Hello (G-body forum) World!

[Mali_Bu_Thang]

Hello fellow G-body lovers:

I've been getting the itch to start my first G-Body project lately and finally pulled the trigger.
1981 Malibu classic. She's a 6 right now, but she runs and has a complete interior. Paid $2k cash for her.

My goal is to build a (seasonal) daily driver. She will be mainly seeing highway miles as I go golfing around Utah and maybe some road trips to the west coast.
Of course, I'm doing an LS swap. Ideally LQ4, 4L80E, cams, springs, long tube headers, EFI(flex fuel), blah blah blah...

I did a lot of research but I'm still trying to figure out certain options with the build. I'm on a budget and plan on doing a lot of the engine and chassis work myself(minus boxing the frame).

I would love to hear from people who know more about what Im doing than me and appreciate all ideas, insights, and opinions(even the sarcastic ones 😜)

 

[SoFloG]

Welcome. Looks like you're off to a good start. Those old school mags are great

 

[Mali_Bu_Thang]

Welcome. Looks like you're off to a good start. Those old school mags are great

Thanks. My next goal is to find a working LQ4 and 4L80E combo for under $1800 🤪

 

[SoFloG]

Thanks. My next goal is to find a working LQ4 and 4L80E combo for under $1800 🤪

4l80e is the harder part

 

[mclellan83]

Thanks. My next goal is to find a working LQ4 and 4L80E combo for under $1800 🤪

Welcome, sounds like a good plan

 

[Sweet_Johnny]

Hey buddy, welcome to the forum! I always kind of wanted a wagon as a highway cruiser, and it looks like you got yourself a good one to start with. If things go poorly, I see a coffin to crawl into. Be sure to pick up a rear visor so that wagon looks legit. Unless it sold I know of at least one member selling one on eBay.

 

[78Delta88]

4L80E I have one, right now assigned, but who knows... Things change all the time. I can get them usually for $150 as a core. I also try to pick up any BOP I can. I usually have TH350 and TH400 sitting around as well.

 

[78Delta88]

Love the wagon. When I got back from Afghanistan I picked up an 86 Parisian, nice, nice interior, spent most it's life parked outside in the Indianapolis flight path. So it had the same roof vibe going on that yours has.

1986 paint doesn't like jets dumping their fuel on it. Hated selling it, darn near impossible finding another one.

 

[Longroof79]

Welcome aboard! Looks like a good solid project. There's a bunch of us wagon guys on the forum if you need any questions answered.
As for a complete LS drivetrain for your wagon, maybe consider a rolling wreck as a donor.

 

[Oldcarjunkie]

Welcome to the sight from Texas.