85 olds delta 88 = caprice?

There are a few reasons to get rid of the 307. The one that sticks out to me is the lack of support. A 5.3L engine and trans from a gm truck made a decade ago will give you better performance, milage, reliability, etc and parts are readily available. Don't go too crazy without upgrading brakes and suspension a little. Putting a huge iron engine in there with serious torque is going to be a bit of a project to tame, with questionable PRACTICAL benefits (they make an awesome noise when making parallel lines on the pavement ). The vacuum tubing is a nightmare. Even if you replace the driveline it is in the ac/heater ducting controls. It can be a pain. You could make a nice daily driver out of this car though. It isn't a track car, so don't worry about what the Miata crowd thinks.

Thanks for all the responses , I'm gonna pass on it and wait for an actual caprice to popup

In reply to Antihero:

Why? It's not like a 305 is going to be a much better starting point.

Wouldn't a Chevy engine bolt right up, since it's essentially the same body and trans as Caprices used?

I recall from back in the day there was some lawsuit brought by Old owners who found out GM had "snuck" Chevrolet engines into their Oldsmobiles when supply of 307s was running low. I don't know why anyone would care, 305 vs 307, but I guess this is America and any reason to bring a lawsuit, right?

In reply to volvoclearinghouse:

It would but you would have to swap over all the mounts and the transmission. Remember, GM used 3 different bolt patterns for transmission: Chevy, Buick-Olds-Pontiac, and Cadillac. There were some "universal" 200-4Rs made that had all 3 patterns though, if I recall.

In reply to NickD:

Ah, OK. Thanks. My brother has a mid-80's Olds wagon with the 307, and has been thinking about swaps. He has his heart set on a 455, but can't find one cheap (duh) and I've cautioned him about single-digit fuel economy. Some P/O had swapped a TH350 behind his 307, so he's already getting 12-14 mpg now. I told him to just grab a 350/ 200 4R out of a junker caprice and be done with it- his Old is rust free (in NY, a big deal) and has a pretty nice interior.

Caprice with a 350 would probably have a 700R4, not a 200-4R. A friend's 86 with the 305 even had the 700 behind it.

Esoteric Nixon wrote: In reply to Antihero: Why? It's not like a 305 is going to be a much better starting point.

True but there's always hope for a 350

And while the 305 isn't much to right home about it can apparently can handle a decent nitrous shot if I go that route. Plus I can swap to a 350 easier. The 307 doesn't have either if those upsides

I love it when these threads pop up, as I have a 1989 caprice wagon. Wagons under any of the names all had the 307/200r4 combo right up to the end. 200r4 was much improved with a CK Performance (I think that was it...) shift kit and lasted me just fine with a decent amount of abuse. I blew up the 307 due to towing too much combined with a heat riser valve (kind of like an exhaust throttle) that was unknowingly rusted in the closed position. It ran at 260+ degrees for literally hours with no issues until the end. I was very impressed with how stout that engine was considering its reputation and weak ratings, but it's not something I would ever try to make power with.

Fun fact: obviously an SBC fits, and the mount holes are in the crossmember of every car regardless what engine it came with. Bonus nachos, the NV3500 5 speed uses the same mounting location as the 200r4, making a 5 speed swap pretty easy. That's what mine is running.

They may not handle great stock, but they can easily be made to. Anything from the 1991-1996 cars, including impala SS, fits, so there's a decent aftermarket.

I got probably 16-17 mpg with the automatic and 307. TBI 350 and manual got more like 12, but I never could figure out why it always ran rich. Vortec converted to multi point injection gets 16ish towing 2 dirt bikes at 80 mph, which I'm happy with. Never really take highway trips without the bikes, but it should get 18 to 20 if I take it easy and don't tow and once I finish hammering out the tune.

gearheadE30 wrote: I love it when these threads pop up, as I have a 1989 caprice wagon. Wagons under any of the names all had the 307/200r4 combo right up to the end. 200r4 was much improved with a CK Performance (I think that was it...) shift kit and lasted me just fine with a decent amount of abuse. I blew up the 307 due to towing too much combined with a heat riser valve (kind of like an exhaust throttle) that was unknowingly rusted in the closed position. It ran at 260+ degrees for literally hours with no issues until the end. I was very impressed with how stout that engine was considering its reputation and weak ratings, but it's not something I would ever try to make power with. Fun fact: obviously an SBC fits, and the mount holes are in the crossmember of every car regardless what engine it came with. Bonus nachos, the NV3500 5 speed uses the same mounting location as the 200r4, making a 5 speed swap pretty easy. That's what mine is running. They may not handle great stock, but they can easily be made to. Anything from the 1991-1996 cars, including impala SS, fits, so there's a decent aftermarket. I got probably 16-17 mpg with the automatic and 307. TBI 350 and manual got more like 12, but I never could figure out why it always ran rich. Vortec converted to multi point injection gets 16ish towing 2 dirt bikes at 80 mph, which I'm happy with. Never really take highway trips without the bikes, but it should get 18 to 20 if I take it easy and don't tow and once I finish hammering out the tune.

I've been looking at bangshifts Buford project and it does look like there's a way to make it handle.

I have ideas now lol

I had a retired 85 9C1 police cruiser w/350 4bbl, not sure about transmission. Decent mpg and performance for a mid 80s full size. Light blue, unmarked, wearing aviators, other LEOs would wave to me. True stealth back in the double nickel days.