Body of a Buick, but Heart of a Rocket
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 71
From: New York, NY
Body of a Buick, but Heart of a Rocket
Hello. Moved over from the Oldspower forum. Seemed to have more activity here.
Photo1.jpg
20140525_192022_zps595cb284.jpg
Firefly is my pride and joy. This Olds powered behemoth is a 1989 Buick Electra Estate Wagon. It's power-plant is the oh so wonderful 307. Gutless and underpowered even when new, but has never been a troublemaker.
Bought her in 2011 for $500 for the BABE Rally roadtrip event. Drove from New York to New Orleans and back. My first car I have ever owned, so I haven't been able to part with it.
Since then I have been working on fixing up and upgrading what I can...or what breaks. This includes a new 2004r from CK Performance rated to 500 HP and TQ. Also Metco aluminum lower controls arms to accommodate a rear swaybar. New shocks. Springs. Etc.
The big two events are going to be engine swap and exterior body work/paint. The engine was what brought me to Oldspower and then ultimately here. The plan is swap in a 455. I know the 350 and 403 are near direct swaps, but I have been talking with a guy that might land me one soon. Stock it'll be more than enough go. Hopefully more to come of that later.
Just saying 'hi'. Such a wealth of info here.
Photo1.jpg
20140525_192022_zps595cb284.jpg
Firefly is my pride and joy. This Olds powered behemoth is a 1989 Buick Electra Estate Wagon. It's power-plant is the oh so wonderful 307. Gutless and underpowered even when new, but has never been a troublemaker.
Bought her in 2011 for $500 for the BABE Rally roadtrip event. Drove from New York to New Orleans and back. My first car I have ever owned, so I haven't been able to part with it.
Since then I have been working on fixing up and upgrading what I can...or what breaks. This includes a new 2004r from CK Performance rated to 500 HP and TQ. Also Metco aluminum lower controls arms to accommodate a rear swaybar. New shocks. Springs. Etc.
The big two events are going to be engine swap and exterior body work/paint. The engine was what brought me to Oldspower and then ultimately here. The plan is swap in a 455. I know the 350 and 403 are near direct swaps, but I have been talking with a guy that might land me one soon. Stock it'll be more than enough go. Hopefully more to come of that later.
Just saying 'hi'. Such a wealth of info here.
Last edited by steel-and-fire; Mar 17, 2015 at 02:03 PM.
Just an Olds Guy
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 24,528
From: Edmonton, AB. And "I am Can 'eh' jun - eh"
Welcome aboard!
Nice boat. You should have no trouble with fitting a 455 in there either; it should be a direct bolt up to your 700 4R.
If I hadn't been weaned on Olds, I probably would have been a Buick guy too. Just looking at the cornering picture it appears the suspension on that wagon is fairly soft sprung?
What happened with the color change? Is the red striping before or after?
Nice boat. You should have no trouble with fitting a 455 in there either; it should be a direct bolt up to your 700 4R.
If I hadn't been weaned on Olds, I probably would have been a Buick guy too. Just looking at the cornering picture it appears the suspension on that wagon is fairly soft sprung?
What happened with the color change? Is the red striping before or after?
Just an Olds Guy
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 24,528
From: Edmonton, AB. And "I am Can 'eh' jun - eh"
Sure thing Eric! ALL 307 fire breathing, asphalt ripping, tire shredding 307's are a blast to drive. 
What's a 307 HP rating in 89? Something like 140??
That aside, yes the big cars are uber cool to drive. They float along so nice and are serenely quiet. I didn't mind that with my 98.
What's a 307 HP rating in 89? Something like 140??That aside, yes the big cars are uber cool to drive. They float along so nice and are serenely quiet. I didn't mind that with my 98.
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 71
From: New York, NY
Thanks for the warm welcome.
Allan R: Actually have the 200 4r. Got the even lower first gear for the easy bolt in. The first pic was the rally. Just magnetic tape slapped on the body. Wasn't going to ruin the bad paint. The second pic is a more recent photo.
Funny note, the firsy picture was taken on the Tail of the Dragon road at Deal's gap. At the time of the rally, since it was only spend $500 on the car, I only spent more cash on fresh rubber. The rear had the manual pump shocks that leaked...so no rear suspension. And the rubber is 26 years old. Now, however, turns flat:
sus3_zps17cb5bd8.jpg
And it was quiet...until the exhaust fell off. Fixed that with true dual flowmasters series 50. Least it's more refined and less outboard motor:
MDChanic: I'm already getting 20 mpg with the 307. Might as well get some of the power that comes with that kind of mileage.
oldcutlass: She is surprising fun. Turning circle is better than my Dad's pickup truck and can handle a little dirt path action. It sounds fast at the very least.
Allan R: Actually have the 200 4r. Got the even lower first gear for the easy bolt in. The first pic was the rally. Just magnetic tape slapped on the body. Wasn't going to ruin the bad paint. The second pic is a more recent photo.
Funny note, the firsy picture was taken on the Tail of the Dragon road at Deal's gap. At the time of the rally, since it was only spend $500 on the car, I only spent more cash on fresh rubber. The rear had the manual pump shocks that leaked...so no rear suspension. And the rubber is 26 years old. Now, however, turns flat:
sus3_zps17cb5bd8.jpg
And it was quiet...until the exhaust fell off. Fixed that with true dual flowmasters series 50. Least it's more refined and less outboard motor:
MDChanic: I'm already getting 20 mpg with the 307. Might as well get some of the power that comes with that kind of mileage.
oldcutlass: She is surprising fun. Turning circle is better than my Dad's pickup truck and can handle a little dirt path action. It sounds fast at the very least.
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