1962 Olds Starfire Pro Tourer opinions

[hmartin]

What do you guys think about a LS motor and 4L60e, already plan on doing a Scarbird disc brake conversion thanks to a member in an earlier discussion. Would this be a different approach?:screwy:

[eric1967]

Go for it. A set of billit wheels, & a LS motor. You can't go wrong.

[moparnate]

that car is screaming to be built into a pro tourer

[oestek]

Great looking car.. that side trim is X-PENSIVE!

If you do the LSX swap, try not to cut too much and keep the Olds driveline. You never know with those cars. You can do a minimally invasive swap pretty easily.

[samuel good]

What do you guys think about a LS motor and 4L60e, already plan on doing a Scarbird disc brake conversion thanks to a member in an earlier discussion. Would this be a different approach?:screwy: Hell yea man do it . I almost bought one JUST like it but it was too long for my garage!LOL!

[eric1967]

I grew up with hmartin. His grandpa bought this car new. His familly is the original owner. I have ben after him for a long time to get this car out & enjoy it. I would kill for one of my Grandpa or my Dads cars from back in the day.

[JV69z/28]

Great looking car.. that side trim is X-PENSIVE!

If you do the LSX swap, try not to cut too much and keep the Olds driveline. You never know with those cars. You can do a minimally invasive swap pretty easily.

I couldn't agree more - that trim to an Olds guy is priceless but that shouldn't stop you from building the pro-tourer.

[hmartin]

Thanks for the encouraging words guys!:thankyou: I really am envisioning a 5.7 or 6.0 with a carb and 700R. I think the original aircleaner and a set of custom Olds coil covers would be cool. I almost had my 63 Impala project traded for an 07 6.0 out of a truck so still looking here are some pics of the engine compartment, lots of room me and dad rebuilt the original 394 and slim jim 3spd. about 12 years ago, of course it would be crated into a secure location. Note the original chalk marks on the firewall.

[WS6]

I say do it but definitely keep whatever you take off intact and don't cut the car up as oestek suggested.

[hmartin]

Not necessary to cut her up. Check out the original dash with the liquid filled speedometer. I goes from green (slow), to orange (faster), to red :woot: .

[shmoov69]

Actually, I wouldn't mess with an LS motor. Since you are going to spend some coin anyways, keep the 394 in it and get a 3x2 intake for it and go with MoonJection fuel injection on it. You will have your fuel injection, a pretty torquey engine to run hard, and the looks will be unbeatable! I mean cmon! LS engines are about as common as red 69 Camaros! LOL! And I know how common those are! LOL! Then put the overdrive in it to have your cruise machine.
But then again, I like to be a little different! (as I look away from my red 69 Camaro on TTII's!! LOL!)

[CHILI442]

It's an Oldsmobile. It should be Olds powered!

[gearheads78]

Actually, I wouldn't mess with an LS motor. Since you are going to spend some coin anyways, keep the 394 in it and get a 3x2 intake for it and go with MoonJection fuel injection on it. You will have your fuel injection, a pretty torquey engine to run hard, and the looks will be unbeatable! I mean cmon! LS engines are about as common as red 69 Camaros! LOL! And I know how common those are! LOL! Then put the overdrive in it to have your cruise machine.
But then again, I like to be a little different! (as I look away from my red 69 Camaro on TTII's!! LOL!)

x2......... dead on advise

[fast Ed]

I agree as well ... a nice Rocket powerplant would be cool. LS conversions are done to death!!


cheers
Ed N.

[CRead01]

very cool project. I love those 60's cars in that style.

[Steve68]

My grandfather also purchased one new, I remember riding in it, keep it stock and cruise it, OD trans it, Cool car

[rohrt]

I love that car!

I like LS power as much as the next guy buy you have a very cool car in stock form. I realy think you will get more appreciation from the crowd not messing with it then to give it a pro-touring look but thats just me. If it were a more common car that would be a different story. I even like the fact it has hub caps. Some People spend more time and money trying to get that factory look back then if they were to just customize it. In any case I agree don't do anything to it that cant be unbolted and keep everything. My .02

[Roger M]

Beautiful car! I really like the fact that it isnt an impala. Nice to see something different. I agree with everyone else on this one, dont mess with it. Maybe some Air Ride and nice 18" and 20" wheels and call it done. You can easily go back to stock from there. :cool:

[moreHP]

I like it!! I like owning the less common cars and building them up. Good luck with it!:twothumbs

[Z06killinSBF]

I like it too. Much like stated above, just modernize the original motor i.e. serp pulleys, F.I., nice headers..... Too cool of a car to change too much on.

[oestek]

While I do dig LSX power, I sometimes feel we're losing the intrigue (Olds reference) of different engines and drivelines. It first happened with the SBC, and now the LSX... it's cool to pop the hood and run your eyes around something you've not seen before, rather than just checking to see how this particular LSX swap differs from the others. The best is when you see an uncommon engine made to run with the best of the new stuff... hidden retro-looking EFI, turbos... remember that Olds made the Jetfire turbo back in the day... you could grab some of the accessories from that car (methanol bottle - JetFuel as they called it, I believe) and adapt a modern turbo system to the 394. That would knock 'em all dead!

[twosaturns]

I like it too. Much like stated above, just modernize the original motor i.e. serp pulleys, F.I., nice headers..... Too cool of a car to change too much on.
me too. who's even HEARD of a 394 except olds guys? too cool to get rid of. just get a nice alum intake and FI, but keep the original air cleaner. ditch the points too.
JMHO, but old cars should just be updated in the places they are lacking, i.e: braking, handling, safety and comfort. that car has miles of style, and I'm sure plenty of torque!
so,
big brakes
coilovers
big wheels
A/C

[hmartin]

While I do dig LSX power, I sometimes feel we're losing the intrigue (Olds reference) of different engines and drivelines. It first happened with the SBC, and now the LSX... it's cool to pop the hood and run your eyes around something you've not seen before, rather than just checking to see how this particular LSX swap differs from the others. The best is when you see an uncommon engine made to run with the best of the new stuff... hidden retro-looking EFI, turbos... remember that Olds made the Jetfire turbo back in the day... you could grab some of the accessories from that car (methanol bottle - JetFuel as they called it, I believe) and adapt a modern turbo system to the 394. That would knock 'em all dead! WOW! Thanks for the support so far from all.:jawdrop: I wonder about the fuel injected 3 dueces like shmoov69 suggested. Like I said this motor was freshened by me an my dad about 8-9 years ago and it had similar characteristics of BBC. The Slim Jim 3 spd. is a pile, it shifts goofy down at low speed, my opinion it need overdrive. This car is hoot to drive about a 20mph. punch and the right side tire is on fire.:firefire:

[eric1967]

There has got to be an adapter to get an overdrive tranny behind that motor.

[hmartin]

There has got to be an adapter to get an overdrive tranny behind that motor. :poke: Find me an adapter and sell me your 700R!

[eric1967]

Check out transmissionadapters.com They have an adapter.

[hmartin]

Everyone check this setup out on www.transmissionadapters.com.:hail: Let this open
up some new doors in protouring!

[shmoov69]

http://www.mooneyes.com/support2/efisystem.html

Here is the Moonjection EFI. Keep it kool!!

[69camarokid]

yah

[SaturnVUEguy]

I just saw a convertible that looked a lot like this one yesterday in great shape, guessing it had been restored. Car looked really nice, I'd like to see you update this one a little bit too, but like everyone else said, keep it simple

[hmartin]

Guys with the overwhelming response to stay Olds powered I will probably do brakes and a 4 speed auto. I'm currently in the middle of my LSX powered 67 Chevelle which I will post in another thread and will try and squeeze the Starfire in. Keep suggestions coming!

[n2billet]

I miss my Super 88.....

[eric1967]

n2billet that is a killer ride. I take it you sold it?

[n2billet]

n2billet that is a killer ride. I take it you sold it?

Yep,

[hmartin]

What size wheels and offset? Very nice car!