version of a turbo motor. i doubt youll need the 8.5 rear. looks great though. what is the letter on the 455 heads ? just curious. cant wait to see the install.

They are the smogger J heads.