Dad's 1970 Cutlass Supreme

[Bru]

Hi everyone,
I've posted over at LS1TECH but find myself on this forum quite a bit so I thought I'd start a build thread here too.
This project has been a dream of mine and my Dad's for as long as I can remember.
Dad bought this car brand new in 1970. A green on green Cutlass Supreme with a 350 Rocket, 3 spd Auto, Buckets and console shift.
I remember riding in it as a young boy and I'm now 37.
I'd like to explain a little about this project.
This is Dad's car, but we're going to do the build together and hopefully he'll let me drive it from time to time.
Pretty sweet Father-Son project.


The plan is to have it done for Dad's birthday in 4 years.
Our goal is for the car to have a Pro-touring look, comfortable reliable ride that can be driven and enjoyed.
Jeff Schwartz's 1971 Cutlass build is an inspiration, although our budget is modest in comparison.

Here's what we are planning on at this point, if anyone has any suggestions or see any conflict with the parts and choices we are making I'd love to hear from you.
-We have a 2012 LS3 with 6L80E ready and waiting to go in. (Oldsmobile purist's are going to hate us, we may paint it gold for nostalgia)
-Dirty Dingo conversion mounts
-Speartech Harness & Programming
-HPI Customs Frame brace kit
-Ridetech Street Grip Suspension
-Wilwood or Kore3 4 wheels discs
-not sure on wheels and tires but thining 18x8.5" front and 19x10's in the rear
-upgrade to quick ratio steering box

We'd like to keep the interior as stock looking as possible.
Will probably keep the car either Factory code 48 Sherwood Green or something very close but darker

I wanted to get house of kolor digital paint booth to render the car but they don't have a 70 Cutlass in their list.
Does anyone know of any other programs that do something similar? Or know of someone affordable to do a rending?

We've been aquiring a few parts. I'll post a few pictures.

Cheers!

Kevin
Calgary, Alberta
Canada

[Che70velle]

Sweet ride bru!
I originally started my build thread on LS1Tech, but ultimately pulled off the site due to there being a conflict of personalities, for me personally. I still look at the classifieds from time to time, but I pulled off the site. The community here is a great group, and you'll get plenty of honest help from people that actually know their stuff. Keep us posted please!

[Bru]

Here's a few more pictures..
Front clip off and removing the carpet revealed some holy floors.
I'm ok with that since the 6l80e is a big tranny. A custom tunnel will be required.

[Bru]

The car was undercoated at the dealership.
Here we are sandblasting and wire brushing off the undercoating.
I'm very happy that under the coating is a rust free frame.
Also found the numbers stamped on the frame, haven't decoded them yet though.

[tubbed69]

Very nice project,I will keep watching your updates:thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[Bru]

Last week we received the HPI Customs A-body K-Brace kit.
I'm pumped to install it.
We had a few delays getting the kit from HPI but I must say that Dawn @ HPI went over and above to make things right. The kit looks like awesome quality.
I'm hoping the LS+6l80e will align nicely with the kit. Adjustable trans cross member should help with that.
I had to pick up a new welder since the cheap unit I had wasn't up to the task of welding the HPI kit. I hope I made the right choice in welders. Millermatic 211.

[WSSix]

Welcome to the site, Bru. Sounds like you've got a great project going on. I wish you luck in getting it built in time for your Dad's birthday.

[Bru]

Thanks for the support guys. It's appreciated.
I'm sure we'll have some questions come during the process.
The electrical sort of scares me since I've had limited experience with that.
Also fitting wheels and tires. Don't want to get it wrong. Could be a costly mistake.

Cheers,

Kevin

[Che70velle]

Thanks for the support guys. It's appreciated.
I'm sure we'll have some questions come during the process.
The electrical sort of scares me since I've had limited experience with that.
Also fitting wheels and tires. Don't want to get it wrong. Could be a costly mistake.

Cheers,

Kevin

Kevin, what are your plans for a harness? Are you working with what you have, or going with a new one?

[Bru]

We haven't really decided.
I'd love to just go for a new one. That way it would be less questioning the wiring if it doesn't want to run.
Really it'll come down to time and budget.
I'm open to any advice/suggestions.

[Spiffav8]

Very cool project! This is going to be a fun one to watch.

:popcorn2:

[Bru]

I've got a bit of an update.
Finally got to installing the HPI frame bracing kit.
I'm a rookie welder so this was a pretty ambitious project but although the welds aren't all pretty I know they're strong.

[Bru]

After we get the frame cleaned up we will be looking to paint it. Satin Black most likely, although considering a gunmetal grey.
Any recommendations on products for paint and primer? Not POR 15.
Also i'm looking for recommendations for filling small voids in the frame where my welding wasn't quite perfect? shown in the picture below?

[Jimbo1367]

I would just fire up the welder and fill in the voids/defects. Grind it flush. For painting, I'd use a epoxy primer and paint of your choice.

[spatel2589]

Looking real nice! Cant wait to see finished product!

[grendel]

I have a Delphi quick ratio box I need to get out of my shed, if you want it? All my projects went rack and pinion. I think it has 60 miles on it, if that.

I also have a wheel fitment tool I can rent if you want it.

Nice project. I re-did my Dad's truck with him a few times and once after he passed on.

My kids remember it now.

[lawrenq]

Nice work, I have that same frame kit, and I can't wait to install it.

[Bru]

It didn't quite fit as well as I expected. A bit of Fabrication was needed to make it fit well, but that's understandable since no two frame are the same, especially after 40+ years.
The transaction with HPI didn't go very well so it left a bit of a bad taste in my mouth. But over all I am quite happy with the frame kit. It sure stiffens things up incredibly well.

[waynieZ]

Nice project, It's going to be fun to watch.

[Roger Poirier]

This is going to be a lot of fun. I installed my stock interior as well.
Keep up the good work. Nice progress. Agreed with previous post on welding.

Do it right the first time. That way you wouldn't have to do again.

Roger. :)

[IMPALAMAN1]

Looks great. Just purchased one for my project. Curious about the floor pan clearance in the rear foot area.:G-Dub:

[Bru]

We haven't had a chance to set the body back on the frame yet.
I'm a little nervous about the clearance as well. The kit has been designed to clear everything so I'm going to just believe in that for now. I will post a few pics once we get the body back on. We are hoping to do it soon to mock up the transmission tunnel.

[IMPALAMAN1]

trying to adapt to a B-Body. but the floor pans are real deep in the back. and ther is also a seat brace that may need to be widdled down, thanks again look forward to more updates.

[LowNfast]

Subscribing to follow along! I love a good abody, good luck with the build!

[Bru]

So this is pretty damn exciting.
Level 2 Coilover setup...

[Che70velle]

Nice! Did you get color on the frame yet?

[Bru]

We are waiting on paint. Our Supplier was out of stock.
Should be in soon.
We decided to go with PPG AUE-370.

[Bru]

Bit of an update on the Cutlass.

We've got the motor and tranny set back in the frame and the body back on.
Things are fitting well. Other than the frame bracing and the rear seat floor pans are touching. We haven't decided how best to address this yet.

The Motor has a couple inches clearance from the fire wall which is great.
I'm currently working on welding in new floor pans and addressing the extra space needed to fit the 6l80e. This is my first time doing floor pans so I'm taking it slow.

Does anyone know if I'm going to need more clearance for the driveshaft in the stock driveshaft tunnel? I don't have a new shaft built but am curious if anyone has experience with an A-body and 6L80e?

Also made a few purchases for the build....
-Quick Performance 9" rear end with 3.70 gears and TruTrac posi.
-A body rotisserie
-Wilwood disc brakes

Just wish I had more time to work on it.
With a young family its tough.

[TimMc]

great start . Will be watching the build. Have a 71 convertible waiting to get started on.

[Ryguy442]

Awesome build, my dad was a big time olds guy. I’ve held onto two of his collection for myself. A 70 cutlass s and his 69 hurts olds. Can’t wait to get started on one.

Ryan