Yes, Yes, Yes, I know I can go a lot faster with a lighter Olds and my detractors on this car are many. Although there are also many that can't get enough of it! I just had a guy in my shop and he looked at me crosseyed and said "Why would you spend money on that when you could be putting money in that Cutlass over there?". I didn't answer the question because, well, I don't need to. The best part is anywhere I go with this car, odds are, I know it will be the only one like it. That, short and simple, is the reason I enjoy it so much. It is unique.

Finally got a bunch of parts in for my Custom Cruiser!
Work done this week!
Engine came out last weekend... Lots of cleanup and I really need to junk the HVAC box, takes up WAY too much room. I'd like to pick up a standard heat box (non-A/C) but not sure these were ever made that way.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/22958812@N08/5788793556/http://www.flickr.com/photos/22958812@N08/5788793556/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/22958812@N08/, on Flickr

Here is the old 455. Heads and intake being swapped over to the new Olds 461.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/22958812@N08/5788237535/http://www.flickr.com/photos/22958812@N08/5788237535/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/22958812@N08/, on Flickr

Ram Air system is in and I'm starting to do my fit ups. This is going to look really good when finished!

Before:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/22958812@N08/5788238323/http://www.flickr.com/photos/22958812@N08/5788238323/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/22958812@N08/, on Flickr

After:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/22958812@N08/5791510917/http://www.flickr.com/photos/22958812@N08/5791510917/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/22958812@N08/, on Flickr

The dual air inlets will be connected to dual 4" pipes and terminating into a dual inlet air intake box. I will be easily finished with this portion this week.

More to come this weekend.

 

Cool wagon!
What trans/rear are you using? What kind of engine mods. have you done. I'm wanting to get a set of aluminum heads for my Vista. I'm at about 9.6 comp. right now & I've heard you can go up to about 11? What has your experience been?

 

Pretty sure I've seen this car at Homecoming a few times.

I love the wagons, and a "G" body Cutlass is so common. If I didn't have a Delta 88 I would have the Custom Cruiser.

The Wagon weighs in at 4200 lbs (i think it's 4214 is be exact) and the Delta 88 tips the scales at 3982, and guess how much a "G" body Cutlass weighs, in the 3600 lb neigbhood. Very easy to shave off the 300 lbs and still have a street legal, clean, uncommon, drag car and if you don't shave off the weight what is 300 lbs, .3 in the 1/4 mile. Ooooooo, so you're not running 12's your running 12.3.

I agree that people looked at me weirdly becasue I was racing a Delta 88, but guess what, just like you I want to be different and stand out from the crowd.

More power to you!!

 

Very cool.

 

Trans is a TH400 with a approx. 3200 rpm stall converter. Rear is a 8.5" 10 bolt with a 4.11 rear gear, Moroso Posi and airbags. I'm planning on updating the axles to some used Mosers that are local to me and welding the axle tubes. I have some Metco rear lower control arms coming and adjustable uppers as well as a custom 1.5" rear sway bar.

The new 461 has Ross Pistons, Eagle Rods, Comp Cams Roller Cam & Lifters. CR should be a true 10.5:1. Cam Lift is 0.600/.585 (I/E) on 108 degrees. Edelbrock Performer RPM heads and Torker intake topped with a Holley 950 HP carb. This is a significant upgrade to what I just took out.

Aluminum heads reduce detonation due to heat loss. What the real number is compared to Iron heads is unknown to me. My guess is about half a point in what I've read but I can't prove it... If you are running a true 11:1 CR, I'd suspect you will detonate on pump gas regardless of how you timed the engine. I plan on running a mix of race gas and premium.

Hope I've answered your questions...
Thanks for the kudos!

 

Thanks for the kudo's. I appreciate it! I'm sure you will enjoy the pics over the next several weeks. Yes, I've been to Homecoming a few times with my Wagon. Always a good time!

You are right on the weight. I found a aluminum hood which is being painted right now. That will save sixty plus pounds off the front. I'm also ditching the steel Cragar Quick Tricks to Weld Racing Pro Stars. Some significant weight savings there!

Regards,
Mike

 

Thanks!!!

 

No problem, love the "B" bodies

Where did you find such a hood Fellow "B" body guys want to know

 

I'm running nearly 11:1 comp.(Calculated 10.997:1 and I don't detonate on premium unleaded using Edelbrock heads. My engine guy claims all things equal you can run about 1 full point more compression using aluminum heads because they pull heat from the chamber a lot more efficiently. Nice ride, btw.I think the best part about your car is how the ricer chaches must underestimate how fast your car is.:-)

 

Here's a secret. You can thank me later!

http://car-part.com/

 

Good Info, I've heard that as well. I hope I fair as well as you with my new motor. I've had some fun with the Ricers on Woodward Avenue. I get the "how about 2 out of 3" and "let's start at 35 mph". LOL... Thanks for the compliment!

 

Looks good so far Mike, keep the updates coming!

 

I have some pics but want to save them till I get a few more. Axles are out of the rear. I have a guy in Flint who has a set of Moser axles that I'm looking to pick up. May upgrade to a spool and sell the Eaton Posi that I have. Got my aluminum hood hinges, one is here the other will be shipped shortly. Boy, are they light!

The "Super Bar" came in tonight, it's a beast! Front end should come up nice and square. I'm still waiting for my Metco upper and lower control arms to come in.

For this year, I think I may just put an aluminum plate over the HVAC box hole on the firewall and then after race season is over find a regular non AC box to put in there.

I have a full boogie TH400 with a trans brake ready to go, thinking I might put that in and do a refresh on the existing TH400 that was in it.

That's it for now,
Pics coming this week or weekend...
Mike

 

What headers fit this body? I think 74 Cutlass shorty headers fit, but I saw a 77 Delta with a 455 and headers at homecoming. The owner wasn't around so I couldn't ask him what headers they were. They looked like long tube and didn't look like they were "made" to fit

 

The Headers are Dynomax, ceramic coated and they fit well. Quality isn't great and get the typical header leak but that os partly the fault of the Olds exhaust bolt pattern.

Lots more done again, will have some more pics Sunday night.

 

I like it !

 

Awesome car!

 

What car are they for? I know they don't have a listing for the 77-90 B Body

 

New axles mean that the Eaton Posi needs updated. Spider gears updated to 30 spline.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/22958812@N08/5874419727/http://www.flickr.com/photos/22958812@N08/5874419727/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/22958812@N08/, on Flickr

Did I say new axles? Moser's that I have had redrilled to 5 x 4.75 so that I had options for aluminum rims.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/22958812@N08/5874979288/http://www.flickr.com/photos/22958812@N08/5874979288/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/22958812@N08/, on Flickr

http://www.flickr.com/photos/22958812@N08/5874418263/http://www.flickr.com/photos/22958812@N08/5874418263/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/22958812@N08/, on Flickr

Drums were also redrilled.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/22958812@N08/5874978596/http://www.flickr.com/photos/22958812@N08/5874978596/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/22958812@N08/, on Flickr

Carrier removed.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/22958812@N08/5874419995/http://www.flickr.com/photos/22958812@N08/5874419995/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/22958812@N08/, on Flickr

Carrier put back in.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/22958812@N08/5874977450/http://www.flickr.com/photos/22958812@N08/5874977450/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/22958812@N08/, on Flickr

The cleaned up Torker with the Holley on it.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/22958812@N08/5874417871/http://www.flickr.com/photos/22958812@N08/5874417871/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/22958812@N08/, on Flickr

Lots more to do judging by the parts...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/22958812@N08/5874978958/http://www.flickr.com/photos/22958812@N08/5874978958/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/22958812@N08/, on Flickr

 

The Dynomax were for 70/72 Cutlass. You will need to fab up your crossmember to make it a dual hump. I have a picture of mine if you need an idea.

 

Cool Thanks!

Would def like to see that pic. No big rush, I'm not buying headers tomorrow I'm waiting until I can do the entire exhaust, minus those pesky cats

 

Sorry, I'm remiss in posting pics. I've been working on the wagon instead. I am taking pics just haven't posted yet.

The aluminum hood is painted and ready for fit up, looks great. The aluminum hinges are all clean with hinges lubricated.

The Metco lower control arms are installed, putting on the 1.5" sway bar tomorrow night. Getting the axle tubes welded to the carrier and installing C-clip eliminators will have to wait till this winter as I'm out of time. I'll put in the Metco adjustable upper control arms at that time as well. The Weld Racing Rims were mounted to the BFG Drag Radials and fit like a charm!

HVAC has been gutted and I'm putting a aluminum cover over the hole. I'll look for a non-AC HVAC unit to put in there later.

The Olds 461 Roller has cleaned up Edelbrock heads and Torker intake installed as well as the water pump/neck and T-stat. The MSD had some corrosion in it and will be cleaning that tomorrow night as well.

Still need to put the Battery in the spare tire well and route the wires. Also need to finish the conversion of the front rotors to 5 x 4.75. I need to cut on the core support some more to finish clearance for the Ram Air system, easy work, won't take long. Probably Thursday or Friday for that. Motor is planned on going in on Saturday. It looks great!

The good news is the pile of parts has dwindled substantially and not much left to install. Have to repair the RH door seal and the windshield washer pump... plenty of time for that.

 

Now this is sweet.

 

Not to hi jack the thread but I'll let you know If I find another. Unless you want to make the trip up and I'll show you the yards I hit. BTW the aluminum hood and hinges saves exactly 47lbs on a B-body. You have to have both. BTW this is a great wagon build.

 

Who did your tank? Is it baffled inside too? Looks great.

 

In time What year did they start with the aluminum hood?

 

Truthfully I have no idea. Both the ones I have found were on Deltas. The tell tale signs are the shinny hinges. It's also where alot of the weight is saved. Both hinges and springs are a total of 4 lbs.

 

Redog,

Here is your pic for the crossmember. Stickman has some pics of his in his thread, similar to what I did but a little different...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/22958812@N08/5920357190/http://www.flickr.com/photos/22958812@N08/5920357190/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/22958812@N08/, on Flickr

http://www.flickr.com/photos/22958812@N08/5919788539/http://www.flickr.com/photos/22958812@N08/5919788539/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/22958812@N08/, on Flickr

 

Stickman: local shop did it, not sure I even have their name anymore... The sump can be had through Summit or Jegs. No baffles inside. Thanks, appreciate the kudo's!

 

Finally some pics! Enjoy!

The axles are set here, ready for the C-Clips, you can see those on the ground.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/22958812@N08/5919791023/http://www.flickr.com/photos/22958812@N08/5919791023/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/22958812@N08/, on Flickr

On the ground. Nice and light, look great!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/22958812@N08/5920351418/http://www.flickr.com/photos/22958812@N08/5920351418/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/22958812@N08/, on Flickr

The flash really highlighted the Blue on the drums, they don't show up that bright at all.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/22958812@N08/5920353436/http://www.flickr.com/photos/22958812@N08/5920353436/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/22958812@N08/, on Flickr

The MSD ignition had a LOT of corrosion in it.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/22958812@N08/5920352536/http://www.flickr.com/photos/22958812@N08/5920352536/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/22958812@N08/, on Flickr

The weights had corrosion too.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/22958812@N08/5920351642/http://www.flickr.com/photos/22958812@N08/5920351642/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/22958812@N08/, on Flickr

Tore down the distributor so I could clean everything. I also had to swap in the new gear made specifically for a Roller Cam. The gear can be put on backwards so you have to pay a little attention.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/22958812@N08/5919790471/http://www.flickr.com/photos/22958812@N08/5919790471/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/22958812@N08/, on Flickr

MSD all put together... and clean!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/22958812@N08/5919791857/http://www.flickr.com/photos/22958812@N08/5919791857/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/22958812@N08/, on Flickr


Couple shots of the engine in the rollable cradle I built.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/22958812@N08/5920353924/http://www.flickr.com/photos/22958812@N08/5920353924/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/22958812@N08/, on Flickr

This one shows the solid motor mount on the drivers side of the engine.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/22958812@N08/5920355740/http://www.flickr.com/photos/22958812@N08/5920355740/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/22958812@N08/, on Flickr

Right before the Intake was put on.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/22958812@N08/5919795137/http://www.flickr.com/photos/22958812@N08/5919795137/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/22958812@N08/, on Flickr

Another view in the cradle.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/22958812@N08/5920357856/http://www.flickr.com/photos/22958812@N08/5920357856/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/22958812@N08/, on Flickr

The aluminum hood is back!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/22958812@N08/5920352872/http://www.flickr.com/photos/22958812@N08/5920352872/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/22958812@N08/, on Flickr

Engine going in!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/22958812@N08/5919792921/http://www.flickr.com/photos/22958812@N08/5919792921/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/22958812@N08/, on Flickr

Engine in and starting to put things together.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/22958812@N08/5920356246/http://www.flickr.com/photos/22958812@N08/5920356246/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/22958812@N08/, on Flickr

Headers are on, exhaust hooked up.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/22958812@N08/5920356722/http://www.flickr.com/photos/22958812@N08/5920356722/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/22958812@N08/, on Flickr

Some rear suspension pics:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/22958812@N08/5920354250/http://www.flickr.com/photos/22958812@N08/5920354250/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/22958812@N08/, on Flickr

http://www.flickr.com/photos/22958812@N08/5920352028/http://www.flickr.com/photos/22958812@N08/5920352028/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/22958812@N08/, on Flickr

http://www.flickr.com/photos/22958812@N08/5920356920/http://www.flickr.com/photos/22958812@N08/5920356920/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/22958812@N08/, on Flickr

The hood striker was broken, so this plate was fabbed. Added some strength to the hood in this area and looks good.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/22958812@N08/5919792349/http://www.flickr.com/photos/22958812@N08/5919792349/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/22958812@N08/, on Flickr

 

This thing is cool, it looks like a fun build. I think it's cooler to go a little slower and be original than to be the same as everyone else.

 

Took the wagon Racing at Norwalk last weekend. Ran a best of 12.33 at 106.56.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/22958812@N08/5956226832/http://www.flickr.com/photos/22958812@N08/5956226832/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/22958812@N08/, on Flickr

http://www.flickr.com/photos/22958812@N08/5955665029/http://www.flickr.com/photos/22958812@N08/5955665029/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/22958812@N08/, on Flickr

http://www.flickr.com/photos/22958812@N08/5955663937/http://www.flickr.com/photos/22958812@N08/5955663937/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/22958812@N08/, on Flickr

Nice pic taking her off the trailer...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/22958812@N08/5955656481/http://www.flickr.com/photos/22958812@N08/5955656481/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/22958812@N08/, on Flickr

Leaving to break in the new engine, oops, my foot slipped....
http://www.flickr.com/photos/22958812@N08/5955656729/http://www.flickr.com/photos/22958812@N08/5955656729/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/22958812@N08/, on Flickr

 

Hey Mike.

Any problems with the headers bottoming out with driveways, speed bumps, etc?

Thinking long tubes, but worried about the effects

 

No problems at all with the height. There is one pipe too close to the firewall on the LH side. It's a flange and can be bent down (the flange) for clearance if needed.

 

Great job on the Dragon Wagon! I like the oops my foot slipped! The car looks great, you could drive around town and it looks like moms grocery getter but it's on serious steroids!