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I thought I would share this build with the community that helped make it happen. Backstory of the car first. This car was once owned by Dick Miller’s wife. Dick was associated with Joe Amato’s top fuel team and a local to me. Dick was buddies with a guy named Larry Baish aka Mountain Man. Larry was a classmate of my mother. I’ve known Larry since I was 12. He was a great guy and amazing farmer-based mechanic. He was a staple at the local drag strip, South Mountain Dragway at that time. When Dick Miller’s wife wanted a new car, he and Larry went to work on this car. They removed the original 350 cube diesel and installed a ‘70 455, TH350 and swapped in a wagon rear (narrowed with aftermarket axles) to get the 3.08 gear ratio. It had all the 80’s speed tricks done to it. It had 6 mufflers to keep it quiet. And it was used to torture the local youth on the street. He would drag race it periodically and I thought it was a cool car (in a butter-face girl kinda way). So years later Larry is getting up in age and I asked what happened to the Olds. He said it was sitting at his house and would I like to buy it. I said “hell yeah!” And so the saga began. This is what it looked like when I dragged it home.
I thought I would share this build with the community that helped make it happen. Backstory of the car first. This car was once owned by Dick Miller’s wife. Dick was associated with Joe Amato’s top fuel team and a local to me. Dick was buddies with a guy named Larry Baish aka Mountain Man. Larry was a classmate of my mother. I’ve known Larry since I was 12. He was a great guy and amazing farmer-based mechanic. He was a staple at the local drag strip, South Mountain Dragway at that time. When Dick Miller’s wife wanted a new car, he and Larry went to work on this car. They removed the original 350 cube diesel and installed a ‘70 455, TH350 and swapped in a wagon rear (narrowed with aftermarket axles) to get the 3.08 gear ratio. It had all the 80’s speed tricks done to it. It had 6 mufflers to keep it quiet. And it was used to torture the local youth on the street. He would drag race it periodically and I thought it was a cool car (in a butter-face girl kinda way). So years later Larry is getting up in age and I asked what happened to the Olds. He said it was sitting at his house and would I like to buy it. I said “hell yeah!” And so the saga began. This is what it looked like when I dragged it home.
Awesome story and cool car!!! As much as I love LS's, Id leave it Olds powered. You can turbo the 455 or, if you want to serious, build the 350 diesel block if it's still around The Olds 350 diesel block is same as a gas block, but monster thick cyl walls. Can bore it 4 125+, no prob. Would be a killer turbo motor. I have seen several NA built 350 diesel blocks at around 400-440 cubes make 2hp per cube, no sweat. Give it a thought before you swap
Awesome story and cool car!!! As much as I love LS's, Id leave it Olds powered. You can turbo the 455 or, if you want to serious, build the 350 diesel block if it's still around The Olds 350 diesel block is same as a gas block, but monster thick cyl walls. Can bore it 4 125+, no prob. Would be a killer turbo motor. I have seen several NA built 350 diesel blocks at around 400-440 cubes make 2hp per cube, no sweat. Give it a thought before you swap
Thanks! The 6-8mpg and 700lbs of 70’s technology isn’t for me. A 442 restoration shop bought the motor and transmission. So it went to a good home!
So with the 455 gone, I found a Gen 4 5.3 for a $100. Then grabbed a 4L80E from the salvage yard. Tore the 5.3 down and had a look. Everything looked good except the cam bearings. Had the block cleaned and cam bearings installed. Went with new Mahle rings( I broke one on removal). Did a cam, lifters and springs, trunnion upgrade, new head bolts and a NNBS intake and called it a day. Oh, and shimmed the oil pump too.
Was going to use the stock hanger and install a pump. But the stock tank isn't baffled and I couldn't find one that was. So I decided to weld on a sump. Drilled some holes, modified the sump for the shape of the tank and welded her up. Used water to find any pin holes and welded them shut.
Love this build! Please keep the wire hubcaps even if you add lighter drag wheels underneath. And add whitewalls to some drag radials. Someday I will build myself a sleeper like this!
Love this build! Please keep the wire hubcaps even if you add lighter drag wheels underneath. And add whitewalls to some drag radials. Someday I will build myself a sleeper like this!
Fabbed up some simple engine mount stands on the frame. Also notched the frame for A/C compressor clearance. Installed a modern steering shaft with u-joints instead of a rag joint. Added line-lock as well.
Thats so cool, man i had forgotten about those hub caps. Youre probably going to need some boost to move that car the 5.3 will make more power than previous engines but at high rpm itll be lacking on the low end.
never mind i just reread its going to be turbo. I forgot about that while i read thru the thread.
Thats so cool, man i had forgotten about those hub caps. Youre probably going to need some boost to move that car the 5.3 will make more power than previous engines but at high rpm itll be lacking on the low end.
never mind i just reread its going to be turbo. I forgot about that while i read thru the thread.
Yeah, turbo is the plan. She’s not as heavy as you’d think.
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1981 Olds 98 turbo LS swap 
