Caprice engine swap?

[Adam]

accel performance distributor

Didn't realize Accel made Optis.

https://www.holley.com/products/ignitio ... arts/59125

Turns out that's a thing.

[kevm14]

They've made optis for as long as I can remember really. The general consensus was to just get the GM/AC Delco one and not bother with aftermarket on that. The rate of opti replacement is really quite low so it is worth getting a genuine part IMO. Even on the 95 Camaro when Bob owned it, the opti didn't fail on its own - it was drenched in oil from an intake oil leak. I replaced it on my 95 Fleetwood but again that was preventative maintenance while I was doing the WP.

[kevm14]

Alternate option if this one doesn't pan out:
https://newjersey.craigslist.org/cto/6127587924.html

Hot off the press, 1 hour old.

05 Cadillac STS - $4500 (West Milford)
V8, AWD, Sun Roof, Every Option, Metallic Blue, Grey Leather Interior, Great Condition, New Brakes & Tires. 141,500 Miles

1SG, FE3, AWD, no adaptive cruise. Getting to be a pretty common find when I find one with the 18s. Pretty much guaranteed actually based on my experience. It is NJ, of course. But looks like a private seller and the price is more or less reasonable for the mileage and condition.

This car actually looks really nice in the small and few pictures there are. I guess I like the blue (it also seems like the paint is really good) and I like the interior color combo. More miles. Same options. $500 less. Don't know anything about the history or whatever.

It is enough so that I should not feel pressured or desperate to buy this white one if it has any kind of issues that add up to more than a couple hundred bucks.

Down to $4200. I suppose the 141k is putting some people off. Definitely don't need to spend $7k to get into one of these...

[kevm14]

Interesting findings at Tire Pros as well.

I saw two techs looking at the rear frame section. The verdict was, do a windshield and it'll pass. He said there is some frame rot. I said well is it bad? He said, "no, I've seen far worse." i was like "so its not going to fall off or anything?". He said no, not at all. He did ask if it was my daily driver. I said I just bought a car yesterday. So I will do a windshield.

Then I asked about emissions. I said, hey, put it on the dyno just so I know it will pass. He said "we don't do that anymore.". After some back and forth, it would appear that RI has finally caught up to Mass and gotten rid of emissions on OBD-I.

I also asked about engine swaps. He didn't seem to have any requirements. As long as it isn't obnoxiously loud and passes the OBD-II test it should be fine. It use a pre-96 car. Not bad at all.

Got my new windshield on Saturday.

WP_20170527_14_59_47_Pro.jpg

It was processed as a comprehensive claim, for which I have a $250 deductible.

There was plenty of rust around the windshield frame. It was still solid enough that he wire brushed it down and put some kind of fancy primer on it. It shouldn't leak.

WP_20170527_14_59_19_Pro.jpg

WP_20170527_14_59_23_Pro.jpg

Anyway I got my sticker. When the tech got out of my car, he was like "nice car" but I couldn't quite read his level of sarcasm. So I preempted him and said "well I'm trying to get 2 more years out of it." He clarified: "yeah a lot of miles, but it runs good, it really does" or something. Apparently parking lot snap is how the health of engines is judged.

[kevm14]

Oh yeah I forgot to mention. The car sat for 2-1/2 weeks (since picking up the STS). It had the Garmin GPS plugged in and charging the entire time. Also, the hood was open while the Safelite guy did the windshield, which means the hood light was on for another hour or two.

So did it start? Of course it started. I mean the battery was definitely down but it started and ran just the same as ever.

This of course invites a short discussion. How does the Caprice feel to me when the last time I drove it was up to northern Mass on May 12th?

The same, really. Better throttle feel/response than the STS (at least at tip-in), and better brake feel. I definitely still have a soft spot for the car, and I think I can see myself with another B-body at some point which will fulfill that hot rod position in my fleet (like non-stock, maybe a turbo, etc.).

[kevm14]

https://hartford.craigslist.org/cto/6161032947.html

2006 Cadillac STS 4 AWD V8 - $3200 (Hartford)
****FULLY Loaded **** heated and cooled driver and passenger seats heated rear seats,navigation,6 disc changer and DVD,heated steering wheel,Heads up display ,leather seats automatic wipers this car has it all high mileage but still runs strong check engine light is on. with all that said this car is still a bargain. can drive as is no reliability issues,and with a little TLC you'll have a great car.mostly highway miles. All serious offers considered car sold as is

He's not kidding, this even has adaptive cruise. I don't have a VIN but I would bet this is a 1SG car. It has everything.

I mean 183k is a thing. But this is sweet. It really looks pretty nice actually. Wonder what the check engine light is for. If it is for the MAF, that is easy.

[Bob]

https://charlotte.craigslist.org/cto/6159334002.html

No pics, but intriguing given the low miles.

[kevm14]

Wow so if I am a good boy I may be privileged enough to see pictures of the car?

[Bob]

Wow so if I am a good boy I may be privileged enough to see pictures of the car?

You're selling a $1500 car on craigslist, get over yourself.

[kevm14]

I mean it is probably a disaster. But like Bill would say...what are you going to accomplish by delaying someone finding this out? They'll still find out before they actually pay the money, right?