Looking for G-Body Frame Notch Info

[BigBlockOlds]

Yep, they are reproduction FE3X flares that go with the rest of the body kit. They are more for looks than anything. My goal is to make my own version of this car.

Originally it was equipped with a measly 200HP 307 backed by a T5 5 speed. Most of their efforts were geared towards handling, which the FE3X pulled a .95g on the skid pad. Granted it has some pretty serious camber and alignment settings, but still cool none the less.



My car will have a stroked 425, T56 6 speed, and all of the other suspension modifications. Although updated to more modern standards that what they used in '85.

The original FE3X concept in '85 was supposed to be Oldsmobiles answer to the Grand National. But unfortunately, it never happened. There was only one other FE3X that made it to the public and it is owned by Angelo Valenti. He is the one that is making the conversion kits and owns the original molds.

Unfortunately, the side rockers have not been reproduced, so you have to be somewhat creative in that area. I'm using the Lauren Engineering Stage II kit on mine and will modify them to blend in with the fender flares.

You can check out probably the best website for the FE3X concept at www.fe3x.com

[ProTouring442]

He isn't doing the rockers yet? I thought I saw the rockers somewhere... argh. How does the Lauren stuff look quality wise? Any more pics of your build?

Shiny side Up!
Bill
'72 442 "Inamorata"

[BigBlockOlds]

No he hasn't done the rockers. I now he has another set but they are future projects of his own.
I believe the problem with the rockers is that he doesn't have the molds for them. So new molds would need to be made from his existing rockers. The guys who are doing the fiberglass for these kits are the ones who originally made the ones for GM back in the day, and they don't come cheap. LOL
Needless to say, he'd never get the money back out the rockers that he'd put into them.

The Lauren stuff isn't bad but they will take quite a bit of trimming and fitting to make right. But they are nice and heavy like the FE3X kit. I'm still not "sold" on the Lauren side rockers. The car definitely needs something in that area, otherwise the front air dam begins to look like a big cow pusher. But I don't know that I'll be able to get the Lauren kit to integrate into the look I want.

I'm still trying to dig up pics of some of the build process. I think I have most of them on my laptop. I'll try getting them into a photobucket album tonight.

Thanks,

He isn't doing the rockers yet? I thought I saw the rockers somewhere... argh. How does the Lauren stuff look quality wise? Any more pics of your build?

Shiny side Up!
Bill
'72 442 "Inamorata"

[ProTouring442]

The guys who are doing the fiberglass for these kits are the ones who originally made the ones for GM back in the day, and they don't come cheap. LOL

Cheap... does anything really come cheaply! =-)

Needless to say, he'd never get the money back out the rockers that he'd put into them.

I can't believe he'll get his money out of the flares, but bless him for making them! Makes me want to go buy another '80s 442! Hmmm, maybe with a LSx and a 6-speed....

The Lauren stuff isn't bad but they will take quite a bit of trimming and fitting to make right. But they are nice and heavy like the FE3X kit. I'm still not "sold" on the Lauren side rockers. The car definitely needs something in that area, otherwise the front air dam begins to look like a big cow pusher. But I don't know that I'll be able to get the Lauren kit to integrate into the look I want.

I'll snoop around on their site, but I would bet it could be done. Some foam and fiberglass and you're in business! I modified a set of bumpers for my '72 to inegrate them into the body, then built my own rear spoiler. Let me tell you, if I can do it, I know YOU can!

Posted below are two pics of my 442 showing the bumpers and spoiler.

Shiny Side Up!
Bill
' 72 442 "Inamorata"

[Thrillrr]

No he hasn't done the rockers. I now he has another set but they are future projects of his own.
I believe the problem with the rockers is that he doesn't have the molds for them. So new molds would need to be made from his existing rockers. The guys who are doing the fiberglass for these kits are the ones who originally made the ones for GM back in the day, and they don't come cheap. LOL
Needless to say, he'd never get the money back out the rockers that he'd put into them.

The Lauren stuff isn't bad but they will take quite a bit of trimming and fitting to make right. But they are nice and heavy like the FE3X kit. I'm still not "sold" on the Lauren side rockers. The car definitely needs something in that area, otherwise the front air dam begins to look like a big cow pusher. But I don't know that I'll be able to get the Lauren kit to integrate into the look I want.

I'm still trying to dig up pics of some of the build process. I think I have most of them on my laptop. I'll try getting them into a photobucket album tonight.

Thanks,

Have you ever seen or tried the Hust Olds ground effects?

[BigBlockOlds]

Are you talking about the '88 Hurst aero kits?

Like this:



I've never been a big fan of that kit personally. It doesn't flow with the car as well as I think it could have.

Other than that, the only ground effects the '83/'84 H/O's had was the small front air dam:



I do know that Lauren Engineering makes an upgraded version of the stock H/O air dam along with their own rocker kit but its not "prounounced" enough to fill things in visually with the front and rear FE3X pieces. At least in my opinion.

Have you ever seen or tried the Hust Olds ground effects?

[Thrillrr]

Yup that's it the aero ones, I have a set that been sitting around since 88. On the FE3X fender flares do they still sell those? I checked on that site but really didn't see anything about them. After seeing those flares and pics it has renewed my interest in my 82 455 cutlass.

[BigBlockOlds]

Yep. Contact Angelo at [email protected]

When I bought mine years ago, they were around $160 for the set of four. Not sure what they are now.

You can also go here for more contact info:

http://store.oldsgmail.com/store11.htm

On the FE3X fender flares do they still sell those? I checked on that site but really didn't see anything about them. After seeing those flares and pics it has renewed my interest in my 82 455 cutlass.

[nowukno]

I cant believe how good that looks,how does it handle?

[XCESSIV]

Try GNX flairs they might work on it the cutlass is alot like the regal.
Try Kirbans or gbody parts

[ProTouring442]

Try GNX flairs they might work on it the cutlass is alot like the regal.
Try Kirbans or gbody parts

The flares are available, it's the side skirts that aren't. I know Lauren makes the side skirts, does anyone else?

Shiny Side Up!
Bill
'72 442 "Inamorata"

[BigBlockOlds]

The problem with the GNX flares on a Cutlass is the wheel well openings are different. The Buick has more rounded wheel wells where the Olds has more of a circle with the top flattened out.

I test fitted a set of the GNX flares on my '87 back before the FE3X kit came out. They didn't look too bad but it would have taken quite a bit of modification to get them to fit properly. They only touched the sheet metal at three different points around the arc.

[BigBlockOlds]

Okay, sorry for taking so long to get some pictures up but I was finally able to get them off my old laptop.

Here's a picture showing more detail of the rear wheel wells from inside the trunk:

[ProTouring442]

Cool! It's going to look great with those wide tires tucked up in there!

Shiny Side Up!
Bill
'72 442 "Inamorata"
www.fquick.com/ProTouring442