G-Body Race car

[jdansmith]

84 Olds Cutlass Project is coming along.... Time has been a huge issue. Car is being built for Harris Speedway (Dirt) in NC. The car will be run in the pure stock division.

[ScrapMetal]

I clicked this thread halfway expecting another Infiniti G build but I'm glad it wasn't. I absolutely love the old GM G-bodies. Been after a nice El Camino for quite some time. What engine you got there? 350? 2 bolt? 4 bolt? Whatcha got planned for it?

[jdansmith]

yes,its a 350, 4 bolt, aluminum intake, Holley reworked the carb 830cfm 624 heads, .30 over ,flat top pistons, timing around 36 degrees, and running a t200r4 transmission.

[Gold Digger]

Mid to late 80's G-bodies were all the rage when I was in high school 90-94. Some people went for the 78-83's but most went for the 84's and newer.

I kid you not, about 35%-45% of the cars in our parking lot were G-bodies.

They were also really popular for dirt track stock car racing at the county fairgrounds. I never went, but several people I knew from the area raced in probably the same (or close too) class you're building for.

[jdansmith]

I agree they were the rage, very popular and good looking cars too.
G-Bodies on asphalt tracks are very popular around here in SC since they do not allow (mustangs, novas, and camaros), but the dirt tracks are allowing novas and camaros now there killing the G-bodies and currently in the division were building for this would be the only G-Body all the other cars are mid 70s camaros about 15 of them with one 1980 camaro and one Nova.

[ScrapMetal]

yes,its a 350, 4 bolt, aluminum intake, Holley reworked the carb 830cfm 624 heads, .30 over ,flat top pistons, timing around 36 degrees, and running a t200r4 transmission.

Don't know much about 624 heads but I've heard they're prone to cracking. I think they used to be called Smog Heads back in the day. Unless of course yours are GM performance heads. Could be wrong, I've never rebuilt any GM V8s.

[jdansmith]

I've heard that to but in our division unfortunately we cant run performance heads just to try to the cars pretty equal and keep cost down most run the 624 heads and the 882.

[ScrapMetal]

Didn't know that, but if it keeps costs down and everyone's pretty much equal it'll be some fun racing. Wish they still had stuff like that down here in South Florida. We used to have a dirt track down here years ago but it was closed down and a friggin Lowes was built over it.

On a good note, the 624s are lighter than the 882s.

[jdansmith]

Yeah 7 or 8 cars have a chance of winning any given night . The car count for all division total is about 120 and its been on the rise since a local track closed down 3 weeks ago.

I could be wrong but, I think the 624 were manufactured out of Canada and made with a little stronger material too.

[jdansmith]

Well it's been a long time but things moved quick. The wk we were to put the engine in the G-body a deal arose on a Nova too good to pass on. Sold the G -body for little more than I had in it and picked up a race ready 75 Nova, 350 40 over World Products Sportsman heads, Saginaw 3 speed and lots of goodies. It meant the kid had really too much car for a beginner. Had to wk through some growing pains but ran 6 races with a best of 5th out of an 18 car field after going to the rear twice. Two wks from the end of the season the brakes failed and he ht the wall a ton climbing the wall, bending the frame, A-frame, broken rear axle and a host of other damage. Repairs are almost finished and with a reskin of the body being the winter project.







Race trim






Very well maintained dirt track





The kid


A few action shots







After a rough night of racing, the T-bird got killed by a Camaro and the kid got caught up in the aftermath



After the wall climbing incident











Bring on next season already!