1971 Cutlass sx
 

I am thinking about turning my cutlass in to a stocker any tips would be well appreciated.It is a factory 455 th400 car hoping to do this for under 10K.

Re: 1971 Cutlass sx
 

Dick Miller has suspension components perfect for you car.
Joe Mondello has passed away but think his shop is still in operation that are the Oldsmobile Engine specialist.

Dan

Re: 1971 Cutlass sx
 

I don't like to be the bearer of bad news, but you're not going to be able to turn that car into a Stocker with that kind of budget.

Re: 1971 Cutlass sx
 

X2 You will get $10K even more in the engine alone.

Re: 1971 Cutlass sx
 

They're correct. Stock Eliminator is very expensive. You didn't list your location ... are you close to IHRA tracks? Pure Stock might be an option. I'm not familiar with your combination but some headers, gear, converter, wheels, tires, ... can be done for under $10K and you may run the index.

Re: 1971 Cutlass sx
 

AND save the car later as a Collector Car..

This is what Pure Stock is for.
Racing good hotrod machinery without cutting it up.

D

Re: 1971 Cutlass sx
 

they only made 2175 totalSX cars in 1971 and about 875 were Convertibles--kinda a rare car--- might just wanna keep it the way it is and look for something else--- just take it out for a blast every so often I think I might be inclined to think that way--FED387

Re: 1971 Cutlass sx
 

If I were you I would not turn a rare car like yours into a drag car. I would look onto the Racing Junk website and try to find an existing car for
$10-12K and save yourself a lot of work along with messing up a rare car.

Re: 1971 Cutlass sx
 

Sorry, but your way off on your numbers. A car like that which can run a few tenths under the index will cost at least $30,000 to build.

Re: 1971 Cutlass sx
 

In NHRA form you're exactly correct ... can't be done. Put in Pure Stock form perhaps. We put less than that in our C5 (and those parts are CRAZY expensive) and run 1 second under.

From a quick investigation it appears to be a natural C car with a factory horsepower rating of 320 and factored to 340. That index in Pure Stock is 12.75 if he can get it down to a race weight of 3570. Again, I know nothing about these cars and I may looking at the wrong numbers but with a good set of headers, 4.56 gear, loose converter, and slicks wouldn't this be attainable?

Re: 1971 Cutlass sx
 

PM Danny Lattimore he is the God of Olds
Very neat car

Re: 1971 Cutlass sx
 

Thanks for the response guys the car will get restored,on to the next one.

Re: 1971 Cutlass sx
 

Whew !! Glen, I appreciate your confidence but I think that is a little strong.

Re: 1971 Cutlass sx
 

NO.....

There were a few others like Joe Mondello, another GOD of Olds...

He was a great guy !

Take a bow Danny you earned it..!!

D

Re: 1971 Cutlass sx
 

May be...but surprised your name hadn't come up yet..Maybe you ought to charge MORE for your expertise LOL

Re: 1971 Cutlass sx
 

I don't believe you would want to go as deep as a 4.56 with a 455 Olds

Re: 1971 Cutlass sx
 

X2....4.10 or 4.30 depending on type of tire (bias or radial) and tire size, etc.

Re: 1971 Cutlass sx
 

A different point of view...

Race it. Rare or not, I don't see '71 SX 455 ever being worth a fortune. You can buy fairly decent '70 W-30's for less than $50K. Probably 15% less for a '71 W-30? And then there's that big issue with the 1971 documentation (unless you have a build sheet or original window sticker and matching #'s engine & trans), 1972's have a W in the VIN to prove 455 came with the car, '71's do not have a VIN that determines engine code. Without complete documentation, everybody suspects a clone with a '71 BOP & Chevrolet.

So if you want to restore it and drive it; great. Restore it and sit on a lawn chair at car shows get's really old in my opinion. But if you take it out and race it, you'll have real fun. Race it in Pure Stock if that's in your region. Save up for a "real" Stock Eliminator engine & trans and drop it in later on. And there's plenty of room (I think) for a 9x 30 slick on that Cutlass so other than a roll bar, your not changing much on the body.

Re: 1971 Cutlass sx
 

race it.
Very few Oldsmobiles and even Buicks are highly sought after collectibles. Must be a rare factory high horsepwer and or fully optioned car. I have a rare 1970 GS350 car, now a 455 streeter run around car.
roll bars are easily installed and removed. save the cut out metal. I know. wish I saved the pieces from my fully documented 1970 SS Chevelle 396 4 speed car, but no biggie.
Built for comfort, and built for speed.
Chris