BUILD THREAD Street/Strip Cutlass Build: Race it, break it, fix it, repeat.

[-83MONTESS-]

Re: Budget Cutlass Build Thread, Making Progress.

Sweet, that's what I thought. What are they there for anyway?

Good question I always wondered that myself. I hope you guys wore some kind of eye protection when you ported those heads. I wore basic safety glasses when I did mine but still got an eye infection that took just over 3 months to clear up using every kind of eye drop known to man pretty much. That dust is EXTREMELY harmful to your lungs and eyes. My infection took about 5 days to really show up and by time I got to the eye doctor he said the whites of my left eye was turned gray from the dust. Not fun at all.

 

[Kwik_Cutty88]

Re: Budget Cutlass Build Thread, Making Progress.

Actually no we didn't, had no idea the dust was that bad. I feel fine so far (knock on wood). Thanks for that, now I know for future port jobs.

 

[Kwik_Cutty88]

Re: Budget Cutlass Build Thread, Making Progress.

Motor is all masked off and ready for paint. Just waiting for it to stop raning here so I can roll it outside and paint it.

 

[Kwik_Cutty88]

Re: Budget Cutlass Build Thread, Making Progress.

Good news guys! Motor is back in and running, so far, so good, starter is still gridning. It isn't shimmed, but it also wasn't with the old motor. It will do it on cold starts too like it did before. Not sure what's going on there, anyways. Gonna wash it and take it for a short drive. Still needs to be lined up after redoing the suspension. I'll post some start up vids and take some pics tommorow, engine bay is so much cleaner!

 

[Kwik_Cutty88]

Re: Budget Cutlass Build Thread, Making Progress.

Car drives great! Carb still needs a little fine tuning, it is running a little rich at the moment. Starter is also no good, so I have a new one on the way (should be here today). It is so much louder now, and sounds like it should. Seems like it has much more power although the 2.56 non posi really and tight converter really kills it. If you romp on it from about 20 mph, it'll downshift and break the tires loose now. I'm gonna try to get the starter in tomorrow, so I can start driving it again when I go back to school on Monday. Anyways, here are some pics and vids for you guys!



Left the A/C compressor off for now, I plan on putting it back on later, and making the A/C function.



First start



We used factory wire looms that come on the Vortec equipped trucks. I think it looks pretty good myself, keeps the wires out of the way.





Still need to plasti dip the rear wheels after I get new tires, and the repainted bumper cover has been put back on since this picture was taken. Sits a tiny bit lower in the front since we cut the front springs.

 

[V6UnderPressure]

Re: Budget Cutlass Build Thread, Making Progress.

This is a nice build. I am doing a similar build with a 383 with vortec heads etc. I planned on using the eps intake as well for stock hood clearance. Hows it fit?

 

[Kwik_Cutty88]

Re: Budget Cutlass Build Thread, Making Progress.

This is a nice build. I am doing a similar build with a 383 with vortec heads etc. I planned on using the eps intake as well for stock hood clearance. Hows it fit?

It's real close, you will need a drop base air cleaner. I have a 3" filter and had to trim the underwood insulation.

 

[BuWaGone]

Re: Budget Cutlass Build Thread, Making Progress.

wow, I've missed a lot. Looks really good.

 

[Kwik_Cutty88]

Re: Budget Cutlass Build Thread, Making Progress.

You have haha, thanks. I need to update the thread a little bit, so I guess I'll do that here. I've just been driving it everywhere. Needs a distributor and a jet kit for the carb, then it will be running %100. I actually got 16 mpg twice, so I'm hoping for around 18 with the motor tuned right. I've put around 4k on this motor already and it hasn't used a drop of oil. I also have a TCI automatic TC lock up kit that I haven't put in yet. Also in the market for a Trans Am steering box as mine is leaking and I'm not going to rebuild it. Having some heater gremlins as well, defroster doesn't work, and I just need to replace a relay so the fan motor will work on high. Other then that I've just been enjoying the car! 8)

 

[Kwik_Cutty88]

Re: Budget Cutlass Build Thread

Hey guys, looks like I haven't updated this thread in a while, I've been pretty slack. Anyways, the car is running excellent. About 3 weeks ago I put a new distributor in and put on 2 new Hankook Ventus tires on the rear. What a difference in the rain now having tires with tread. The new motor has around 6k miles on it now, and not a single problem. Runs good on 93 octane and doesn't ping a bit. Last weekend I changed to 15W-40 Mobil 1 and noticed a big difference in oil pressure, much much better all around. That not it was ever a problem, but it is much higher now. Also got my rear wheels painted after I put the new tires on. Next things on the list are a drivers side seatbelt, a new puke tank for the coolant overflow, and a driveshaft loop. I'm doing all this stuff to pass tech, I will hopefully be bringing the car to Hot Rod Power Tour in Charlotte at Zmax in June. I've really just been enjoying the car! 8) Also pulled the spark plugs last weekend just to have a look. First picture is cylinder #1 the second picture is cylinder #2. They are a little oily, so I think that's where the black color is coming from, and it does blow a little smoke when you get on it. Maybe it could use one jet size down, but hey it doesn't really bog, so I just might leave it the way it is until the next plug change.