Wild Bill - 1972 Cutlass Supreme

[ah64pilot]

Before:

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2016/11/h9Klezv-1.jpg

After:

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2016/11/WUpSysf-1.png

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https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2016/11/sa7js4j-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2016/11/MPuPYAd-1.jpg

[ah64pilot]

The car has gone under the knife a bit over the last year and I've made quite a few small changes. The biggest change will be the move from semi-drag car to pro-touring. I am currently waiting on a set of 18"x11" & 18"x8.5" Weld RTS wheels. Once they are here and mounted I'll measure for drop springs / spindles. Should be fun to drive on the street again...right now it's a little hairy at times lol!

[TimMC]

Car looks great , Love the Supremes

[deejai35]

You have a great looking Cutlass. Nice color choice. I see you are moving towards the pro touring side. I am also on Classic Olds but spend more time here. As far as suspension, I have BMR level 1 with SC&C Stage 2 plus. My wheels are 18x8 with 245/45/18 tires. The front is lowered 1 inch by the springs and 1/2 inch from the taller ball joints. The rear is lowered 2 inches. It handles nice and is a huge improvement over the worn out stock style equipment.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2016/06/9AF5A80A3BEF42D2B805B37ADA590764_zpspa5s-1.jpg (http://s169.photobucket.com/user/deejai35/media/72%20Cutlass/9AF5A80A-3BEF-42D2-B805-B37ADA590764_zpspa5swd4i.jpg.html)

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2016/11/AC237E4C53E848658450AF00ABDDD29C_zpssswk-1.jpg (http://s169.photobucket.com/user/deejai35/media/72%20Cutlass/AC237E4C-53E8-4865-8450-AF00ABDDD29C_zpssswkysel.jpg.html)

[silver72]

Nice olds!! I also have a 72 supreme same color still stock for the most part expect motor rebuilt and running a 700r4 so deff interestred to see what all you do to it.

[Shawn01754]

Nice Oldsmobiles. I had a 72. Awesome car. The rocket! Lol

[ah64pilot]

You have a great looking Cutlass. Nice color choice. I see you are moving towards the pro touring side. I am also on Classic Olds but spend more time here. As far as suspension, I have BMR level 1 with SC&C Stage 2 plus. My wheels are 18x8 with 245/45/18 tires. The front is lowered 1 inch by the springs and 1/2 inch from the taller ball joints. The rear is lowered 2 inches. It handles nice and is a huge improvement over the worn out stock style equipment.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2016/06/9AF5A80A3BEF42D2B805B37ADA590764_zpspa5s-1.jpg (http://s169.photobucket.com/user/deejai35/media/72%20Cutlass/9AF5A80A-3BEF-42D2-B805-B37ADA590764_zpspa5swd4i.jpg.html)

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2016/11/AC237E4C53E848658450AF00ABDDD29C_zpssswk-1.jpg (http://s169.photobucket.com/user/deejai35/media/72%20Cutlass/AC237E4C-53E8-4865-8450-AF00ABDDD29C_zpssswkysel.jpg.html)

Nice car! Mine already has PMT1320 rear control arms and Global West front control arms. Just need to get springs and shocks, sway bar and anti-roll bar from BMR. Knowing what yours is lowered helps a ton! Right now the drag springs have the front pretty low, I sort of like the look but need it to be stiffer for the street. The back though, it needs to come down a bunch. So if you did 2" out back in sure I'll need at least that.

Thanks for sharing! I'll post engine and other pics later.

[csouth]

I remember your user name from CO, so you're comin to the dark side huh?.. Very nice car, will look even better with PT setup. Welcome aboard!

[ah64pilot]

I remember your user name from CO, so you're comin to the dark side huh?.. Very nice car, will look even better with PT setup. Welcome aboard!
Yes, yes I am haha!

Just got shipping notification...wheels should be here soon! Woot!

[ah64pilot]

Added some underhood pics for all the mouth breathers out there ;)

Had to wait till the new valve covers came in, I didn't want you all to see my cheapo HS rocker arms :D

[deejai35]

Just need to get springs and shocks, sway bar and anti-roll bar from BMR.

You know they have their annual Black Friday sale this weekend? I ordered through this sale last year and saved some money.

FWIW, I have the Bilstein shocks, which are entry level. You may be able to use a newer design or an adjustable setup. Also, with the 2 inch drop in the rear, I hit the bump stops a fair amount.

[ah64pilot]

That's what I was waiting for...but I'm waiting on a refund and don't know if it'll be here in time. Sad.

But, wheels will be here tomorrow so at least I can play with those lol!

[ah64pilot]

Well, it needs the BMR 2" drop springs out back but I'm going to have to wait a week. Sucks I'm going to miss the black Friday sale but it'll get done eventually.

After, after pics:

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2016/11/C7WKz5S-1.jpg

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[csouth]

Nice!!!!

[ah64pilot]

Nice!!!!

Except now the dent on the front bumper sticks out like a sore thumb lol! They'll be replaced soon enough haha!

[deejai35]

The wheels look great! The grill and hood are on my list.

[wyattroa]

I love those weld RT-s wheels. What size did you go with? I would love to put a 19" on the rear of my 66 chevelle and 18" on the front... Just not sure how they would look.



Well, it needs the BMR 2" drop springs out back but I'm going to have to wait a week. Sucks I'm going to miss the black Friday sale but it'll get done eventually.

After, after pics:

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2016/11/C7WKz5S-1.jpg

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https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2016/11/YNIOAzk-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2016/11/04P0Lar-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2016/11/RnRMaGF-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2016/11/YDQtjiN-1.jpg

[ah64pilot]

The rears are 18x11" with 6.1" backspace, the fronts are 18x8.5" with 4.7" backspace.

Tires are 305/35-18 Mickey Thompson ET Street S/S (rear) and 26x10" Mickey Thompson Sportsman S/R.

Stock width rearend for those that are looking to go as wide as possible on a stock car. Once lowered in the rear I will only have to trim back the inner fender well lip and I'll have 1/2" clearance on the outboard side. There is about 1 1/4" clearance on the inboard side. When it's time to replace these tires I might move up to the next size and roll the fender lip.

Having said all of that, I don't believe the pre 68 A-body cars have as much room out back without some frame / body work.

[csouth]

I think a 315 will have too much sidewall bulge. That car is going to look really nice with SC&C kit.

[Mr Nick]

Another PT Olds! I wish the 68/69 cars had that much room in the rear wheel wells. I have 285's in the back and that's rather snug.

[ah64pilot]

Don't think I'm going to do an SC&C kit, just BMR lowering springs and their sway & anti roll bars with some decent adjustable shocks. The rest of the suspension is solid (spherical bearings out back with good control arms & tubular control arms up front). Might put a C5 spindle / brake kit on it though.

[Canon_Mutant]

I've got a G-body '87 442 in transition. Since I made it go a few years back, I now need to make it hook up, turn, and stop [details]. I'm just glad there are finally a plethora of parts available to even do it? Did I just say plethora? Sorry! Anyway, most go for the 70 W30 but I always liked the 72 S the best with that roof line. Plus, the 70 W30 is something you feel the need to keep "a 70 W30" or it loses value. This means it is sadly relocated to not run that great by modern standards and will forever handle like a turd. Sounds like yours is getting nicely equipped!

[ah64pilot]

Well...I just blew my wallet up at Legendary Auto Interiors. Great deals and have needed it for a long time. Full interior on order...8 weeks lead time yikes!

I was only able to afford the BMR 2" rear lowering springs and their front 1 1/4" sway bar. I'll finish the front suspension when I have money for the works, spindles/brakes/springs/shocks.

For now the car will at least have the right stance, even if it is set up for (mostly) drag racing. The big sway bar should help some.

[ah64pilot]

What a disappointment. I set out to work on the car today and enjoy my time in the garage. 15 minutes later I'm sitting inside bored out of my mind again. Thanks for another great product BMR! The front sway bar fits perfectly!

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2016/12/CptZ4Ci-1.jpg

[gardnerme]

Beautiful car! I love the lines on the 70-72 Supremes. I had a 70 Butternut Yellow (or whatever Oldsmobile's name was for that color) that I had to sell to help fund my YAC project. I really regret getting rid of that one.

[72Cutty]

Very nice car. Makes me want to get back to working on mine.

[ah64pilot]

Thanks guys!

Got the rear springs in today, sitting much better now :)

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2016/12/e34Vbwt-1.jpg

[ah64pilot]

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2016/12/KfC5mLx-1.jpg

[TheJDMan]

Very Nice!

[ah64pilot]

Played with the RAW images a little bit...think it turned out nice.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2016/12/UNXR9Rq-1.jpg

[csouth]

Looking good!

[andrewb70]

Car looks great. What are the front and rear tire sizes?

*edit* saw the sizes in earlier post. What does the front work out to? Like a 275/35?

Andrew

[ah64pilot]

Car looks great. What are the front and rear tire sizes?

*edit* saw the sizes in earlier post. What does the front work out to? Like a 275/35?

Andrew
It works out to a 255/40. I knew what brand of tires I wanted and that I wanted 18's so I got the biggest tires that Mickey Thompson made in each series for front and back. I'm happy with it. I could have gone wider in the front if I went to a different manufacturer but I wanted the same brand all the way around. Next size up MT would be a 26x12 (305/35) and I can't fit that up front.

[deejai35]

Your stance came out great! Must be nice still working on the car. It's too cold here for me, so I am making my spring plans.

[raustinss]

Always liked these cutlass's ....us A body guys gotta stick together lol...nice ride

[Mr Nick]

It works out to a 255/40. I knew what brand of tires I wanted and that I wanted 18's so I got the biggest tires that Mickey Thompson made in each series for front and back. I'm happy with it. I could have gone wider in the front if I went to a different manufacturer but I wanted the same brand all the way around. Next size up MT would be a 26x12 (305/35) and I can't fit that up front.

I just swapped my fronts from 255/45/18 to 255/40/18. I was worried they would be too low profile for my liking, but I'm very happy with the change. Should get a bit more clearance on the inner wheel wells and sway bar as well. I'm sticking with the same size in the back, 285/40/18.

[ah64pilot]

Decided to do some free stuff on the car to give my wallet a much needed lull in spending (although I didn't NOT spend anything it was on the cheaper side of modifications lol).

Pulled front parking light housings and cleaned them meticulously. Painted the inside with a gloss white enamel and then baked them in the oven to speed the process and give them a durable finish. They turned out beautifully! Installed Sylvania Zevo 1157A (amber) bulbs in the sockets after some minor modification to the bulb to make it fit. Also installed Sylvania Zevo 194A (amber) in the front side marker sockets.

Tomorrow the Zevo 194R (red) for the rear side marker lights will be here and I will complete the rear lights. Going to do the same thing I did to the front when I do the brake and reverse light housings. I absolutely love the way the Zevos look up front so I'm certain the back will be no different! Really excited to see what the white reverse lights look like when I detail the housings and install the new bulbs.

Here's where it got a little frustrating;

I've had cheaper LED brake lights for a couple years now and have always just dealt with the flasher starting out normal and then getting faster and faster. But after installing the front LED bulbs the car pretty much has ALL LED's in the running lights (except for headlights and rear side markers until tomorrow) and the flasher wouldn't even flash at all. I have read that you have to get electronic flashers and have seen them for sale at some online retailers, one of which wants $50 for one! Not willing to wait, not willing to take a gamble I decided there had to be an easier way. In some obscure corner of the interwebz I saw a reference to the Novita EP34 electronic LED flasher and that it would work but the 3rd prong, one our A-body's doesn't have accomodation for, would have to be grounded. As it turns out, Advance auto carries them for $12.99 so I FO'd.

After first grounding the "E" terminal I plugged the flasher in to the factory flasher connector. Nothing happened. I know the "B" and "L" terminals are labeled the same as our factory thermal flasher and it should have worked but it didn't. I pulled the voltmeter out to find out which terminal in the factory harness was giving me power. Turns out, the terminals in the factory harness are reverse of what the EP34 is so I made jumpers to plug into the harness and onto the flasher.

Wow! It works perfectly! And unlike some of the silent flashers the online retailers are asking you to settle for, this one has an audible click! This morning I bought 2 EP34's (one for turn signals and one for hazards). I did the same modification for the hazard flasher and installed the other EP34 in the hazard harness (on the fuse block on my '72). Again, it worked perfectly.

Summary, if you want to install ALL LED running lights in your A-Body you can do it with all Lifetime Warranty Sylvania Zevo bulbs and a Novita EP34 flasher...you just might have to reverse the polarity on the flasher (jumpers).

I know this might be old news to some people but it's not to me. I couldn't be more excited for it all to work flawlessly! And the Zevo bulbs look amazing!

I'll post pics when I finish the tail lights.

[ah64pilot]

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2016/12/KtbYIBx-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2016/12/1OXfhus-1.jpg

Front side marker LED (amber) / Rear side marker incandescent (red)
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2016/12/Oh5CC4M-1.jpg

Front parking lights
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2016/12/jY9D45U-1.jpg