Grocery Gettin' Gbody: 5.3 Malibu swap
03-06-2011, 07:01 PM
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Grocery Gettin' Gbody: 5.3 Malibu swap I figured I'd go ahead and start a build thread to at least keep me motivated anyways. Build is going rather slow. I was going to do a LS1, but after buying a 2001 LS1/4l60e dropout and getting it home only to discover a trashed thrust bearing, bent rod, rusty cylinder etc...
bought "as is" but according to the guy it was a good running engine when it was pulled, yeah whatever. I had to sell what I could to recover some funds and decided to go 5.3 carbed.
Car is a 79 Malibu, and my goal was to have a fun street duty car for a daily driver. Its a very mild build compared to some of the monsters you guys are building on here, but this is my first go at and LSX engine. Its keeping the stock heads and I just did a mild cam swap. Had this one spec'd by PatG: 214/218 .559/.563 111+4. I really wanted a stealthy type cam as I kinda wanted a little sleeper status with this ride. I'm going with the Performer intake and I haven't narrowed down the carb yet, probably going 650. Anyways here's some pics. Just got the cam in today, swapped oil pans to CTS-v, and put a LS6 oil pump in. I didn't have time to swap in the springs and pushrods so that will wait til next weekend. I've learned a lot by lurking in here reading all you guys stuff, and I'm sure I'll have some questions along the way. Still have a few things to iron out and parts to gather, but I'm getting there. Here's a few pics. Engine bay was pretty nasty so I cleaned it up a bit. Out with the old cam in with the new, and a nice Chevy Orange paint job for the block with a shiny valley cover.
bought "as is" but according to the guy it was a good running engine when it was pulled, yeah whatever. I had to sell what I could to recover some funds and decided to go 5.3 carbed.Car is a 79 Malibu, and my goal was to have a fun street duty car for a daily driver. Its a very mild build compared to some of the monsters you guys are building on here, but this is my first go at and LSX engine. Its keeping the stock heads and I just did a mild cam swap. Had this one spec'd by PatG: 214/218 .559/.563 111+4. I really wanted a stealthy type cam as I kinda wanted a little sleeper status with this ride. I'm going with the Performer intake and I haven't narrowed down the carb yet, probably going 650. Anyways here's some pics. Just got the cam in today, swapped oil pans to CTS-v, and put a LS6 oil pump in. I didn't have time to swap in the springs and pushrods so that will wait til next weekend. I've learned a lot by lurking in here reading all you guys stuff, and I'm sure I'll have some questions along the way. Still have a few things to iron out and parts to gather, but I'm getting there. Here's a few pics. Engine bay was pretty nasty so I cleaned it up a bit. Out with the old cam in with the new, and a nice Chevy Orange paint job for the block with a shiny valley cover.
Last edited by Polynikes; 03-06-2011 at 07:16 PM.
03-06-2011, 07:21 PM
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Got a nice 8.8 w/3:55's built for it ready to go in. Just waiting to snag up a rear disc conversion kit before I throw it in there. I'm really wanting to go with a Performabuilt 700r4 and around 2500-2600 stall, but still saving up funds for it. So nothing set in stone yet...
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03-06-2011, 08:44 PM
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03-06-2011, 11:06 PM
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Seems like you are out swinging with the engine already man, glad i finished the 5.3 in my 86 TA, the cam is bigger of course and 317 heads, i just need to get the cam position sensor problem fixed, then i can see how she stretches here legs witht he 3.23 gears, i hope it likes the 3000 stall though.
03-07-2011, 02:04 PM
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nice ride man im also doing a 5.3 build going carb also on a 80 malibu looks like the same color except they took white rattle cans and got busy on mine, maybe i can get some tips from u as i go along my build ....
03-08-2011, 11:11 PM
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effect. 
BTW can anyone recommend a good reliable fuel pump for my setup? I was looking at a Holley maybe a red or blue. Also, is a regulator an absolute necessity for these units?
04-04-2011, 04:05 PM
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A small update...Got my rearend in this weekend. Along with new springs ,Bilsteins, and upper and lower arms. I found a decent rear disc setup, but only got the mounting brackets on because I'm gonna need bigger rims. Just need to plumb the new lines and it should be good to go. I also was able to get the engine somewhat 'done' with the valvesprings, pushrods, and even got my intake bolted on. Small steps, small steps.
Last edited by Polynikes; 04-05-2011 at 12:33 PM.
04-05-2011, 09:22 AM
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Dam i wish i was making that kind of progress on my build
Good job
I will say however that those holley blues are NOISEY! i would look for a different design pump. something like this would be what i would look at.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/MAA-4070M/
Good job I will say however that those holley blues are NOISEY! i would look for a different design pump. something like this would be what i would look at.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/MAA-4070M/
04-05-2011, 12:58 PM
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Yeah, that's what I keep reading about the Holley's. I was able to pick up a new Carter electric pump for free locally, so that's what I'm going to throw in there for the time being and see how it does.
Also, finally decided on a tranny. Going with a Stage 1 th350 from Tech sponsor Jake's Performance, just talked to him last night, a great guy to answer questions and help out. Should have the tranny in a few weeks. Now just to find a stall, looking for a 11" 2600 which appears to be hard to find...
Also, finally decided on a tranny. Going with a Stage 1 th350 from Tech sponsor Jake's Performance, just talked to him last night, a great guy to answer questions and help out. Should have the tranny in a few weeks. Now just to find a stall, looking for a 11" 2600 which appears to be hard to find...
Last edited by Polynikes; 04-05-2011 at 01:22 PM.
10-12-2011, 01:16 PM
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The engine and tranny are in! Been pretty damn slow going with work and over 100 degree temps all summer, but progress is progress. Went with a th350 from Jake's Performance and an Edge 2800 stall. Andre from Edge did the converter with a 6 pad mount so it would mount right up to the 4l80e flexplate, clearances and fitment was great on that end.
10-12-2011, 01:29 PM
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Since my Dad built a new shop this summer we decided that once the engine/tranny were in we'd move it out to the shop to finish it off, so we threw it on the trailer last night and moved it to its new home until its done.
10-12-2011, 03:34 PM
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Thanks, the third gen just has the ol' vortec head, xe274, air gap combo set up at the moment which is fun and all, but I'm just waiting to get the Malibu project done before I give the third gen the "Zone" treatment a la 6.0 and a TRex. Your build really has cemented that plan in my head.
10-12-2011, 09:12 PM
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Well, glad i seem to inspire so many here, that third gen looks straight as it needs to be.
But, i must admit, the Malibu you have is allot more rare to see on the street around here, well, a Malibu and a "decent looking" third gen are about the same to see common wise, plenty of beater third gens, no malibus though.
But, i must admit, the Malibu you have is allot more rare to see on the street around here, well, a Malibu and a "decent looking" third gen are about the same to see common wise, plenty of beater third gens, no malibus though.