Hello from Mid MI

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Sep 16, 2020 | 06:44 AM

gearheaddrew

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Teching In

Joined: Sep 2020

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Hello from Mid MI

I have been lurking on the forums for a while. I work in the industry and hear a lot about LS swaps and regretted selling my old 84 SS Monte for years. About 2 years ago one of friends mentioned he knew of a Malibu that had been setting in a barn at his buddies house and he said he would try to see if they guy would sell it. After 2 years of asking the day finally came where he was ready to part with it. I have been looking for a roller for about a year but have been holding out for a chance at this one.

Last winter my cousin smashed his 2011 2wd Silverado and only had PLPD on it. I agreed to buy the engine and trans and a few other trim parts and column for my DD. So I have had this powertrain for about 6-8mths now and at one point tried to sell it but nobody wants to part with any $.

The engine is:
2011 L20 4.8 VVT engine - DBW
4L60E 2wd transmission
Intact stock harness/ECM/Throttle pedal/Accessories

The car:
1978 Malibu Classic - 74k original miles
Maroon and Red vinly
Nice interior but smells of 30yrs of barn storage and mouse hotel - buckets and console shift
Engine - 305
Tran - Metric 200?
Rear axle - 7.5 with aluminum brake drums
Factory AC car - stock suspension.
FX spoilers ground effects kit? That's whats on the boxes.

The original owner got too old to drive it, gave it to her daughter who had a small fender bender, they then sold it to the gentleman I got it from. He never drove it just put it in the barn to one day fix.

Engine swap plan:
From what I have read you can use Sphon engine mounts and retain the stock truck pan and accessories. I want to keep the VVT as HPtuners allows for tuning with it. If the truck pan wont fit I have read that the CTSV pan is a good choice. I called and asked Holley if their pan is compatible with VVT and they said no. Does anyone know if the CTS-V pan will work with VVT?

Radiator: An aluminum one with an e-fan would be ideal. I heard dodge intrepid fans are a good fit on a stock radiator so maybe a new OEM and those fans?
Headers: So many choices, most likely long tubes, ceramic coated so they don't look terrible after 1 week Headman/Holley/etc....
ECM: Tuning with HPtuners
Engine harness: PSI conversions or send the stocker out to be modified? Thoughts?
Fuel system: Tanks Inc. tank, and LS swap plumbing, TI Automotive pump (Walbro).

Trans mounting is simple with the cross-members available today - either Trans Dapt (Headman Headers) or Holley for this one. Unless someone knows of a better option.

Rear axle: I am trying to get my hands on a 8.5 and do a LT1 rear brake conversion on it with the Flynbye brackets.

Got a set of s10 blazer front spindle and calipers from another buddy that has been saving stuff.

Suspension: will get new shocks, lowering coils, and stock replacement of worn parts for now. Would like to do a pro-touring style suspension later on.

Body: I am undecided which way to go. Its not terrible surface rust mostly, but after power washing the years of dust off i noticed the driver floor pan has some holes so a replacement panel will need to go in. I am gutting the interior anyway to try and get that mouse smell out so would be the perfect time to do it.

Interior: I plan to keep the red, going to try and get the seats re-foamed these covers are in great shape its unreal. The dash is un-cracked and all of the panels look in good shape. New seals, under-layment/sound deadening and carpet if necessary will happen. New head liner is in order as well as it just keeps dropping nasty bits of brown trash in the car.

Wheels: 17x7 Rally wheels from Vision wheels.

Besides the ground effects kit in the back of the truck there is a fiberglass cowl hood, pass fender, and that is a real Cho Cho front nose. It is ripped but he didn't want it.