Olds Cutlass Calais FE3

[paul8488]

Anyone know what the FE3 means? I found this car for sale, and am kinda interested, as it's similar to my first car (a regular Olds Calais 2-door). I can't go see it just yet, but wanted to know what the FE3 designation means. Was that the version with the Quad4? Was there anything majorly different from the base Calais? Suspension? Transmission? Interior? For what they're asking it has to be pretty near the end of its life (if not past already), but I'll take a look anyways.

[Taycron]

I think it means it has a sportier suspension..

[LGRpup]

Yes that is correct, it is the suspension. Its usually part of the sportier packages, and I believe they still use that moniker...or atleast the last Alero and GA's did.

[paul8488]

So no Quad4? That's a bit more encouraging. I have nothing against the little Tech4. Was it 2.3 or 2.5L. I forget. I'm sure I've asked before, but is the Tech4 related to the 2.5L Ironduke? I tried looking up Calais FE3 info, but didn't find much. I now know that ity's different from the 442 version of the Calais (which woulda been a great little car).

I found a few pics of a Calais (somewhere in Europe I think). I think this car has perfect lines. It's clearly dated, but something about the proportion and stance of this thing looks awesome. The overhangs are just right, the rear sits up high, and the car slopes slightly down to the front. The car looks fairly high off the ground, but the way the doors curve under somehow make it look purposeful. Even the headlights and grille fit the car perfectly, and while it was never super sporty, the car just looks well thought out. Anyone agree?

[MelvinJ]

Most (but not all) of the Quad4 cars had Quad4 badges on the front fenders. All Quad4's were 2.3L, and the Tech4 was 2.5L. The Tech4 was a mild update of the Iron Duke. It was still a pushrod 2-valve four.

I rented a very basic Calais in 1990 with no Quad4 badges and thought, 'Wow, the old Tech4 really moves!'. Then I opened the hood and there was the Quad4.

We later bought a Calais with the Quad4/automatic and were very happy with it. It did need the head gasket changed twice, but both times were under warranty. I think the first time it was changed, the job was botched, because the second one went bad only about 5K miles later. I might not have been so happy with it if I had to pay the $800 for the new head gaskets myself though.

[paul8488]

Ah thanks for the info Melvin. Horror stories of the Quad4 (a buddy told me you can buy head gaskets in 6-packs!), despite the awesome 180hp available years ago, would make me wary. I doubt many Quad4 cars were driven carefully by little old ladies either!

I loved the clatter of my old Tech4... I had someone ask me once if it was a diesel! For all its underpowered-ness, it was a likeable engine... and the 3 speed auto was perfectly matched to the engine.