As I start to gather my parts for my LSx swapped 83 Malibu Wagon I figured I’d start a thread post all of the relevant information regarding the swap. I am going to post what parts I am planning on putting in the car but am also up to suggestions as to anything that people may find
The car is an 83 Malibu Wagon, 305/auto car with 63,000 original miles. I purchased it recently with intentions of this swap. But my plan is to make it a good (very good) running street car. Keeping the A/C along with having the car maintain a somewhat stock appearance
For now I have thrown on a set of 17” ZR-1 wheels but am planning on Rallye wheels w/ Disc Brake center caps
As for the swap-
Engine
I am planning on an lq4 6.0. I am planning on the 6.0 to keep the lower compression incase the car ends up being boosted in the future. I am going to try to keep the accessories near stock with the possibility of using an F-body alternator and the chance that I may move the AC pump to the top to keep from having to notch the frame for it.
The plan is to use Carshop mounts keeping the engine with proper clearance from the AC/heater box. I am also planning on BRP headers.
I am probably going to cam the engine before it is installed. The cam is still up in the air as far as any specs. Down the road I plan to install L92 heads but that is in the future.
The engine will probably be sprayed (n2o) with a small shot upon putting it together
Cooling
I am planning a 3 or 4 core stock radiator, electric fans, and shroud delete panel.
Fuel
I am going to keep the car injected as that seems a better alternative to buying an intake/MSD for the $$ when I already have to upgrade the fuel system and can have the wiring harness done for less money.
The harness btw is going to be a modified stock harness through Wait4me.
As for the rest of the fuel system I am going to run a stock tank, sumped with a kit from Competition Engineering, an Aeromotive A1000 pump, proper filters and -6 hose to the engine. I am also going to use -6 for the return going into the stock sump location. (I may possibly go with -8 line but am unsure if that is necessary)
Transmission
I would like to use a 4l60 in the car for the overdrive, along with the low 1st gear that will help as I am only planning on a 3.55 or 3.73 gear.
I would also like to keep the column shifter as the car currently has a bench seat that I plan on keeping
Rear end
I think the best value is stepping right to a 9” either from Moser or Quick Performance.
Gauges
I would like to keep the interior/dash a stock looking as possible. I’m not too sure on how I am going to accomplish this whether I use stock gauges along with the proper adapters or I build a stock appearing housing and use aftermarket 3 3/8” speedo and tach in the stock locations, along with using the stock oil/water/fuel gages.
Thoughts and comments on this setup will be appreciated as will suggestions on what you would do.
The car is an 83 Malibu Wagon, 305/auto car with 63,000 original miles. I purchased it recently with intentions of this swap. But my plan is to make it a good (very good) running street car. Keeping the A/C along with having the car maintain a somewhat stock appearance
For now I have thrown on a set of 17” ZR-1 wheels but am planning on Rallye wheels w/ Disc Brake center caps
As for the swap-
Engine
I am planning on an lq4 6.0. I am planning on the 6.0 to keep the lower compression incase the car ends up being boosted in the future. I am going to try to keep the accessories near stock with the possibility of using an F-body alternator and the chance that I may move the AC pump to the top to keep from having to notch the frame for it.
The plan is to use Carshop mounts keeping the engine with proper clearance from the AC/heater box. I am also planning on BRP headers.
I am probably going to cam the engine before it is installed. The cam is still up in the air as far as any specs. Down the road I plan to install L92 heads but that is in the future.
The engine will probably be sprayed (n2o) with a small shot upon putting it together
Cooling
I am planning a 3 or 4 core stock radiator, electric fans, and shroud delete panel.
Fuel
I am going to keep the car injected as that seems a better alternative to buying an intake/MSD for the $$ when I already have to upgrade the fuel system and can have the wiring harness done for less money.
The harness btw is going to be a modified stock harness through Wait4me.
As for the rest of the fuel system I am going to run a stock tank, sumped with a kit from Competition Engineering, an Aeromotive A1000 pump, proper filters and -6 hose to the engine. I am also going to use -6 for the return going into the stock sump location. (I may possibly go with -8 line but am unsure if that is necessary)
Transmission
I would like to use a 4l60 in the car for the overdrive, along with the low 1st gear that will help as I am only planning on a 3.55 or 3.73 gear.
I would also like to keep the column shifter as the car currently has a bench seat that I plan on keeping
Rear end
I think the best value is stepping right to a 9” either from Moser or Quick Performance.
Gauges
I would like to keep the interior/dash a stock looking as possible. I’m not too sure on how I am going to accomplish this whether I use stock gauges along with the proper adapters or I build a stock appearing housing and use aftermarket 3 3/8” speedo and tach in the stock locations, along with using the stock oil/water/fuel gages.
Thoughts and comments on this setup will be appreciated as will suggestions on what you would do.