Hi everyone,
I've posted over at LS1TECH but find myself on this forum quite a bit so I thought I'd start a build thread here too.
This project has been a dream of mine and my Dad's for as long as I can remember.
Dad bought this car brand new in 1970. A green on green Cutlass Supreme with a 350 Rocket, 3 spd Auto, Buckets and console shift.
I remember riding in it as a young boy and I'm now 37.
I'd like to explain a little about this project.
This is Dad's car, but we're going to do the build together and hopefully he'll let me drive it from time to time.
Pretty sweet Father-Son project.
The plan is to have it done for Dad's birthday in 4 years.
Our goal is for the car to have a Pro-touring look, comfortable reliable ride that can be driven and enjoyed.
Jeff Schwartz's 1971 Cutlass build is an inspiration, although our budget is modest in comparison.
Here's what we are planning on at this point, if anyone has any suggestions or see any conflict with the parts and choices we are making I'd love to hear from you.
-We have a 2012 LS3 with 6L80E ready and waiting to go in. (Oldsmobile purist's are going to hate us, we may paint it gold for nostalgia)
-Dirty Dingo conversion mounts
-Speartech Harness & Programming
-HPI Customs Frame brace kit
-Ridetech Street Grip Suspension
-Wilwood or Kore3 4 wheels discs
-not sure on wheels and tires but thining 18x8.5" front and 19x10's in the rear
-upgrade to quick ratio steering box
We'd like to keep the interior as stock looking as possible.
Will probably keep the car either Factory code 48 Sherwood Green or something very close but darker
I wanted to get house of kolor digital paint booth to render the car but they don't have a 70 Cutlass in their list.
Does anyone know of any other programs that do something similar? Or know of someone affordable to do a rending?
We've been aquiring a few parts. I'll post a few pictures.
Sweet ride bru!
I originally started my build thread on LS1Tech, but ultimately pulled off the site due to there being a conflict of personalities, for me personally. I still look at the classifieds from time to time, but I pulled off the site. The community here is a great group, and you'll get plenty of honest help from people that actually know their stuff. Keep us posted please!
Here's a few more pictures..
Front clip off and removing the carpet revealed some holy floors.
I'm ok with that since the 6l80e is a big tranny. A custom tunnel will be required.
The car was undercoated at the dealership.
Here we are sandblasting and wire brushing off the undercoating.
I'm very happy that under the coating is a rust free frame.
Also found the numbers stamped on the frame, haven't decoded them yet though.
Last week we received the HPI Customs A-body K-Brace kit.
I'm pumped to install it.
We had a few delays getting the kit from HPI but I must say that Dawn @ HPI went over and above to make things right. The kit looks like awesome quality.
I'm hoping the LS+6l80e will align nicely with the kit. Adjustable trans cross member should help with that.
I had to pick up a new welder since the cheap unit I had wasn't up to the task of welding the HPI kit. I hope I made the right choice in welders. Millermatic 211.