Due to idiotic legislation in this wonderful little country of mine, I have to 'prove' that my car is capable of handling an engine more powerful than the one I currently have, if I want to install such an engine.

I currently have a 180 HP '71 350. I'll be installing a roughly 350 HP 380. My argument to the vehicle inspection guy was that all Olds A-body cars, even the ones with 350+ HP engines, came with no better than the same FE2 suspension I have on my car. Was I wrong in saying this to him?

I'm looking at the parts catalog from WildAboutCars, but it's a jungle right now. Maybe I'm looking the wrong place.

 

Wow, seriously? Do they inspect for that. Does your country have any exemptions for age?

 

You are completely correct. The only differences between the suspension and chassis on your 180 HP car and a 390 HP 1968 H/O are minor changes to spring rates and shocks. These are tuning changes, not fundamental structural changes.

Ironically, in 1968 the 360 HP W-30 was ONLY available with manual 9.5" drum brakes at all four corners. The better power disc brakes were only available on lower HP models.

Just out of curiosity, is this inspector versed in Olds engine casting numbers? Most people can't tell the difference between a 350 and a 455 if both are painted gold.

 

OldCutlass: My country only has exemptions for vehicles older than 35 years that "appear original". Right now I'm finding out if my vehicle can "appear original" with a 5 speed manual and fuel injection.

Joe: Thanks, I thought so. Having trawled through the parts catalog last night, I noticed EVERY part, right down to nuts and brake shoe springs, is listed. So I asked the vehicular inspection guy for SPECIFIC parts he wants to see.

I'm correct in assuming that "F85" covers the A-body suspension you mentioned above, yes?

Engine ID: No, but if he suspects it's a different motor than the original, he can tax me accordingly, based on the theoretical increased value of the car. Given that the engine I'm having built is a 350 and he'll NEVER be able to tell that it's bored, stroked and ported, this doesn't worry me. Numbers matching engine, of course.

Thanks.

Update: I attached all the parts catalogs from WildAboutCars to an email, along with my VIN and how to decode it. They'll have fun with THAT, I'm sure. The only thing I didn't find concrete evidence of is that the designation "F85" covers all A-body models if nothing else is noted.

 

Correct. Olds used the terms "F-85", "Cutlass", and even "35-series" interchangeably in factory documentation to refer to the A-body cars.

 

I claimed as much to them. We'll see if they complain or not. Thanks.

 

hmm, I'd paint the engine gold and leave well enough alone.

 

I'm swapping in a 350 made from a 350, so I assume it's gold when it arrives. :P If I wasn't changing the transmission and installing injection, they never would have noticed the difference, no - so I get what you're getting at.

 

Even with the changes they may never know what they are looking at.

 

That happens a lot too, yes.

 

I hope it goes well for you. That is a bummer that the government is so strict.

 

They don't like dodgy cars endangering other people on the road. Hence, the strict rules, which hit those of us who know what we're doing as well.