81 Malibu Budget 5.3 swap!!
10-08-2011, 10:10 PM
#41
TECH Apprentice
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 390
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have a 2 1/2 cowl hood, so im assuming everything will clear. Alternator will clear fine, it's the intake im worried about. I'm afraid I wont be able to run the plenum cover. He hood bracing has a circular cut out for a carb air cleaner sooooo.. it may not clear lol
10-08-2011, 11:43 PM
#42
I was told the 2.5 wont work, but i am not sure. i ordered a 4", but when it came was for a cutlass (and not my el camino), sucks! i wanted to use the truck intake as i heard it was better to use than the ls1, now i may have to get the ls1 stuff, hope i can sell this hood!
11-20-2011, 02:18 PM
#49
Staging Lane
iTrader: (3)
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Crestview, FL
Posts: 76
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Beautiful car man, Let us know how well the hood fits. You should be pretty darn close!
http://www.maliburacing.com/forum/vi...p?f=34&t=91947
http://www.maliburacing.com/forum/vi...p?f=34&t=91947
11-20-2011, 10:02 PM
#50
Teching In
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have a 2 1/2 cowl hood, so im assuming everything will clear. Alternator will clear fine, it's the intake im worried about. I'm afraid I wont be able to run the plenum cover. He hood bracing has a circular cut out for a carb air cleaner sooooo.. it may not clear lol
03-23-2012, 08:42 PM
#51
TECH Apprentice
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 390
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
FOLLOW UP:
Car has been running and driving since late November. Since then I have put probably 3000mi on the car and it has run flawlessly. The only thing I've had to do during this time was tighten up my vent tube line. Zero issues with cold start, zero hesitations, zero problems at all.
Fuel Economy:
As I drive primarily around town, spirited, fuel economy could be better (11mpg flogging it around), however on a few occasions where I kept my foot off the gas, I was able to get 16mpg on the highway (keep in mind I have a very loose converter, 3.73s and 26in tall tires in a TH350 - No overdrive), I can't complain one bit.
Performance:
The motor has a stock ls1 camaro cam in it, so it doesn't sound no where near as wicked as the old solid lifter big thumper that was in it before. However, it is super crisp and drives like a brand new car. I would even argue that it is as fast, if not faster than the mildly built 355 that was in it before. I say a lot of it has to do with the gearing and converter that puts this engine right in its peak power band very fast.
Things I wish I would have done differently:
I wish I would have went with an overdrive trans. The only reason I kept the th350 was because it was a known good trans, and I was on a budget. However, in hindsight, the cost difference of doing a 4L60E behind this motor would be way more fun. Perhaps when the th350 gives up the ghost, It will get a 6 speed or a 700R4.
I also wish I would have went boost. Most people thing going turbo is expensive.. well not really. When doing a hybrid swap, such as into a g body (where there is a lot of room), it can often be easier. BRP swap headers are 700+ bucks. You can buy a new Bord Warner S series turbo for about 700 bucks. Use the truck manifolds flipped and the expense that would be used to fab a custom y pipe or full exhaust could be put into the turbo piping setup. As the pcm has to be tuned to disable vats and what not, it would only be a few more 400 bucks to have it tuned on the dyno. The only problem would be traction on my 235/60 tires!
Notes:
Converting an A/C car to Non A/C using factory heater boxes is a complete bitch. The whole dash has to be removed for the upper defrost vent. The vacuum controls are replaced by a cable operated setup in the center of the dash as well as a lower vent under the steering column. The whole box has to be swapped out and new heater core, blower motor and harness. However, it did kill two birds with one stone as A) it looks much better, and B) It clears the rear coil pack with no relocation and no trimming of the box EVEN with 1in setback plates.
Car has been running and driving since late November. Since then I have put probably 3000mi on the car and it has run flawlessly. The only thing I've had to do during this time was tighten up my vent tube line. Zero issues with cold start, zero hesitations, zero problems at all.
Fuel Economy:
As I drive primarily around town, spirited, fuel economy could be better (11mpg flogging it around), however on a few occasions where I kept my foot off the gas, I was able to get 16mpg on the highway (keep in mind I have a very loose converter, 3.73s and 26in tall tires in a TH350 - No overdrive), I can't complain one bit.
Performance:
The motor has a stock ls1 camaro cam in it, so it doesn't sound no where near as wicked as the old solid lifter big thumper that was in it before. However, it is super crisp and drives like a brand new car. I would even argue that it is as fast, if not faster than the mildly built 355 that was in it before. I say a lot of it has to do with the gearing and converter that puts this engine right in its peak power band very fast.
Things I wish I would have done differently:
I wish I would have went with an overdrive trans. The only reason I kept the th350 was because it was a known good trans, and I was on a budget. However, in hindsight, the cost difference of doing a 4L60E behind this motor would be way more fun. Perhaps when the th350 gives up the ghost, It will get a 6 speed or a 700R4.
I also wish I would have went boost. Most people thing going turbo is expensive.. well not really. When doing a hybrid swap, such as into a g body (where there is a lot of room), it can often be easier. BRP swap headers are 700+ bucks. You can buy a new Bord Warner S series turbo for about 700 bucks. Use the truck manifolds flipped and the expense that would be used to fab a custom y pipe or full exhaust could be put into the turbo piping setup. As the pcm has to be tuned to disable vats and what not, it would only be a few more 400 bucks to have it tuned on the dyno. The only problem would be traction on my 235/60 tires!
Notes:
Converting an A/C car to Non A/C using factory heater boxes is a complete bitch. The whole dash has to be removed for the upper defrost vent. The vacuum controls are replaced by a cable operated setup in the center of the dash as well as a lower vent under the steering column. The whole box has to be swapped out and new heater core, blower motor and harness. However, it did kill two birds with one stone as A) it looks much better, and B) It clears the rear coil pack with no relocation and no trimming of the box EVEN with 1in setback plates.
03-24-2012, 01:56 AM
#52
I hear you on the non a/c box swap...I started to install the system on my GP and so far ok except for having to modify parts off of different g body non a/c systems.. Seems like GP non a/c specific parts are non existent.. here is a pic of the clearance of mine with the lS1 in and transdapt 1in setback plates. Don't know if it will clear the coils though...Awesome build BTW and i'm still looking for a Malibu.
07-06-2012, 09:22 PM
#55
TECH Apprentice
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 390
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
07-06-2012, 09:26 PM
#56
TECH Apprentice
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 390
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Rough guestimate -
850 engine / shipping
300 headers
100 gaskets / fluids
60 flexplate / spacer
40 motor mount adapters
50 hoses / belts
250 caddilac oil pan
150 Buick GN fuel tank
100 buick GN fuel pump
100 Buick GN sending unit
100 misc fuel lines
300 wiring harness / tune
About 2400 total. I then sold my old 355 for 650, distributor off of old motor 50, carb sold 200, starter 30, headers 20. Minus 950... So about $1450
850 engine / shipping
300 headers
100 gaskets / fluids
60 flexplate / spacer
40 motor mount adapters
50 hoses / belts
250 caddilac oil pan
150 Buick GN fuel tank
100 buick GN fuel pump
100 Buick GN sending unit
100 misc fuel lines
300 wiring harness / tune
About 2400 total. I then sold my old 355 for 650, distributor off of old motor 50, carb sold 200, starter 30, headers 20. Minus 950... So about $1450
