project 1980 malibu: as if i dont have enough to do... *updated*
#84
![Default](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
put in alot of work this weekend, got alot checked off the "to do" list ![Grin](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/smilies/LS1Tech/gr_grin.gif)
-got the Power Steering squared away: i used a 2000 camaro pressure hose - i ended up rotating the end that goes to the box and tweaked it a little and it fits good. for the return i used the stock malibu fitting with a new piece of hose.
-cooling system: i used an F-body radiator, the upper and lower camaro hoses work fine (i trimmed @ 1in off the radiator side of the lower hose) and some 3/4 and 5/8's heater hose.
-wiring: i tied up most of the loose ends, hooked up the MIL(luckily the 80 and later 'Bu has a provision for a check engine light so it looks factory). i plan to move the battery to the trunk and mount the switch when i get the car back from having the exhaust welded up. i also need to wire up the cooling fans, the line lock, and the cable-x box
-mounted and pumbed the trans cooler
-bled the brakes
-put the dash back together
all in all it was a long weekend but the car atleast looks like its made progress, here are a few pics:
engine compartment getting there
![](http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s260/lt4malibu/blue%2080%202door%20malibu/DSC02643.jpg)
![](http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s260/lt4malibu/blue%2080%202door%20malibu/DSC02642.jpg)
![](http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s260/lt4malibu/blue%2080%202door%20malibu/DSC02639.jpg)
interior looks stock
![Grin](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/smilies/LS1Tech/gr_grin.gif)
![](http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s260/lt4malibu/blue%2080%202door%20malibu/DSC02648.jpg)
gauges in the glovebox
![](http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s260/lt4malibu/blue%2080%202door%20malibu/DSC02647.jpg)
![](http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s260/lt4malibu/blue%2080%202door%20malibu/DSC02637.jpg)
tach/shiftlight(painted it shadow blue to match the interior and help hide it a little(not sure if thats gonna work lol)
![](http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s260/lt4malibu/blue%2080%202door%20malibu/DSC02636.jpg)
MIL light
![Grin](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/smilies/LS1Tech/gr_grin.gif)
-got the Power Steering squared away: i used a 2000 camaro pressure hose - i ended up rotating the end that goes to the box and tweaked it a little and it fits good. for the return i used the stock malibu fitting with a new piece of hose.
-cooling system: i used an F-body radiator, the upper and lower camaro hoses work fine (i trimmed @ 1in off the radiator side of the lower hose) and some 3/4 and 5/8's heater hose.
-wiring: i tied up most of the loose ends, hooked up the MIL(luckily the 80 and later 'Bu has a provision for a check engine light so it looks factory). i plan to move the battery to the trunk and mount the switch when i get the car back from having the exhaust welded up. i also need to wire up the cooling fans, the line lock, and the cable-x box
-mounted and pumbed the trans cooler
-bled the brakes
-put the dash back together
all in all it was a long weekend but the car atleast looks like its made progress, here are a few pics:
engine compartment getting there
![](http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s260/lt4malibu/blue%2080%202door%20malibu/DSC02643.jpg)
![](http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s260/lt4malibu/blue%2080%202door%20malibu/DSC02642.jpg)
![](http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s260/lt4malibu/blue%2080%202door%20malibu/DSC02639.jpg)
interior looks stock
![Grin](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/smilies/LS1Tech/gr_grin.gif)
![Grin](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/smilies/LS1Tech/gr_grin.gif)
![Grin](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/smilies/LS1Tech/gr_grin.gif)
![](http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s260/lt4malibu/blue%2080%202door%20malibu/DSC02648.jpg)
gauges in the glovebox
![](http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s260/lt4malibu/blue%2080%202door%20malibu/DSC02647.jpg)
![](http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s260/lt4malibu/blue%2080%202door%20malibu/DSC02637.jpg)
tach/shiftlight(painted it shadow blue to match the interior and help hide it a little(not sure if thats gonna work lol)
![](http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s260/lt4malibu/blue%2080%202door%20malibu/DSC02636.jpg)
MIL light
![](http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s260/lt4malibu/blue%2080%202door%20malibu/DSC02638.jpg)
#91
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![Default](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Very interesting!
I have an 83 malibu wagon that was all original with the puny 3.8v6 when I bought it. That got turned into a boat anchor pdq and now has a mid 70,s v8 under there, that was bad enough on the wiring as it had been all computer, electric control carb, ignition etc.
Have been considering a ls v8 swap down the road, already have a 69 chevelle with a 6.0 lq4 under the hood running mighty fine so far.
Be very interested in keeping in touch on this one as anything you run into will be of great help to me!
thanks
I have an 83 malibu wagon that was all original with the puny 3.8v6 when I bought it. That got turned into a boat anchor pdq and now has a mid 70,s v8 under there, that was bad enough on the wiring as it had been all computer, electric control carb, ignition etc.
Have been considering a ls v8 swap down the road, already have a 69 chevelle with a 6.0 lq4 under the hood running mighty fine so far.
Be very interested in keeping in touch on this one as anything you run into will be of great help to me!
thanks
#92
![Default](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
First of all, I absolutely love this build!!
I like that last video! pure sleeper (minus exhaust note lol) I say widen the rear steelies keep the caps and get cheater slicks.
I like that last video! pure sleeper (minus exhaust note lol) I say widen the rear steelies keep the caps and get cheater slicks.
![Mr. Cool](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/smilies/LS1Tech/gr_cool.gif)
#93
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I'm hoping the exhaust will be quiet - we tried to fit 4 mufflers on it but there just isn't enough room lol. The exhaust will hopefully be done tomorrow and ill be able to wrap it up in the next week or 2 and put a few miles on it. As far as the wheels: the stock wheels are 14 inch and I can get a 14x8 wheels but nobody makes a 255 or 275 drag radial for a 14 inch rim(I can get a 26x8.5 slick tho) so I have a set of rally wheels and a set of centerline telstars for now.
#98
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some more updates! i busted my *** today, got alot of stuff done and it was so worth it!!
-relocated the battery to the trunk
-mounted the battery cut-off switch
-finished wiring the cooling fans
-cleaned up the rest of the wiring under the hood
-mounted the ECM and fuse panels
-installed a set of BellTech 2inch drop spindles and did an alignment
-bolted on a set of centerline telstars
and.... then i drove it home!!!
![Grin](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/smilies/LS1Tech/gr_grin.gif)
ive put about 40 miles on it so far, aside from the idle being kinda low(which my tuner will hopefully fix on the dyno in the next week or so) and the summit brand coolant temp gauge being like 30* off(my scanner will have to do for now) the car drives great! has great highway manners, runs pretty cool @ 185-195*
i still need to hook up the cable X box for the speedometer(my scan tool works great for that temporarily too lol) and wire up the line lock, but driving a fresh build for the first time never gets old.
![](http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s260/lt4malibu/IMG_20120317_183951.jpg)
i think the stance is perfect(maybe might get a set of 1inch drop springs for the rear after i get a set of 275 ET streets for the back) handles good for having the stock V6 suspension from 1980 (definately needs a rear sway bar)
ill post some pictures tomorrow when its light out of everything
-relocated the battery to the trunk
-mounted the battery cut-off switch
-finished wiring the cooling fans
-cleaned up the rest of the wiring under the hood
-mounted the ECM and fuse panels
-installed a set of BellTech 2inch drop spindles and did an alignment
-bolted on a set of centerline telstars
and.... then i drove it home!!!
![Grin](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/smilies/LS1Tech/gr_grin.gif)
![Grin](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/smilies/LS1Tech/gr_grin.gif)
![Grin](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/smilies/LS1Tech/gr_grin.gif)
ive put about 40 miles on it so far, aside from the idle being kinda low(which my tuner will hopefully fix on the dyno in the next week or so) and the summit brand coolant temp gauge being like 30* off(my scanner will have to do for now) the car drives great! has great highway manners, runs pretty cool @ 185-195*
i still need to hook up the cable X box for the speedometer(my scan tool works great for that temporarily too lol) and wire up the line lock, but driving a fresh build for the first time never gets old.
![](http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s260/lt4malibu/IMG_20120317_183951.jpg)
i think the stance is perfect(maybe might get a set of 1inch drop springs for the rear after i get a set of 275 ET streets for the back) handles good for having the stock V6 suspension from 1980 (definately needs a rear sway bar)
ill post some pictures tomorrow when its light out of everything
![The Judge](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/smilies/LS1Tech/gr_judge.gif)