Introduction/ Project Thread

Hello everyone.  I am new to this forum, and thought I would talk a little about my car which is under project.  My 1985 Delta 88 was passed on to me from my dad when I was 18 and started going to college.  When gas prices started soaring though, I got myself an Oldsmobile Alero, and completely stopped using my Delta 88 (Worst mistake ever).  Now, seven years later, I have started working on the car again.

At the moment, I am swapping my 307 for a 455ci engine from a 1976 Buick Electra which I have slightly modified.  Along with the engine, I am also swapping in a th400 from the same Electra and an 8.5 rear from a 1995 Buick Roadmaster.

After that, I am going to work on my suspension.  I am going to replace my oem springs with lowering springs from a 1990's Impala, install kyb exel g shocks, sway bars from an early 90's Buick Roadmaster, Roadmaster frame brace, and possibly poly bushings for the sway bars.

Once all that is done, my funds are pretty much done for, and I have to start saving up for a much needed paint job

Also, I have a quick question. Does anyone know the steering box ratio my OEM Delta has?  Is it an adequate performance ratio?

I will post pics of my project next week.

Welcome to the Forum. Sounds like you have a nice project underway. A 455 will be a nice power upgrade over the 307, a very nice power upgrade. Looking forward to pics of your Delta 88!

Thank you for the welcome. I have been slowly working on this since July with the guidance of a mechanic, and am hoping to finish the engine swap by this week, at which time, I will post pics.  This past Friday, the 8.5 rear was installed.  The only minor setback I had was the lug nuts being too small, so tomorrow I am getting new lug nuts.

welcome. and the steering on those is ok, but kinda loose for performance imo.
if yu wanted to tighten it up, you could see about one from a 9c1 caprice. i had a
95 9c1 and steering was 100% tighter than my 80's deltas and caprices i had.

Welcome!

Back in the day we used to swap the steering box with one from a Camaro with F41 or a Firebird with WS6. Waaaaay better steering!

Swapping to a much smaller steering wheel is an option also. It gives the feeling of tighter steering because of the smaller diameter. Less arm motion to turn the steering wheel with increased turning motion of the wheels/tires vs. the stock one.

chevybaby wrote:welcome. and the steering on those is ok, but kinda loose for performance imo.
if yu wanted to tighten it up, you could see about one from a 9c1 caprice. i had a
95 9c1 and steering was 100% tighter than my 80's deltas and caprices i had.

Thanks.  I will try to see if I can find a 9c1 steering box.  Any idea if the steering wheel stops in the same place as the OEM delta?  I have heard that swapping the steering box can affect that.

Sweet Seventy9 wrote:Welcome!

Back in the day we used to swap the steering box with one from a Camaro with F41 or a Firebird with WS6. Waaaaay better steering!

Swapping to a much smaller steering wheel is an option also. It gives the feeling of tighter steering because of the smaller diameter. Less arm motion to turn the steering wheel with increased turning motion of the wheels/tires vs. the stock one.  

The steering wheel idea is awesome.  If I have trouble finding a steering box, I will go that route.

not 100% sure but it should be ok since both the b bodys use the same steering linkage parts, as long as its set right. and it shouldnt be too hard, i see alot of 9c1s in the junkyard. just make sure its not all worn out. or the parts store should stock one new

chevybaby wrote:not 100% sure but it should be ok since both the b bodys use the same steering linkage parts, as long as its set right. and it shouldnt be too hard, i see alot of 9c1s in the junkyard. just make sure its not all worn out. or the parts store should stock one new

Cool.  That makes sense.  Besides that, now that I think of it, they are similar in length, so steering should be similar.  Thanks

On another note, the engine and transmission were finally put in the car today.  I need a new transmission mount though, because the mount that came with the th400 was completely broken.  Tomorrow, I will also check how much shorter the driveshaft needs to be.  Hopefully, there will be a car or truck at the junkyard that will have the size I need, because I really don't want to cut mine.

Here are some pics that I have gotten from my project so far.

Here is the car when I took it to the shop.


This is the engine I got at the junkyard.


Differential after changing lube and a fresh coat of paint.


307 is out.


Engine almost ready.


I will add more pics these week.

I just uploaded more pics.  These show the engine in the car already.







Right now, financing is limiting me to no a/c and no paint job lol  For the moment, the swap, and small suspension upgrades will make do.

Welcome to the forum!  Looks like you've got things well in hand.  I'll be following this for sure

Looking good! Keep up the great work!

Thank you.  I will make sure to keep posting pics.  I really believe/ hope my car will be running by this weekend.  I was lucky enough to find a driveshaft just the right size for my swap.  Tomorrow, I will pick up the u joint for the driveshaft we found at the junkyard, after which only small details will remain.

My swap is now officially complete.  Yesterday, I got insurance for it, and drove it around a bit.  It revs a bit high for highway driving, but the car feels amazingly light.  The only thing pending is the switch for the passing gear.  I still have not had the need for it though lol

Here is a small clip of the idle.  I just recorded a couple of minutes ago, so the video is dark.  Audio is loud and clear though.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=l43y6VOpgI4

Tomorrow, I will get some pics during the day.

Here are the pics of the finished engine swap.  





I don't really have somewhere where I can take pics of my exhaust, but if I find somewhere to take them though, I will.  The way my exhaust shop did it, is they got dual 2 1/4" exhaust pipes, and ran them together all the way to the crossmember.  After the crossmember, the drivers side exhaust pipe got a 45 degree bend that went to the driver's side and went all the way to the back.  I am sure it will be tough to do driveshaft work, but hopefully I won't have do do that anytime soon.

I just had my lowering springs installed.  I went with Vogtland impala ss springs, and KYB Exel G shocks.  They are okay.  In my opinion though, my car went a bit too low.  My car now scrapes a bit on most speed bumps.  This isn't really my daily driver though, so it's okay.  Handling improved a lot.  My car no longer feels like I am driving a boat lol  Here is a pic.



This will be my last mod in a while.  When I get a more funding, my project will resume with sway bars, paint, and interior.

Update: I was having overheating issues, so I swapped out my fans. A co-worker recommended I use the Dorman replacement fans from a 2005 Chrysler 300, and they worked like a charm. Also, I managed to find a shop for which I wouldn't have to sale my kidneys to do all the bodywork So it is in the process of getting painted. I will post update pics soon.