Buy a f-body or build my 81 malibu up?
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I'd keep the malibu hands down, but build up a turbo 5.3, good high stalled trans, and a solid rear. You can do a 5.3 for pretty cheap, and they make good power. I'd do that solely to be able to tell anyone who asks that your dad bought it new. That is something really cool I wish I could have done with my dad's many toys he had.
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An old car like that deserves old school power, IMO. If you're going to do an engine swap in a car like that, I'd do an old SBC between 350 and 406 cubes, or a BBC with 454-502 cubes. I *probably* wouldn't even use fuel injection.
Don't get me wrong, I love LSx's in a modern car (I've owned 4, still have 2) but when it comes to an old, simple car like that; I like old, simple technology. To each his own though.
Don't get me wrong, I love LSx's in a modern car (I've owned 4, still have 2) but when it comes to an old, simple car like that; I like old, simple technology. To each his own though.
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An old car like that deserves old school power, IMO. If you're going to do an engine swap in a car like that, I'd do an old SBC between 350 and 406 cubes, or a BBC with 454-502 cubes. I *probably* wouldn't even use fuel injection.
Don't get me wrong, I love LSx's in a modern car (I've owned 4, still have 2) but when it comes to an old, simple car like that; I like old, simple technology. To each his own though.![Happy](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/smilies/LS1Tech/gr_stretch.gif)
Don't get me wrong, I love LSx's in a modern car (I've owned 4, still have 2) but when it comes to an old, simple car like that; I like old, simple technology. To each his own though.
![Happy](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/smilies/LS1Tech/gr_stretch.gif)
If you were doing more of a pro-touring build I'd think the LS was a better idea.