The 400 in my 66 cutlass is blowing smoke when I start it up hot, and it fouls this one plug constantly, so I am either going to rebuild the heads or pull the 400/th400 combo in favor of a tpi motor and 700r4 for economy while I rebuild the 400. I figure like even a 305 tpi motor would have enough torque to be adequate in a daily driver, especially with the 700r4's low first gear, and with 2.xx gears in the 12 bolt posi, a 305 would probably get excellent freeway mileage, what do you think?

I have some questions.

Would a 350 get better mileage around town? The cutlass is pretty heavy.

I assume new mounts are necessary, but ive heard people say i need new frame rails... whats that about?

How much modification will be needed to the driveshaft?

What about the fuel system? can i install a return line to the original tank? will an inexpensive (walbro 225) inline pump work?

Remember this is a daily driver and roadtrips are the ultimate goal, and performance, well as much as i love it, economy is becoming a big factor. As long as it makes v8 sounds and can burn em I'm happy.

 

This is stretching the limits on being related to third gens. About all you can say is that it is similar to putting TPI into a non-CC Canadian LG4 car. Sorta similar, at best.

Get Chevelle V8 engine mounts, everything else you inquired about will need to be custom fabricated.

 

i sincerely doubt ANY custom fabrication will be required to put a chevy motor in an olds, and yes, while this isnt really thirdgen related, ive posted here under various names for about 5 years now and i know for a fact that there are very few sites better versed in TPI motors, and car knowledge in general.

 

Driveshaft, rear crossmember, fuel system is what I was referring to.

 

yeah, ive looked into a 2004r for the 72, and learned that it would bolt in place of its th350 with minimal driveshaft modification, but the 700 would require it to be modified... I assume a return line will have to be plumbed for the fuel system, but I have no idea if the stock tank can be used... Crossmembers are easy right? just a matter of drilling new mounting holes... the frame rail part is what i'm worried about, i figured chevelle mounts would work to bolt in the 350, but will they really not mount to an oldsmobile frame rail? I thought you could pretty much put any gm motor in any gm car...

and would a 350 get better in town mileage because of its better torque? I am also looking at LO5 truck motors, as Ive seen them rated at 300 ftlb, but car craft's project jake only made 140 hp and 200 ftlb on their dyno, which seems like it would be a little lame in my car. How do these numbers compare with an LB9 305? Does anyone have an idea of what these motors put to the ground nearly stock?