Bonez305

Have been looking into doing a LS swap into my 78 Malibu for a while now but have been preoccupied with alot of other things, seems like its the right time for it. I've been looking around to try and find a 6.0 engine, but I'm having trouble locating one in my price range, and since this is my first experience with LS Engines I was wondering if I could just throw in a stock 4.8L and a 4L80e for the time being. I noticed a LSx376 cam for sale on CL from a new crate engine P/N : 12603844, and was wondering if I could throw that cam into the 4/8L to give it a good chop. Any advice would be fine.

Thanks in advance
Peter

Blackpanther99

iTrader: (8)

Well the cam really depends on the rest of the mods done to the motor.

2000PewterT/A

The cam would work but personally I would go with something a little bigger if it was my car. Something like the 228r would be my choice. Now there are quite a few other things to go with that such as timing chain, oil pump, etc. Many people don't do lifters but I suggest them always just because to me it’s not worth risking a lifter failure just to save a couple hundred bucks. I would also do some bolt ons to help the cam breath a little better.

egod

iTrader: (1)

I would forego the 4.8 and find a 5.3 instead. THey should be about the same price and the 5.3 has the larger stroke that matches the 5.7 and 6.0 motors. They can also be bored to a 5.7. And with the smaller chambers they should give a great boost in HP with a nice cam. THe 5.3 will definitely give you more room for upgrades and at the same price you cant go wrong. That cam is intended for a much bigger motor, I would go with a hot cam from gmpp for an ls1

kingof951

iTrader: (1)

lq4 and lq9 blocks are pretty damn cheap in price. i see em all the time on craigslist for like 500ish for a short block. throw some cnc'd 243s or 799s and a used ls6 intake and youre in business.

kingof951

iTrader: (1)

lq4 and lq9 are iron ls1 and ls2. if the op didnt know. and i agree with egod... at least get a 5.3. interchangeable parts is always nice.