Cool build! I just picked up an '83 Regal Wagon myself. Excited to see how the drivetrain all comes together and fits.
'83 Olds Cutlass Cruiser
- Thread starter streetrod
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That's what a low mileage g looks like up there? *giggles*It's about time I started a build thread. The project has been idle for a few months as I slowly accumulated some parts and continued doing research on a few issues; namely, what to do for EFI fueling with the wagon tank. She will receive an '01 LR4 4.8 backed by a 4L60e. It'll receive an upgraded 'stock' cam and Z06 springs, better gaskets and head bolts and eventually a medium sized single turbo.
The car itself is a low mileage 1983 Cutlass Cruiser that I picked up last year. It had been in storage indoors since '92 when the original owner passed away, with 14,237km on the odometer. I believe it spent last winter outdoors. In any case, the wagon is in pretty good shape overall with some surface rust, and the bottoms of the driver's side doors are soft. So those will be cut and replaced. Otherwise, she has some surface rust underneath and the rust pattern leads me to believe only a couple areas of the car were exposed to occasional/seasonal humidity while stored indoors.
The engine ran ok at first but like an idiot I ran it too long with 24 year old oil and gas and it led to some pretty ridiculously bent pushrods!!! I should have known better but I was excited at the prospect of finally having found a wagon project and having it at home, I guess.
So I changed the oil, failed to drain any gas but added 30L of 91 octane and octane booster and it's started to run better. Still missing though. I did replace the three bent intake pushrods on the driver's side head but didn't do the other side as it didn't make any noise. It actually idles relatively well. Brake lines were toast as was the proportioning valve, so I replaced it all front to back.
Unfortunately, I hurt my back so I had to enlist a friend up the road to help bleed the brakes. Snapped the rear bleeders, Order new wheel cylinders, turns out backing plates are soft. So I mothballed the project for a bit to get my daily driver up to par.
Then the front bleeders broke. But look at all that pad! Not bad for 33 year old brake pads!!
Instead I opted to just wait and pick up some S10 front brakes/spindles and I'll do the Jeep steering shaft at the same time with some upgraded pads and rotors. For now, I have the motor, harness (which I've started to hack at), ECU, an 8.8 with 3.73s and 5 lug axles, and the BRP mount kit. I still need a 4L60 trans and to figure out the fuel system. I think I may try to run the stock tank with a Holley Hydramat sock, it looks promising. I will most likely run the stock truck manifolds with this engine. Eventual plans include the aforementioned single turbo setup, down the line an aluminum L33 5.3, bucket seats, and sooner than later some proper suspension with a Fox Mustang 8.8 out back. Here's the 4.8:
In the meantime, I picked up some '85 vintage American Racing wheels. They're 15x7 and 8's. I need some rubbers and shanked lug nuts for em. I figure 255-60s and 215-65s would be a decent setup.
I'm really looking forward to getting this project moving. I want it running and driving before my birthday in August. Any input is greatly appreciated, and looking forward to sharing more as the project progresses!
I've got to figure out the title situation and a few other things before I start a build thread. But I'll share as some momentum starts to build.
Sorry to bring back an old thread, but it looks like this car is up for sale right now as an unfinished project.
The "For Sale" ad is up on Kijiji Ontario right now. The ad ID number is 1280140223. The current asking price is $6,000.00CDN.
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