1972 Cutlass

[Bill Howell]

I have had several ask if I would do a build thread on my latest project. At first I resisted because I just don't have really good camera skills and not sure really what to put in the thread.
I will preference this thread by saying my mission for this car is to be a very nice driver. A car that we can actually drive to Florida, North or West with no worry of reliability, get great mileage and ride like a new car. I have owned several other cutlass oldmobiles in my life and just prefer them over all other A-bodies. Yes, I understand from a value standpoint, I should be doing this to a 70 Chevelle, but I like the cutlass body better, hence, cutlass it is. As for cutlass vs. 442, this car will remain cutlass, not a cloned 442. The only 442 enhancement will be the 71 442 Grilles as I really just like that look. However, it will have a cutlass script in place of the 442 lettering. My goal is for people to notice it as a nice stance, nice wheel ride. Sleepers have always been my preference and this is no difference.
Power Train will be a used 18K LS2 out of a SSTB, bought off of craigslist, mated to a ZF 6 speed (yes, swimming away from the norm, but I like the way the ZF shifts over the standard T-56 these days). This has lead to me starting this thread, to explain the trials and errors I have made making the ZF fit and mate to the LS. I have searched the net pretty throughly, and the information, in whole, is just not there. I have gleaned information here and there, but want to document my build and experiences so others can simply order the part numbers that I have found to work, rather than have to redo the homework again.
For reference, we have already done a complete DSE suspension upgrade, front and rear, already installed JRI single adjustable coilover shocks. Also, while we were there, we installed Six piston 14" BAER brakes on all four corners. As with any build, this car has BFG shoes, albeit KDWs since this car is as promised, a driver not a race car or even autocross car. I did go a bit from my norm with Bonspeed wheels instead of my beloved Forgeline simply because, as stated, for now this isn't being raced and more importantly, I wanted a "factory look" with this car. The new Bonspeed Icons serves that purpose very well, as IMO, resemble the factory RallyII wheels, but come in the all important 18" size that will clear the 14" rotors.
While I will be happy to take pictures of the work we have done so far, most everyone already knows that DSE,JRI and BAER parts are pretty much bolt on parts that fit as advertised and I didn't see the need to bore everyone with yet another generic bolt on build. Again, very simple install procedure on all of that, and parts seem to work well, with plenty of clearance and travel for great driving experience.
As you can see in the picture, this is all being done in my VERY TIGHT third garage bay, which is a space behind my daily driver parking spot. Yes, the lift is nice but as you can see, before I do much more, I need to clean out the space around the doors so my fat butt can access under hood.
I have pretty much got the car stripped down so new parts can start going back on.
First order of business is installing the new Gen IV Vintage Air Sure Fit System that so far has fit in like a dream. Vintage Air has gone over and above with their installation instructions on this one and that is going very well. They even sell the Compressor bracket that moves it up basically to the factory location of the old compressor and makes that part easy and matches the factory frontrunner system on the LS2.

That should be enough boring reading for my first post here, stay tuned, more to come as the progress moves forward.