OUSCI '84 Cutlass "Determination"
 

Hi Guys...been a long while since I've been on this site. Between work, school (went back to school a year ago to pursue my PhD) and family (second child on the way) there isn't too much time for cars these days. Over the last few years this car has gone back and forth from all out drag car to street car to the for sale block! Finally, I figured out what I really want to do...I've never really done any road course events but have a great track close to me. Now while I don't have the pockets that some of these pro-touring folks have, I do have patience and time to find exactly what I am looking for. I want to ultimately find my way to the Optima Ultimate Street Car Invitational with this pig. Even if I don't make it there at least I will have had the chance to get this car back on the road and even better the track! And as a metaphor for my life right now, just like my PhD that could conceivably take me 10 years to get, this car has been down for almost ten years since drag duty and seeing daylight! Since most guys name their builds, I call mine "Determination"...

This intro post is just here to wet the whistle while I get my build pics together, so with that in mind....

http://i908.photobucket.com/albums/a...psusy81n5j.jpg

Trying to make Millville, NJ race in May but that is really close to when my son is supposed to be born. Stay tuned and watch the hilarity unfold!

Sounds fun! Good luck, Dave.

All right! FINALLY have an update for you guys! I bought a bunch of new parts for her last night, but wanted to give a little better overview of what I already have.

Here's some shots of the Hooker Headers - 1 7/8" stainless primaries:




http://i908.photobucket.com/albums/a...pszejjwbjq.jpg




http://i908.photobucket.com/albums/a...psmwiiopkn.jpg




I also purchased the full Holley engine and trans mounting system with polyurethane mounts (converter is a RevMax 2800-3000 stall):




http://i908.photobucket.com/albums/a...psapmefuqr.jpg




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Also have the right Holley Oil Pan and race baffle to go with it (will be selling the twin turbo pan I have on the motor currently):




http://i908.photobucket.com/albums/a...psbobrbjiu.jpg




http://i908.photobucket.com/albums/a...psrgnndjys.jpg




Also picked up an Aeromotive 15 gal A1500 fuel cell with fuel level sensor and internal baffling:




http://i908.photobucket.com/albums/a...psoeula6ct.jpg




Like I mentioned earlier a picked up a ton of extra things like a boost-referenced Aeromotive regulator, Holley 95mm Cable throttle body, throttle body adapter from Holley, gaskets, as well as PSI Conversion harness and a ton more!!! I will highlight what I did to the motor in another post because there is so much to show and talk about, but here are some pics from today...the first time this car has been out of the garage in EIGHT years!!!!!




http://i908.photobucket.com/albums/a...psqyvevdmh.jpg




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A ridiculous amount more to come!!! Thanks!

Dave

Right on, another G-Body on board! Looks like you have plenty going on under the hood to make it go, what are your plans to make it handle and stop?

Right now the plan is either full sc&c package with ATS and Baers or full UMI suspension with Baers. Dealt with big companies and both are great people. With another baby on the way I am pinching where I can which is an oxymoron with this hobby. I am leaning toward level 3.5 UMI because I can get a smoking deal on that as well as the brakes.

I am 45 minutes away from New Jersey motorsports park where the OUSCI competition will be held but I am concerned I just won't make it this year because of budget and life.

I may get it running as is for now so that I can hit a few car shows this season then update over the winter.

Christmas.......in March!!! Got a nice delivery today of parts and drug them inside before the boss saw them. Battles must be chosen wisely! :twak:

http://i908.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps4vhxpqsu.jpg

Starting with the box from PSI Conversion, I received the following:

Harness
PCM mount for the 411 style PCM
"Tune up" kit that has MSD wires, plugs, O2 sensors, etc...
Transmission kick down switch

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Chain tensioner:

http://i908.photobucket.com/albums/a...psgeh9myty.jpg

Also got a new adapter plate for the monster 95mm throttle body and the throttle body as well...95mm!

http://i908.photobucket.com/albums/a...psczmd5ssn.jpg

http://i908.photobucket.com/albums/a...psxku9pjx8.jpg

http://i908.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps0gowa5rm.jpg

Aeromotive boost referenced regulator

http://i908.photobucket.com/albums/a...psii4qbcnw.jpg

Yates EFI Allstar radiator

http://i908.photobucket.com/albums/a...pstpok9yid.jpg

Should start getting things on the car and motor within the next few weeks!!!

Glad to see a g body also. Looks like a fun project. What tt pan do you have on it? Was it for a gen III/IV? I need to get a build post going on my g body.

Hi there, thanks for your interest! I originally had moroso mounts and 1" setbacks to accommodate a modified CTSV pan with dual drains. Here's a shot of it below:

http://i908.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps0aa17016.jpg

http://s908.photobucket.com/user/Ban...e800.jpg.html]http://i908.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps80e3e800.jpg[/URL]

http://i908.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps782edfa0.jpg

This will be for sale as soon as I get the motor back out to do a few updates.

Thanks,
Dave

Let me know when you decide to sell it, I am looking for a pan for mine. I have set back plates with the g body mounts. Not sure what pan I need for sure, but got to find something.

Will do. I could take a look at whether the engine fits with this pan and standard frame pads prior to selling you the setup to make sure you aren't wasting money. May take me a few weeks to get to it tho.

Thanks, that's perfectly fine. Not like I'm waiting for a pan. No where even close.

More and more parts!!!! :rock:

Fan shroud and dual Spals:
http://i908.photobucket.com/albums/a...psz3ahe0pg.jpg

LS1 MLS gaskets...reasoning for these is because I currently have LS9s on it but I did not like the huge difference in bore sizes between the 5.3 and LS9 so this is a nice compromise!

http://i908.photobucket.com/albums/a...psaedmyh4w.jpg

Vacuum block off plugs for supercharger:

http://i908.photobucket.com/albums/a...psdvltzzl8.jpg

Aeromotive fuel filter:

http://i908.photobucket.com/albums/a...pswqiod2jc.jpg

Gaskets for between adapter plate and head...thought I got the blower gaskets but will be grabbing them tonight.

http://i908.photobucket.com/albums/a...pszx8chgoq.jpg

Should get some real work done this weekend...work sucked today and I have an exam in class Monday so taking the day off from work to do last minute studying. Just need a break this weekend if even for a little bit.

Lots more to come!!!

And yet another round of parts!!! I can't walk in my garage right now...these basically finish off the big and expensive parts so I should be able to get this pig running within the next few months provided that the timing works out well between work and the birth of baby 2!!!

So for the brakes I am going to stick with the stock ones for this season because I cannot afford the Baer's for a while. As for the suspension, I am just going with the UMI Stage 1 to clean up the suspension and stiffen a bit to make it drivable. It will be a show queen for this season...just don't have the funds to finish everything this go around but I WANT to drive this damn thing!!!

http://i908.photobucket.com/albums/a...psibpyuubl.jpg

For the intercooler, I am going with an Afco ZL1 unit that is beefed up for performance duty. If I need to I will slap fans on it but I think this will be sufficient for now. I am recirculating water with a GT500 intercooler pump.

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Have a Derale Trans cooler that I will be mounting under the trunk on an angle to get plenty of coolant to '80e:

http://i908.photobucket.com/albums/a...psfz6ipvcm.jpg

Finally, the 3" Hooker xpipe G body exhaust...REALLY looking forward to hearing this. I hope it is not insanely loud. I will most likely get a pair of Borla mufflers if I do not like the sound, but from what I've heard I am pretty happy.

http://i908.photobucket.com/albums/a...pshfwqdyzj.jpg

Most of this stuff should be showing up in the next week with the suspension in about 2-3 weeks. I will be pulling the motor to start converting over to the full Holley/Hooker mounts and change over to the 302-2 pain with road race baffle. I am also an idiot and realized that I put the heads on without one of the head dowels in place so I have a few extras as well as a new set of MLS LS1 gaskets. I know a TON of people use the LS9s and they are ridiculously expensive, but since I have to pull the heads and that will most likely screw up the head gaskets, the smaller, more appropriate bore, of the LS1 MLS gaskets gives me more piece of mind. I'll be taking a ton of pics of the process so stay tuned. Also, if anyone has a complete G body heater only set-up I would be interested in purchasing or trading for a very complete (minus compressor) AC system.

Thanks!
Dave

I don't think I would worry about the LS9's on the smaller bore. People have even ran them on 4.8's with no issue. Plus they are reusable so just pulling the heads won't affect anything.

Hi there, there are a lot of folks that do use them with success on small bore motors, but that doesn't necessarily make it the right direction to go in my opinion. Also, because of my own stupidity I think I forgot to install an alignment dowel for one of the heads. If the gaskets look good I will absolutely save them for the 408 cube motor I intend to build in the future.

I should have a good update for this weekend! Got a ton of parts in and should be able to start working on the actual car....a novel concept! :hitaxeonthehead:

Thanks for your interest!

Still making progress...especially with the engine. As my last post pointed out I had a LOT of parts in stock...haha. Finally started installing them once I pulled the motor.

Before I get too far in I am proud to announce my second son was born on the 12th of May...great reason not to get work done!

So as I mentioned I had a lot in stock to get down to business.

http://i908.photobucket.com/albums/a...psr2aoafnj.jpg

All of that will make its way here:

http://i908.photobucket.com/albums/a...psqyvaqksz.jpg

I got started with a tear down if the front end and oil pan. I installed the trick flow chain dampener...very straightforward.

http://i908.photobucket.com/albums/a...psgeh9myty.jpg

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Spent a bit of time on the oil pan situation. I removed the. CTSV pan with the double turbo drain (will be for sale soon) and installed the 302-2 pan with the road race baffle. You need to get the proper windage tray per Holleys direction which is the standard 98-02 fbody shorter tray but I am pretty sure you could just trim any tray back one counter weight. See pics below - first few show too long windage tray...

http://i908.photobucket.com/albums/a...psoqkca5vl.jpg

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Proper windage tray is this number:

http://i908.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps9pw2qkmm.jpg

Here's the road race baffle:

http://i908.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps0zlvrr6v.jpg

Finally I replaced the head gaskets with ls1 MLS gaskets and did a nice reprint to freshen things up.

http://i908.photobucket.com/albums/a...psqaojlbld.jpg

http://i908.photobucket.com/albums/a...psua0hlfpi.jpg

Ready to reinstall the correct valve covers (wrinkle black) and work on the blower tonight (replace the isolator). More pics to come!!!

http://i908.photobucket.com/albums/a...psupfo1fkj.jpg

Gonna be sweet! What's the blower off of? I see you running cathedral port heads...

Hey there, blower is off CTSV and I'm running adapters.

http://i908.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps7wnoiyde.jpg

Thanks for your interest!!!

Ok, made more progress last night and tonight!

Tore the blower apart and replaced the isolator with a solid version from Speed Inc. once the damn snout came off (a ball joint tool works well for separating it) removing the old sealant with a razor blade, cleaning then reinstalling was pretty straightforward.

http://i908.photobucket.com/albums/a...psgzy6dezh.jpg

http://i908.photobucket.com/albums/a...pskmmyu6nq.jpg

Old isolator

http://i908.photobucket.com/albums/a...pskb7rdy94.jpg

Assembled blower

http://i908.photobucket.com/albums/a...psc1ibugch.jpg

Not sure I showed th ICT coil brackets but got these off the 'bay. Very happy with them. Last show is with truck heat sink coils.

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Finally, last shots are of the blower being mounted and the Holley 95mm throttle body being installed with cable bracket. Lid is a ZL1 Camaro lid and a new gasket was installed.

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Completed blower install with LS9 rails...I will hopefully be installing the Fuel Injector Clinic injectors tomorrow as well.

http://i908.photobucket.com/albums/a...psg6t5q6t7.jpg

That's it for tonight...pretty happy with the progress I am making...I will be pulling the trains and having it freshened up...even tho it was supposed to be a low mileage rebuild, the color of the fluid and smell when I installed the HD2 shift kit has never left my mind...more to come!!!

nice project.

Thank you very much!

Had to pick up some ID850 injectors for the LSA since my Fuel Injector Clinics were for gen 3s so I will keep them for a Turbo build down the road. Should be in their way tomorrow!

Been quite a while since my last update. I have a ton to go over, but have been a bit under the weather lately. Decided to update a video. Hopefully this will answer your questions:

Cutlass 5.3L LSA blown engine status - YouTube

Will be adding more info/still shots of all the great stuff that is on going into the car.

http://i908.photobucket.com/albums/a...pske1fewr4.jpg

Update as promised!

I can say as of tonight (minus supercharger oil) that my engine is complete! Crank was pinned last week and the remaining accessory parts attached. Finalized belt lengths and purchased a small amount of hardware needed to attach things like the steam vent tube, etc...

http://i908.photobucket.com/albums/a...psni68iq12.jpg

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I have also been collecting up all the suspension/brake parts I am adding such as the UMI gbody C5 hubs and bracketry, steering rebuild kit, new stock spindles and Kore3 C5 Z06 brakes! See below!!!

http://i908.photobucket.com/albums/a...psrzm2eedo.jpg

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And while this car is definitely a driver I did some fram clean up on her to ,are it more presentable:

http://i908.photobucket.com/albums/a...psdrko0sap.jpg

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More to come guys!
Dave

Great progress Dave! Appriciate the pics and details...:cheers:

[QUOTE=BanditDave;638319]Hey there, blower is off CTSV and I'm running adapters.

http://i908.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps7wnoiyde.jpg

Hey Dave that 5.3 is starting to take shape nicely! mind sharing who's adapter plates you're using, tks.

[QUOTE=F'in mine;642022]Thanks guys! Let me dig up who made them...he makes a lot of parts for 5.3 blower swaps if I recall correctly.

Nice looking motor man!

I put an Eforce 2300 on my Vette a few weeks ago - so I know how it goes adding a blower.

One recommendation would be to add in an oil catch can. My EForce was sucking in a bunch of oil from the drivers side PCV vent tube. I had the Holley covers, switched to LS9 valve covers - and still had the same issue. Added in a check valve and the catch can - and no longer an issue.

I actually did get a pretty nice catch can for the engine but have not grabbed a check valve yet...

That being said, a little teaser for the weekend updates!

http://i908.photobucket.com/albums/a...psmhevro0z.jpg

Much more to come!!!!!!

Well, time wasn't on my side this past weekend but tonight officially got the motor back in the car. Had to pull the blower lid and get fancy with some chain but it just barely cleared the fender and fit like a glove.

Got the Trans back last weekend and all my brakes from Kore3 this past weekend so I am swamped with parts!

Again, I have to praise Holley on a great product to mount an LS drivetrain. They science out their product so it is easy to complete the transplant.

So without further adeu, on to the pics!!!

Very built 4l80e from DiabloFormula Racing - great prices and great work. PM me if you have more interest.

http://i908.photobucket.com/albums/a...psgakljems.jpg

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Trans installed this past weekend...very straightforward.

http://i908.photobucket.com/albums/a...psgrrw8u67.jpg

AFCO zl1 upgraded heat exchanger:

http://i908.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps0gnu3n6l.jpg

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More to come tomorrow!

A G Body G machine with a blower. Win win win! :)

When you get a minute can you snap a shot of oil pan clearance underneath? My son is swapping a 5.3 into his 78 G body Cutlass and said he read Holley says their pan/ swap parts won't fit a G body (?). The oil pan is one of the final remaining parts we need before digging in.

Holley's stuff fits PERFECTLY. The 302-2 pan is what he wants. With their mounts there is ample clearance. I used Holley's complete system...zero thought involved and fits as described. Only hemorrhoid was the poly biscuits...had to stand on the motor to coax it over the mount but that wasn't a Holley issue...par for the course for poly stuff.

I'll snap you a shot tonight when I get home...can't wait to keep plugging along.

Dave

Thanks, 'preciate it.

Awesome! This is gonna be killing the auto-X course in no time!

I'll be home from business travel today and wil get you a pic but for now to get an idea of the room take a look at the below:

http://i908.photobucket.com/albums/a...psu4u0kmv6.jpg

While I will get you a more appropriate shot, from this angle you can still see a ton of daylight between the crossmember and the front of the sump. I can't say enough good things on the Holley stuff - well put together packages, I don't need to run out to get missing hardware...they made it mindless for the consumer and sometimes that's nice after say a month looking for a stupid fitting or a bracket you didn't realize went to scrap a few months ago.

More updates later tonight...harness starting to go in and beginning heat exchanger/radiator fit up.

:thankyou:

Here's the underneath shot:

http://i908.photobucket.com/albums/a...psy2q809d4.jpg

More than enough space and great ground clearance!

Fairly minor update tonight.

Got the torque converter bolted up and all the bellhousing bolts fastened. Drilled the 2" hole for the PSI Conversion harness and laid that around the engine. Very happy with how that is turning out so far. Placed the adapters for the injectors and the injector plugs. Wired the alternator and located a few odds and ends in the engine bay. Will lock down the trans tomorrow night and work some more of the wiring. Probably drop in the heat exchanger and radiator also. Temperature has been so brutal the last few days it's hard to work even in the garage with a big ass fan!!!

http://i908.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps4mqpbezu.jpg

http://i908.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps6d2e4nzg.jpg

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More to come! :thankyou:

Kick ass man!

Keep posting updates.

I'm installing an LSA blower on my SS Sedan - I got the blower cheap - but now I'm looking into the lid, heat exchanger, and a pump.

Awesome man...I so want to get an SS and do the same thing! I have a CTSV lid if you are looking for one. Let it go really cheap also.

I heard they may bring the SS out in its final year with the ZL1 engine...not sure the truth in that but the last year Commodores are already getting the ZR1 LS9s so it is feasible! Definitely do a build thread on it!!!

Dave

Been working and traveling for work an awful lot lately and now I am a bit sick (figures since I am going on vacation this coming week) but I did get out to the garage and get a little work done.

Mounted the AFCO heat exchanger with plenty of room for the radiator up next. Have the GT500 HX pump ready to mount...just need to finalize the location.

http://i908.photobucket.com/albums/a...psycwbt9vs.jpg

http://i908.photobucket.com/albums/a...pss10poi4q.jpg

http://i908.photobucket.com/albums/a...psdnk8zng8.jpg

Also got the heater delete panel drilled for the computer, mounted and painted. Still have to mount the top drip rail.

http://i908.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps0zkerktz.jpg

http://i908.photobucket.com/albums/a...psgwhj764w.jpg

I will probably order up all the sensors this week and get the motor buttoned up. Have some ideas on the power steering reservoir mount since the current setup does not allow for the original reservoir location due to the blower.

For now I am getting cleaned up and hitting the sack because I feel like crap...

Dave

I have a few minor tweaks to do with the rad but it and the fans are mounted. Surprisingly longer than I expected to take with this darn thing....stuff just didn't fit to each other as well (dimensionally by description be damned...haha). Anyhow its in as of this evening and will be ordering up a LOT of sensors this week so I can get the trans wiring and the rest of the main harness wiring done. I also want to get the headers on and start installing the exhaust!!!! Once all that "fun" is done I'll install the front suspense with the Z06 brakes (really looking forward to that!!!

On to the pics!!!

Rad, heat exchanger and fan combo...

http://i908.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps47zoxvhg.jpg

http://i908.photobucket.com/albums/a...psvmrbjhrt.jpg

http://i908.photobucket.com/albums/a...psgimwcrix.jpg

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More to come this week!
Dave