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76 442 Cheap Street/Fun Build

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Old Mar 15, 2015 | 01:34 AM
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76 442 Cheap Street/Fun Build

Hello, I have a 1976 Oldsmobile Cutlass 442 with the Original Olds Cutlass 350 with 94,000 Miles on it. For the most part the entire car is all original apart from a K&N Air filter and a Chrome Edelbrock Air cleaner.. Anyhow, I am trying to make it a fun 70s street car with that 1970s Street look. Its all original (190bhp) and im looking to get atleast 300hp and make it a little bit quicker (Stock 0-60 around 9 seconds) to around 7 or so seconds and 14 seconds 1/4 Mile.. I do not want to spend a whole lot on this build considering i am wanting to do body work on this car. It is my first car and i love it dearly!
In a few weeks i am going to have Hedman Shorty Street headers and True Dual X Pipes installed and installing a Edelbrock Performer Intake. I would of thought about adding a Holley 650 if i had not rebuilt the Original 76 Quadrajet.

Last edited by 76Cutlass_442; Mar 15, 2015 at 01:41 AM. Reason: Didnt add some important information.
Old Mar 15, 2015 | 06:27 AM
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android 211's Avatar
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76 442

Many Olds enthusiasts are of the opinion that the Performer is no better than the stock cast iron intake manifold. If you want a more performance look under hood and save some weight, go ahead but your wallet will be a lot lighter also. An earlier cast iron intake manifold without EGR provisions will clean up the under hood look also. The headers are a good idea but a cam would wake up the car more than anything else. Just don't go overboard. Your compression ratio is very low and too much cam will make a dog out of it.
Old Mar 15, 2015 | 07:04 AM
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check your rear end ratio. Not too pricey to improve your torque amplification and traction while you are at it. Say, 2.56 changed to 3.73 gears.
Old Mar 15, 2015 | 07:06 AM
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Welcome to the site, just a note, we do like pictures. I would look into some better gears to get you closer to your speed goal after your other mods..
Old Mar 15, 2015 | 07:11 AM
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maybe state your general location
shipping a differential can get pricey if you are in say Alaska and the diff is in FL.
Old Mar 15, 2015 | 07:13 AM
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I've got a set of #3 heads in Rockford, IL that'll bump that compression close to 9.0:1.
Old Mar 15, 2015 | 07:27 AM
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the one problem with replacing the cam is now your going to probable need lifters,springs timing chain, gaskets and what ever else may not look right and if you change heads then now your looking at valve job maybe piston rings are questionable, headgaskets etc etc so once you tamper with the inside your going to burn some cash
Old Mar 15, 2015 | 06:30 PM
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Originally Posted by android 211
Many Olds enthusiasts are of the opinion that the Performer is no better than the stock cast iron intake manifold. If you want a more performance look under hood and save some weight, go ahead but your wallet will be a lot lighter also. An earlier cast iron intake manifold without EGR provisions will clean up the under hood look also. The headers are a good idea but a cam would wake up the car more than anything else. Just don't go overboard. Your compression ratio is very low and too much cam will make a dog out of it.
I wasn't really looking to do any Machine work to it. Wouldn't an intake, True Duals and Headers do something? I would want at least 100 more Hp and a bit more quicker. Sorry I'm a Newbie
Old Mar 15, 2015 | 06:30 PM
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Originally Posted by Octania
maybe state your general location
shipping a differential can get pricey if you are in say Alaska and the diff is in FL.
I'm in Southern Wisconsin! Sorry
Old Mar 15, 2015 | 06:31 PM
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Originally Posted by oldcutlass
Welcome to the site, just a note, we do like pictures. I would look into some better gears to get you closer to your speed goal after your other mods..
I'll post some pictures soon!
Old Mar 15, 2015 | 06:35 PM
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Pictures

Here's some pictures of the Cutlass because I didn't post any before.. http://instagram.com/p/yXsjQrCiKD/
http://instagram.com/p/yX3cgmCiMa/
http://instagram.com/p/0GvlD6iiBo/
Old Mar 15, 2015 | 07:10 PM
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gonna have to do something about the compression. I have headers too. Almost everything YA want. Haha. Rear end gears will make it a new car as it is. Might wanna start there. Start scouring craigslist and eBay for an entire 3.42 axle out of a caprice, roadmaster, fleet wood, or Impala from 81-96 sedans only. They'll bolt right in. Or find yourself a posi unit and get it installed with the better gears.
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