1980 Olds Starfire Project, L33 5.3 litre

[stage169]

That really stinks! I hope you recover completely with no issues!!!

I saw a 66 Cutlass 442 with a L69 400 engine that has tri-power at the Mecum auction. Pristine car and I would think the color was correct for the engine it just looked different to me. Thought I would show you, Brian

[bill1978v8]

That is an interesting color! I wonder what it is called? I'm still unsure what I'll paint the engine. I like the corporate blue with aluminum paint like I painted the LS1 in my Monza.

[bill1978v8]

I was hoping someone can help me decode the body trim tag

this is what it looks like exactly:

80 11C3DH07 7 306068
74B 15L 15U
A51 74X B
61-4591

Let me know what you think.

Bill

[marco_1978_spyder]

It was built during the 3rd week of November 1979. It was the 61st production day for 1980, yours was in line at slot 4591. Silver paint Maroon interior. The B code indicates some extra trim or option your car got. Not sure what.
If the 306068 isnt your vin, its the number given to your car as freshly welded body shell before it was set into the final assembly system and given a sequential vin. The 306068 included van bodies which were also being built elsewhere in the Lordstown complex.

[bill1978v8]

Thanks Marco.
I didn't know they built vans at the same time? When did production start for 1980?

Bill

[HI WINDING MONZA]

That is an interesting color! I wonder what it is called?

Oldsmobile Bronze ......
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Oldsmobi ... 0208484740

Doug in Az

[marco_1978_spyder]

Thanks Marco.
I didn't know they built vans at the same time? When did production start for 1980?

Bill

Yep, But the Vans final assembly line was a separate building from the H bodies. Thats why the body total numbers are so much higher than the actual number of H bodies built that year.

If the model year changeover was similar to 78-79, probably was, than 1980 production began the last week of Aug 1979.

[bill1978v8]

Hey Doug,

That bronze looks good.

I took baby steps this past weekend. I fixed a leaky fuel line, bought a valve cover gasket and drove it around the block. It runs great for an old car. My plan is to weigh it and run it at the track soon, with the 151. Then start the swap. I sold the 151 and some of the AC brackets. I have to figure out how to keep the AC, PS, and PB AND a turbo. It looks like it will be a tight fit or maybe a rear mount turbo but thats what I want to do. I'm looking to run in the 10.50's and keep it a good driver. It will take a lot of planning to do it right.

Bill

[NixVegaGT]

Hey Bill. What are your transmission plans? Is they bellhousing bolt pattern special?

[bill1978v8]

I plan on a turbo 350 or a 200-4R. The bolt pattern is the same as a small block chevy with one bolt left off. I have to figure a few things out before I decide on a stall speed for the convertor or a rear gear.

BIll

[bill1978v8]

I got my plate and can drive it for a few days until I get it inspected. I'd like to get it weighed and do some basic maintenance done in the next week or two.

[NixVegaGT]

I just now read that you sold your Monza. Some h-buddy I am... Good to see you putting in some time on a new project! Thanks for the info on the boltpattern. If you don't mind, what was your rational for choosing the truck LS? I've been shopping too. After putting in many years on my project and recently making a major (and very fun) modification to my project I started to realize in order to get my super custom engine to run well I would have to put another $1200 or so into it. I'm SUPER fatigued with it. SO for the fun of it I started shopping for LS engines in my spare time. I was shocked to discover how reasonable they are complete. 6yrs. ago when I started building my special engine they were way out of my price range. Big change now though. The other consideration is support. There's just so much support for these engines. It's really a way more practical way to go.

ANyway to take a stab at the truck engine rational:

Less wear? Like not driven as hard vs. F-body engines?
More plentiful? That can't be right since you chose a less common version… although even with your choice of the L33 the numbers of those so far out due my engine it's sick. LOL! I also suspect that it was about availability.
Less expensive? Like by about a grand. But then there's the conversion to the f-body parts. Some guys are saying they're into that by almost a grand...
Can you use the same ecu program with the f-body intake? I'm assuming the fuel rail is different. Is the throttle body? How about the front cover thing? I mean the water neck running into the throttle body. Maybe reversing the intake for a cowl induction setup would fix that though. Then it's just the acc mounts?

Sorry.

And thanks in advance. Answer at will. I'm sure you're busy and I can probably answer these questions for myself in time...

[bill1978v8]

Hey thanks for noticing my Monza is gone I miss it too I chose the L33 because it was an aluminum block (a must) and was pretty well priced with low miles and complete. I already sold some of the truck parts as I don't plan to use the oil pan or accessories. I'm going with an LS6 intake and cable throttle body, Fbody water pump and pulley, custom alt bracket and I'm up in the air over the power steering and a/c. I wanted a LS2 but they are overpriced (unless I put the L33 in my goat? nah!) You can tune the computer to work with the car intake and injectors. It is a differet fuel rail too.

If you look at it like a Monza 305 compared to say a truck 350, it's the same. You have to change the oilpan, front timing cover, dampner, flywheel, water pump, exhaust manifolds, motor mounts and all the front drive accessories. So basically the long block is the same except your adding fuel injection. A lot of the parts needed are available cheap used or expensive new or aftermarket. It's all in what you make it.

By the way, I think your engine combo is way cool. Maybe not the cheap route but Cool

Let me know if you have any more questions and I'll be glad to answer.

Bill

[NixVegaGT]

I'm actually considering getting an LS all running and put that in so I can drive the car. Then work on the engine as a hobby. Thanks for answering my questions. I found a Gen IV 5.3 with 10k on it for $1650 GEEZ!. I guess nobody wants the 'base' engine even though it makes 315hp and 340lbs/ft. That's a shit ton in a 2300 lb car though. (well technically my car is 2356, I think the LS would put it over 2400 but still 7.5 lbs/hp is pretty awesome)

[monzaaddict]

hopefully this isn't the demise of bills project.

http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/pts/2512954500.html