Front clip conversion

[86LK]

Greets everyone,

I'm looking for some info on doing a front-end swap on my '86 El Camino from a '84 Cutlass Supreme (like this one http://www.cardomain.com/ride/3308387/1984-oldsmobile-cutlass-supreme ). I'd like to see if someone has a write-up that points out all the "gotcha's" that you need to know. For example, according to the link supplied, I'll need quarter-panel sheetmetal to match the door/body lines and the frame horns on the Cutlass are 2" longer, which of course make a difference when trying to mount the Cutlass front clip to the Elkie.

There's another thread I found on this site regarding the same conversion (but with no data) but it's been locked and inactive since 2013.

Thanks all!

 

[Doug Chahoy]

That one looks really good except for leaving the Elco body line in the lower rear 1/4. It looks totally out of place. Otherwise a real nice not to difficult conversion.

 

[565bbchevy]

So besides the body line on the quarter panel being there the other issue that most people don't address because of the work involved is the different wheel shape and flare since most Gbody's have a distinct rounded wheel flare where the Cutlass is more squared off and is a gradual flare so to do a true conversion that does look right then you would have to address this also IMO

 

[Doug Chahoy]

You could blend in most of the Cutlass 1/4taking care of both issues. It's nice that he had a decent donar car.

 

[565bbchevy]

You could blend in most of the Cutlass 1/4taking care of both issues. It's nice that he had a decent donar car.

While I agree that would solve the look it is still far more work than most are willing to do and for me I would want the rounded wheel wells for tire clearance since the Cutlass wheel well affects that especially if you lower it.

 

[TURNA]

Cutmino..............

 

[Longroof79]

Hey, how about an introduction? Tell us about your ride, etc. We already know what you're trying to achieve.
Why not consider doing a Pontiac nose (header panel and fenders) on the El Camino? You wouldn't have to mess with the body lines.

 

[Firetruck1]

ElAss

 

[86LK]

Ride is all stock '86 El Camino Conquista right now, down to the original 83k miles. To my mind these cars are common enough that building it the way I want won't lose any value (unlike a GN/GNX/442, which I would hate to chop up).

As for the front end, while the others might be a little easier, I either don't like the look or the few I do like are hard to come by. Besides, how many elkies have had a Camaro/ChooChoo/Regal/Monte Carlo front clip swap? You can see them almost anywhere. The front clips I like are: 81-86 Cutlass Supreme, 81 Pontiac LeMans, and 78-80 Pontiac Grand Am. Those 3 swaps are a lot more rare. Try looking for the last 2, practically impossible to find.

I missed the wheel well matching until 565bbchevy just pointed it out, I can either live with it or have front or rear curves modified to match each other. Something to think about.

I've already acquired a straight sheetmetal plain-jane Cutlass Supreme dirt-cheap with the interior already gutted, though it still has the Olds 307 engine. And I've slowly been acquiring all the other F41 parts and stuff (jounce bars, MC bar, quick ratio steering, Jeep shaft, air bags, etc). It'll be loaded to the max with all stock parts (cruising junkyards and swap meets for parts is my relaxation time 🙂

I've also picked up a bored 350 and 383 stroker crank with balanced pistons, as well as aftermarket heads and other performance goodies, etc.