1979 Malibu 6.0 T56 Magnum

[Grant Smith]

Hello,

My names Grant and I’ve been in the process of building this Malibu for 2 years give or take. On and off. Priorities have put a halt on it a few times, but I can finally start to see the finish line for now anyways. I posted an introduction in the new user section and a little more history on the car if you’d like to know.

Hello Gbody family

Names Grant, Figured it was about time to come out of the bushes on here haha. Ive been on here a while trying to learn as much as I can while doing my Ls swap in my 1979 Malibu. The amount of knowledge on here is insane. Just wanted to say hi and introduce myself. Here's my car, 79 Malibu I...

gbodyforum.com

Bought the car in April of 2015 and drove it like that until I pulled the 305 and th350 to sell on Craigslist in September of 2017.

I promise the paints not as good as it looks. Lots of marring and swirls I have yet to chase out but, that’s one of the first things I’m gonna do once it’s running again.
The old and tired 305 that came out

I bought an 83,000 mile Lq4 out a Chevy work van for $1200 back in Oct. 2015. At the time I was still in school for welding and working full time at a detail shop so I didn’t really have the funds or the time to start the swap.

It came out of an express work van and had to be washed before disassembly. The inside of the motor was clean as a whistle, but the poor thing never saw a water hose haha.

Off to a good friend of my dads shop who did all the engine work.

 

[scoti]

Is that original paint or re-spray? That thing looks pretty slick. As far as the LS swap, I get a lot of grief for wanting to just swap an sbc for a fresh/bigger sbc (just so I can keep costs down). I agree the swap can be done w/o breaking the bank but not so much if you don't want the motor looking like a late model truck engine or want to use different induction/wiring/etc. Then it starts adding up FAST.

What's your plan/strategy for the 6spd swap?

I'll be watching for your progress updates.

 

[Grant Smith]

Pictures of the motor

Stock Crank and rods. Had I done over I would’ve just bought a stroker kit. Live and learn.

 

[Grant Smith]

Is that original paint or re-spray? That thing looks pretty slick. As far as the LS swap, I get a lot of grief for wanting to just swap an sbc for a fresh/bigger sbc (just so I can keep costs down). I agree the swap can be done w/o breaking the bank but not so much if you don't want the motor looking like a late model truck engine or want to use different induction/wiring/etc. Then it starts adding up FAST.

What's your plan/strategy for the 6spd swap?

I'll be watching for your progress updates.

The guy I bought it from had it repainted about 8 years before I bought it. He said his buddy painted and cut him a deal and it shows. Haha I know what you mean, I’ve changed directions on this motor so much in the early stages. I was originally gonna go carbed and thought I’m putting a efi motor in it so why not reap all the benefits. The guy who built it has been building small blocks for 20+ years and tried to get me to stay with a small block for the cost. He said he could’ve built me a strong 383 for close to nothing compared to what this has costed. Sometimes I wish I would’ve listened to him lol. This is my first hot rod and Ls swap and I could have never seen the snowballing to come haha.

 

[Grant Smith]

Is that original paint or re-spray? That thing looks pretty slick. As far as the LS swap, I get a lot of grief for wanting to just swap an sbc for a fresh/bigger sbc (just so I can keep costs down). I agree the swap can be done w/o breaking the bank but not so much if you don't want the motor looking like a late model truck engine or want to use different induction/wiring/etc. Then it starts adding up FAST.

What's your plan/strategy for the 6spd swap?

I'll be watching for your progress updates.

Forgot to answer your question about the 6spd. I bought a new magnum 2.66 first, GM aluminum bell, and Monster twin disk clutch with lightweight flywheel. I’ll post pictures of that and go into more detail as soon as I can. I went with the Sick speed monte pedal as well and it fit perfect. Bernie has been great to deal with and has answered every question I’ve had.

 

[MechMan]

The car looks slick. I am looking at the same pedal and transmission set up for my future project. looking forward to see the pictures and right up.

 

[Grant Smith]

Some of the parts used in the 6.0
Forged pistons to get the compression up

LS3 heads

Entire valvetrain from Texas Speed

 

[Grant Smith]

Quick shot of paint on these Holley Tall Valve covers to clear the Tsp roller rockers

Complete Ls3 intake from Summit.
It’s been a slow accumulation of parts and progress over the past 2 years. I worked on the road, 10 on 4 off for almost two years and I live 80 minutes one way from my dads shop where I keep the car. A 2.5hr round trip will zap the motivation right out of you let me tell ya. Some weekends I couldn't even make the trip after being on the road even when I had parts waiting on me.

Holleys complete Tank with Walboro 255 in tank pump and sending unit.
Anything better than coming home after a long day to new car parts and a beer? I pretty much bought Holleys complete kit for Gbodys. Time has never been my friend on this build and I wanted to buy parts that didn’t require too much work and a kit that was thought out well.

 

[TURNA]

Just keep in mind that Holley sending unit has no return.

 

[Grant Smith]

Some pics of the motor when I got it back. I switched to a billet 90mm cable driven throttle body from Holley. Headers are also from Holley. 1-7/8” with 3” collectors. Ceramic Coated

The headers are built really well. Definitely worth the money.