1978 Caprice, the new on-going project! (Yes, I'm still alive!)

[murphmobile2]

They are perforated core, so I'm going to do this along with 2.5" pipes, x-pipe, and dumps just before the rear axle. I'll never replace the exhaust again, lol.

[88Vic]

That's a tiny little glasspack, looks like the 8" case. Is it the standard perforated core or their classic style louvered core? I think as long as the louver openings face away from the engine, they flow just fine.

[johnunit]

Hell yeah. Gives you a bit of headroom if the engine work gets more serious.

[murphmobile2]

So... I was going to run my 2.25" exhaust with the 24" Cherry Bomb glasspacks that are on it when I installed my headers, but...

We just got these in at work today, and they're 2.5" core, so... Yea... lol.

[88Vic]

Grab the engine out of a 94-96 too, LT1 swap

[murphmobile2]

My bad lol, I did mean the bubble Caprices. Some of the civilian bubbles had that rear end too, like some of the wagons. I can also nab one out of a mid 90's Impala SS depending on what's available to me when I start the hunt.

[RyPow]

Right now it's only got a 7.5 with 2.41's, but I plan to pick up a 9C1 rear end. That'll give me an 8.5 with 3.42's, posi, and disc brakes.

Are you sure any 9C1 rear end will have disc brakes? I picked up a '90 9C1 a few years ago (ended up flipping it before I put it on the road) and I'm pretty sure it had drums out back. Are you talking about a bubble 9C1 rear end specifically?

[murphmobile2]

Yep, if I want to upgrade to a newer suspension part it's easy as cake! The box and bubble Caprice's, even the two doors and wagons all have the same frame. This makes it pretty easy to upgrade if need be!

[johnunit]

Sounds fun. Didn't realize the differences between police and civi were that big on caprices.

[Hearsesrock427]

I plan to pick up a 9C1 rear end. That'll give me an 8.5 with 3.42's, posi, and disc brakes. It'll bolt right up too, all I will need is the 9C1 drive shaft and the proportioning valve! That and two wheels with a 5.5 bolt pattern...

Dude, that sounds epic. Wider track + lighter brakes + better stopping brakes + higher rear gears = sex. You'll go faster, stop faster, and corner better. Have that cake and eat it!

[murphmobile2]

Right now it's only got a 7.5 with 2.41's, but I plan to pick up a 9C1 rear end. That'll give me an 8.5 with 3.42's, posi, and disc brakes. It'll bolt right up too, all I will need is the 9C1 drive shaft and the proportioning valve! That and two wheels with a 5.5 bolt pattern...

[88Vic]

Yeah I don't like how you need a Vortec specific intake. I'd like to go TBI on my Suburban for reliability, get rid of the plastic intake that's prone to gasket leaks. Not sure it's worth it, since I'd need to buy the TBI unit then get 454 injectors to feed it well enough, plus a Vortec 4bbl intake and a TBI adapter. I'm thinking if I seal the intake gasket with RTV on both sides (like what guys have done with headers) then it might last longer than the stock gaskets did, but since I don't have DexCool anymore it may not be an issue. Not like it's a tough job, a SBC is just about the easiest engine to wrench on.

Don't remember if you said or not, but what gears does that car have? The 305 wouldn't feel too bad with 3.73's or 4.10's behind it.

[murphmobile2]

I thought about doing a Vortec head swap since its the equivalent to the GT40P head swap, but I'd have to get a special intake manifold and I really want to use my Holley intake. And don't worry, I'm gonna run it until it blows then start a build!

[88Vic]

I had the GMPP 290hp crate 350 in my C10 and it was a pretty strong engine even paired with the crappy 2.73 gears, but I don't like dealing with carbs so I'd probably swap on a TBI unit from a truck or 90's Caprice, or the whole engine, I know the 90's Caprice TBI 350 is a roller cam so it'd be a super reliable engine, not a hot rod but still a step up from a 305. That's the route I want to go when the 305 in my truck goes (or trans, whichever comes first), fresh TBI 350 hopefully roller cam.

Still, a tuned up 305 with low gears can pull like a tractor, so no need to pull the engine until something goes boom.

[murphmobile2]

My thoughts exactly. I just want it at a point where I can take it to cruise in's this summer without being embarrassed to open the hood, lol.