Should I do these mods to my car? Am I crazy. - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

merkerguitars · 12-22-2004, 11:00 PM

Well my 87 cadillac deville needed some basic care, I was thinking about doing some stuff to it...I want to get your guys thoughts and opinions.

First thing I was thinking of doing was to fix my exhaust, my factory exhaust is 100% stock an on 167k the muffler is finally starting to rot out. I was thinking to cut the pipe after the catalytic converter put on a glass pack and then split it into dual tips. Should only cost about $50 to do and should be really really easy. And since its a 4.1L pushrod operated v8 it should sound good, not annoying or excessively loud.

Second was to move the battery to the trunk. The main reason I want to do this is to make my engine compartment a little cleaner, plus have room for a cold air intake. Should only cost me about $25 for the 2 gauge wire I need, plus I already have an optima red top and a plastic battery box.

Next is to put a cold air intake on. I know this may sound like sorta a ricey idea. Well my car is throttle body injected and I have a round air filter that sucks air from the front of the hood. Plus is has the heat controlled valve that chokes it. All I need to do this project is buy a CAI kit for a 88-95 Chevy 1500 pickup and get some pvc tubing and reroute it. The only real reason I need to buy that kit is so I can use the adapter that mounts on the throttle body so I can mount it up to a tube...

Here are some pics of the car, you can see my shitty airfilter assembly, also I will buy some taylor wires and wire dividers to straighten up that mess.

Nimisys · 12-22-2004, 11:08 PM

basicly anything you do to that motor aside from trowing it in the trash is a waste of time and money. serously they are junk. they were a big part of the image caddy earned int he 80's and early 90's, an image they are still working to recover from.

merkerguitars · 12-22-2004, 11:14 PM

Oh I do have a Jasper remanufactured engine. Still sucks hp wise, but they did fix alot of reliability problems. Maybe if I win the lottery I'll put a L67 engine in it (Grand Prix GTP supercharger 3.8 V6 in it)

Nimisys · 12-22-2004, 11:22 PM

meh i would say northstar+4t80 swap myself, just swap over the front subframes.

TheClarkster · 12-22-2004, 11:30 PM

If you love the car, then why not?
But if you're just going to junk it and buy a new car a little down the road, then why bother?

GetRdone · 12-23-2004, 09:13 AM

If you want to do stuff, dont even think about performance in that caddy. The only engine that matters when u talk caddy is the northstar. Just get a new air filter, fix ur exhaust, and then sell the car and buy a '93 sts for about 3600 and be happy that u have a comfy car with a big freakin motor.

DEI37 · 12-23-2004, 06:14 PM

I wouldn't mess with THAT engine, but there is a group out of Indiana, I believe, that builds the 4.9 in to a 5.0 and makes a bunch more power. Something like that would be a better bet.

bigd999 · 12-23-2004, 06:23 PM

honestly, save your money to get a better car. A caddy is what it is, especialy an old one.

MiSo · 12-24-2004, 05:23 AM

pvc cannot stand the heat of an engine bay.
it'll leach chemicals into the air over time.

powerclown · 12-24-2004, 08:28 AM

I'd spend the most money on new shocks (struts?), and any worn steering components.
Get that ultra plush, Cadillac ride back like new.

GetRdone · 12-24-2004, 11:09 AM

PVC can hold up, but u need to use the right kind. The normal white PVC will not work, as its meant for low heat low pressure. U need the black PVC that plumbers use for high strentgth applications. Its a bit more expensive but it will hold up to the heat .

nate_dawg · 12-24-2004, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GetRdone

PVC can hold up, but u need to use the right kind. The normal white PVC will not work, as its meant for low heat low pressure. U need the black PVC that plumbers use for high strentgth applications. Its a bit more expensive but it will hold up to the heat .

are you talking about abs plastic?

i think thats what's used on most underhood covers and tubing for induction and whatnot

GetRdone · 12-24-2004, 09:42 PM

ive just known it as "the black pvc". It comes in the same shapes, lenghts etc as pvc and looks exaclty the same, just black. We used it to do an intake thru the fenderwell of our race mustang.

BoCo · 12-25-2004, 08:07 PM

Yes you should do the mods and, yes, you are crazy.

Or just buy a late 90's model and be done with it.

GetRdone · 12-26-2004, 12:02 AM

mid/late 90's caddy's

DEI37 · 12-26-2004, 06:36 AM

The company I was thinking of is ASG. They do the 5.0 Liter conversion. May want to look in to that.

GetRdone · 12-26-2004, 09:20 AM

is that "Conversion" a swap kit? or does it just bore and stroke the 4.9 (which i would assume)

tommylee02 · 01-01-2005, 03:05 PM

I would skip the cold air intake because it isn't going to improve the performance enough for you to notice (without a bunch of other mods, at least), and don't do the battery swap; that's just a bunch of extra trouble. The compartment looks a little messy, and I don't even see the battery! But, if the exhaust needs to be replaced, go ahead and do it. But I don't recommend glass packs, they're pretty noisy, at least mine were. I don't think they will make the kind of sound you'de want to hear on a caddy. Go to a muffler shop and see if they have any high flow no-name brand mufflers. They're pretty much identical to the big brands, but 1/2 the cost. My shop quoted me 100 bucks for all materials and labor. Not bad. Or do what everyone else suggests ... Get a new one!

Scorps · 01-01-2005, 06:38 PM

I personally don't like that model(to old person looking) If I was going to do up a Caddy it would have to be 82 or older, I just like the big sleds. There is a 57 cady for sale in town. The body needs little work but the engine(5.7L 350) is new and runs like a champ. Just didn't have the 15K (CDN) he wanted for it.

But it is your car and if your going to keep it for a long time after you do all that work to it I say go for it.

merkerguitars · 01-12-2005, 10:56 AM

Well I just bought a 1990 nissan stanza that needs the head gasket replaced. I bought the car for $200 its from texas and has no rust. It's only 2 less hp than my caddy, almost double the gas mileage, and easier and cheaper to work on.

Scorps · 01-12-2005, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by merkerguitars

Well I just bought a 1990 nissan stanza that needs the head gasket replaced. I bought the car for $200 its from texas and has no rust. It's only 2 less hp than my caddy, almost double the gas mileage, and easier and cheaper to work on.

Nice can you post some pics maybe?

sammy776 · 01-12-2005, 07:20 PM

lower it, put gold rims on it. tint the window gold and crown air freshener in the back window. That would look great

Scorps · 01-13-2005, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sammy776

lower it, put gold rims on it. tint the window gold and crown air freshener in the back window. That would look great

That sound like a ghetto car

merkerguitars · 01-13-2005, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pain Train

Nice can you post some pics maybe?

Here yah go
http://www.tfproject.org/tfp/showthread.php?t=80827

Scorps · 01-13-2005, 02:54 PM

Cool.

So what are you going to do with the cady?

Fenton-J-Cool · 01-19-2005, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nimisys

meh i would say northstar+4t80 swap myself, just swap over the front subframes.

Keep in mind he is talking about $75 in mods consisting of 2 gauge wire and PVC tubing.. you're talking about an engine swap from a brand new Cadillac..

12-22-2004, 11:00 PM	#1 (permalink)
merkerguitars Buffering......... Location: Wisconsin...	Should I do these mods to my car? Am I crazy. Well my 87 cadillac deville needed some basic care, I was thinking about doing some stuff to it...I want to get your guys thoughts and opinions. First thing I was thinking of doing was to fix my exhaust, my factory exhaust is 100% stock an on 167k the muffler is finally starting to rot out. I was thinking to cut the pipe after the catalytic converter put on a glass pack and then split it into dual tips. Should only cost about $50 to do and should be really really easy. And since its a 4.1L pushrod operated v8 it should sound good, not annoying or excessively loud. Second was to move the battery to the trunk. The main reason I want to do this is to make my engine compartment a little cleaner, plus have room for a cold air intake. Should only cost me about $25 for the 2 gauge wire I need, plus I already have an optima red top and a plastic battery box. Next is to put a cold air intake on. I know this may sound like sorta a ricey idea. Well my car is throttle body injected and I have a round air filter that sucks air from the front of the hood. Plus is has the heat controlled valve that chokes it. All I need to do this project is buy a CAI kit for a 88-95 Chevy 1500 pickup and get some pvc tubing and reroute it. The only real reason I need to buy that kit is so I can use the adapter that mounts on the throttle body so I can mount it up to a tube... Here are some pics of the car, you can see my shitty airfilter assembly, also I will buy some taylor wires and wire dividers to straighten up that mess. __________________ Donate now! Ask me How! Please use the search function it is your friend. Look at my mustang please feel free to comment! http://www.tfproject.org/tfp/showthread.php?t=26985 Last edited by merkerguitars; 12-22-2004 at 11:12 PM..

12-22-2004, 11:14 PM	#3 (permalink)
merkerguitars Buffering......... Location: Wisconsin...	Oh I do have a Jasper remanufactured engine. Still sucks hp wise, but they did fix alot of reliability problems. Maybe if I win the lottery I'll put a L67 engine in it (Grand Prix GTP supercharger 3.8 V6 in it) __________________ Donate now! Ask me How! Please use the search function it is your friend. Look at my mustang please feel free to comment! http://www.tfproject.org/tfp/showthread.php?t=26985

12-22-2004, 11:30 PM	#5 (permalink)
TheClarkster Very Proud of Ya Location: Simi Valley, CA	If you love the car, then why not? But if you're just going to junk it and buy a new car a little down the road, then why bother? __________________ Do not speak Latin in front of the books.

12-23-2004, 06:14 PM	#7 (permalink)
DEI37 Go faster! Location: Wisconsin	I wouldn't mess with THAT engine, but there is a group out of Indiana, I believe, that builds the 4.9 in to a 5.0 and makes a bunch more power. Something like that would be a better bet. __________________ Generally speaking, if you were to get what you really deserve, you might be unpleasantly surprised.

12-24-2004, 05:23 AM	#9 (permalink)
MiSo Psycho	pvc cannot stand the heat of an engine bay. it'll leach chemicals into the air over time. Last edited by MiSo; 12-24-2004 at 05:26 AM..

12-22-2004, 11:08 PM	#2 (permalink)
Nimisys Crazy Location: San Diego	basicly anything you do to that motor aside from trowing it in the trash is a waste of time and money. serously they are junk. they were a big part of the image caddy earned int he 80's and early 90's, an image they are still working to recover from.

12-22-2004, 11:22 PM	#4 (permalink)
Nimisys Crazy Location: San Diego	meh i would say northstar+4t80 swap myself, just swap over the front subframes.

12-23-2004, 09:13 AM	#6 (permalink)
GetRdone Psycho	If you want to do stuff, dont even think about performance in that caddy. The only engine that matters when u talk caddy is the northstar. Just get a new air filter, fix ur exhaust, and then sell the car and buy a '93 sts for about 3600 and be happy that u have a comfy car with a big freakin motor.

12-23-2004, 06:23 PM	#8 (permalink)
bigd999 Tilted Location: Dallas, TX	honestly, save your money to get a better car. A caddy is what it is, especialy an old one.

12-24-2004, 08:28 AM	#10 (permalink)
powerclown Junkie Location: Detroit, MI	I'd spend the most money on new shocks (struts?), and any worn steering components. Get that ultra plush, Cadillac ride back like new.

12-24-2004, 11:09 AM	#11 (permalink)
GetRdone Psycho	PVC can hold up, but u need to use the right kind. The normal white PVC will not work, as its meant for low heat low pressure. U need the black PVC that plumbers use for high strentgth applications. Its a bit more expensive but it will hold up to the heat .

12-24-2004, 09:42 PM	#13 (permalink)
GetRdone Psycho	ive just known it as "the black pvc". It comes in the same shapes, lenghts etc as pvc and looks exaclty the same, just black. We used it to do an intake thru the fenderwell of our race mustang.

12-25-2004, 08:07 PM	#14 (permalink)
BoCo Fear the bunny Location: Hanging off the tip of the Right Wing	Yes you should do the mods and, yes, you are crazy. Or just buy a late 90's model and be done with it. __________________ Activism is a way for useless people to feel important.

12-26-2004, 12:02 AM	#15 (permalink)
GetRdone Psycho	mid/late 90's caddy's

12-26-2004, 06:36 AM	#16 (permalink)
DEI37 Go faster! Location: Wisconsin	The company I was thinking of is ASG. They do the 5.0 Liter conversion. May want to look in to that. __________________ Generally speaking, if you were to get what you really deserve, you might be unpleasantly surprised.

12-26-2004, 09:20 AM	#17 (permalink)
GetRdone Psycho	is that "Conversion" a swap kit? or does it just bore and stroke the 4.9 (which i would assume)

01-01-2005, 03:05 PM	#18 (permalink)
tommylee02 Tilted	I would skip the cold air intake because it isn't going to improve the performance enough for you to notice (without a bunch of other mods, at least), and don't do the battery swap; that's just a bunch of extra trouble. The compartment looks a little messy, and I don't even see the battery! But, if the exhaust needs to be replaced, go ahead and do it. But I don't recommend glass packs, they're pretty noisy, at least mine were. I don't think they will make the kind of sound you'de want to hear on a caddy. Go to a muffler shop and see if they have any high flow no-name brand mufflers. They're pretty much identical to the big brands, but 1/2 the cost. My shop quoted me 100 bucks for all materials and labor. Not bad. Or do what everyone else suggests ... Get a new one!

01-01-2005, 06:38 PM	#19 (permalink)
Scorps Lost!! Location: Kingston, Ontario	I personally don't like that model(to old person looking) If I was going to do up a Caddy it would have to be 82 or older, I just like the big sleds. There is a 57 cady for sale in town. The body needs little work but the engine(5.7L 350) is new and runs like a champ. Just didn't have the 15K (CDN) he wanted for it. But it is your car and if your going to keep it for a long time after you do all that work to it I say go for it. __________________ A.K.A. PainTrain Last edited by Scorps; 01-12-2005 at 10:56 AM..

01-12-2005, 10:56 AM	#20 (permalink)
merkerguitars Buffering......... Location: Wisconsin...	Well I just bought a 1990 nissan stanza that needs the head gasket replaced. I bought the car for $200 its from texas and has no rust. It's only 2 less hp than my caddy, almost double the gas mileage, and easier and cheaper to work on. __________________ Donate now! Ask me How! Please use the search function it is your friend. Look at my mustang please feel free to comment! http://www.tfproject.org/tfp/showthread.php?t=26985

01-12-2005, 07:20 PM	#22 (permalink)
sammy776 Upright	lower it, put gold rims on it. tint the window gold and crown air freshener in the back window. That would look great

01-13-2005, 02:54 PM	#25 (permalink)
Scorps Lost!! Location: Kingston, Ontario	Cool. So what are you going to do with the cady?