Is this a viable "stock" NHRA ride?

MYRONARL1119 · 12-21-2014, 09:08 PM

I have the chance to pick up 1990 Cadillac Coupe Deville with the 4.5 V8 front wheel drive. From what I can tell, this is a 273 c.i. aluminum block with cast iron heads. 1.811 throttle body and the engine is a 3.623 bore and a 3.307 stroke. is a 10.28 compression with a 7.9 cc dish piston and 45 cc head. 457/473 cam. From the classification it says that this engine can have external air inlet. I don't recall anyone running on os these back in the day, but has anyone on here tried. Rated at 180 hp or 16.70 weight break. would be a B/FS and can ballast to 17.5 to run "C". B is 14.65 and C is 15.15. Just curious if this is a dead horse or can it be made to run? Thanks guys. Myron Stutes

HandOverFist · 12-21-2014, 11:23 PM

Here... http://www.classracerinfo.com/CGPage...&MAKE=Cadillac

countrypuppy4865 · 12-22-2014, 12:01 AM

I would say if the motor can make 300hp it would run low 14s. The throttle body seems restrictive, but it may do OK for 273 ci.

Dwight Southerland · 12-22-2014, 01:16 PM

There were a few FWD Cadillac V8s with 250 and 273 engines with throttle bodies raced in the late 80s when they were not allowed in the FWD classes, so they ran regular stock classes. They were semi-factory sponsored cars and ran pretty good. The 90 model is a much better choice since it is port fuel injected with roller lifters at only 10 more power rating. Head gasket sealing and intake gaskets are issues. I do not know the strength of the transaxle. If you can deal with the fwd, It should have good potential since the heads flow well for the engine size, blueprints at 11:0 compression and has a huge camshaft.

Downside is that it will not be cheap.

Billy Nees · 12-22-2014, 01:35 PM

The biggest benefits of the early (late 70s thru mid 80s) FWD Caddys,Toronados and Rivs was the transaxles compared to the later sideways mounted engine cars. They were (basically) 400 turbos connected to a Dana44 by a chain. Much more parts availability and strength.

12-21-2014, 09:08 PM	#1
MYRONARL1119 Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: COLUMBUS,OHIO Posts: 59 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Is this a viable "stock" NHRA ride? I have the chance to pick up 1990 Cadillac Coupe Deville with the 4.5 V8 front wheel drive. From what I can tell, this is a 273 c.i. aluminum block with cast iron heads. 1.811 throttle body and the engine is a 3.623 bore and a 3.307 stroke. is a 10.28 compression with a 7.9 cc dish piston and 45 cc head. 457/473 cam. From the classification it says that this engine can have external air inlet. I don't recall anyone running on os these back in the day, but has anyone on here tried. Rated at 180 hp or 16.70 weight break. would be a B/FS and can ballast to 17.5 to run "C". B is 14.65 and C is 15.15. Just curious if this is a dead horse or can it be made to run? Thanks guys. Myron Stutes

12-21-2014, 11:23 PM	#2
HandOverFist VIP Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Gulf Breeze, FL Posts: 1,655 Likes: 8 Liked 33 Times in 16 Posts	Re: Is this a viable "stock" NHRA ride? Here... http://www.classracerinfo.com/CGPage...&MAKE=Cadillac __________________ Rich Taylor I/SA - 321

12-22-2014, 12:01 AM	#3
countrypuppy4865 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Donaldsonville, LA Posts: 966 Likes: 8 Liked 183 Times in 62 Posts	Re: Is this a viable "stock" NHRA ride? I would say if the motor can make 300hp it would run low 14s. The throttle body seems restrictive, but it may do OK for 273 ci. __________________ Jimmy "Cooter" Hidalgo, Jr. 4865 E/SA '04 GTO 4865 SS/GA '99 Firebird

12-22-2014, 01:16 PM	#4
Dwight Southerland VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Arkansas - In the middle of everything. Posts: 1,980 Likes: 53 Liked 724 Times in 177 Posts	Re: Is this a viable "stock" NHRA ride? There were a few FWD Cadillac V8s with 250 and 273 engines with throttle bodies raced in the late 80s when they were not allowed in the FWD classes, so they ran regular stock classes. They were semi-factory sponsored cars and ran pretty good. The 90 model is a much better choice since it is port fuel injected with roller lifters at only 10 more power rating. Head gasket sealing and intake gaskets are issues. I do not know the strength of the transaxle. If you can deal with the fwd, It should have good potential since the heads flow well for the engine size, blueprints at 11:0 compression and has a huge camshaft. Downside is that it will not be cheap.

12-22-2014, 01:35 PM	#5
Billy Nees VIP Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: On a hilltop in Pa. Posts: 4,223 Likes: 3,103 Liked 6,791 Times in 1,524 Posts	Re: Is this a viable "stock" NHRA ride? The biggest benefits of the early (late 70s thru mid 80s) FWD Caddys,Toronados and Rivs was the transaxles compared to the later sideways mounted engine cars. They were (basically) 400 turbos connected to a Dana44 by a chain. Much more parts availability and strength. __________________ Billy Nees 1188 STK, SS World's greatest Under-Achiever! Last edited by Billy Nees; 12-22-2014 at 01:46 PM.