So I am the proud owner of an 83 Hurst Olds. My dad got it when I was 14 and I still drive it today. Along the way (as a teenager) I blew the original trans and 2 rears. Car has the stock 307 with headers, h-pipe, magnaflow cats and 40 series flowmasters. I replaced the trans with a correct 200r-4 oz with a shift kit and an Eaton HD (learned my lesson) 3:73 rear (good for 430 hp). I wrecked it was I was 19 and had everything (sheet metal) sent up from NC, GO GBODY PARTS.COM!. Paint, stripes, body work..the works, car is freaking beautiful. The motor has 100k original miles, it runs like a champ..starts every morning, provides some mild amusement and gets me to and fro (car is my daily driver). I want more power, some more fun/sound/etc but I can't go crazy here. I have a 20 miles commute, 1 car and mid-range income.
Here are my hypothetical situations:

1-Stay with the 307. It has plenty of life, its dependable, original and doesn't cost a dime.

2-Swap in a 350. The car has a good exhaust leak in the header and I could put in new headers and motor over a vacation from work. main concern is reliability, as I wont know much about the 350 and fuel economy with that rear. I'm thinking 1500 for motor, exhaust work and swap?? (1500 includes new timing set, gaskets and freeze plugs)

3-(Dad's suggestion)- Buy a beater jap car for >1,500. Drive it daily to work and make the Hurst a project/pleasure craft. Save for longer and buy a 350 and have it built for 275-300 Hp with new internals/machine work.

I'd love some feedback. fact is I'm 27, not married, no kids and want to get my fun in now before I start a family with the lady.

Thanks!

 

I agree strongly with dad never have a project as your daily .
Also you could drive with the 307 pick up a 350 and take a year to build it on a stand ready to be dropped in over a vacation like you stated, this option you could really build a nice motor
Just my 2cents
Maybe post location and a member near you might have a 350 on the cheap

 

I'm with Dad and Oldstata, build an engine at your leisure and then do the swap.

 

I drive my Saturn on the daily and the 72 is the toy. The fiancé has the jap car and a k5 blazer I refuse to own jap cars although I work for lexus lol. Saturns are cheap non jap and parts a plentiful in the junkyards . Main thing is to keep your car on the road build an engine and swap it on a weekend . Although I have had a few engines in and out my car hasn't sat out one cruising season since I restored it .

 

The others have excellent advice. Keep your Cutlass on the road and build a 350 on the side. Once it's done then you can drop it into your Cutlass on a weekend.

 

I agree with the others except i'd go with a 455 thats just me.

 

It's true that there's no replacement for displacement. A 455 can be put into a G body. It's just a little bit more involved than replacing the 307 with a 350.

 

Help me out....please explain how a stock 180 hp Olds 307 blows up not only one but TWO 8.5" GM rear ends.

 

Dave I know people that can screw up a ball bearing with a feather. Anything is possible. I agree they would have to work at messing up 2.

 

Another option, build a 403 for it.