Engine options for 80's Caprices?

I'm considering buying an '80's style Caprice and I'm wondering if they ever came with 350's? Also, what years are more desirable? I'd be interested in any info on this. Thanks,

yes there is, but the only caprices that came with the 350's are the police cars. which is better and worse, bcause the police cars have a sweet package, like heavy duty everything, but then on the bad side, it was used everyday, and they usually tend to need some work to them. But in the end anfter doing some work to the 350, you will have a sweet car.

Were the 350's Carbed, TBI, or TPI? I'm in the process of installing an LT1+T56 into my '88 Trans Am, and I've got a spare 350 block. Would it just be beneficial to build a stout 350 and swap it into a 305 Caprice ya think? What kind of mileage to the 305's and 350's get on average? Thanks,

Were the 350's Carbed, TBI, or TPI? I'm in the process of installing an LT1+T56 into my '88 Trans Am, and I've got a spare 350 block. Would it just be beneficial to build a stout 350 and swap it into a 305 Caprice ya think? What kind of mileage to the 305's and 350's get on average? Thanks,

you can stick a 350 block under a 305 intake and the puter will never know.

85-up are the better ones - the 700R4 is beefier and the ecm now uses a knock sensor so they upped compression a bit and hence hp about 15

350's only came in export and cop caprices, cept the 350 diesel.

Well, I'm swapping an LT1 and T56 into my '88 Trans Am. So my built 700R4 from the T/A might make its way into a Caprice,along with a 350. Were there any external differences between the Caprice and the F-Body 700R4's? Should I encounter any problems? Also, what kind of injection type did the engines come with? All carbed?

It depends what year Caprice you are talking about.The trans should be the same externally except in cars with a vss instead of a cable, but then you could change the tail housing...The '80s Caprices were pretty much all carbed, some were electronically controlled though. '90 and up went to throttle body and then to efi... trans changed to 4L60(e)...the e model being a vss unit.

You can fit whatever you want in a Caprice with a little know how... I've seen a '79 2-door with a 502 from an older Caddy.

yes there is, but the only caprices that came with the 350's are the police cars.

I hate to tell you your wrong, but your wrong. My parents had a 79 Caprice Classic Station Wagon they purchased new that came with a treefiddy. Sorry Dude Check here
http://www.geocities.com/onamarie.geo/chevy.html

Yes, they were carbed engines (1985 & eariler)

I miss the '78. that thing went through three (junkyard) engines, the original 350, two 305's and a 307. I took it off life support at 270,000 mi

I hate to tell you your wrong, but your wrong. My parents had a 79 Caprice Classic Station Wagon they purchased new that came with a treefiddy. Sorry Dude Check here
http://www.geocities.com/onamarie.geo/chevy.html

the 77-79 caps yes did have an avail 350, but the 80's did not have a gas 350 unless it was an "E" or "3" code cop motor or export

the 77-79 caps yes did have an avail 350, but the 80's did not have a gas 350 unless it was an "E" or "3" code cop motor or export

Last I checked the "80's" style caprices were the same body style as 77-79, and the 350 was an option. Let's not split hairs.

Last I checked the "80's" style caprices were the same body style as 77-79, and the 350 was an option. Let's not split hairs.

same frames but unlike the 77-79 body lines, the 80-89's were different with a lowered nose and a different tail as well as changes to the sides (meaning no body panels from a 77-79 will fit the 80-89) and interior - dash, seating position etc. the only gas v8s starting in 80 were the L39 (a crappy little smallblock that only lasted 2 years as it could not meet emissions) and the LG4 which stayed around, and of course the infamous olds diesel.

point being, if you are scouring the junkyard for a cap 350, you aint gonna find it unless you locate an old cop car

I stand on my first post, the 85-up powertrains are the more desirable ones. (I should mention that I have owned 5 of these over the past few years (sedans and wagons) and the modification of one to tow a large boat is the subject of a couple articles I have written. I just sold my last one and I miss it, but I want a new project.

I could care less what is interchangeable, they are the same vehicle. I bet I could take an entire 80-85 front end and put it on a 77-79 He asked if any of the "80's" style Caprices had 350s. And if he want's to know his best bet for a 350, then he wants a 77-79. Someone asks a simple question and you have to bust out RPO codes :headshake Guess the 90 model was a one year model then. :screwy: I guess you consider the new front end on the 81 pick ups a new body style too. :shakehead

I could care less what is interchangeable, they are the same vehicle. I bet I could take an entire 80-85 front end and put it on a 77-79 He asked if any of the "80's" style Caprices had 350s. And if he want's to know his best bet for a 350, then he wants a 77-79. Someone asks a simple question and you have to bust out RPO codes :headshake Guess the 90 model was a one year model then. :screwy: I guess you consider the new front end on the 81 pick ups a new body style too. :shakehead


mebbe you could care less. but you werent the one asking the questions. he asked for specific data, and if giving rpo codes (which generally means you have an idea what you are talking about) is too specific for you, well, you didnt ask the questions now did you?

and btw, no, a 77-79 chevy 350 is NOT the best bet. (aside from having no overdrive) It would not work well with the emissions systems and run in an acceptable fashion if he got the (more likely find) mid-upper 80's cap.

i have a 89 caprice ex police car that i rebuilt the engine in it runs great my only problem is i have 280 ft lbs of torque and only 185 hp any suggetion also i havent dynoed it since i got rid of stock exhaust and got a flowmaster and gutted my cat

mebbe you could care less. but you werent the one asking the questions. he asked for specific data, and if giving rpo codes (which generally means you have an idea what you are talking about) is too specific for you, well, you didnt ask the questions now did you?

and btw, no, a 77-79 chevy 350 is NOT the best bet. (aside from having no overdrive) It would not work well with the emissions systems and run in an acceptable fashion if he got the (more likely find) mid-upper 80's cap.

Actually I do care. Other wise I wouldn't have replied to his thread when you miss informed him that he had to go searching VIN numbers find a cop/taxi cab to get one. He never said he wanted an OD tranny

"I'm considering buying an '80's style Caprice and I'm wondering if they ever came with 350's? Also, what years are more desirable? I'd be interested in any info on this. Thanks"

So lets do this one last time, so you will get the point, and we can quit bickering and whoring up his thread. The 77-79 which is the same body style contrary to popular belief had it as an option in all models. HOWEVER they did come in the cop cars after that . As far as desirable, I like the 87-90 version (although 90 is not technically in the 80's). For more info ask quaddriver and he can put you to sleep with RPO codes, VIN number decoding, and emissions data. or you could Check here (http://www.geocities.com/onamarie.geo/chevy.html) :banghead: Goodnight :iceslolan

Other wise I wouldn't have replied to his thread when you miss informed him that he had to go searching VIN numbers find a cop/taxi cab to get one.

Actually you replied to user ChevyCaprice350 who said essentially the same thing I did. He was not wrong either.

The 77-79 which is the same body style contrary to popular belief

from the link you provided:

Sleek new aerodynamic styling on full-size models showed a lower hood, higher rear deck and restyled sides, along with a 100 pound weight loss.

Hint for the future, when trying to prove your point dont provide links to data that directly refutes it. They are the same body 'style' inasmuch that they are both large cars with 4 doors and a hard top. But as for being the 'same', they also have as much in common visually with each other as would a crown vic from the same year. I humbly submit, if you cannot tell the difference at a glance, perhaps you need to check yourself before offering advice?

As I said now thrice, the 77-90 share the same frame but most certainly do not share a single body panel since the 80 split. Therefore, the phrase "80's style" has a singular meaning: 1980-1989, or are you trying to tell us that there never was a "70's style"?

He also asked for the most desirable. the 85+ 305 made 165+ hp, which is comparable to the 79 350. the old 3 spd cars had a 2.56 rear, the 4speed cars have a 2.73 base or 3.08 optional which makes up for the lower torque of the 305. 85+ also has the best tranny option. best= more desirable.

Last I checked the "80's" style caprices were the same body style as 77-79, and the 350 was an option. Let's not split hairs

CLEARLY from this post, you are stating the 350 remained an option. There are no hairs split. Civilians cannot buy a 350 from 80-91 as at least two posters have stated and you have disputed.

Lastly, without checking the vin, how do you go about determining the size of the motor? VECI? Cast mark? Vin means you dont have to open the hood.

PS - I note with amusement that the link you provided also gives RPO codes. I guess they are not that much of a secret.

1979
http://images.cardomain.com/member_images/1/web/325000-325999/325139_1_full.jpg

1985
http://images.cardomain.com/member_images/10/web/250000-250999/250372_2_full.jpg

What was I thinking. They look completely different You were right Ed. Never mind :screwy:

And by the way, I never said that you were wrong about them being different. I just said they are the same body style. Changing the sheet metal is not a body style change. If that was the case that frame went through three or four of them. I'm betting that all of the body panels will transfer over to the 77-79 if you wanted to take the time. Retooling the entire car is a body change. 91 Caprice that was a body style change. 88 C/K pickup body style change. 55 Bel Air body style change. 57 Bel Air restyling. :rolleyes: The purpose of that site is for him to have a place to find engine options, and even RPO codes if he so desires(and if you notice it includes the 70's with the 80's weird, I wonder why?) :wink: . I never said you were wrong about cop cars or any of that. Just said that you guys were wrong about that body style ever having a 350. If a body style starts in the late 70's and runs completely through the 80's and has one year in the 90's I consider it an 80's model which includes the late 70's model and the early 90's model too.

1976
http://images.cardomain.com/member_images/6/web/318000-318999/318312_8_full.jpg
70's model and also a different body style

1970
http://images.cardomain.com/member_images/4/web/304000-304999/304469_3_full.jpg

Late 60's body style :smooch:

1990
http://images.cardomain.com/member_images/8/web/380000-380999/380171_5_full.jpg

80's body style? Naw surely not :icon16:

1979
http://images.cardomain.com/member_images/1/web/325000-325999/325344_3_full.jpg

This 80's..er uh...late 70's body style :D Caprice came with a 350 in it It can also be modified same as one out of a cop car. It might not be the most desireable though. :wink: But what do I know. Only cop cars have 350's in them. When it comes down to it. None of these cars are fast out of the box. Find the one that you like best and drop what ever engine you want in it. I'm betting that you could put most anything in one of these boats. :grinyes:

You guys are both right, depending on what years you're talking. Is it really worth all this arguing? The '80s body style ('77-'90) DID come with a 350, that being limited to the 9C1 police package at SOME point in the '80s (1980 or later). Previously, the 350 was a civilian option, usually combined with a tow package, more likely to be found in wagons. Unfortunately, the 350/4-spd auto combo is police-only in this body style, since the 4-spd auto wasn't available until the early '80s. And yes, you can drop just about any hunk of GM V8 iron under the hood. They swallow a big block Chevy quite nicely:

www.bigredchevywagon.com

305 or 350, I would consider the later TBI cars to be the most desirable.

i have a 89 caprice ex police car that i rebuilt the engine in it runs great my only problem is i have 280 ft lbs of torque and only 185 hp any suggetion also i havent dynoed it since i got rid of stock exhaust and got a flowmaster and gutted my cat


same here i have the same year and model and a expolice car have not rebuild the engine thought that is my next project

My parents had an "89" CAPRICE from 1989-1994. It had the 305 with throttle body injection. This I saw for myself since I serviced the car for them. According to my father this was the first year for the roller lifters to be used. This engine made about 15 HP more than the 305 that is in the 84 Caprice that I purchased from them. As far as frames are concerned shocks, tie rods, center links, will interchange. I know that they will between my 84 CAP & the 94 CAP that my mother now drives. All replacement parts were from AUTOZONE and installed by myself.

INFORMATION OBSERVED BY BEING THERE

Actually 1987 was the first year of roller lifters in the Caprice.

BTW this is a 6-year old thread.