[BMM]

Hello all. Im looking for advise on what to aim for as the next upgrade to my vehicle. It is a 1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme. With a 350 SBC edelbrock 600cfm and RPM performer intake, headers and dual exahust, a brand new, 'level 2' 2004r transmission from Bowtie Overdrives w/2200 stall, and the factory rear end (I beleive it's no higher than 3.).

Depending on the traction I can get at the time, the car runs about high 14's, low 15's. I don't know how old the engine is, but it seems to run well. Im looking for something that will give me a bit more get up and go on the highway, but will keep me from putting too much stress on the motor.

I was thinking something like a 268H Comp Cam, with some roller rockers, or the easier route of an electric fan (I've been told they can free up up to 15 hp).

Im fairly lost here, as I dont have the big bucks to lay out.

Thanks alot.

[Deuce]

I would go lower on the rear end ratio ... a 3.73 or so

You have a 200R4 ... so the overdrive will help keep the RPMs down @ highway speed.

[BMM]

That is something I was considering, but I am unsure about its benefits. Would swapping from a high 2 to a 3.73 be noticabley felt, and make my car a substatial amount quicker?

[Deuce]

A 200R4 has the first gear ratio of 2.78

So if you rear gear is 3.0 your first gear overall ratio is 3.0 X 2.78 = 8.34

With a 3.73 , it is 2.78 X 3.73 = 10.36

A good many of the Monte Carlo SS cars came with the 3.42 or the 3.73 rear ends ... from the factory for the exact same reason ... to help get the car moving.

[Quarter Flash]

I agree with Deuce and in addition since your car is a 88 I would replace all the rubber bushings in the rear suspension with hard rubber bushings. This will stiffen the ride in the rear a little, but it will also stabilize your rearend and provide better traction. If your rear control arms are stamped c-channel as I think they are you might consider boxing them in. This requires welding in a strip of 1/8" metal in the un boxed side of your control arms. This will take the flex out of your control arms and further stabilize your rearend.

Bob

[BMM]

And 10.0 first drive is ideal, correct?

Would warpage due to heat be a concern with the control arms?

According to my tach, when my motor reaches 4000rpm, it seems to run out of breathe. I don't think that is a problem, but I always thought 5500 is an ideal max rpm? Is this due to a cam, or the engine/heads in general?

[Quarter Flash]

I have done this several times with out any warping problems. I start out by throughly cleaning the areas to be welded. I trim the metal strip to fit the open area in the control arm. I tack weld all four corners and one tack on each side in the middle. Then I weld about a 1/2" bead at a time crossing over from side to side and end to end letting the control arm cool to warm between welds. I weld two beads on one control arm and then I work on another control arm while the first cools. I continue this process until all the arms are completely welded. Works for me try at your risk.

Bob