1969 oldsmobile cutlass ideas **help!**

[eddie747]

Im starting a 69 olds cutlass project and need some help with ideas. Im starting off with a stripped down car currently with a 455 and an automatic, should i run that engine or an Ls? big block chevy? turbo'd small block? Run the stock frame or an Art Morrison chassis? Wheel/tire combinations? Tire width's? I haven't seen a pro touring style 69 oldsmobile yet and want to do everything right and not take any shortcuts. Any comments or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

[71maroesteban]

What's your budget? And what is the purpose of the car DD with some autocross or track star? If nothing Is working with the motor in the car why replace it? Tackle steering and suspension first IMHO

[Knoxferatu]

Those are really nice cars. I'd stick with the OEM frame and big Rocket power.

[Bonehead]

Picture how you want the car to perform and look when its all said and done. Then start pulling it apart and do some backwards planning. You're all set! Go build your dream car!

[eddie747]

I want to be able to autocross it and maybe take it out on the track but also be comfortable and reliable on the street. Right now theres not much of budget, suspension and steering is the number one priority right now. Im just trying to come up with somewhat of an idea so i can start heading in a direction

[Bonehead]

I usually do ok with the end picture, but as I'm building (like I am now), I always seem to find a way to change my mind 10000 more times or destroy the budget within the first few months. Fun though! Good luck with your build! I agree on the big olds motor, but its really hard to beat the dependability, power and drivability of a modern drivetrain!

[BMR Sales]

I want to be able to autocross it and maybe take it out on the track but also be comfortable and reliable on the street. Right now theres not much of budget, suspension and steering is the number one priority right now. Im just trying to come up with somewhat of an idea so i can start heading in a direction

Gotta Start with some kind of a Budget

[astroracer]

How "stripped down" is it? I would suggest getting it running and driving if that is possible. Do a performance rebuild on the stock suspension and get some seat time. A good set of shocks, a good lowering job and a set of low profile tires will dramatically improve the handling without tearing the car up. Once you get it on the road you may find it is plenty of car for what you need. You CAN make this a nice handling car without spending your first born to do it.
Mark

[TonyHuntimer]

How "stripped down" is it? I would suggest getting it running and driving if that is possible. Do a performance rebuild on the stock suspension and get some seat time. A good set of shocks, a good lowering job and a set of low profile tires will dramatically improve the handling without tearing the car up. Once you get it on the road you may find it is plenty of car for what you need. You CAN make this a nice handling car without spending your first born to do it.
Mark

I second Mark's post!

Stripping a car down to nothing is a sure-fire recipe for never getting it back together. It's easy to get overwhelmed and lose interest when stripping a car down to its shell. A high percentage of these projects lead to selling a ton of parts in boxes and being sold for almost nothing to the next owner. You can build a great car if you get a car running to a state where you can drive it and perform a lot of smaller upgrade projects.

Regards,
Tony Huntimer
TestCarDatabase

[PT Sportwagon]

I third Mark and Tony's posts. Get it driving and start from there. That is what I did with my wagon. It was running poor. so after a little TLC it runs and drives.

Tim

[csouth]

How "stripped down" is it? I would suggest getting it running and driving if that is possible. Do a performance rebuild on the stock suspension and get some seat time. A good set of shocks, a good lowering job and a set of low profile tires will dramatically improve the handling without tearing the car up. Once you get it on the road you may find it is plenty of car for what you need. You CAN make this a nice handling car without spending your first born to do it.
Mark

X3... I wish I had done this with my car. also as suggested, give yourself some kind of budget.

[MonzaRacer]

So if its torn apart, set a budget goal, make 4 columns and dream in each, 455/auto/manual, LSx/auto/manual, sbc/auto/manual, bbc/auto/manual.
Then start searching for what works. Being Abody my first chice would be ridetech coilover suspension with all the goodies, use boxing plates on frame to stiffen it up, get a good welder or welding shop to reweld around front lower control arm mounts (reason I say this is I had a 71 monte break one loose, lucky me I had a welder but $100 and its solid forever), rear end is a decision that depends on pocket book.
IF it has a BOP 10 bolt dont be ready too dump it. So many think they are weak but my local machinst drag raced a 4000lb(11 1/2lb per cubic in class)64 tempest, 400Pontiac, 4 speed, 4+ gears, 7500rpm shifts and always stripped gears before anything else. Heck this was WAY before "Pro Gears" which bend and start to act odd before breaking most times. and gear/posi tech is soooooo much better now. And of course its got bolt in axles as a bonus.
As for interior, depends on allotment. For me gut it, clean/repair metal, dynamat or second skin products on floor/firewall, new carpet. door panels and seats/covers too match. Watched a guy adapt a late model GM door panel to an older car then recover where it was cut and spliced. Been thinking of doing that on my cars. If you have power window/lock wants oem or after market are readily available.
HVAC is basically run what you brung or block off and aftermarket.
Honestly I saw a guy with a 70s 4 speed car the other day that had a rehabbed underdash AC unit, updated/adapted 8 track with pre outs, blue tooth,etc. and it was ice cold. They gutted under dash unit, used small newer evaporator/heater core, set it up with cycling clutch orifice tube set up but running new style compressor, threw like 38F or 39F deg.
As his set up WAS LSx it was simple to do and his computer guy just added the ac sense wire to harness/computer.
He had Pistol Grip Quarter stick handling the PRND duties and a manual switch for rest of time as he was using either a 4l60e or 6l trans.

For me even a "SBO" 350 with FI maybe a turbo or two even.
Just depends on budget.
Heck I want to rebuild my old stock AC stuff in my Caprice and my Monza. Monza might be tight if I finally get twin turbos.

[eddie747]

Thanks for the suggestions, i started a teardown on it awhile ago because the body is pretty rough and had a mouse infestation, i pulled the car out of a farm field after it was sitting for i dont know how long. I have access to a full fab shop so any frame work or bodywork wont be an issue. My main goal is get the chassis work and get the stance right. I was think running 20"/19" wheel combo but any other suggestions?

[SparkyRnD]

the guys above have great points. Our project is going on 2.5 years, and although we're close, we still have a lot of work left. Get it going with the current drivetrain, and work on the suspension, steering and brake upgrades. Get lots of seat time and tweak the current drivetrain as much as you can. Once you have hit a wall, or once your driving skills are no longer the weakest link, then upgrade the drivetrain to LS power. Lighter weight, easier power, more reliability, etc. are worth it in the long run.

[Rocket 442]

If the 455 is close to working condition no reason to pour money into a new engine right now. The olds 455s aren't popular, and parts can be a bit of a pain to find but produce plenty to move the car.

If you want crazy power on a budget the 455 isn't your best bet. I am keeping my current build 455 olds powered because I have plenty of spare parts and am quite familiar with them. I don't have any problem with the Olds guys who replace them, but for me it makes sense to keep it this way for now.

I have a giant spreadsheet with my plans in stages. That might keep you sane. It'll also be flexible enough to change plans later on if needed.

[vista flyer]

you might check out robert mc gaffins 65 442 project car in popular hotrodding mag web site. he gave me a ride in it at goodguys del mar autocross and its amazing. i'm running around with a 70 olds vista cruiser wagon with QA1 suspension and feel that any of the better suspension companys arms and shocks would be a great choice for u with the stock chassis. the 455 with some aluminum heads and manifold would be a powerful and light engine that with the right cam would be a monster.

[Mr Nick]

Let's see a few pictures of your project!

Here is my 1969 Cutlass. I need to get out and take some better shots.

[Mr Nick]

Oh, and I vote keep it Olds powered.

I'm running a 355 SBO with Edelbrock heads, Erson roller cam, stock crank/rods, EZ-EFI and MSD ignition. 5-speed RS600 trans, 3.90 gears and 18x9" wheels front and rear, SC&C front suspension, C5 brakes... etc.

Are you planning on keeping it automatic, or changing to stick?

[eddie747]

I dont have any pictures currently but ill try to get some up sometime soon. Im going to keep it automatic and after thinking about it probably stick with the 455 for now