HELP LQ4 MALIBU BUILD

[malibu80Relli]

So I just bought a 1980 Malibu landau coupe with the two tone factory paint, it was a parts car. With that being said the car needs a couple things. First, I have a LS LQ4 thats going to go in the Malibu. Second, The original owner only bought it for the trim interior/exterior parts. It has factory the factory buckets and center console floor shifter. Still has the factory th350 and 268ci sbc. I located interior/exterior parts already. Need the interior color code so I can repaint and match. This is going to be the base of my build.
Dumping the small block and going LS


info needed
ls2 swap part list (going carb)?
*wat headers will clear?
*motor mounts that work best?
*do I need a wiring harness if I use msd box?
*two tone paint codes and interior color codes
*cluster swap info for 6 gauges
*ect....

 

[Ribbedroof]

Paint and trim codes are on the cowl tag.

1980 MALIBU CLASSIC

COLOR CODE

​

Oyster 12

​

Black 19

​

Dark Blue 26

​

Dark Willow Green 44

Camel Tan 62

Dark Claret 79

​

 

[TURNA]

Nice Malibu!!

Looks like you rear interior sail panels are missing??

If they are they are different from the coupes. Not that easy to find!!

 

[79longroof]

Not trying to be "one of those people" but the LQ4 is not an LS2. LS2 has an aluminum block and featured some differences, like the cam sensor being located on the front of the cam and knock sensors on the side of the block.
LQ4 is an iron block truck motor and has the cam sensor in the rear, knock sensors in the valley.
Just wanted to clear that up in case you decide to order a cam for an LS2 and find it unusable in your LQ4 lol

 

[79longroof]

Also, you will end up spending just as much money, if not a little more to convert the engine to carb over using stock intake and injection. Will take a little more time and work to convert to EFI but you get the convenience of a modern engine in an old car.

 

[michmalibuman]

Welcome, That's a nice Malibu. Where did you find it?

 

[clean8485]

Nice looking Malibu! looks almost too good to be used as a parts car. From what I've seen and read on this forum, the Hooker/Holley G body LS swap parts seem to work the best, but tend to be pricey. Please keep us updated with your progress.

 

[malibu80Relli]

Nice Malibu!!

Looks like you rear interior sail panels are missing??

If they are they are different from the coupes. Not that easy to find!!

Most of the interior piece been recovered. The elder man who I bought the car from had a Malibu classic coupe. He didn’t know that the Malibu landau coupe rear interior panels are different so he called me to pick up the parts.
Only thing missing is the headliner trim and lower rear interior panels
Are the lower rear interior panels interchange from other Gbody?

 

[malibu80Relli]

Welcome, That's a nice Malibu. Where did you find it?

Thanks,
I found this Malibu in Grapeview wa. An elder man bought the car for interior parts pieces and ended up not using most of the trim he removed. Pick this gem up for $400 and had a LQ4 laying around. I sources most of the original interior pieces in the same color but uv rays over the years just beat them down.

Is there any insight on how to prep interior panels for sand/repaint?
Interior panels look like there deteriorating

 

[malibu80Relli]

Not trying to be "one of those people" but the LQ4 is not an LS2. LS2 has an aluminum block and featured some differences, like the cam sensor being located on the front of the cam and knock sensors on the side of the block.
LQ4 is an iron block truck motor and has the cam sensor in the rear, knock sensors in the valley.
Just wanted to clear that up in case you decide to order a cam for an LS2 and find it unusable in your LQ4 lol

Thanks for the info,
I’m going carb with this project, is there cams I should be looking at specifically. Have a goal of 500hp