Jfoss888

I am in the midst of my frame off full restoration build on my 68 cutlass. I'm looking for a little guidance for resale. I have a 2010 6.0 l96 motor with a 4l60e transmission that I'm contemplating on putting in it, I also have the original 350 rocket that I pulled out, which needs to be rebuilt if used. My question is will this car be worth more with the original, or with the 6.0?

svnt442

If it were a 442 I would say stay with the original driveline, but being a standard Cutlass I think you have more leeway with what you want to do.
Me personally I'm a bit of a purist, but It's your car to do with as you please.
Just remember that the cleaner the install, the better chance you have of breaking even or making a profit.

Jfoss888

It is not a 442 , I would not even consider the swap if that were the case. I'm not really building the car to keep for myself, more so to drive while waiting to sell. Do you think there will be a big enough margin between the ls and original? It will cost me about $1,500 more to put the ls in because of the wire harness, computer, pedal... etc ! I just know that a lot of guys would like to see the original, I figure with the car done it should be valued around 20-25k?!?!

garys 68&72

If you're asking which will make you money, the answer is probably neither. Very few big projects make money.
A rare or desirable car (442) will always be worth more with the numbers matching motor.
Mine had no motor, trans, etc, so choice was easy.
Well done LS swaps make reliable drivers and can be worth quite a bit.

svnt442

And on the plus side the 6.0L should easily make more power and get better mileage than the 350 will.
It all depends on the amount of work that you really want to put into it.

Jfoss888

ok I appreciate the help ... thanks to both of you !

garys 68&72

Just an FYI, 20-25K is going to have to be a pristine car.
Around here you can find a really nice original 68-72 Olds in the low teens.
An LS swap would have to be a nice pro-tour build with lots of upgrades to get over $20K.

Jfoss888

Without a doubt, I don't plan on just throwing the car together in hopes to sell high, I'm am going through the car 100% new floor pans, trunk pan , new quarters brand new interior, brand new wire harness throughout the car , complete four wheel disc brake conversion with drilled and slotted rotors, brand new quality paint ... all things considered I was just looking for some guidance from guys that know the Oldsmobile world a little better than me, because I know a lot of guys frown on taking the original out of the car.

oldcutlass

There is an a$$ for every seat in the car business, all it takes is one person to fall in love to sell one. Do what you want with the car, as long as its tastefully done within the realm of hotrodding you should have no trouble selling it. With that said, over $20-25k cars are generally starting to compete in the muscle car territory.

1971 cutlasssupreme

Worth more or less really isn't the question in my mind. I put a 6.0 in my car last year in place of a really nice 455... totally transformed the car, as in "fun factor" went sky high! You may just like it so much after the swap to decide to keep the car!!! But, as they say, build it and they will come....