BUILD THREAD The Blue Pig (1987 442)

[Dapper442]

About a month ago I finally bought my first G-Body, this 1987 Oldsmobile Cutlass 442. Its been over a decade of waiting since I've wanted one since high school, but the wait is over. Now to begin the long process of turning it into something I can really call my own. The paint is in rough shape, and the car was absolutely filthy inside and out hence the name Blue Pig. But there was very little rust and its mechanically in pretty good shape. I have done a heavy cleaning on the interior and put tires on it, as the ones that were on the car were extremely dry rotted. And have began sanding down sections of the old peeling faded paint and respraying it with primer. Rattle can primer and I do not seem to get along so I will be picking up a spray gun and learning to do it the right way. Hope to start tackling the suspension soon as well.

 

[Texas82GP]

Cool car! Looks really solid. Welcome to the site from Houston.

 

[Dapper442]

thanks man

 

[theoldsone]

Nice car. Slowly but surely progress will happen if you put enough effort into it.

 

[1evilregal]

welcome to the site! looks like you've got a good base to start with!

 

[Dapper442]

Picked up all new V Belts today, yawn. A boring but necessary purchase. Hopefully I will have my drop springs and Bilstein shocks ordered at the end of the month after my next paycheck. And once the weather gets below the 90s I'll be able to get out and do some more sanding a priming. This time with a proper spray gun. I'll be sure to get some pictures when I do and keep everyone posted on the progress.

 

[Dapper442]

BMR lowering springs, and Bilstein AK series shocks are finally ordered. Now all I need is some cooler dry weather so I can do some wrenching on it.

 

[Dapper442]

After two days of wrenching my springs and shocks are in. The BMR springs and Bilstein shocks provide a great ride. The BMR front springs were a nightmare to install, the springs had to be compressed just right to get them sit into the lower control arm correctly but we got it done. The rears on the other hand were almost effortless. Love the drop in ride height and ride so the hard work was worth it.

 

[theoldsone]

Nice drop. how many inches does the spring drop it? Definitely worth the hard work. You plan on putting drop spindles?

 

[Dapper442]

Nice drop. how many inches does the spring drop it? Definitely worth the hard work. You plan on putting drop spindles?

Thanks. The car was lowered 1.5 inches. The front end sits ever so slightly higher than the rear, which was even worse before I lowered it. I had hoped the old rear springs just had more sag in them and the new ones would compensate for that which they did to an extent, but it's not too noticeable. Down the road I may also add drop spindles to get a little lower in the front and really give it that old school NASCAR stance.