1986 Olds Cutlass Salon LS1/T56 build
11-22-2017, 01:39 PM
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1986 Olds Cutlass Salon LS1/T56 build Long time member here. I remember coming over from LS1.com back in 2001 when I was big into LS1 cars. Haven't even logged in since 2014 but wanted to provide a build thread on my latest project.
I picked up a 1986 Cutlass Salon from a family friend back in 2013. The gentleman that owned the car had a stroke and couldn't drive anymore. He knew I was big into my Grand National and wanted me to have his Olds as he knew I would take care of it. The car is a fully documented two owner car out of South Carolina. I have every service record done to it including all the original documentation from the dealer.
Car is a stock 307, TH200-4R, T-Tops, bucket seats, rally wheels and a vinyl top. I always had drive ability problems with the car. Tried two carbs and tune up and could never get it to start and drive properly. After finding out I only had ~16 inches of vacuum I pulled down the valve covers and found three bent push rods and two valve springs off their seats. I proceeded to drain the oil and found metal in it. Needless too say the 307 was hurt.
I started to weigh my options. I originally wanted to do a 455 swap but quickly found those motors are pricey. I couldn't bring myself to spend the time on rebuilding a 140 hp 307. I then looked into 5.3 swaps. Looked at pull out engines, donor trucks and long blocks. I couldn't find much under 150k miles and again didn't feel like rebuilding a higher mileage 5.3. Another question was around the transmission. I've rebuild my TH200 in the Buick before and was comfortable with them. But between a converter and parts to rebuild the current TH200 in the Olds I was looking at ~$2k. I have a spare 4L70E out of a Trailblazer SS but I wasn't sold on a computer controlled automatic or the anomolies a 70e would bring over a 60e.
Riding home from my shop one night a 5th Gen Camaro went by banging gears. I instantly remember my LT1/LS1 days with 6 speeds and hadn't had one in the better part of a decade. Right there it clicked, why not put a T56 in the Cutlass? I always assumed a Gbody like this should have an auto but if I'm doing a LS swap a T56 would go perfect with it. I started researching T56's and quickly remembered good ones go for ~$2k+. I saw other Gbody builds and found the swap wasn't that bad. Pedals are available, the shifter lined up fairly well with the console and the slip yoke is the same as the Th200 to keep driveshaft costs down.
While doing my research I found someone local selling a LS1/T56 combo pulled out of Camaro. At first I thought the price was high but didn't know the market well. As I compared the 5.3's and T56 costs separately I soon realized the cost wasn't bad. On my 10 year wedding anniversary my wife graciously let me take a look at the combo about an hour north of me. Me and three friends jumped in the truck with a wad of cash and met the gentleman and his father at their house. The combo immediately beat my expectations. 100% stock 108k mile LS1 out of a 2002 SS car with freshly rebuilt T56 and new clutch 10k miles ago. I was happy to see a stock y-pipe and all the emission hoses as I had ripped all that off of numerous cars over the years doing header swaps. It included a complete wiring harness, PCM, accessories, cross member and was still full of oil. The donor car was a two owner car from Florida and was recently totaled in a wreck. After looking everything over and chatting with the owner we made the deal and brought it home.
That's were we are today. I'll update this thread with my progress and questions on the swap. The goal with the car currently is to keep the LS1 stock down to the manifolds. It will have AC/heat and drive like a stock car while making over double the horsepower of the Olds 307. I plan on using the stock PCM and wiring harness. Below are a few pictures.
I picked up a 1986 Cutlass Salon from a family friend back in 2013. The gentleman that owned the car had a stroke and couldn't drive anymore. He knew I was big into my Grand National and wanted me to have his Olds as he knew I would take care of it. The car is a fully documented two owner car out of South Carolina. I have every service record done to it including all the original documentation from the dealer.
Car is a stock 307, TH200-4R, T-Tops, bucket seats, rally wheels and a vinyl top. I always had drive ability problems with the car. Tried two carbs and tune up and could never get it to start and drive properly. After finding out I only had ~16 inches of vacuum I pulled down the valve covers and found three bent push rods and two valve springs off their seats. I proceeded to drain the oil and found metal in it. Needless too say the 307 was hurt.
I started to weigh my options. I originally wanted to do a 455 swap but quickly found those motors are pricey. I couldn't bring myself to spend the time on rebuilding a 140 hp 307. I then looked into 5.3 swaps. Looked at pull out engines, donor trucks and long blocks. I couldn't find much under 150k miles and again didn't feel like rebuilding a higher mileage 5.3. Another question was around the transmission. I've rebuild my TH200 in the Buick before and was comfortable with them. But between a converter and parts to rebuild the current TH200 in the Olds I was looking at ~$2k. I have a spare 4L70E out of a Trailblazer SS but I wasn't sold on a computer controlled automatic or the anomolies a 70e would bring over a 60e.
Riding home from my shop one night a 5th Gen Camaro went by banging gears. I instantly remember my LT1/LS1 days with 6 speeds and hadn't had one in the better part of a decade. Right there it clicked, why not put a T56 in the Cutlass? I always assumed a Gbody like this should have an auto but if I'm doing a LS swap a T56 would go perfect with it. I started researching T56's and quickly remembered good ones go for ~$2k+. I saw other Gbody builds and found the swap wasn't that bad. Pedals are available, the shifter lined up fairly well with the console and the slip yoke is the same as the Th200 to keep driveshaft costs down.
While doing my research I found someone local selling a LS1/T56 combo pulled out of Camaro. At first I thought the price was high but didn't know the market well. As I compared the 5.3's and T56 costs separately I soon realized the cost wasn't bad. On my 10 year wedding anniversary my wife graciously let me take a look at the combo about an hour north of me. Me and three friends jumped in the truck with a wad of cash and met the gentleman and his father at their house. The combo immediately beat my expectations. 100% stock 108k mile LS1 out of a 2002 SS car with freshly rebuilt T56 and new clutch 10k miles ago. I was happy to see a stock y-pipe and all the emission hoses as I had ripped all that off of numerous cars over the years doing header swaps. It included a complete wiring harness, PCM, accessories, cross member and was still full of oil. The donor car was a two owner car from Florida and was recently totaled in a wreck. After looking everything over and chatting with the owner we made the deal and brought it home.
That's were we are today. I'll update this thread with my progress and questions on the swap. The goal with the car currently is to keep the LS1 stock down to the manifolds. It will have AC/heat and drive like a stock car while making over double the horsepower of the Olds 307. I plan on using the stock PCM and wiring harness. Below are a few pictures.
11-22-2017, 06:06 PM
#2
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Gorgeous car and great score on the 2002 engine and trans. Looks like the trans has a stock Hurst shifter...
For swap components, look at the Holley/Hooker parts. They have it all to do this swap.
Andrew
For swap components, look at the Holley/Hooker parts. They have it all to do this swap.
Andrew
11-23-2017, 12:13 PM
#3
Great car. I agree the Andrew (Project GatTagO), Holley is the way to go to get everything lined up . I'd be a little weary of using the stock 140HP driveshaft for a LS1.
11-24-2017, 03:35 PM
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Cleaning day. Pulled the harness loose and did a de-greaser rinse down. Looks like someone turned the flywheel and pressure plate which I'm not a fan of so I'll be replacing the clutch. No other surprises.
11-24-2017, 05:36 PM
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Gonna be a cool build!
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11-29-2017, 07:50 PM
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No big updates. Had to pull the carb of the 307 Olds to install in a 1949 Ford F100 SBC I've been working on. Once I get my Buick finished up I'll bring the Olds to the shop and pull the motor and trans. Next step is to start working on the LS1 wiring harness while I wait to get the motor out of the Olds.
12-04-2017, 12:18 PM
#13
That brings back memories, I had a blue 86 cutlass just like that, nice car.
With the T56 ratios, I suspect you'll need to change your rear end ratio. IIRC, most G bodies came with 7.5" rear ends with 2.41 or 2.56. I think you may want to get something in the high 3s.
With the T56 ratios, I suspect you'll need to change your rear end ratio. IIRC, most G bodies came with 7.5" rear ends with 2.41 or 2.56. I think you may want to get something in the high 3s.
12-05-2017, 07:52 AM
#15
FormerVendor
Nice car, will be so much more fun banging gears with the extra drive ability of the ls. If you decide to go forced induction get a hold of us. We make a conversion supercharger kit for ls swapped vehicles like yours for only $2800
Torqstorm
Torqstorm
12-07-2017, 01:18 PM
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Spent a few hours removing all the tape and wire loom from the engine harness. I didn't find any cut wires or damaged connectors and the overall condition was very good and relatively clean. Next steps is to remove any unnecessary wires. *Question* Do I need to keep the AC circuit on the PCM harness to turn on the fans or do I wire that directly from the new fuse/relay box to the original AC wiring?
For the swap hard parts I plan on using Holley exclusively. This will include the engine mounts, transmission cross member, R4 high mount AC compressor bracket, oil pan and fuel pump/tank. Most of the reviews I've read here is positive and the support looks good if needed.
Plan is to remove the engine and transmission from the Olds the week between Christmas and New Years.
Before:
After:
For the swap hard parts I plan on using Holley exclusively. This will include the engine mounts, transmission cross member, R4 high mount AC compressor bracket, oil pan and fuel pump/tank. Most of the reviews I've read here is positive and the support looks good if needed.
Plan is to remove the engine and transmission from the Olds the week between Christmas and New Years.
Before:
After:
12-11-2017, 11:15 AM
#17
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In for updates!
