Need Help, bought a 1980 Caprice and know nothing about it...

[UK-Caprice]

Hi guys,

Bought an American car just to be a bit different (I live in the UK), Its a 1980 Chevrolet Caprice Classic with the 5.0litre V8 Engine.

Basically, I want to know a few simple things and I wonder if some of you guys with the knowledge could answer a few fairly simple questions or perhaps point me in the right direction?

1/ Whats the stock power output of the 5.0L engine, and what sort of performance would I expect?

2/ Does the car have a cat, and more importantly the asscociated O2 sensor? Does this sensor, if faulty, cause any performance problems?

3/ The suspension is a bit "boaty" to say the least, Perfect for the wide open highways of the USA, but a bit to soft for the narrow byways of England. Any easy way to firm it up a bit?

Many thanks...

[burnM]

Hey UK,

Welcome to the boards!

Near as I can tell, if you have the 'H' code engine, it runs 155 horsepower. These cars aren't much off the line, but once you're cruising, they're fast enough
It should have a catylitic converter, and an O2 sensor. Check your exhaust manifolds or the end of the crossover pipe for it. It can cause drivability issues, basically, it will tell your engine to run rich or lean.
These are heavy, comfortable cars, and I can imagine trying to manuver(sp?) such a vehicle through your roadways. It must be fun trying to find a parking spot If you would like to stiffen the suspension, I would recommend looking into finding parts for the same model police vehicle. The police vehicles had a heavy-duty suspension and brakes, making for a better handling, better stopping, and over-all more responsive car. (they also had more powerful engines). Maybe look into adding an anti-sway bar and/or polyurethane bushings? That would definately help.

Enjoy your stay here, sometimes it takes a while to get a response so keep checking in......

[UK-Caprice]

Thanks Burn, thats very helpful info...

I didnt think there would be any closed loop fuel ontrol on a car this old, especially as it appears to be fed by carb the size of a dustbin! Is there any way to remove the O2 sensor from the system entirely? Cats arent a legal requirement here on a car this old, and its unlikley to be in tip top condition after 23 years!

[burnM]

I've seen those systems cut right out of the car. I guess if the entire system was gutted, it wouldn't be able to do anything adverse to the car... I would imagine that you would have to have the carb re-adjusted though.
My '91 Caprice is an ex police car also. The guy who owned it before me took off the cat and the O2 sensor isn't plugged in anymore, but I don't know if he did some other adjustments to the car to make it run well, or if it just runs well regardless. I haven't had a problem (yet) with driveability. IDK, I don't really see a problem with removing the stuff you don't want... just be prepared to adjust a few things if you do.

Maybe someone else here has a definite answer for you?

[UK-Caprice]

Been reading around and it seems unlikely my car is a real ex-cop car, as they all seem to have had the 350ci engine, whereas mine is the 305.

I've managed to locate a workshop manual for it, which will go some way to explaining a few things, but I am still shocked by the total lack of power... 155hp from 5.0 litres? That's poor. Especially when combined with a George Best style thirst for fuel at £4 a gallon!

[CD Smalley]

For tips on the suspension, take a look at anything for a 1994-1996 Impalla SS. Most parts will interchange.

I've also compiled some items that can be done inexpensively. They are detail in an article on my yahoogroups page http://groups.yahoo.com/group/77-90bbody/
Look in the files section.

[burnM]

Thanks for the link, CD

UK - Yes, they were under powered... especially in those years. In the '70's the government imposed emission laws and the auto manufacturers were struggling to make power. They've only recently discovered how to make powerful cars without sacrificing the environment (too much). There are ways to massage that engine into making better power, but it might prove to be expensive for you being that you're dealing with an American car in the UK. Snoop around the forums and the web to see what others have done to help their engines breathe. Maybe you can find a 350 (5.7L) and swap it in. They are easier to find performance parts for, and are cheaper to build, well, over here anyway.....
Good luck in your search for more power.

[UK-Caprice]

Thanks for the info guys, very helpful. I didnt realise that there were so many cars from so many different years, with so many interchangable parts... Just a shame that none of those cars ever made it to the uk...-

Other than ripping the cats out and freeing up the breathing a little, and then a service and tune up to make it run properly, I'll pretty much leave it alone. Its slow as hell off the line, but once its going its ok. It was cruising at 85-90mph for an hour or so the other day, a bit faster than the 55mph limit its spent most of its life restricted to, so with a tune up it should be fine.

I dont plan to spend any real money on it, as its only a fun car bought for a laugh, but if theres a dirt cheap way to squeeze another few horses out of the 305, they'll be more than welcome..