84 Cutlass v6 to v8
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 2
84 Cutlass v6 to v8
So I'm possibly trading my 1994 dodge ram today for a 1984 Cutlass supreme with a 3.8 V6 and a 200R4. I'm looking at dropping a Chevy 350 and turbo 350 in it's place.
Now here's my question. I've been doing research on it and I know I'll need frame pads and motor mounts from a monte carlo. Reroute the fuel line to the passenger side (if you run electric fuel pump couldn't you get away with left side?). Turbo 350 dipstick. Bend the tranny cooler lines a bit and a bigger radatior. Is that it?
Some people are saying that you need to modify the crossmember. How so? My dad and I have a 1983 Cutlass drag car it's the normal cutlass crossmember with a chevy 350 and turbo 350. It just seems like its the metal plate the hooks from the crossmember to the tranny mount would need changed. Is that all that needs to be done?
What about wiring hareness in the engine compartment. What all will hook up? Eventually I'm gonna go to autometer gauges but for now I would like my gauges. If I have to I will get the 3 pod set with oil psi, water temp, and volts. But I don't want to do that then the factory gauges not work. I like clean. If I go with aftermarket gauges for the oil psi will it trip the oil/choke light since it wouldn't be hooked up?
Now here's my question. I've been doing research on it and I know I'll need frame pads and motor mounts from a monte carlo. Reroute the fuel line to the passenger side (if you run electric fuel pump couldn't you get away with left side?). Turbo 350 dipstick. Bend the tranny cooler lines a bit and a bigger radatior. Is that it?
Some people are saying that you need to modify the crossmember. How so? My dad and I have a 1983 Cutlass drag car it's the normal cutlass crossmember with a chevy 350 and turbo 350. It just seems like its the metal plate the hooks from the crossmember to the tranny mount would need changed. Is that all that needs to be done?
What about wiring hareness in the engine compartment. What all will hook up? Eventually I'm gonna go to autometer gauges but for now I would like my gauges. If I have to I will get the 3 pod set with oil psi, water temp, and volts. But I don't want to do that then the factory gauges not work. I like clean. If I go with aftermarket gauges for the oil psi will it trip the oil/choke light since it wouldn't be hooked up?
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 42,475
From: Poteau, Ok
Moderators may want to move this to the non-olds powered forum.
Just treat it like a Monte Carlo.
Yes, motor mounts and frame pads will be required. Some of the wiring will need to be relocated, as the starter is on the right side. I believe you can reuse the trans xmember in its current location, but the mod required may be for dual exhaust. Mod fuel lines as required, and I'm not familiar with the idiot lights on the 84, but on the older ones I just left them disconnected and hooked up the aftermarket gauges.
There is probably a wealth of info on the G-body forums.
Just treat it like a Monte Carlo.
Yes, motor mounts and frame pads will be required. Some of the wiring will need to be relocated, as the starter is on the right side. I believe you can reuse the trans xmember in its current location, but the mod required may be for dual exhaust. Mod fuel lines as required, and I'm not familiar with the idiot lights on the 84, but on the older ones I just left them disconnected and hooked up the aftermarket gauges.
There is probably a wealth of info on the G-body forums.
Last edited by oldcutlass; Mar 28, 2012 at 06:34 AM.
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 2
Moderators may want to move this to the non-olds powered forum.
Just treat it like a Monte Carlo.
Yes, motor mounts and frame pads will be required. Some of the wiring will need to be relocated, as the starter is on the right side. I believe you can reuse the trans xmember in its current location, but the mod required may be for dual exhaust. Mod fuel lines as required, and I'm not familiar with the idiot lights on the 84, but on the older ones I just left them disconnected and hooked up the aftermarket gauges.
There is probably a wealth of info on the G-body forums.
Just treat it like a Monte Carlo.
Yes, motor mounts and frame pads will be required. Some of the wiring will need to be relocated, as the starter is on the right side. I believe you can reuse the trans xmember in its current location, but the mod required may be for dual exhaust. Mod fuel lines as required, and I'm not familiar with the idiot lights on the 84, but on the older ones I just left them disconnected and hooked up the aftermarket gauges.
There is probably a wealth of info on the G-body forums.
delete
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,810
From: Long Island, NY
If you are not locked in on the Chevy set up you should consider a small block Olds and the tranny you have. IIRC the frame pads won't have to be changed. You'll have to beef up the tranny for the extra power but the parts are readily available as well as headers for that engine in that car. This way you'll have the advantage of the overdrive trans.
Olds Fever
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 4,525
From: New York (Upstate)
[QUOTE=droptopron;387762]If you are not locked in on the Chevy set up you should consider a small block Olds and the tranny you have. IIRC the frame pads won't have to be changed. QUOTE]
The frame pads are not the same for the small block Olds and will have to be changed..... The frame pads for Olds V8's are still available from GM or VPI..........
The frame pads are not the same for the small block Olds and will have to be changed..... The frame pads for Olds V8's are still available from GM or VPI..........
Registered User
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 359
From: Didsbury, Alberta
Definitely motor mounts have to change. I did it in an 83 Monte Carlo back in the 90's. X2 on the Olds mounts being defferent from chevy. Hardest part I found was getting the mounts bolted to the frame. Ended up using a coat hanger & a vise to bend the hanger around the head of the bolts. Then it was easy to feed the bolts up in to the front frame. I also agree if you can get an buick V8 in there it would save a bit of work as well with wiring harness, etc.
