Conversions & Hybrids - LS1 in a '74 Malibu wagon

Finally have enough to start a build thread. Picked up the wagon last fall from a "colorful" guy down in KY. Its an all original 1 owner grandma car. It only has 58,000 miles on it and is cleaaaaan as hell. First I ripped out the 350 and put in a 358 sbc. Then a few weeks ago I got an awesome deal on an LS1 so I snagged it up. Here's a few pics of what I have so far

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f216/rambuller84/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_5506.jpg

And the LS1 I picked up.
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f216/rambuller84/Mobile%20Uploads/20120418122235.jpg
Basically stock other than the Prc 650 springs and a 230/224 .575- .563 111lsa cam with 241 heads.

Right now I'm trying to focus on getting the engine/trans in and working so I can hit LS fest later this year. It's gonna be close.

So this morning I got to work.

Out with the old
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f216/rambuller84/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_1527.jpg

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f216/rambuller84/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_8983.jpg

Just waiting on my new engine mounts to get here. Doing a little clean up and painting this week before the new engine goes in.

that looks way cleaner than my engine bay. the wagon thing is sweet man

Thanks! I should have pics of the LS1/400 sitting in it by Monday morning.

Nice project....

What r u using for adaptors for the transmission?

Nice project....

Thanks for checking it out.


What r u using for adaptors for the transmission?

For right now a 5.3 flex plate and bolting it to the holes that line up. Long term it will have a 4L60 in it. It's only about 400 hp right now so it should be fine.

dont you need to get a spacer for the crank? i remember something about the 4L80s having a spacer you can use if u want a stock part. maybe im confusing it with the stuff i needed for my 700r4

I'll probably end up making one at work. I can't see paying for something I can whip out in an hour on a Saturday. If it comes out well I may be able to pop a couple more out if you need one and can get me measurements.

wish i had know, i went an bought one a while back cuz the sold the lathe we had at work

Killer wagon. Can't wait for more, I'm subscribing

Thanks! I dug into the LS1 a bit and it's gonna have to come apart. I have a guy here at work that is ginna do some machining for me so by fall I should have a 383 with monstrous heads and buying a turbo over the winter.

I picked up an 06 LQ4 on the cheap last weekend and threw it in the car for mockup with my 400th. Everything slid in super easy. Should be doing some small body work and some suspension mods next. Once I sell a few things I'll be giving Texas Speed lots of money To build a 408.

LQ4 in for mock up
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f216/rambuller84/Mobile%20Uploads/7843E1DD-0692-4B06-B872-EBF5B20DB76D-1860-0000024F24C3AB6B_zps1026afcb.jpg

3" dropped out of the front. Waiting on rear springs.
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f216/rambuller84/Mobile%20Uploads/4A83BAE6-8ABF-4531-903A-E466CE1B9ED0-1004-0000016F9CD0DC83.jpg

Very nice.. I like the wagon. What company did you go with for lowering springs?

Thanks! Opgi had the springs. McCaughy's has the drop spindles I'll be using. Right now I'm using cut factory springs in the front since I had an extra set from a '76 I stripped out.

Updates?... Build it or sell it to me...

I've been finishing my LS1 Vega trying to get it ready for spring. I've been doing uninteresting things like buying a dash to fiberglass for it and things like that. Definitely not for sale though.