Well, after much reading and lurking and gleaning from the experience of the people on this site, I am finally starting my project. I have seen that there are several people who have done this so I'm just adding in my two cents. Maybe it'll help :) I had the 500 built and a new TH400 trans built as well. I removed the old tried and died 4.1 and trans but I've got some cleaning up to do before I put it all together. I'll post some pics of the progress as I go.

Goodness! All the project threads are coming out at once!

And that's a nice looking 500. Is is a '70 with 400 horses, or is it one of the smogged ones?
This guy did a nice one, but that engine you've got sure does polish up nice!

http://www.mcsmk8.com/80CAD-500/MAVICA.HTM

Keep us posted...If my 78 FWB doesn't sell, I'm probably going the same route.

Bye Bye HT4100!!!!!

This baby is gona be a sleeper.....


My fav... your right. ALot of projects.... Guess we are getting ready for summer!

The 500 looks nice (Potter goodies?) - the swap is purdy simple.
[507 in my '83 (http://web.pdx.edu/%7Ebtc/83/images/july/Eng2.jpg)]

Thanks, Fav Brm. It's one of Potters', he built from the ground up. I also got the tranny through him as well. I love that Matt Garrett ride. That guys got a ton of mint cars. Did you see his website? The motor came out great. Once I get the front clip off, (thanks to a link on this site) I'll get back on the front end suspension. The shocks and springs have already been done but the bushings need some bad help now. Any insights on polyurathane? I'll strip the engine bay and then it's off to the paint shop to get it sprayed while everything is empty. Looking into spraying the undercarriage as well. I HOPE!!! to get it decent by summer (fingers crossed...and numb)

Hey 472, did you use a fan clutch? got anymore pics of the ride? I was thinking of that same air cleaner..
any plans for AC in the future?

Nice.

Don't forget to grind down the passenger side upper A arm bolt towards the back. This will give you clearance for the exhaust. Might not be needed if you are doing headers, though...

I would really rather do a set of coated headers for this build. Hopefully there are some on the horizon that will fit the setup, otherwise it's the custom route. I spoke with Cad co. who may have something coming out within a month or so. That's ok, I've got pleanty to do until then.

Will, I redid the front and rear suspension with a Hyperflex kit from Energy Suspension cataloged for 80's/90's Caprice/Impala - I'm pretty happy with how it maneuvers for a 2 ton car (also installed Hotchkis Impala SS lowering springs, rear sway bar, boxed rear control arms).

I used to dislike fan clutches, now I hate them since I had one come apart and ruin a radiator. I always use the stock fatty spacer and flex fan from '77 ('78?) 425's ('79 had the clutch I know). There's nothing to fail that way. HotRod did an article on flex fan vs. clutch and found the clutch saved no power until about 5,500rpm and was only about 5hp - someone may dispute that, but I still hate fan clutches.

As far as A/C - nope. Since you've got the Edelbrock intake you'll have to get crafty and make some brackets to hold the compressor. I've seen it done with the stock slim Harrison compressor, and the popular aftermarket one by Sanden (real small).

I don't have any good current engine pics but here are a few;
The Car 1 (http://web.pdx.edu/~btc/83/images/july/Ext1.jpg)
The Car 2 (http://web.pdx.edu/~btc/83/images/july/Ext3.jpg)
Engine July 07 (http://web.pdx.edu/~btc/83/images/july/Eng1.jpg)
On the stand 1 (http://web.pdx.edu/~btc/83/images/50721.jpg)
Just dropped in June 06 (http://web.pdx.edu/~btc/83/images/june04.jpg)

And as Jayoldschool noted, prepare to get creative with the front of the passenger side control arm... :crowded:

Thanks, great info. Btw, the guys at Potter, Cadco, and MTS can get you special brackets if you wanna mount up an AC compressor on the 500 with an Edelbrock manifold.

P.S. Sweet Ride.

This looks beautiful and I bet it's really going to make the Brougham GO!!

What type of modifacations have to be made on my 85 RWD to accomadate a 500? I would love the power and saving gas money doesn't matter. I just want my cadillac to have a big backbone and to be able to get in front of any car if need be.

I definatly want all my accessories to work still.

If you just wanna be able to pass folks on the highway, then I don't think you'll need a 500. You'd probably really like an LT1 350. They're perfect for modern driving, have lots of power, and are good on gas. It will have a great increase in power, with an extra 100 cubic inches over the 4.1L dog, plus fuel injection. And the accessories problem won't be an issue, either.

Greg