Definitely the "easy" but expensive button.
I'd think the 307 rebuild is just a money pit with little return. Smart money is buying a running SBC-powered vehicle that is mostly compatible and harvest it for parts.
Cutlass Vortec swap
- Thread starter calli.uwu
- Start date
- Status
Definitely the "easy" but expensive button.
I'd think the 307 rebuild is just a money pit with little return. Smart money is buying a running SBC-powered vehicle that is mostly compatible and harvest it for parts.
Go with an olds motor. I'd move up to a 350 personally. If you really want to impress your friends and neighbors, get a 455. Another Olds is the easiest way to go and frankly, who needs another SBC powered anything in the world. I will refrain from commenting on using an LS, other than to say that will be the most difficult swap to do using a gas GM V8. I would also recommend losing the CCC unless you have an emissions compliance requirement. Dont use an Edelbrock carb either. A good Qjet is the best way to go. I'll bet an Oldsmophile on here can point you to a good candidate motor if you ask.
Now that I've thrown that grenade, I'll back away slowly with my bucket of popcorn.
Now that I've thrown that grenade, I'll back away slowly with my bucket of popcorn.
No mention of the budget.
If he can find a junkyard Vortec 350 that's functional then he'll be the luckiest guy I know. A junkyard motor in 2021 is going to be an LS imho. Pay for the swap parts ($1500), microsquirt if non electronic trans ($500) and another $1000 worth of miscellaneous of crap. And yes, need to be somewhat ingenuitive.
Other wise, crate motor ($3K with related needed goodies), or hunt for a used, running Olds. Depending on what he can find in used Olds world, it has the potential to be the cheapest program available.
Everything pretty under the hood doubles the price. and If he fas to hire all of it done then triple the price.
If he can find a junkyard Vortec 350 that's functional then he'll be the luckiest guy I know. A junkyard motor in 2021 is going to be an LS imho. Pay for the swap parts ($1500), microsquirt if non electronic trans ($500) and another $1000 worth of miscellaneous of crap. And yes, need to be somewhat ingenuitive.
Other wise, crate motor ($3K with related needed goodies), or hunt for a used, running Olds. Depending on what he can find in used Olds world, it has the potential to be the cheapest program available.
Everything pretty under the hood doubles the price. and If he fas to hire all of it done then triple the price.
Yeah knowing a budget would be helpful. But, for ease of swap a running SBO will be easiest. If you are dead set on using the CCC it will all bolt up. When i put the 403 in i scrapped it and went with a non ccc quadrajet and a non ccc hei distributor (original owner had put a ccc quadrajet on it from his 86 442). Had to wire up a lock up system for the trans as the computer controls that and some fabbing to hook the trans cable to the carb but that was pretty much it. Also all your accessories will bolt up. If you get a running motor with accessories on it that would be best. If not take pictures of all the brackets and spacers from all angles before you remove it. I took the ac compressor off and i felt like i knocked over a jenga tower when all the spacers and stuff fell out lol. If i had it to do over i would have went with a SBO 350 instead of the 403. whatever you do good luck!
If you go SBC I can give you a package deal on the pulleys motor mounts throttle cable bracket alternator brackets power steering bracket 100$ you pay shipping
My lord half of this whole thread is autistic. There is the Vortec SBC from the mid/late 90s, then the newer Gen III "LS" Based stuff. Vortec 4800, 5300, 6000, 8100. We can clearly see who actually spends their time in vehicles instead of just on the computer.
Question comes down to how much do you want to spend and how much do you know how to do.
Question comes down to how much do you want to spend and how much do you know how to do.
What drugs are you smoking?
Had mine running in under 2 weeks. Seems like your wallet needs more tools and skills.
My swap took 4 months ths also, but I also installed a T56 and it was still less than 10k. Much less.
Same. No sure what opening the wallet has to do with it, pay someone to take longer.... 😆
Last edited:
LOL what does this even mean? Most people acknowledged this fact.
As for the OP...
If you want cheap/stockish- rebuild or buy a pullout sbc
If you want cheap/power- sbc crate or build one
If you want expensive/power- Build the Olds lol
If you can do alot of work yourself, rebuilding ur olds is an option. If you are just going to bring it to a machine shop and have them tear it down, machine, and re-assemble, you are probably better off going another route.
I sold my 450-475hp sbc out of my car for $2800....intake to pan, balancer to flexplate. Guy has been driving it around for 2 years. Look around for a good used motor.
- Status
Similar threads
