Hi everybody, noob here and I recently picked up an '83 Olds Cutlass Cruiser wagon. I've lurked on these and other forums for a couple years and waited for the right moment, I guess you could say. I've been a mechanic for 10+ years and have done lots of work on muscle cars, engine building, restorations, custom fabrication etc and plan to do most of the work myself at home in my garage.
I've owned a LOT of fox chassis Mustangs, and a slew of other cars but I've never owned a G-Body. Worked on plenty of other people's rides, and finally I'll be able to work on my own. She's been off the road for ten years, apparently 8 of those indoors. She looks pretty decent for her age, with little rust here and there. Currently sports a 231 V6 and brown interior with faux wood grain exterior. Classy! The price was right so I couldn't pass it up.
The plan is to throw in an L33 aluminum 5.3, single turbo, overdrive trans (still unsure between 4L60 and 700R4), Mustang disc 8.8 rear end with 3.27 gears and redrilled axles, Jimmy/Blazer front brake upgrade and some new lowering springs and balljoints/tie rods. I REALLY like the idea of somehow fitting the 88 Cutlass Supreme nose on my wagon. Kinda like this guys coupe:
Obviously I'd like to see if the nose works without swapping fenders and such as the wheel arches are different shapes. Or a Regal front nose isn't out of the question, I'm just not a big fan of the nose she's got.
Anyway, for the time being a friend has offered up a good running 4.8 for $250 and he will throw in an ecu, wiring and a bunch of other stuff real cheap. He may even have a spare 4L60 laying around. So I might just do the swap, get it on the road and accumulate the rest of the parts to do what I actually want in one shot down the road. It's either that or fix the brakes and brake lines and get the 3.8 running right and drive her through the winter like that. I figure I'll swap in the 8.8 rear end asap since the trac-lok will help with winter traction.
So, that's my plan of attack and here are a few more pics of the wagon!
I've owned a LOT of fox chassis Mustangs, and a slew of other cars but I've never owned a G-Body. Worked on plenty of other people's rides, and finally I'll be able to work on my own. She's been off the road for ten years, apparently 8 of those indoors. She looks pretty decent for her age, with little rust here and there. Currently sports a 231 V6 and brown interior with faux wood grain exterior. Classy! The price was right so I couldn't pass it up.
The plan is to throw in an L33 aluminum 5.3, single turbo, overdrive trans (still unsure between 4L60 and 700R4), Mustang disc 8.8 rear end with 3.27 gears and redrilled axles, Jimmy/Blazer front brake upgrade and some new lowering springs and balljoints/tie rods. I REALLY like the idea of somehow fitting the 88 Cutlass Supreme nose on my wagon. Kinda like this guys coupe:
Obviously I'd like to see if the nose works without swapping fenders and such as the wheel arches are different shapes. Or a Regal front nose isn't out of the question, I'm just not a big fan of the nose she's got.
Anyway, for the time being a friend has offered up a good running 4.8 for $250 and he will throw in an ecu, wiring and a bunch of other stuff real cheap. He may even have a spare 4L60 laying around. So I might just do the swap, get it on the road and accumulate the rest of the parts to do what I actually want in one shot down the road. It's either that or fix the brakes and brake lines and get the 3.8 running right and drive her through the winter like that. I figure I'll swap in the 8.8 rear end asap since the trac-lok will help with winter traction.
So, that's my plan of attack and here are a few more pics of the wagon!
Just another reason to reach into your pocket.
