5.3/4L60E Swap into '80 Malibu

[Anonymous]

I just purchased my Malibu on Saturday and have planned on doing this swap for a long time now. I'll be getting the motor and trans out of a wrecked Silverado/Sierra. Is there anything I should know going into this that would cause some major headaches. I recognize that no swap is easy. I hope to receive the complete harness and pcm from the truck as well as the gauge cluster. Just plug and play right :lol:. Any advice would be great, mounting/ cross member issues, oil pan clearance.
Thanks for the input, I will keep you all posted.
Jake

 

[Anonymous]

right here is the best place to start!
http://www.maliburacing.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=34

 

[MalibuRacing]

Better yet, look here: http://www.maliburacing.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=29&t=73834

At least he has his running.....

 

[Anonymous]

Hey, thanks for the links guys. I really appreciate it!

 

[Anonymous]

So what about all the wiring? Or is that to crazy to discuss on here? Heck somebody probably has that already figured out and I just haven't found the thread yet on here.

 

[halfdozenbuzen]

Save yourself the wiring hassel use a HOWELL ENGINERING.com This is the guy who invented the TPI and was the original GM Tech who made and designed the setup and all wiring harnesses and relays. Its around $400 but I have done over 30 TPI and LT1 swaps with the harness. Its a direct plug in you order it for the car you have any tell him if your running A/C cruise and what ever transmission you have. And if needed it can all be diagnosed just like a factory setup. No having to worry about a hacked in wrong color wire when chasing a problem. It is well worth it.in the end. Throw the factory truck harness away your car doesnt need half of the wiring in it or the emission B.S thats in it. His harness comes in a loam. I drill right behind where the distributor use to be and run the harness up behind the glove box and its all tucked out of the way clean engine bar. Hope this helps.

 

[Doober]

Not to mention he's in MI It's about an hour & a half drive for me For you... closer to 3 hours probably

Also, his site is http://www.howellefi.com. I'm pretty sure he used to actually be in Howell (only a half hour drive from me).

 

[Anonymous]

Interesting for sure, I don't see the later model LSx harness stuff on his site. Maybe I'm not looking in the right spots but I did see the one for the 1999-2001 trucks and the 98ish LS1 Vettes and Camaro stuff but that is pretty restrictive on the years and engines. I think this guy would be great for LT stuff though.

 

[halfdozenbuzen]

http://www.howellefi.com/shop/customer/product.php?productid=16238&cat=0&page=1


This should work for you. its listed up to 2002 but there might not be much difference between them if your a year newer. Call them ask for the son and tell him Paul from P+R automotive in Millbury Mass told you to call. He knows us really good. There great to deal with and also give you a book to help the install and problem solving and even live tech. Unlike others you can also get GM/Delco sensors and each plug on the harness is labled. I can install them in less than 1/2 hour simple and way better then Painless/PAINFULL harness or anything out there. Trust me after doing fuel injection conversions over 18 years I have seen many junks and problems with others and have tossed away them and installed these without a customer ever complaining about a problem after. =D>

 

[Ribbedroof]

Looks like the LS series harnesses are from $500-700 a whack. A good value for many, I'm sure, but that money could go a long ways for a lot of other things (like buying that 5.3/4L60E pullout I have located).