OK, so I've made a lot of progress since I last posted.  Here's what's up: After rebuilding the front suspension with new bushings, springs, and shocks. I had the car aligned and drove it around for a while.  The good news is that the head gasket on my crappy V6 finally blew- the perfect excuse to get moving on the engine swap.



So, the plan is simple- all the parts on the floor go into the car.  That's an LT1, 4L60E and an 8.5" 10-bolt with 3.08:1 limited slip out of the taxi in the background.  Right now the engine is at the machine shop getting rebuilt.  See the LT1- Give Me More thread for info about that.

The following weekend, I got the 4.6 TBI v6 out of my car:



And here's the car as it sits today:



I had to take off the passenger fender to remove the wiring to the ECM.  Once I did that, I figured I'd take everything else off to clean and repaint the frame and firewall.  

I'll keep this updated as I get more done!
-John  

Any more updates John? We're all cheering you on! Man, I hope the editor gives you half the mag (or add more pages) when the article is published.  

Thanks a lot, and thanks for cheking back!  Our website isn't the easiest to navigate.  

I got a lot done this weekend, but it doesn't look like it.



While the engine is out, I can't resist the temptation to  sand, grind, clean,and repaint everthing.  Here's my left wheel house and rear sway bar about to get a coat of Chassis Black.  I finished replacing the rear control arm bushings with a cool set of spherical bearings that press into the stock arms.  I also replaced the rear springs and shocks, so the car is back on the ground again.  I'm waiting for a few more parts for the engine, but it should be getting reassembled soon.  

For those interested, this is a pretty good view of our shop that we share with Hot Rod.  In the background is my Subaru (daily driver), Miles Cook's (former CC staffer currently working for Mustang Monthly) '67 Ranchero, the '94 9C1 Caprice donor car I bought from former staff guy Terry McGean, me in front of the '86, our publisher John Gallagher's '67 Buick GS 400, and Chevy High Performance staffer John Nelson's '84 Camaro.  It's a cool place to work, and anyone who will be meeting us for Anti-Tour on March 15th will get to see the place in person.  We have a lot of cleaning to do.  

Ask and you shall receive. Just found this article today.

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080315/BUSINESS01/803150358/&imw=Y

GM bringing back 1970s sport truck
Contest winner will name high-powered Pontiac

We are finally getting the "Ute" that I mentioned in my earlier post. But this time Pontiac will be getting the El Camino. Actually they are having a naming contest to see what it will be called as a member of the Excitement division. Check it out.

-quik71  

I was curios if the mods yall are doing would do on an olds delta 88 2 door,somthing like a late 70s type,always wanted a "rocket 88"fullsize olds  

Hey I've figured out how the put a manual transmission in the boxy cars. All using factory GM parts, with minimal mods. Interested? I did the switch on my 85 4 door, and what a blast it was to drive. I had to junk the car and the saginaw 4 speed took a dump, but I still have the pedals...  

That caprice looks like its gonna be pretty sick .Good to see the box chevys finally getting some respect and attention . I have been driving Caprice's since I can remember it was my first car and my current car . I have a 1986 Caprice with a 350 from a 70 Camaro or Vette I'm having some trouble identifying it using the numbers on the enigine block if any one knows how to help solve it let me know thanks.  

Hey guys, thanks for the continued interest.  NaughtyDodge, I can't say with 100% cartainty about Oldsmobiles, but with the Chevrolet B-bodies, virtually everything from '77-'96 is interchangeable. I'll try to find out what I can about Delta's and let you know.  I think it would be cool to see one of those cars built up!

89LXhatch- I sent you an email, but am definately interested in your pedal set-up.  I'd love to have a manual trans in my Caprice.  

Smokem86- Good to hear from a another full-sized Chevy fan.  Post some pictures of you car in the reader's rides section.  I'd like to check it out.  Also, reply with your casting numbers.  I'm sure that one of us will be able to help you figure out what your 350 came out of.  

Update- my block will be reassembled this week and on the dyno next week.  If you're interested, checkout the "LT1- Give me more" thread for some pictures.  My car could be back on the road in about a month!

Stay tuned...
John  

Hey , its me fullsize fun , I guess my name got the axe so had to start with a new one..lol i myself picked up a new boxy , 89 caprice 9C1  had some 94-96 steelies on it , but all 4 where bent..lol so i got a set of 1/2 truck 15x7's off the bay for 66 bucks and crammed on some 255/60/15's


and for the old stock car vibe..

gotta love the 3.42 8.5 ten bolt and specailly calibrated 700r4 , powered buy a weak ass 190 hp tbi 350 ..lol  

Yes, I had a 77 and an 83 with an 85 nose  and 87 flat panel tail lights... **LOL***! Still waiting for the message regarding my clutch pedal set-up. I really miss my boxy cars... I currently have a 91 with all the upgrades, but I think I like the boxy style more. Cheers! Mike  

I have a 1977 2dr fastback - with the slanted rear window. I am building it for Open Road Racing. A place where the Caprice really shines. And a place for hardcore racing. A hundred miles of Nevada freeway to go as fast as you can...LEGALLY ! openroadracing.com

The Caprice has a strong, slightly modified 400 SBC with a 350 TH, 273 rear end, and F41 suspension. It runs 255X60X15 tires. Kirkey seat, Simpson harness, and 6 point roll bar. Once the car is up to a 100 MPH, it really pulls hard.

I plan to run it at the August 26 event in Battle Mountain. Therefore this is a challenge to Car Craft Magazine to bring their Caprice to Battle Mountain Nevada and run it. It is only 83.5 miles, at speed, into the desert, regroup and restart 42 miles back to the start line

You guys have just got to get out from behind your word processors, get you hands greasy, and run what you actually build. See you there !!  

Damn .. sounds like a call out to me ... wish i could make it . LX hatch , send me that info on the manual swap to  ironroad33 at gmail.com  

Bump for some updates.I painted the wheels on mine ,

and a little photochop of the silver  with straight blackwalls,I think gives the business look.
 

hello everyone,

i have a 87 chevy caprice classic brougham that i'm looking to modify can anyone give me some insights currently it's pretty much stock,  i want to put a manual trans in it with either a 350 or 454 and really beef it up along with being a fairly decent daily driver.
THANKS,
JON  

I have recently upgraded my 87 Caprice Wagon with a warmed over ZZ4, Headman headers, 2 1/2" exhaust with cut outs, 4 core diesel radiator, Stage 2 200-4r, custom driveshaft (blew up the stock one), 3.73's, PowerTrax Lock-Right, and Line-Lock.
Now Mustangs can only light up my tailgate as I blow by them. And I get 11mpg around town with a heavy foot and 17.3mpg (with the old 3.42's) at 85mph on the highway.