O.K., guys and gals, I apologise up front for this off-topic question but as
we have been having discussions on changing from small block to big block,
Cadillac flower cars, etc., maybe some of you can give me some advice.
My car, a 1989 Cadillac Brougham, has nearly 220,000 miles. If I were to
give it a name, it would be "Ol' Reliable." It is in great shape overall and
it is a keeper.
The problem: It is really starting to show its age, power-wise (or the lack
thereof). It has its original 5.0 litre (307 CI) Oldsmobile V8 that has
never been rebuilt; the worst thing that has been done to it is to have its
intake manifold gasket replaced at 150K and its on-board computer at 180K.
It uses no oil, doesn't knock, runs smoothly. BTW, all those miles are from
lots of highway driving.
On a drive Saturday between Evansville, IN and Louisville, KY on I-64, the
road was all uphill and downhill, repeatedly. On the uphill grades my speed
dropped to 60 and sometimes 55 and the car would not go any faster until I
got over the top and started downhill again.
I am wondering if I should begin thinking about an engine
rebuild/replacement. I want more power out of this thing. Any suggestions?
(Yes, it has been tuned up recently.)
BTW, Jim, the thought of a bigger block did cross my mind - but not a 454,
more like a 472 or 500...8^)
Here is a good reason to avoid those 305/307 motors in your truck rodding
projects. I have a relative with an '86 Caprice, it has the ubiquitous Chevy
350 that will run circles around my Caddy.
So...my questions are: If I switch to a 350, is it possible to modify/do
away with the on-board computer? Will a Chevy 350 mate up to the 200-4R
tranny in the car (I suspect not, the original motor is an Olds)? Can I drop
in an Olds 350 to get the tranny to mate, but then what about the computer
system? Can the 200-4R handle the extra HP/torque of the Olds 350?
Since this is off-topic, please e-mail me direct with your
thoughts/suggestions at
ron@philcoradio.com
and NOT to the list.
I apologise again for going off-topic, and for all the rambling. But I
respect the opinions of you folks. Thanks in advance.
--
Ron Ramirez - ron@philcoradio.com - Providence, KY
http://www.philcoradio.com (New site coming soon!)
http://www.chevytrucks.org/ (Webmeister of this site)
http://members.xoom.com/mrphilco/ (Route 66)
http://www.geocities.com/mrphilco/ (Zena Dare, early actress)
oletrucks is devoted to Chevy and GM trucks built between 1941 and 1959
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