Hey all, I have a 62 dynamic 88 convertible, I'm looking to build it into a higher powered cruiser.

Here's the ultimate goal: 394 high compression engine with a tri power (i have a demon tri power carb set up and an offenhauser manifold, but i might switch to rochester carbs if needed), fabricating my own headers (might end up being log style, not sure) dual exhaust, TREMEC TKX 5 speed, and fabtech 3.73 posi in the factory rear end. It will ultimately have tubular control arms, disc brakes on all 4 wheels, etc etc etc.

Here's the dilemma: if I put the manual transmission (or any other swap for that matter) behind the 394 do I attempt to keep the front and rear engine mounts as well as a transmission mount? Or do I use a hurst style envying mount up front, delete the rear engine mount, and have the transmission support the back?
I'm not opposed to fabrication, I know this will be a big undertaking, and I'm 100% set on putting a third pedal into the car.

currently the car is a low compression engine, slim jim tranny, bench seat car that I'm driving as much as possible, as I'm neck deep in a 58 chevy truck project that needs to finish before I tear into the Olds, so I'm collecting parts and trying to plan the attack right now

I should add that I'm going to do EVERYTHING on this car. Frame off, paint, body gaps, shave some from, etc

 

I have a '63 Olds clutch pedal and linkage.
Please PM me.

 

sent

 

These cars came from the factory with a three speed manual trans as standard equipment. That drivetrain used the same engine and bellhousing mount as do your car now.

 

Yes, but they weren't performance transmissions or engines. The 3 speed cars were the low compression engine i have. I'm going to build a spare high compression engine for HOPEFULLY 400hp. That's the goal at least. And I feel that the tranny should be mounted at the rear.

 

So why bother to ask? Just to get affirmation? Do whatever you want, but it will be unnecessary work.

 

I'm the guy who just has to chime in... the "slim jim" was named because it was narrow, and if a person wanted to install a 455 and a TH400 trans to power his (in your case) 1962 Dynamic, you'd have to cut out the trans tunnel and firewall to make room. I can't see you making 400 hp with a 394, and if that's your goal, you're making things hard on yourself. Parts are scarce, and the best high compression 394 made upwards of 350 hp. S0 if you really want to make a 400hp car with a standard shift and you're not afraid to do some fabrication, ditch the 394 and drop an LS in it. Why F around?

That said- if you use high compression pistons I think the 394 made 8.75:1 compression in the Super 88 and Starfire, and it turned out about 345 hp with a 4 bbl carb and dual exhaust. Now find yourself a Offenhauser tri-power intake and carb set up, and couple it with the standard offering 3 speed stick, your custom headers, you'd probably get something in the basic neighborhood of what you're looking for without having to mod the mounts or the trans tunnel- but you'd be building a 1960's hot rod with 1960's tech and the dream of 21st century performance.
So I'll go back to the LS- just do it, and upgrade the brakes with a front disk set up too. And Heck- do air ride... go all "Martin Bros" on it if you want... You don't need anyone's permission. Bag it, slam it, air ride it, drop an LS in it and a set of bucket seats. Just share pictures- we'd all love to see it.

Basic low compression 2 barrel 394 in my 1964 Dynamic 88... and it's gets down the road pretty good

 

well, because I don't want the headache of an LS wiring, plumbing and fuel. Also, the 394 is a cool engine. And the factory rate 345hp could probably be surpassed with a bigger cam, better intake, exhaust, ported heads and spark. Why reinvent the wheel? And I don't care about the trans tunnel. I'll make a new one. THAT is well within my skill set.
I'll likely need to make a higher hump and a raised driveshaft tunnel when I do build the car anyways, at least if I'm going to get it to lay the frame on the ground

I can tell that this forum isn't what I need for info. I just wanted suggestions on how to mount the engine, so far I've heard everything else.

btw, my car isn't a super rare, highly collectible, one year only car. It's one of a couple hundred thousand. Why not build it into what i WANT it to be?

and for the record, my 58 chevy truck build is going against the norm, too. C4 corvette front and rear suspension, shorter that short-bed on the wheelbase, aiming for 4" of ground clearance, with a 383 good for 450 hp and a tr6060 6 speed manual transmission. All in an old run-of-the-mill farm truck.

 

If you want a 394 with 3 deuces and a manual just build it that way. Was 400 hp a specific goal, or do you just want a streetable built engine with the 3 deuces and manual transmission?

 

My only goal is to have an efficient and streetable engine. And the 3 deuces is honestly because I didn't want to do a cast iron 4 barrel intake and I can't find an aluminum intake that's a single 4 barrel. There's dual quad intakes, tri-power intakes, and ice found 6-deuce intakes.
400hp would be really cool, but it's not the goal, that's the "target". If I aim there and miss by 30hp, it'll still be a bebst. In my mind.

 

I think you know exactly what you're doing, and I'd be excited to see how it turns out. Keep us posted, and good luck.

 

You may want to check out my 394 engine build thread for ideas.
I haven't had it on a dyno yet but 375 HP was the goal with the stock 4GC carb.
The stock 4GC flows almost 700 CFM. (685). The stock iron manifold works just fine.
394 "Rocket" engine build - ClassicOldsmobile.com

As far as doing a manual transmission in these cars check my '63 Olds build thread.
1963 Dynamic 88 2dr hdtp. restoration - ClassicOldsmobile.com
After reading these threads, you will get some idea of where my motto "I choose to restore an Oldsmobile, not because it is easy, but because it is hard" comes from.

 

that's an EXTENSIVE thread!

 

12 years and counting.

 

I am not sure where you got some of your information.
1. You DON't have to chop up the firewall and tunnel for a 455 and TH400. My ;64 Olds Starfire even has the original console and shifter.
2. TOCQQL on here has a a 394 that dyno'd 414 HP and a TH400 in a '61 Olds flat top/
3. Low compression 394's and "Export" models had a compression ratio of 9.0. The 330 HP engine was 10.25 CR, the 345 HP engine had 10.5 CR.

I think 400 HP from 394 is quite realistic on a single 4 barrel.

 

I did a trans swap from slim jim to chevy 350 , used ross racing swap kit was not cheap but did not have to do any tunnel work on the car , had to get new trans mounts from him , was a lot of work , but just could not get slim jim rebuilt , had it rebuilt 2 times and it still would slip in high gear , even being a lot of work i'm happy the car drives great ,