dmp-86-442
05-26-2010, 09:32 PM
Hello, my name is Dan. I have owned this 1986 Olds 442 since 1988. Bought it from Wally McCarthy's Lyndahl Olds in Richfield MN (car dealership in the movie, Fargo) with 26K miles. This picture was taken the weekend after I bought it.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/05/4658226005_74ac9fd233_b_d-1.jpg
It was in perfect condition for 9 years, stored during the winters, driven daily during the summers. The only customization was to install a killer 1000 Watt sound system, including a huge sub-woofer. At the time there were few pro installations that would rival it. My friends and family dubbed the car "Thunder-Trunk", and the name has stuck ever since.
In the mid-90's, we acquired a boat, and I began using the 442 to tow to local lakes. It was a marginal set-up for local hauling, and totally unacceptable for long trips. Over time the heavy duty work took it's toll on the TH200-R4 transmission. We didn't have enough pocket change for a proper tow vehicle, but figured that a SBC 350 in the 442 would do the job.
In 1997, I had a mild rebuild done to a 1972 350, 4 bolt main with an RV cam, and found a good used TH400 that I cleaned and painted up nice. With some modest add-ons, chrome covers, etc., I did the project for about $1500. It pulled like crazy, and was a definite performance improvement. The three speed TH400 without overdrive wound the engine too fast for long highway trips, so I changed out the factory 3.73 rear end gears for a 3.09. In Minnesota at the time, you could get around the emissions restrictions by being able to satisfy the requirements for the year of the engine block. So was able to ditch the converter, smog gear and have simple headers and exhaust.
We moved to Dallas TX the next year, and the original radiator just couldn't keep the 350 cool enough. Also, couldn't get it licensed because of the emissions gutting. So I stopped driving it and bought a used pickup. The 442 last ran in 1999, and while in storage, mice ate up the engine electrical, and a bunch of other damage. So I have been dragging this car from state-to-state as we have moved to Alabama and Virginia over the next 5 years.
The 442 has been sitting outside our house in Virginia for the past 5 years. The paint is a mess, but there is no rust other than surface stuff on the underside. My wife keeps after me to unload it, but I have always intended to bring it back. I have been researching and day-dreaming about this project for 10 years.
So this is the beginning. I have a lot of high level ideas about what I want to do, but there are a ton of details that I don't know enough about yet. I hope to get some guidance from you fine folks here at pro-touring.com, and to share the experience as I progress.
What I know at this point:
Retain the "intent" of the original 1986 442 appearance, both interior and exterior. No body kits, wheel flares, hood scopes, ground effects or 22" wheels.
High quality driver, something I am okay with jumping in for running errands, go for a weekend at the beach or taking a cross-country trip.
Ease of use, creature comforts: 4+ speed automatic transmission, AC, modern electronics and entertainment systems, GPS, iPod/MP3, satellite radio, etc.
Modern automotive technology: fuel injection, electronic ignition, 4 wheel disc brakes, ABS, emissions legal, contemporary wheels and tires that respect #1 above.
High quality build: at least frame-off restoration, professional paint, ultra-slick engine bay with lots of billet, chrome and custom painted sheet metal, re-cover of all upholstery in leather (again keeping #1 in mind).
Good fuel economy, no big blocks, probably a Gen III/IV engine, but still a kick to drive. There is the practical aspect of gas prices, but I also care about my carbon footprint.
Totally kick-butt audio, it wouldn't be Thunder-Trunk without it.
Beyond the high level stuff, here are some details that I am considering:
Gen III/IV engine, possibly with Displacement on Demand/Active Fuel Management to help with #6 above.
4, 5 or 6 speed automatic transmission, to help with #6 and still be fun to drive.
Complete upgrade of the suspension with tubular control arms, gas or air shocks, possibly a rework of the rear setup with a 3 Link/4 Link/Watts Link (an area I know little about).
Rack and Pinion Steering, possibly power, not sure of the options yet.
17" to 18" wheels, something like Torque Thrusts or an alloy Crager SS look-alike. I want to retain the feel of the original chrome 442 wheels, but in alloy, and accommodate contemporary tire profiles and performance.
Probably will keep the original limited slip rear end, but revert back to the 3.73 ratio, or whatever the rest of the driveline requires.
I am willing to consider exotic technology like turbo charging, regenerative/hybrid techniques, variable displacement, etc. if it can help with economy/performance and maintain reliability/ease of use.
I am not afraid or adverse to any level of technical sophistication. I expect that the car will be tuned with a laptop, or even an on-board computer.
I am a software guy today, but started as a Mechanical Engineer, and have a fair amount of electronics/electrical acumen. I intend to do much of the work myself. All of the disassembly/reassembly, metal prep, fabrication, body prep, wiring, engine management, electronics, etc. Will farm out media blasting, final paint, and probably engine/trans build-up if any.
Follow the Project Update (https://www.pro-touring.com/showthread.php?68994-Thunder-Trunk-Resurrection-1986-Olds-442-Restomod) thread for more pictures and the ongoing build progress.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/05/4658226005_74ac9fd233_b_d-1.jpg
It was in perfect condition for 9 years, stored during the winters, driven daily during the summers. The only customization was to install a killer 1000 Watt sound system, including a huge sub-woofer. At the time there were few pro installations that would rival it. My friends and family dubbed the car "Thunder-Trunk", and the name has stuck ever since.
In the mid-90's, we acquired a boat, and I began using the 442 to tow to local lakes. It was a marginal set-up for local hauling, and totally unacceptable for long trips. Over time the heavy duty work took it's toll on the TH200-R4 transmission. We didn't have enough pocket change for a proper tow vehicle, but figured that a SBC 350 in the 442 would do the job.
In 1997, I had a mild rebuild done to a 1972 350, 4 bolt main with an RV cam, and found a good used TH400 that I cleaned and painted up nice. With some modest add-ons, chrome covers, etc., I did the project for about $1500. It pulled like crazy, and was a definite performance improvement. The three speed TH400 without overdrive wound the engine too fast for long highway trips, so I changed out the factory 3.73 rear end gears for a 3.09. In Minnesota at the time, you could get around the emissions restrictions by being able to satisfy the requirements for the year of the engine block. So was able to ditch the converter, smog gear and have simple headers and exhaust.
We moved to Dallas TX the next year, and the original radiator just couldn't keep the 350 cool enough. Also, couldn't get it licensed because of the emissions gutting. So I stopped driving it and bought a used pickup. The 442 last ran in 1999, and while in storage, mice ate up the engine electrical, and a bunch of other damage. So I have been dragging this car from state-to-state as we have moved to Alabama and Virginia over the next 5 years.
The 442 has been sitting outside our house in Virginia for the past 5 years. The paint is a mess, but there is no rust other than surface stuff on the underside. My wife keeps after me to unload it, but I have always intended to bring it back. I have been researching and day-dreaming about this project for 10 years.
So this is the beginning. I have a lot of high level ideas about what I want to do, but there are a ton of details that I don't know enough about yet. I hope to get some guidance from you fine folks here at pro-touring.com, and to share the experience as I progress.
What I know at this point:
Retain the "intent" of the original 1986 442 appearance, both interior and exterior. No body kits, wheel flares, hood scopes, ground effects or 22" wheels.
High quality driver, something I am okay with jumping in for running errands, go for a weekend at the beach or taking a cross-country trip.
Ease of use, creature comforts: 4+ speed automatic transmission, AC, modern electronics and entertainment systems, GPS, iPod/MP3, satellite radio, etc.
Modern automotive technology: fuel injection, electronic ignition, 4 wheel disc brakes, ABS, emissions legal, contemporary wheels and tires that respect #1 above.
High quality build: at least frame-off restoration, professional paint, ultra-slick engine bay with lots of billet, chrome and custom painted sheet metal, re-cover of all upholstery in leather (again keeping #1 in mind).
Good fuel economy, no big blocks, probably a Gen III/IV engine, but still a kick to drive. There is the practical aspect of gas prices, but I also care about my carbon footprint.
Totally kick-butt audio, it wouldn't be Thunder-Trunk without it.
Beyond the high level stuff, here are some details that I am considering:
Gen III/IV engine, possibly with Displacement on Demand/Active Fuel Management to help with #6 above.
4, 5 or 6 speed automatic transmission, to help with #6 and still be fun to drive.
Complete upgrade of the suspension with tubular control arms, gas or air shocks, possibly a rework of the rear setup with a 3 Link/4 Link/Watts Link (an area I know little about).
Rack and Pinion Steering, possibly power, not sure of the options yet.
17" to 18" wheels, something like Torque Thrusts or an alloy Crager SS look-alike. I want to retain the feel of the original chrome 442 wheels, but in alloy, and accommodate contemporary tire profiles and performance.
Probably will keep the original limited slip rear end, but revert back to the 3.73 ratio, or whatever the rest of the driveline requires.
I am willing to consider exotic technology like turbo charging, regenerative/hybrid techniques, variable displacement, etc. if it can help with economy/performance and maintain reliability/ease of use.
I am not afraid or adverse to any level of technical sophistication. I expect that the car will be tuned with a laptop, or even an on-board computer.
I am a software guy today, but started as a Mechanical Engineer, and have a fair amount of electronics/electrical acumen. I intend to do much of the work myself. All of the disassembly/reassembly, metal prep, fabrication, body prep, wiring, engine management, electronics, etc. Will farm out media blasting, final paint, and probably engine/trans build-up if any.
Follow the Project Update (https://www.pro-touring.com/showthread.php?68994-Thunder-Trunk-Resurrection-1986-Olds-442-Restomod) thread for more pictures and the ongoing build progress.