Impulse buy Cutlass

[Tim H]

I got tired of looking at a flintstone mobile of a nova, and a pile of new panels in the corner that I'll realistically never get around to.
So I picked up a 1984 Cutlass.
55k miles, clean sheet metal except for the bottom edges of the doors and trunk just starting.
Goal is to have a 4.8 and 4l80e in it quickly so I can take the kids on some cruises this summer.

 

[85442/86buick]

Welcome ,
doing the LS swap and have it up and running in the next 6 weeks is a tall order. Why not get it up & running with what's under the hood now ? And tackle the swap this winter ?

 

[JAMCAR223]

Welcome to the Forum, Tim. Looks like a really good start for a nice cruiser. I'll even give you a "pass" on the LS swap...

 

[Tim H]

few reasons:
Previous owner already planned on swapping in a v8 years ago, so the v6 engine is just about ready to pull and missing a bunch of parts. If i'm buying I'm buying towards my swap.
I kept carb and points on the nova long enough to get a taste of them, ready to leave them behind unless I picked up something real nice and original someday.
I already have a 4.8 with computer reprogrammed and harness modified that I was planning on putting in the nova
Already have the 4l80e
Already have my fuel system assembled and running the 4.8 on the stand.

As far as I can tell I'm only short a radiator, exhaust manifolds, trans crossmember, and shortened driveshaft away from a running car.

 

[85442/86buick]

well now , sounds like your way ahead than most on this swap..........but what about oil pan & motor mounts ? And of course the all the small bits that will be required.
enjoy

 

[fleming442]

yay
Will a 4.8 turn a 4L80E?

 

[Tim H]

I had an F-body pan for the nova, though it seems most opt for the ctsv. either way I'll make something fit.
I have adapter plates for the small block clamshell mounts that people seem to ahve luck with.
There will always be small bits, local big swap meet starts tomorrow so I'm hoping to knock out the big items there.

 

[Tim H]

yay
Will a 4.8 turn a 4L80E?

I'm sure it won't be blazing fast, but I wanted to go bigger on the trans for future power upgrades.

 

[64nailhead]

yay
Will a 4.8 turn a 4L80E?

It will with one of these

 

[Tim H]

I'm sure it will get one or a pair eventually.
I'm just starting out small and simple for now.