novadragr

Got me an 81 Malibu that Im going to go out and drag with. It will be gutted, etc etc, and a 10 or 12 point cage in it. I am starting to really love the sound of putting a 6.0L engine in the car, mainly to turn some heads when you pop the hood. I have a feeling that I will end up with an LQ4 instead of the 9, but either way, its just pistons, so if I have to rebuild, I can just get the flat tops and I have my engine. My question is, will an LQ4 engine make enough, with some simple mods, such as a cam, maybe shaving the heads, or swapping to a 5.3 head or something like that, power in order to run a 10.90 index? I know I could spray it and get there, but they dont allow spray in S/ST. Anyone able to point me in the right direction?

bgblockelcamino

iTrader: (9)

your goal is def feasible. keep bottom end stock and run supporting heads cam convertor and should achieve your goal. are you running carb or fuel injection?

novadragr

Figured I would go the carb route. I like the fact of less wiring, etc. I have been readibg some info and playing with desktop dyno 5.0 and think I could do it. I'm just lost where to start. Guess I need to keep reading as when you ask for some exact parts, people tend to get upset and call you lazy. Just don't have the time some do, working 6 to 7 days a week

Driftunit

iTrader: (5)

i think you will have to go after market with your heads, which can be pricey.

Carter01

iTrader: (11)

Well in my 3550lb Camaro with 390 to the wheels I run 11.80s at 118, looking for 11.60s in the colder months with my new suspension setup. I truly believe with a larger cubic inch motor, bolt-ons and cam, and weighing 500 lighter than me that you should run high tens all day long. If that doesn't work you can slap a set of worked 5.3s on there and there you have it. Honestly I don't think you will need heads, just my .02.

BLWN1

iTrader: (6)

My buddies 78 malibu with the lower compression 6.0, shaved heads 20, and a healthy cam has gone 7.30s and he drives the wheels off of it. More aggressive on the tune, 6.90s on motor should be in the works..... it is a carb'd car.

MelScrilla

iTrader: (2)

I just saw someones sig that said they had a stock bottom end LQ4 with L92's and made 525 to the wheels. Those where probably cnc'd heads but thats still good power for the money since cnc'd L92's can be had for about 1500.
If you have the money you could do:
-forged 370 LQ4 from TSP for like $3k
-cnc LS3 heads from TSP for 1200
-a carb intake and custom cam

Your probably looking at about a $7K motor all said and done but you'll be making over 500rwhp and have the option to spray it.

BLWN1

iTrader: (6)

Cam and spings, and all the little things get expensive. I gave 500 for my motor, ad have about 4-5000 in my swap so far. Car intake conversion, computer,harness, oil pan, mounts, cam springs, crank spacer, BOLTS are ridiculous, I switched to car accessories, pretty sure you have to have them for the G body....