91 or 92 Custom Cruiser with Olds 455

[Redog]

I saw it in JWO! Just a quick picture

How can it be done. I looked under a hood of a 92 CC this past weekend with the stock 350 SBC under the hood. Looks like the steering shaft would be the only problem at least what I could see right away. Probably need a cowl hood too.

I would like to do such a project only I'll use a 350 or 403

[The Stickman]

Originally Posted by Redog

I saw it in JWO! Just a quick picture

How can it be done. I looked under a hood of a 92 CC this past weekend with the stock 350 SBC under the hood. Looks like the steering shaft would be the only problem at least what I could see right away. Probably need a cowl hood too.

I would like to do such a project only I'll use a 350 or 403

The steering shaft should not be any problem. The 90's B-Body wagons use the same chassis as the 77-90 B-Bodies and there have been 455 swaps in them. Sawpping a 350 sbo is pretty easy. You would need the engine and trans, motor mounts. I thing the frame pads for the motor mounts. Now it won't be emmissions legal unless you can add fuel injection and all the other emissions crap. You must have been looking at that clean Custom Cruiser at the BOPC show.

[joe_padavano]

Originally Posted by The Stickman

Now it won't be emmissions legal unless you can add fuel injection and all the other emissions crap.

It won't be emissions legal, PERIOD. There was never a 455 Olds certified to 1991 or 1992 standards. This swap is unfortunately illegal under federal law and also under any state law that requires emissions testing. The general rule of thumb is that you can swap the same year or NEWER motor into a car so long as you also swap all the emissions equipment required to maintain the emissions certification. This swap can only be registered in states that do not have testing (or with the help of some greased palms).

There are a couple of ways to do this swap. As Stick correctly noted, the 307 frame mounts from a B-body allow the 455 to be bolted in using conventional Olds motor mounts. The other option (which is even easier) is to use the 307 block mounts from a 1980-1990 D-body (Caddy Fleetwood). These mounts are like the 403 Trans Am mounts in that they are metal block brackets that mate to the Chevy clamshell style frame mounts.

[Redog]

Classic plates, no emissions required

I just want to know how it can be done

[joe_padavano]

Originally Posted by Redog

Classic plates, no emissions required

I just want to know how it can be done

Maybe in your state, but not here in VA. Antique Plates require 25+ years old and limit you to 250 miles per year.

[Redog]

Antique here is also 25, but Classic is 15 and you can drive the car at night

[Olds64]

Just get some catlytic converters off of a Ford truck in the salvage yard and hollow them out. Then you can have them welded into your exhaust. That will fool most emissions shops. If you have to do a tail pipe test then you are screwed.

[joe_padavano]

Originally Posted by Olds64

Just get some catlytic converters off of a Ford truck in the salvage yard and hollow them out. Then you can have them welded into your exhaust. That will fool most emissions shops. If you have to do a tail pipe test then you are screwed.

Most states that require biannual testing have computerized machines. The VIN is keyed in and the machine lists the equipment that is required to be in place. The test tech is supposed to verify that all this equipment is installed correctly. Yes, the accuracy of this inspection is a function of the skill of the tech.

[J-(Chicago)]

Originally Posted by joe_padavano

Most states that require biannual testing have computerized machines. The VIN is keyed in and the machine lists the equipment that is required to be in place. The test tech is supposed to verify that all this equipment is installed correctly. Yes, the accuracy of this inspection is a function of the skill of the tech.

Let us all take a minute, and thank Mr. Padavano for NOT being our emissions tech inspector.
50% of us would be off the road if AIR TEAM actually acquired people who knew their stuff.

[Allan R]

Originally Posted by joe_padavano

Maybe in your state, but not here in VA. Antique Plates require 25+ years old and limit you to 250 miles per year.

Wow. I can get antique status here with 25+ years and up to 5000 miles/year if I want. Quite a difference between there and here. My antique insurance also covers full insured value and only costs around 135.00 / year. I get appraisals every 2 years to cover my 6 in case there's a change in value.

Just curious, how would you get to any number of car shows in a year if you don't have a trailer for your antique? I would guess that 250 miles would get eaten up really quick.

[The Stickman]

Originally Posted by Allan R

Wow. I can get antique status here with 25+ years and up to 5000 miles/year if I want. Quite a difference between there and here. My antique insurance also covers full insured value and only costs around 135.00 / year. I get appraisals every 2 years to cover my 6 in case there's a change in value.

Just curious, how would you get to any number of car shows in a year if you don't have a trailer for your antique? I would guess that 250 miles would get eaten up really quick.

It's 2500 miles in Pa.