HELP A ROOKIE OUT 85 Delta 88
Thread Starter
Mr.Owen
Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 10
From: Canada
HELP A ROOKIE OUT 85 Delta 88
I’m new to the car world and I recently picked up a 85 delta 88. I was wanting to replace the seats to a more modern look and was wanting some advice on that. I’d also like to upgrade the carb and was hoping for some advice for that as well!!!
Registered User
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 5,219
From: St. Paul Minnesota
Replacing the seats to a modern look is as simple as going to an automotive upholstery shop and have something stitched up.
How would you like to upgrade the carb ? A different color ?
What engine do you have ?
How would you like to upgrade the carb ? A different color ?
What engine do you have ?
Old(s) Fart
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 50,791
From: Northern VA
Welcome. If your car has the split bench seat (the two sides can be moved fore/aft independently) then the tracks under those seats are the same as for buckets. Any non-original seats will require fabrication of adapter brackets. How good are your welding skills?
Even in Canada, the 1985 cars came with the Computer Command Control (CCC) system. This system controls both the carburetor and the distributor advance. You cannot simply replace the carb, you either work with what you have or you completely remove the computer system. The latter path requires a new, non-computerized carb and a new non-computerized distributor. Removing the computer will also cause collateral damage on some other systems, like the control of the air conditioner compressor clutch. Do not assume you can randomly change parts on this car without a much more detailed understanding of what that means to the rest of the system. More to the point, simply changing the carb is NOT going to magically increase HP. Your engine was optimized for mileage and emissions. A new carb isn't going to change that, nor will it change the cam and restrictive heads. Your best bet is to first ensure the system is properly tuned and everything works. Few people knew how to adjust the CCC system correctly when these cars were new. Today nearly no one does, because they lack the patience and/or skill to do it. The factory Chassis Service Manual provides both a detailed description of the CCC system and an even more detailed adjustment procedure.
Even in Canada, the 1985 cars came with the Computer Command Control (CCC) system. This system controls both the carburetor and the distributor advance. You cannot simply replace the carb, you either work with what you have or you completely remove the computer system. The latter path requires a new, non-computerized carb and a new non-computerized distributor. Removing the computer will also cause collateral damage on some other systems, like the control of the air conditioner compressor clutch. Do not assume you can randomly change parts on this car without a much more detailed understanding of what that means to the rest of the system. More to the point, simply changing the carb is NOT going to magically increase HP. Your engine was optimized for mileage and emissions. A new carb isn't going to change that, nor will it change the cam and restrictive heads. Your best bet is to first ensure the system is properly tuned and everything works. Few people knew how to adjust the CCC system correctly when these cars were new. Today nearly no one does, because they lack the patience and/or skill to do it. The factory Chassis Service Manual provides both a detailed description of the CCC system and an even more detailed adjustment procedure.
Old(s) Fart
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 50,791
From: Northern VA
Here's some additional info on the CCC system.
https://www.gmheritagecenter.com/doc...oduces-CCC.pdf
https://www.gmheritagecenter.com/doc...oduces-CCC.pdf
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 344
What Joe says about the split bench seat mounting being the same for buckets is true. But those buckets should be from a Cutlass of the same period and they will bolt right in with no fabrication required. I think that in 1977 or 78, there actually was a bucket seat option for these cars and both the buckets and the console were Cutlass items. Any G Body buckets will do nicely and are more supportive than the bench. I just wish I could someone reproduced the Maple Red upholstery for the 83-84 Hurst buckets so I could more economically redo the buckets in my 83 Delta.
I am still sticking with my contention that the quickest way to "wake up" the performance of these vehicles is to go to a 3.23 or 3.73 axle gear. Why does everyone automatically want to go into the engine? And also get that TV cable adjusted to delay the transmission upshifts.
I am still sticking with my contention that the quickest way to "wake up" the performance of these vehicles is to go to a 3.23 or 3.73 axle gear. Why does everyone automatically want to go into the engine? And also get that TV cable adjusted to delay the transmission upshifts.
Old(s) Fart
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 50,791
From: Northern VA
What Joe says about the split bench seat mounting being the same for buckets is true. But those buckets should be from a Cutlass of the same period and they will bolt right in with no fabrication required. I think that in 1977 or 78, there actually was a bucket seat option for these cars and both the buckets and the console were Cutlass items. Any G Body buckets will do nicely and are more supportive than the bench. I just wish I could someone reproduced the Maple Red upholstery for the 83-84 Hurst buckets so I could more economically redo the buckets in my 83 Delta.
I am still sticking with my contention that the quickest way to "wake up" the performance of these vehicles is to go to a 3.23 or 3.73 axle gear. Why does everyone automatically want to go into the engine? And also get that TV cable adjusted to delay the transmission upshifts.
Thread Starter
Mr.Owen
Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 10
From: Canada
Welcome. If your car has the split bench seat (the two sides can be moved fore/aft independently) then the tracks under those seats are the same as for buckets. Any non-original seats will require fabrication of adapter brackets. How good are your welding skills?
Even in Canada, the 1985 cars came with the Computer Command Control (CCC) system. This system controls both the carburetor and the distributor advance. You cannot simply replace the carb, you either work with what you have or you completely remove the computer system. The latter path requires a new, non-computerized carb and a new non-computerized distributor. Removing the computer will also cause collateral damage on some other systems, like the control of the air conditioner compressor clutch. Do not assume you can randomly change parts on this car without a much more detailed understanding of what that means to the rest of the system. More to the point, simply changing the carb is NOT going to magically increase HP. Your engine was optimized for mileage and emissions. A new carb isn't going to change that, nor will it change the cam and restrictive heads. Your best bet is to first ensure the system is properly tuned and everything works. Few people knew how to adjust the CCC system correctly when these cars were new. Today nearly no one does, because they lack the patience and/or skill to do it. The factory Chassis Service Manual provides both a detailed description of the CCC system and an even more detailed adjustment procedure.
Even in Canada, the 1985 cars came with the Computer Command Control (CCC) system. This system controls both the carburetor and the distributor advance. You cannot simply replace the carb, you either work with what you have or you completely remove the computer system. The latter path requires a new, non-computerized carb and a new non-computerized distributor. Removing the computer will also cause collateral damage on some other systems, like the control of the air conditioner compressor clutch. Do not assume you can randomly change parts on this car without a much more detailed understanding of what that means to the rest of the system. More to the point, simply changing the carb is NOT going to magically increase HP. Your engine was optimized for mileage and emissions. A new carb isn't going to change that, nor will it change the cam and restrictive heads. Your best bet is to first ensure the system is properly tuned and everything works. Few people knew how to adjust the CCC system correctly when these cars were new. Today nearly no one does, because they lack the patience and/or skill to do it. The factory Chassis Service Manual provides both a detailed description of the CCC system and an even more detailed adjustment procedure.
Old(s) Fart
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 50,791
From: Northern VA
An Olds 350 bolts in, but again, if you plan to run without the computer, all the same collateral damage comments apply.
Thread Starter
Mr.Owen
Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 10
From: Canada
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 36
Throwing a SBC in an Olds is kinda blasphemy, it can be done but it's a lot more complicated than putting an olds 350 in it.
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