Need some advice....
 

Hey guys,

I am new to this forum and after 10 years away from car building I have finally dragged myself back in.

I need some advice on a build I want to do but have never tackled anything like this.

1969 Cadillac Deville Coupe

I have wanted to build this car for a long time. As time has passed and engines have changed I thought a nice new project would be to take and old car and put a new heart in it.

Everything else I have ever done was just upgrading to a bigger engine or adding on better parts and customizing the car.

Not sure where to start with a build like this.

Would I need to build to build a new frame or could I use the exciting frame and drop the motor?

If you guys could give me some background of where you would start with researching the possibilities.

Thank you and look forward to being an active member.

Throw in a dura max and an Allison. Just to be different

Welcome! You want to hot rod a caddy, The frame is a tank, And should need nothing unless your going to put a 600hp or more motor in it. Think motor mounts , Braking, Rear Gears, Maybe a Posi.

Geez. I forgot to add what I want to do.

I want to put an LQ9 Vortec engine in it from an 2002-07 escalade, sivlerado and other.

I know the engine very well and think it would be a great heart for this car.

Thank you. No not 600hp. Just a little different heartbeat.

I'll be by to pick up that crappy old 472/TH400.:mwink:

DIFFERENT would be NOT another belly button SBC... :rolleyes:

I'm a major advocate of...."to each his own" BUT....I think you would be making a BIG as in HUGE mistake pulling the 472 and sticking a chevy in there. No need to tell you that the car is very heavy and you need cubes to get her rolling. Besides, you say you've never tackled anything like this before so you might just be getting in over your head with all the computer and electronic hook ups and such for the engine and trans. Don't know your level of expertice....maybe you can.

If you go to Cadillac Forum you can join the forum of guys that build some "rip snortin" 472/500 Cadillac engines. There's plenty of hipo parts being made for them. I've got right at $6700 in my 507" Cad, it dyno'd at 535 trq. @ 4300 and 466 hp @ 5000. And this is an 8.7:1 engine that can run on 87 oct....think about it. ps, the red line is the torque curve....which doesn't curve too much:D

I know the 472 is a great engine and one of the best GMC ever built. The LQ9 was designed for Cadillac and used in Escalades and trucks and I did some weight comparisons and 69 deville 4500 #'s and the escalade 5400 #'s.

The computer part is the easy part. The part that I have no experience with is swapping a new engine in an old car and weather it will just bolt in with some modifications or it need a new frame.

Everything I have done was...

Put a big block in an old camaro and put a Cleveland in an mustang basically engine upgrades from smaller engines and stuff.

I will also add that I am not completely sure I will do this. The 472 is a great engine and it would be MUCH MUCH easier.

I am still looking at my options before settling in on. Knowledge is king and your advice and knowledge helps me make an educated decision.

Thank you

The frame on a 1969 Cadillac will handle just about any engine you like. The LQ is no issue, except fabricating mounts, and using a radiator designed for the LQ motor. Your stock radiator wont have the right fittings, and it would be better to get the Escalade or truck radiator. You'll also need to either get a donor gas tank from the same vehicle, or a tank designed for a fuel injected system, or capable of having a return line. You'll need an electric fuel pump, and some rewiring, but if you understand the new LQ you may already know all this.