MY 83 MALIBU WAGON PROJECT HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

kidclassic

Weekend Racer
Dec 9, 2009
78
0
0
ok so i turn 16 in january and my first car is going to be an 83 malibu wagon. the only thing ive done to it is i put 02 S10 wheels and new tires on it. now for the good part............the engine. i bought a 94 blazer with a 4.3 vortec v6 that i was gonna put in it. but i LOVE the sound of a v8. what do you think i should do????

305/350 vortec v8 or a 4.3 vortec V6

if you say v6 what should i do to it to make it a hot rod engine??
 

Static

Amateur Racer
Mar 15, 2005
144
0
0
Apache Junction, Arizona
Sell the Blazer and drop in a nice 350 sbc.
 

Longroof79

MalibuRacing Junkie
May 10, 2004
8,948
9
38
Gainesville, Fla.
You could use the 4.3 V-6 and ad a few mods to it. Headers, new intake manifold and carb, optimize the ignition. I'm sure you can get the 4.3 to sound and run pretty good. Being that you already have the Blazer as a donor car.
What engine is in the wagon currently?

Jack
 
Read all of this : http://www.maliburacing.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=32 :mrgreen:
 

kidclassic

Weekend Racer
Thread starter
Dec 9, 2009
78
0
0
it has a 3.8 v6 right now

if i kept the v6 i was thinking headers, dual exhaust, cam, and maybe air intake

but if mpg would be the same as the v8 i would probably go towards the v8
 

kidclassic

Weekend Racer
Thread starter
Dec 9, 2009
78
0
0
so i'm probably just going to keep the v6 and build it up

but what do you suggest i do to it?(don't say turbo/supercharger)

i was thinking .30 bore, headers, dual exhaust, cam

i want it to sound like a v8(and have lots of power)


keep in mind this will be my daily driver

thanks
 

Phoneguy

Amateur Racer
Nov 18, 2009
284
0
0
Central fl
Not to burst your bubble but it will never sound like a v-8. You can make it sound good but a v-8 has a sound to it as does a v-6. However if you plan on going through the v-6 it won't be anymore money, maybe less to build a sbc. But you will also have to get a radiator and a few other things to change to the 8. One more thing is the 3.8 a 229 or 231. If it's the 229 I don't think it's worth messing with, if it's a 231 it will be Buick motor and there is alot out there for it.
 

blown 78

Dragway Regular
Dec 10, 2007
1,011
0
0
South Portland, Maine
^ i agree. If your going to go threw boring it out and all that other fun stuff. It would be less money and time just to get a 350 from a junk pickup or somthing. I found my 350 from a wrecked 70's pickup. I baught the whole truck for 250 bucks. Slaped and edelbrock performer intake and 600 carb on it, got some tune up parts, and its been in my caprice for 15,000 miles now with no issue or problems at all. I have 500 into the motor. It goes pretty good and gets between 17-20 mpg depending on my foot
 

80ECLT

MalibuRacing Junkie
Nov 21, 2006
3,927
0
0
Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin
I built up and put a blazer vortec v6 in my 80 El camino. It is backed by a 4 speed stick. Id say go for it, but its going to cost you alot more than building a v8 if you want to do it right. I have big block money into this thing. I could have built an LS motor for the same cost. But this V6 is built right.

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grizwald

Top Fueler
Feb 21, 2008
3,300
0
36
Ontario, Canada
i'd just make it look nice and keep the 3.8 in it for now. just clean it up as best you can so that you can take pride in lifting the hood. save you pennies and in a couple years when this is no longer your daily driver, drop a v8 in there.
 

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