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Thread: My 383 T56 Cutlass
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08-26-2009 #1
My 383 T56 Cutlass
I thought I'd finally start a build thread and let everyone see what I'm working on. It's basically a daily driver Pro-Touring style 86 Cutlass with a 383 SBC and injected with an Accel SuperRam. I'm getting ready to take the block into the machine shop for some cleanup work. I'll run about 10-1 compression with the older style AFR 190 heads. A CompCams 280 XFI hyd roller cam with 230*/236* duration and on a 113* LSA.
My trans is a Tremec Aftermarket T56 which was basically a replacement for the T5 tranny.
As far as the history of this build, it has a long story behind it. I'll shorten it as much as I can. I bought an 84 Cutlass with the 3.8l V6 si I could pull my 69 Camaro off the road for a resto. As usual, one thing leads to another and the Camaro was gone. It was way beyond my finances to restore. It was painted black and I built a mild 350 SBC/TH350 for the Cutlass to replace the weary 3.8. During the swap, I rebuilt the front suspension with a pair of 5662 IROC front springs, steering box, and 36mm swaybar.
A flat cam lobe ended up taking out the crank and bearings. Since the crank was already at .020" under, I was going to need a differant crank. So, for the added cost of a new set of pistons, I could upgrade to a 383! The build-up was on. I had also aquired all that I needed to bolt on a TPI and ditch the TH350 for a T5. The AFR heads were bought and a small hyd roller cam.
It was about time to replace the T5 which was straining behind the 383 and the TPI was also choking the motor. I bought theT56 and found a used SuperRam. It totally woke up the combination. Until...
The engine started missing one day and the compression check reveiled one dead cylinder. Busted piston. By this time, the 84 had gotten cancer so bad that I decided to get a better car to replace it. Enter the 86 Cutlass.
The 86 had a straight body but a dead 307 Olds motor. I commenced to pulling everything good from the 84 and I'm now putting it all into the 86 while I'm waiting to rebuild the motor.
Here's the 84 before the engine died...
And here's the 86. I started pulling it apart and swapping everything around.
Got the engine out and the front clip off and started doing some cleaning and painting.
My wheels I plan on using. 17x8.5 Rondell 58's with 275/40's & 245/45's
Here's roughly what I'm hoping it will turn out close to.
Doug Gulley
66 C10 383, AFR 190, Accel SuperRam, Hyd Roller 230*/236* 280XFI, aftermarket T56, *under construction*
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08-26-2009 #2Nice start to your swap. Good to see another G body with a 6 speed. Can't wait to start on mine this fall. Good luck with the build. You still using the 7.5" rear?
81 Malibu- work in progress.
350 sbc, T56, 8.5" Auburn posi 3.42, 4wdb, GW suspension
and now with unknown seats.
08-26-2009 #3Thanks. Yeah I'm still using the 7.5" for now. Future plans (and dollars) will probably see a Moser 12 bolt though. Gotta get it moving under it's own power first...
Doug Gulley
66 C10 383, AFR 190, Accel SuperRam, Hyd Roller 230*/236* 280XFI, aftermarket T56, *under construction*
08-27-2009 #4nice..my 1st car was 81 tha same color combo as your 86...i miss tha car,,
08-27-2009 #5