1980cutty

So I recently made a choice to go with a 455 olds motor in my 1980 cutlass(don't know if I'm going to do short or long yet). The thing is it came with a V6 motor what I want to know from you guys is to give me a heads up on what kind of modifications will I have to make to make this motor swap work and get my cutlass back to running.

billmerbach

You'll need cutlass v8 frame mounts for sure

76olds

Trans, driveshaft, beefed up rear, etc etc and a holy **** strap on your wallet !!!

1980cutty

would I have to get v8 mounts for the year of the car or the year of the motor

billmerbach

Hahaa 76olds great laugh while I'm making blueberry pancakes

NHolds

I did a 455 in a 78 Cutlass long long ago. It fit right in from what I remember. It started out with a 260 though, so everything bolted right up.

1980cutty

A holy **** strap lol good one I plan on taking my time with this one so there will be plenty of time to make the money to put into this project I'm thinking a olds th400 trans I was hoping that my driveshaft wouldn't be an issue but thanks for that heads up

76olds

It will be fun going from a 231 v6. I put a 455 in a 76 buick century back in the day that was born with a 231v6 . Lots of friends and scrap yard parts back then!!

1980cutty

good deal it just sucks I'm starting out with a v6

billmerbach

I believe the car and hey nothing wrong with a 231 esp a turbo charged one but yea them motors can do a lot more then u think

1980cutty

yea until I open the hood and everyone start laughing

76olds

Just my .02 , If you have a lot of cash go for the olds 455 , If your young and just building a bomb for woman and kicks, Go chebby and drive it like you stole it.......put in a good comfy back seat with trunk access to the coolers.

67 Cutlass Freak

Here's what I'm thinking very quickly-
1) V8 frame mounts, as stated
2) A complete engine with accessories and brackets
3) Heavy duty front coil springs
4) You could use a beefed up 350 trans
5) Custom length drive shaft
6) Trans support cross member with two humps to allow for dual exhaust
7) Wiring harness modifications
8) Larger capacity cooling system
9) Complete exhaust system
10) Most important - an understanding wife or girlfriend

rustyroger

I'd add;
Custom built headers,
Strengthened chassis,
A rear rend that can handle the torque.


Roger.

1980cutty

@76olds where I'm you got guys out here with old school cars that are not done the right way I'm going to be one of the few that does his right from top to bottom its a respect thing I guess I'd rather take my time and restore greatness than rush and put some BS out on the road like other guys in my city plus I want to hurt some feelings with that 455 and leave some folks at the line lol

1980cutty

Thanks for the advice its very appreciated I think #10 is going to be the hardest thing to deal with

76olds

# 10 should be easy!!! Just tell her when your finished the project you'll take her to dinner.... Wine n dine er leave a path of rose pedals to the door and tell her she can drive your stick anytime.

69ishHoliday

I've been told that the best thing to tell your spouse is that you have bought a "kit" for say twelve hundred. Then as time passes and new stuff arrives at your house and you are asked what it is you just maintain that the new stuff is just part of the "kit".

Koda

My two cents:

I think you should ask yourself a few questions before you start.

1: Do I like 1980 (or 1980s) Cutlasses more than the others?
2: Do I have a sentimental attachment to THIS 1980 Cutlass?
3: Would I be satisfied with a built-up 350? or maybe a 455 years down the road?
4: Does it make more sense to sell this and get a 70s model that already has the engine, trans, mounts, differential, and exhaust I need and just beef up the trans and engine first?

Reason I am asking this is some guys want to start with nothing and do it from the bottom. Some other guys want to pay more up front, but be money ahead in the long run. Some guys really dig the G bodies. Some don't. If you go the route you are planning, you will spend a lot of money, much of which won't be recoverable. If you get a car with much of what you need already in it, you may spend less money, but be able to sell it for more if you ever have to. For instance, a 1972 Cutlass in good shape bone stock with 350 will sell for as much, if not more, than a 1980 Cutlass drag racer built to be the bomb, just because of the car generation.

Not trying to sound negative, or to tell you to build to eventually be able to sell, but I am trying to pass on additional aspects to think about. Hope this helps.

1980cutty

I take all opinions into consideration what you are saying makes sense though I like g-bodys of all types but I'm a chevy man at heart its just I don't see a lot of 1980 cutlass's on the road or on the net I'm thinking I have something rare that's whats making me keep it and the fact that the motor and trans has been took out already and insides gutted out it would be hard for me to sell it in that condition

1980cutty

lol that would get me put in the dog house

billmerbach

They won't be laughing when they're eating your dust

rustyroger

Have a look at "GBodyforum.com", there are some current threads concerning exactly the same thing you are contemplating.
Or perhaps you are ahead of me and it's you who started the thread?.


Anyway, if you have the time, money and understanding spouse, good luck with your project and keep us udated please.


Roger.

nsnarsk65cutlass

You will need to run the fuel line from the drivers side to the passengers side also.Finding a dual cutout trans crossmember that's not going to happen as far as i know they never made one,a beefed up th 350 is in order,you will need to do something about the high geared 7.5 axle.

1980cutty

I will take a look thanks

1980cutty

if im not mistaken but I think my fuel line already runs on the passenger side its been a while since I looked but if my mind serves me correct the last time I changed the fuel filter it was on the passenger side i'll will be back home in two weeks to look at it