1969 Cutlass Convertible - beautiful car, all original drivetrain - Ok guys - with all your advice I’ve done a lot to my original 350 to get as much oomph out of it as I can. New rear gears (3.43), Edelbrock 650 carb with matching performance intake, high-flow exhaust manifolds and dual exhaust, HMI and Mdi for hotter spark. Didn’t do a cam or replace transmission.

Pulls a little better, goes a little more. Revs high and an overdrive transmission would be nice, but I’m afraid the value won’t be supported given it’s a straight Cutlass.

Fun to drive as a cruiser. But Still not a world beater. On the dyno shows 180 hp at the wheels - is that awful?

I didn’t want to do a 455 or LS swap since car is all original - what do y’all think?

 

Chance are you will never get your money out of any modifications when/if you sell it. It’s a question of will it be worth it to you?

A 2004R trans would be a good upgrade. It won’t need much to survive behind a mind small block. Add a decent converter, maybe a mild camshaft, have fun.

 

Is your carb jetted for your application, did you advance timing and modify the timing curve? What was the condition of the motor before you did your mods?

 

If you have deep pockets hit up cutlassfi for one of his stroker cranks. Any more mods will probably require a tear down and rebuild of the motor. I would leave alone and drive.

 

Yes sir. Motor was in good shape before any changes. Do y’all think 180hp at the wheels is about right, or am I missing something?

 

https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...3/#post1209634

 

First I want to compliment your car - It's beautiful. I also drive a 69 Convertible and almost painted it the same, or similar Blue - love it. I started with the same 350 4bbl and made pretty much the same changes you have. When I finally went with a hotter cam and especially a stall convertor it really woke up. Still very driveable and could roast the tires.

 

Do you still have the original Qjet? It is a better carb and would be tuned to your motor. Many have issues with the Edelbrock carbs and the tune is probably way off. Is it a 2 or 3 spd auto? The factory cam is super mild, your numbers sound about right. The 2004R is the best of both worlds, better first gear and the .67 overdrive will drop RPM by 1000 rpm with the converter locked up. With 3.42 gears and the stock tire height you will run 1750 rpm at 60 mph.

 

I'm going to go with your timing is way off with the addition of your new overkill ignition system.

 

I have found the aftermarket HEI distributors have a similar timing curve to the factory points timing curve.

 

Great looking car!

Was it initially a 4bbl high compression or a 2bbl low compression? Has the timing chain been replaced? Some lost power there if it is original. Consider getting the distributor set up on a Sun machine. Is 180 hp at the wheels in range??? I don't know.

Good luck!!!

 

Thanks!