Engine options for 80's Caprices?

[tamatt27]

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,

[ChevyCaprice350]

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.

[tamatt27]

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,

[quaddriver]

Originally Posted by tamatt27

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.

[tamatt27]

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?

[burnM]

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.

[Hooptie]

Originally Posted by ChevyCaprice350

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

[JWhite8055]

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

[quaddriver]

Originally Posted by Hooptie

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

[Hooptie]

Originally Posted by quaddriver

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.

[quaddriver]

Originally Posted by Hooptie

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.

[Hooptie]

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 Guess the 90 model was a one year model then. I guess you consider the new front end on the 81 pick ups a new body style too.

[quaddriver]

Originally Posted by Hooptie

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 Guess the 90 model was a one year model then. I guess you consider the new front end on the 81 pick ups a new body style too.

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.

[phill84]

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

[Hooptie]

Originally Posted by quaddriver

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 Goodnight