Tom Millard's '86 442 and '79 Cutlass

Here is a picture of my 86 Olds 442. I bought this car two years ago from the original owner with 15000 miles on it. It was virtually untouched with the exception of the tires and battery, which had to be replaced because it sat for so long in storage. It it a very typical 85-'87 442; it is black and silver with a light gray interior, HO 307 Olds engine, TH200-4R tranny, 3.73 rear, and T-Tops. The only options this car lacks is a posi, side impact moulding, power seats, and rear window defogger. I bought it to use as a summer driver, and it sits all winter along side my other Olds in storage. The only thing I added to the car was BF Goodrich Radial TA's, KYB's in all four corners, and some new tunes. I really enjoy driving this car and it attracts a lot of attention.

When I originally purchased this car, it was your average grocery getter like many other Olds that rolled off the assembly line. It had the die hard' 260 Olds, metric tranny, and 2.29 gears! After I graduated high school, I joined the National Guard, and when I returned from basic training, I tore right into it. To begin, I removed the vinyl top and all the trim. All the door handles, locks, trim holes, and marker lights were filled while the doors were fitted with electric solenoids. I removed the impact trim from the bumpers and shortened them about 3". I also filled all the bolt holes and cut slots in the sides for the marker lights. The entire car was then shot with GM Bright Red'.

As for the interior, I replaced the seats with buckets and a console from an 83 Buick Regal. I had the seats reupholstered in a lights gray material and I replaced the factory floor shifter with a Hurst V-matic. I designed new door panels along with a headliner and made them myself. I also replaced the factory gauges which I had installed earlier with an aluminum panel filled with Autometer Sport and Pro Comp gauges. The old steering column was then replaced with a tilt unit from an 82 Cutlass while a Grant GT steering wheel was used in place of the original. The wiper controls were also moved to the column while the rest of the vehicle controls (lights, dome lights, power trunk release, etc,) were move to an aluminum panel fitted with switches that I mounted under the dash. I also removed the Delco FM radio and replaced it with a Kenwood tape deck. The rest of the stereo system includes Kenwood 6x9's in the rear and Kenwood 3's in the front along with a small amp and a 7 band passive eq.

The factory suspension and braking was upgraded to late model (78-87) G body performace specs (Olds 442, Monte SS, Buick GN/T-Type). This includes the power booster, master cylinder, proportioning valve, 1 1/4" front sway bar, 1" rear sway bar, and a 12.7:1 quick ratio steering box. I also boxed in the upper and lower rear control arms for strength when I installed an 8.5" 10 bolt I salvaged from an 87 T-Type.

Here is a list of features that I have incorporated into the car over the
last 4 years...
Engine:   
Block                 403 Olds from  77 Buick Limited
Crank, Rods, Pistons  Stock
Cam                   Edelbrock Performer
Intake                Edelbrock Performer #3711 with modified valley pan

Induction& Fuel Delivery:
carburetor            Holley 750 Dual Feed Vacuum Secondary
Air Cleaner           K&N 14"d x 4"h with 1 1/4" recess
Fuel Pump             Carter Street/Strip Electric
Regulator             Holley
Fuel Filter           Fram HPG1

Ignition:
Ignition Box          Crane HI-6
Coil                  Crane PS-92
Wires                 Accel 8.8

Exhaust:
Headers               Hedman
Pipes                 Torque Technologies 3" mandrel bent
Muffles               Flowmaster 3 chambers

Transmission:
Type                  TH-400 from '77 Buick Limited
Converter             Fairbanks 2200-2400 stall
Cross member          Dual hump from '73 Olds 442
Shifter               Hurst V-Matic Rachet
Cooler                B&M 

Rear End:
Axle                  8.5" GM 10 bolt from 1987 Buick T-Type
Gears                 stock 3.42
Posi                  stock GM
Cover                 Aluminum W-27

Wheels & Tires:
Wheels (Front)        Weld Pro Star 15X6
Wheels (Rear)         Weld Pro Star 15X8
Tires (Front)         General XP2000 215 65R15
Tires (Rear)          General XP2000 245 60R15

As for future plans, this spring the car will receive the following upgrades:
               factory aluminum hood
               TH200-4R tranny built by Sepanek Racing Transmissions
               Dynamic 2200-2400 stall converter
               Hurst Quarter Stick
               3.90 or 4.10 gears (which still makes for nice cruising with the
                200-4R's 67:1; overdrive!)
               BF Goodrich Comp TA's or Radial TA's

Keep in mind though that this car is for street/strip/show. Although I run it at the track quite frequently, I still drive it to some long distance shows with my fiance' and a trunk full of tools and suitcases. So far, I have run a best time of 14.81 @ 94.97mph with 2.29's, 14.39 @ 97.46mph with 2.41's, and 14.14 @ 94.91mph with 3.42's. I have also averaged about 15 mpg on 500 mile trips with the car loaded right up. Since I have not yet run the car with the 3" exhaust and the Crane ignition, I am hoping to break into the high 13's and still maintain 15mpg (which is why I am putting the overdrive in.) If anybody has any comments or questions, please drop me a line at OLDSPWR@worldnet.att.net Thanks, Tom Millard