Cheap Upgrades

[1968olds98]

Hey, I'm new to the 73-77 Forums but it looks great! :)

Heres my Suspension setup (under $110 in parts)

Vehicle 1974 Oldsmobile Cutlass "S" 140,000 1975 455 Dual Exhaust, Aluminum Intake

1979 Trans Am Front Sway bar 1 1/4th Its a direct FIT!

Olds
1964-1977 A-body (Cutlass)
1964-1972 A-body (Cutlass)
1978-1988 A,G-body (Cutlass)

Donor
1977-1985 B,C body (Delta 88, 98)
1982-1992 F-body (Camaro, Firebird)
1970-1981 F-body (Camaro, Firebird)

Size reference:
Vehicle Year Bar Size
1978-1980 Formula Firebird 1 1/4"
1976-1979 Trans Am 1 3/4"



1984 Chevy Caprice 9C1 Caprice Rear sway bar 1 inch

Olds Vehicle GM Vehicle Notes
1977-1985 B,C-body (88, 98) 1973-1977 A-body (Cutlass)
1977-1985 B,C-body (88, 98) 1986-1996 B,C-body (Impala)
1977-1985 B,C-body (88, 98)

Sorry No notes on size.

Boxed Control Arms (homemade)

Aluminum Rear Brake Drums
Donor cars (watch drum size 11" vs 9" etc)

80-84 Buick LeSabre
'78-81 Century
78-87 Regal
'81-85 Riviera
'82-92 Chevy Camaro
'86-89 Impala,
78-81 Malibu,
'78-88 Monte Carlo
80-85 Olds Delta 88,
78-82 Cutlass
80-81 and '83-85 Pontiac Bonneville,
'86 Parisienne
82-92 Firebird,
78-85 LeMans

15x7 Olds Rally III's with Kelly Charger 235/60/15's

And my battery is in the trunk.

Notes, Great for a more competitive street car more fun to drive. I can take some turns in excess of 45mph (not in suicide mode either)

Keep in mind good shocks/Tires are VERY important

A bigger front bar with no rear = understeer
A bigger rear bar with smaller/no front = oversteer/snap oversteer DANGER

[mdkingsley]

Has anyone ever put the 8.5 disc brake setup off a firebird/camaro on thier rear? I know most were 7.5 rears but the guy states this was an 8.5. I saw it on ebay a while back wanted it but was broke. Now I have some cash sitting in my paypal just in case another shows up.

[1968olds98]

Thats my next project, I got a 11" rear system off a 77 Seville (76?-79) to be exact, Ill keep this thread active. :rolleyes:

[mdkingsley]

Good, I would like to do this to my car instead of spending a load on aftermarket stuff. I guess I could look at an interchange and see what fits.

[1968olds98]

Heres a start on parts interchange,
1976 has rear rotors listed as well as drums???
1977-1979 Cadillac Seville Has Rear Disc Brakes (Rotors 11")
(also has a Multi-port fuel injected olds 350)

The following SHOULD all have rear 10.5" rotors

Cadillac

1979 - 1985 ELDORADO
1980 - 1985 SEVILLE

Buick
1979 - 1985 RIVIERA

Chevy
1994 - 1997 BLAZER
1982 - 1997 S10 PICKUP
1983 - 1994 S10 BLAZER
1982 - 1989 JIMMY
1982 - 1990 S15 PICKUP
1991 JIMMY
1991 - 1998 SONOMA
1995 - 1998 JIMMY
1991 SYCLONE
1983 - 1994 S15 JIMMY
1992 - 1993 TYPHOON
Olds
1991 - 1994 BRAVADA
1979 - 1985 TORONADO
1996 BRAVADA

WARNING: many 80s gm b bodys use a 5x5 wheel spacing partern so watch out, however this wont affect the backing plates (need) only the rotors/axles (maybe)

[1968olds98]

Update,

I found a trade off car for the rotors (since the cadillac's are in a 5x5 spacing)

Im going to use 1979-81 Firebird rear rotors there a 100% match up, other than the spacing is correct for my cutlass 4 3/4.

I just need to figure out what to do with the rear drum brake lines and how to use a rubber setup.

[VWBeamer]

Good info.

What shocks are best?

[mdkingsley]

I used Monroe gasmatics but I am not happy with them, they have a great ride but are'nt stiff enough for hard driving or corners, I am going with somthing stiffer or maybe adjustable later on.

[CSedar]

Would i need a different proportioning valve to install rear disks on my 73 supreme? I'm about ready to take it off of the frame and I'd love to take care of as many suspension issuses as i can with the body off.

Thanks

[petrofyed]

hey... 1968olds98...you got any more pics of your car that's in the avatar??looks an awful lot like mine, what with the yellow paint and all... :)