i have a 1980 olds cutlass calais with t tops and power options. so is it a g body or an a body and what parts electrically will interchange?
is it a gbody or abody
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Technically, it's still an A body from 78-80. It's when the downsizing happened. The platform was renamed "GM G Platform" in 1981, and all the cars got "bigger". Frames are the same, all suspension parts are the same, just outer body panels are different. Very little changed from 81-88 for the G body cars. I do know some small electrical parts like HVAC stuff, interior controls, etc are different. But things like wiring are largely the same, if in different locations.
By year it is an A-body ('78-'81 production years), for common reference it is a G-body (as GM called '82-'87/'88 production years). Outside of feature specific most electrical parts will interchange
I believe there was an electrical change around 84 or 85; just do your due diligence before making any rash decisions (usually doesn't follow own advice!).
Hello ... This might help to clarify your question my friend .. Hope it helps .....
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GM_G_platform_(1969)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GM_G_platform_(1969)
That would of been the '78's. '79-'81 (7/16" studs), '82-'87/'88 (M12-1.50 studs) interchange with the second design bearings.
thanks for the information. my 1980 old shop manual showed up. it is amazing what you find when you clean thigs up. i also found a 1984 shop manual (two in a set) if anyone needs them. one of the main difference is 1980 is not computerized, not sure when they switched.
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Although technically the A-body was up through 1981, and the G-body started in 1982, they are usually considered A/G bodies or commonly tossed in the entire "G-body" group from 78-88 because of their similarities.
Most of the time you'll see the generation simply referred to as 78-88 Cutlass. SAE and Metrics were a dividing point, but there were still some SAE usage on the 82-88s (mostly engine fasteners).
Notchbacks get more love for some reason. The 78-79 "Buttless Cutlass" was not a favorite of many, although there is a following for them. And that was also the platform for the 442. Could you imagine a buttless Hurst/Olds?
Most of the time you'll see the generation simply referred to as 78-88 Cutlass. SAE and Metrics were a dividing point, but there were still some SAE usage on the 82-88s (mostly engine fasteners).
Notchbacks get more love for some reason. The 78-79 "Buttless Cutlass" was not a favorite of many, although there is a following for them. And that was also the platform for the 442. Could you imagine a buttless Hurst/Olds?
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