307 V-8

Asked by kamcityroller May 20, 2015 at 01:31 PM about the 1987 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme

Question type: Car Customization

Ive got an 87 Cutlass supreme with a 307 its a brand new re-build as well the tranny is brand new re-build.Its got nice mags and stinger tires. I am looking to get more B.H.P out of this engine i think stock its got around 180 b.h.p and i ould just like to get it up to 250-275 any thoughts on what i should start with in getting this done?

31 Answers

165

well it depend how much money your looking to spend. I mean easiest thing to do is swap for a 350 crate, would probably cost you just as much if not more money on upgrades for the 307 to get as much horse as the 350.

14 people found this helpful.
605

I agree with Markussen. Plus there are many upgrades you can make with a 350 than with a 307. Also, the 307 only had 140hp, only the 442 with the "9" code 307 had 180.

14 people found this helpful.
505

Yeah a 350 would easily have more power, but this guy asked how to upgrade his 307, not what motor to swap. S.S.S.

20 people found this helpful.
485

unfortunatly those guys are right, the easiest and cheapest way to get those kinds of horsies are to upgrade an engine. The 307 was a terrible engine as small-blocks go. So here are some options: If you want to keep the 307: -have the heads planed to close up the combustion chamber, increasing compression and horsepower -High-rise aluminum intake with a nice big carb -different camshaft -upgrade ignition system -headers and big exhaust If you want to upgrade engines: -buy a 4-bolt main 350 and start swapping heads, and all of the above for a small block -buy a 455 cu in Rocket big-block V8 (which are hard to come by, BUT I have one for sale, with a stronger tranny a TH400) and go for the big horsepower

21 people found this helpful.
485

The engine I have is out of a 1973 Cutlass, so it is either 400 bhp MAX or as low as 250 bhp. no upgrades yet, but she ran awful nice and quiet.

3 people found this helpful.
85

True being that a 350 swap is much more cost effective.. that being an olds 350.. don't let all these guys b.s. you about puting a chevy in there. that requires much more work than the "direct" bolt in of an olds 350. also the 307 wasn't meant for hp.. olds motor's are notorious for the torque they make. not the h.p. yeah 140ish hp but into the 200's torque. I say if you are looking for 275 torque, that is much easier to achieve with a 307. start yourself off with a mild cam 204-214ish lunati. get an intake, performer or performer rpm depending on how high you plan on revving the thing. re-curve your distributor to run a little more timing and you should be around there with a good tune. But also it depends if you are going to keep the car running on the computer. If the heads were milled, you are probably looking at a small compression boost which will also help you in the hp/tq department. I guess more info would be needed. also if you have the stock th200 trans you might kill it in stock form if you make much more power than a stock 307 would.

7 people found this helpful.
55

To be perfectly honest its less time, labor, and money just to get a 305 and build it up and the old 307s. Or just go for a 350 or 327.

5 people found this helpful.
110

Greetings: If you take the quadrajet and overhaul it ,many were tuned for racing boats where the engine well tuned would out perform aftermarket carbs...Go to Cartech books to rebuild and correct its design faults,and... Now that you’ve learned how the Quadrajet works, how to correctly rebuild it, and what different models were available, it’s time to apply some high-performance modifications. With the correct modifications in the right places, the Quadrajet has no trouble being up to the task of powering your new engine combination. Even if you are still working with a basically “stock” engine, the modifications mentioned in this chapter help improve performance, driveability, and fuel economy. and this is from wikapedia : Main article: Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme 1986 Oldsmobile 442 The 442 name was revived in 1985 on the rear-wheel drive G-body Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme. The name was now defined as referring to the car's 4-speed 200r4 automatic transmission, 4-barrel carburetor, and 2 exhausts. This W42 model replaced the 1983 and 1984 Hurst/Olds model and used the same 5.0 L LG8 V8. The shifter was mounted on the floor in a console between the front seats, and the upgraded F41 suspension package was included. 3,000 were produced in the first year, and all were sold quickly. 4,273 were produced for 1986, and 4,208 were made in 1987. The 1984 Hurst/Olds and 1985-87 442 were equipped with an 8.5" GM corporate differential usually with a 3:73 ring and pinion gear. Rather than using the weaker 7.5" rear differential found in the Monte Carlo SS, these models used the same stout unit found in the Buick Grand National. The 1983-84 Hurst/Olds and 1985-87 442's are distinguishable by there being a "9" as the engine code found in the 8th character of their VIN's. These were the only models to get the hotter VIN 9 307 cubic inch engine, and it was the only engine available. From 1983-1985, this engine was flat-tappet valvetrain, and rated at 180 hp/240 ft·lbf torque. In 1986, the 307 engine received a roller-camshaft valvetrain and new swirl-port heads to improve economy and low-end torque. HP dropped to 170, with torque climbing to 250. The 1985 442 used an OZ code THM 200-4R transmission... (Same base trans as your Supreme and as well as mine,,,can be a great runner, Ernie)

11 people found this helpful.
140

I would just get a Garret turbo charger with 18 lbs of boost. That aughtta make that sumbitch scream like a whore on a Saturday night!

14 people found this helpful.
70

where can I find a 307 cutless supreme Brougham motor around 800.00 dollars

4 people found this helpful.
70

If anyone know where I can get a 1987 307 cutlass supreme Brougham. I live in the Raleigh Durham area please contact me at 984-244-4419 BRYANT Taborn

3 people found this helpful.
70,965

HERES YOUR QUESTION OR THE IMPORTANT PART--- I am looking to get more B.H.P out of THIS engine ....OK,. 307s got a real bad rap early on as poor peformers, and it stuck with them. The primary reason for this awfull reputation, however, comes from one single mistake on General Motors' part...they equipped the 307 with a wimpy, unhardened hydraulic camshaft. These cams wore out very quickly, leaving the engines way down on power and way up on fuel consumption. Many owners failed to diagnose this condition, and just sold their cars in disgust, or swapped in 327 or 350 replacement engines. The fact is, a simple cam swap would have put their wheezing 307 right back in the fight, had they taken the time to check it out! So, obviously the first thing you should know about building a 307 is that you're GONNA have to buy a cam. Luckily, there are litterally THOUSANDS of factory and aftermarket grinds to choose from, so fear not, brave warrior! The small valve heads, along with the bore/stroke relationship will play a critical role in camsfaht selection. It is easy to "over cam" a 307 and make it perform WORSE if you ignore these factors, so avoid the temptation to use the same lumpity cam your buddy is running in his built-to-the-gills 350! You want a hydraulic cam with sensible duration and relatively small valve lift. This leaves plenty of options open, and it should be said right now that building a 307 for anything other than mild street/strip duty with limited RPM (under 6200) expectations is a foolish affair given it's specific shortcomings. For this reason, we will be looking at cams in this relatively mild range.A NEW CAM WHAT IT WANTS NEXT ADD A INTAKE AND CARB AND EXHAUST SYSTEM TO FEED AND ADD EXHAUST THEN ADD SOME GEAR.

12 people found this helpful.
40

Good evening gentlemen I've recently acquired an 87 olds cutlass supreme with 55,000 original miles and looking to get some hp out of my 307. Can anyone suggest an intake, cam and carb. Corey

4 people found this helpful.
30

Thanks james i just got a 86 cutlass supreme with the 307.. And by reading all the mods i need to do. I just rather do the Ls2 6.0 Conversion. Thanks again you saved me tons of headeachs.

3 people found this helpful.
20

I bought a 1981 cutlass with a 307 ..so from whats being read here they are not such a good motor ?

2 people found this helpful.

i have a 1983 cutlass 307 bourham supreme motor im tryn to build it has 55,635 on the dash and its all factory

60

I too have a Cutlass. 1987 Supreme. It had the 307 and the factory 200 trans. It now has a 383 GM Performance Crate Stroker motor. We swapped in a Tremec 4 speed automatic and changed the gears to 373. I have around 15000 in the upgrades but man you wont believe the difference. The great thing about doing it this way is everything has a factory warranty.

6 people found this helpful.
140

Put a 350 or a 455 in it. If it was me. I would leave the stock 307 in it. Change the oil maintain the car and drive it. Those 307 engines run very good . Save your money. Then buy a real nice car. Like a Rust free beautiful painted candy apple red 65 gto. Or a 70 chevelle 396 ss. Or even a new car like a RT Challenger or a Camaro SS. New technology Hp numbers and handling has come along way in the last 20 years. Trust me. You will be ahead of the game.

2 people found this helpful.
140

Easiest swap a good running olds 350 in it. Buy a engine out of a running car. So you can see it run. Most likely you can use the transmission too. If you have the 200r4 in your car allready. I would keep that in the car over the th350 auto. The 200r4 has a lower first gear and over drive. Changing the rear end gearing. You could just install a small single patten cam lifters and springs a little over stock in the 307. And change the rear end gears.

2 people found this helpful.
140

Easiest swap a good running olds 350 in it. Buy a engine out of a running car. So you can see it run. Most likely you can use the transmission too. Out of the donar engine car it its a short shaft. If you have the 200r4 in your car allready. Which some cars came with. Not the th200. Which allso was in these cars I would keep that in the car the 200r4 is a 4 speed od transmission. over the th350 3 speed auto. The 200r4 has a lower first gear and over drive. The th350 is stronger if you get a build up 350 engine. Changing the rear end gearing. You could just install a small single patten cam lifters and springs a little over stock in the 307. And change the rear end gears.

1 people found this helpful.
140

You got a great little engine. 307 olds run great. You say its a fresh rebuilt. Drive the car how it is. It takes you to-from work and everywhere point A to point B. The 307 is not a powerfull engine. They where built to run great and be pretty much a dependable long lasting engine matter of fact they where the last carberated v8 engine every made by GM. If it ain't broke... Dont mess with it. Drive and maintain the car. Save your money.

8 people found this helpful.
140

Keep it the way it is. The 307 even with up grades is not even a match for a car witb a 350 in it. Hell I could beat you in stop light to stop light in my chevy work van towing another 307 powered car behind the van. Save your money. Than buy a beautiful fast car thats all ready done up for 8-10-20 grand. You will be ahead of the game. Trust me. I have done frame off cars its cheaper to just buy a done nice car. And be cruzing the beach all summer. Than sweating bleeding and having rust and grinding welding slag in ya eyes. Ask me how I know.

1 people found this helpful.

Anyone have any motors for sale for an 87 cutlass supreme currently have 307 and having nothing but troubke.

50

It's the Ethanol they add to gasoline it is no good for carburetors or TBI or even newer fuel injection first off it eats the seals away causing leaks making the engine run like crap or it could leak out the sides onto the intake and start the whole car on fire ! its happened all across the US ! we need to ban Ethanol asap ! it rusts gas tanks fuel lines out it evaporates fast! it also overheats engines causing the head gaskets to go ! its been banned in Germany and a few other countries because of the hell it raises with carburetors and small engine like lawnmowers it blows the engine up eventually ! stay away from Ethanol buy Regular gasoline at a pump that says non Ethanol !

2 people found this helpful.
30

I Like Olds engines .. they last. I have a 307 with 7a heads and roller cam. It was dependable in the full size car, but kinda boring. I still have the engine and though it'll never be a power house, I plan a full rebuild, shave the heads, and install a 270 cam, along with opening up the exhaust. I'm gonna use it in an Astro van with a five speed transmission, a 342:1 gear, and a short tire. I expect to be fun to drive and very reliable. It's cool to have something different. JT

3 people found this helpful.

Can anyone tell me what the electronic Quadrajet number is that comes on an 87 Cutlass 442 with a 307 and a 2004R? I am looking for a primary throttle shaft out of the stock carb. Please email me at drossiter1@hotmail.com

Hey Guys, all good advice, the man wants his 307 to give a little respectable HP from THIS engine. I own a jet boat with the weird but wonderful 350 Rocket. With a lifetime of incorrect information, and parts that fit your 307, a 350, 442, 455 mysteriously appeared on the shop floor when I sucked up sandbar.. Most trips to the go fast shop I simply started with 455 please. Keep in mind a brand new stock Chevy, Holden or any other v8, 5.7 base, late 80s truck engine limps out of the crate at anemic 190 hp. Then at a head shop buried deep in an industrial park I met a man named Steve, famous for racing heads. We rebuilt the bottom end with stock everything, 30 over until his first strong (do it or I quit) recommendation. Balance everything, hang the pistons, the entire bottom rotating assembly, Crank, rods, pulleys, pistons, flywheel, all hanging from the crank. A whopping 200 bucks through one of his many mates. Obviously the camshaft and the planning that went with it was where we started to incrimentaly add horsepower. Lesson 1, a motor is not a fuel pump, it is a air pump, the faster the air flows the more horsepower you generate, not only did the horsepower estimate rise with each subtle trick, options began to present themselves to my limited budget which was about to take a hit. Long before choosing my cam, he had designed the rest of the top end in his head. The $$$ options he then said: they were for next time when I came back. broken or just looking for more horses. I had the aluminum Edelbrock, my iron heads at the time had to do so off he went removing material that interefered with his vision of the airflow entering one end and exiting the other. Again matching springs, lifters, rods, valveless grind angles even jetting were done before he started. Everyone had a 750 Holley, high rise manifolds and massive fuel pumps right! I know, do it or I quit right? Hollys new 660, once balanced and blueprinted once installed made this fabulous whine when I hit WOT, I thought the oxygen had been removed from the shop. Decelerating the 660 howled as if asking "had enough". He did agree with my lifelong belief you can't have too much spark, who knew the distributor can be spun balanced for perfect spring tension ensuring perfect timing. BTW, per Mallory, bizarre as it sounds, they called for duel inline ballast resistors? I did the same to my pump. 10 years on, I run Big Block, Big Buck jets, I usually win. They all say ah nice until they learn it's a small block, only then do the questions start. Bottom line, if your block and bottom end are tight, try to make that old olds breath and double your horsepower. Plan in advance and don't be fooled by the old "toss it and get a gym 350, their base crate is still under 200 horse out of the crate.

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