Hello, I'm back, sorta, I guess... maybe

[RocketPower]

Hi all,

Nice to see the site back up. I was a member on the old forum, funny thing is, I can't quite remember what my handle was. I had a 1980 Cutlass 2-door, metallic blue. It had an anemic 3.8L and TH350. The 3.8 had been beefed up with an Edelbrock cam kit and a little more compression so it would have a fun zone on the skinny pedal. I upgraded the rear end to a 8.5 that had 3.23 gears if I recall right.

I had also built a 455 for it back in 2014 (that I still have), because the garbage cam kit I got for it grenaded after about 100 miles. A number of lifters completely collapsed, a couple cam apart, and a few push rods also peeled off like they weren't getting oil. Stock valve springs, and yes, I tripled checked the preloads putting it together. In 2020 I blew the whole thing apart again, Couldn't find any issues with the oiling system, so threw a new old stock cam, lifters, and rockers in it for a 1970 442. I still have yet to put it in anything. I sold the Cutlass after the 455 cam ate itself, and just put the 3.8L back in it.

 

[Olds 307 and 403]

Welcome back. Unfortunately the LS has turned many to the Darkside. Let's build this place back.

 

[RocketPower]

Yeah, the LS is a blessing wrapped in a curse.... or is it the other way around? They make awesome power, and they are plentiful at the moment. Seem to have pretty good aftermarket support, but I'm not a believer.
I always found the "put a Chevy in it" mentality somewhat annoying, but the new "put an LS in it" craze is absurd. A friend of mine took it the other way, put a HEMI in a Cutlass. That was where my 455 came from.

 

[Olds 307 and 403]

I like anything different, that Hemi doesn't bother me. I find the LS gutless below 3500 rpm in trucks. Embarrassing for a truck IMHO. Plus LS being in everything, big no thanks for me.