ok im new here, also to the cutlass scene so, i have a 85 supreme sedan and i would like to know what my options are as far as motor swaps, stock engine building or anything performance.

thankx in advance

 

Welcome to our site Frank. I can't help you directly since I am "old school" but am sure you will get some help soon. This is a nice site with lots of knowledge base.

 

Two questions: What engine is in it now, and does the car need to pass emissions inspections where you live?

Since the 307 was optional in that car, any small block Olds (up to and including the 403) is a bolt-in that you can do in a weekend. A big block Olds is only slightly more work - mainly different exhaust manifolds and mods to the accessory brackets due to the taller deck height.

 

well i live in california so yes it will have to pass emissions but i just got it smogged this month so im good for a while but it has the stock 3.8l v6 i dont know the name of it (307, etc...). and can someone tell me or give me a link for info on small blocks, big blocks cause i dont know much about them, but luckly i am currently attending UTI so im learning as i go.

 

I'm pretty sure any SBO will swap into that bay with no problems like said above.

Get a pair of motor mounts for a 307, 85 cutlass and they will work of the new motor.

Look into classic or antique plates (if this car isn't a daily driver), here in PA (which is the 2nd most strict with emissions in the country, next to CA) these cars are exempt to emissions

 

Redog, I don't know which states are the strictest. But here in the Portland area of Oregon 1975 to 80 have to pass an idle test and at 2000 RPM's, plus a visual on cat. converter. 1981 to ODB2 have to pass rear wheel dyno on acceleration, decceleration and at cruise speed. No exemptions in the Portland or Medford areas. But you can move and tag the car out of the areas (for now) and be exempt from testing. Oh, the testing is done by the state rather than independent shops (like Calif.) So no sneaking it though a buddy's shop.

Frank, Calif. is a little stricter because everything has to pass a visual inspection. Plus the laws are always changing. I'm pretty sure if the VIN says V6 a V8 will not pass. in Oregon. You might want to check on that in CA before you decide.
Sorry, I din't mean for this to get so long. But I've seen friends and co-workers get rejected by the smog cops.
Don

 

Assembly Bill 616 is still alive. If it makes it into law, you are looking at a Smog check every year, beginning July 1, 2008.

Not in CA. Contractors have too much capital invested in equipment and licensing fees. Fines and potential jail time are also a concern.

All test data is transmitted to the DMV computers in real time. If the numbers do not match the VIN/mileage/history, in the DMV database, a large flag is raised. Contractors would rather not have that happen.

Norm

 

ok so my best option would be to slightly modify the stock engine? any opinons on parts?