[ltrapper]

I have a 1970 Buick Electra 225 with a 455 eng. and a 400 transmission, and I have a 1978 Olds Cutlass in sight. I would like to put the 455 and tranny into the Cutlass and I was wondering what all I need to know before I tackle this project, as in, motor mounts, tranny mount, wiring, suspension, etc.
If its even worth trying. The Buick is a nice car but it is a 4dr and 19 ft. long.
The Cutlass is nice and a friend has it for sale for 300.00 is it worth it.
thanks for the info.

trapper

[Hippie]

I'd do it in a heartbeat! I don't know if the Buick 350 was ever installed in any '78-up G-bodies but if it was get the motor mounts from one of those, otherwise you may have to adapt mounts from a '78-up Buick powered B-body. It sticks in my mind the 78's all had Chevy, Olds or Pontiac V-8's and the only Buick engine installed in the G-bodies was the 231 V-6 but don't quote me on that. You may have to do some modifying, adapting or fabricating but nothing you can't do in a weekend or 2. Only thing is the TH400 will probably be a long tailshaft with a CV joint at the front yoke. I think I'd sell it and put a TH350 or 200-4R with a good shift kit behind the 455. A solid TH350 will hold up to it just fine the 200-4R might need a few "tweaks" and the rear end could become an issue eventually but then it's not like the thing is going to get any traction anyway. You'll need heavier front springs and at least a 3 row radiator but neither one is a big deal. Headers for a '73-'77 455 powered regal "might" work or check these guys out: TA Performance.

I say go for it!

[ltrapper]

You make me get more excited than I'am already. I'm glad to here something on the tranny I was thinking what to use for crossmember, I wasn't sure if a 350tranny would hold up to a 455 eng., would it need alot of mods. or just a shift kit. thanks for all the input. I'll keep the threads going, hopefully I'll teach myself to type, it would be alot easier on me.


thanks
ltrapper

[Hippie]

As long as it's in good shape I'd just put a shift kit in it. Until you get into some serious chassis mods and big sticky tires you're pretty much going to just blast the tires off it so the trans and rear end won't see much strain.

[Da Tinman]

Dude there are a large number of holes in the Cutlass crossmember, Knock the frames saddles off the Bu-hog, along with the motormounts. They will probably line up with some of them, If they don't, set the motor/trans in, level it side to side, line up the tranny mount and weld the frame saddles down.

Check the steering on the Cutlass, I've had a bunch of those cars All had worn out steering.

[ltrapper]

Is the 400 tranny going to be a big problem, if I go with it, and if I decide to what other mods do I have to look forward to.
Will the motor not bolt right up being its all GM?

[Da Tinman]

Ya should be able to slide the crossmember back, redrill the frame to match and slot the tranny mount holes to get it in. You will be needing a driveshaft for the 400,, What trans was in the Gutless?

[ltrapper]

tranny was a 350,thanks for all the info.

[jimfulco]

http://www.taperformance.com/miscella.htm has adapters for putting a Buick 455 into a '76-'87 Regal, which has the same frame as a '78 Cutlass. Scroll down almost halfway. These are needed because Buick 350's and 455's have the motor mounts in a different place.