If you keep the 3 speed, a 400 sbc would prob work good. The broad power band and torque curve combined with the longer gear spacing.
LS swap with stock manual trans
- Thread starter Clarmo
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I was thinking LS for a many reasons...
Anyone can fine one of these engines anywhere.
They are inexpensive, I just bought one with less than 50k for 300.00.
Instant 300hp stock with a smooth idle.
The list goes on...
Gen I sbc are harder to find (at a low cost) very easy to make 300 but requires lots of mods & aftermarket parts $$$
Anyone can fine one of these engines anywhere.
They are inexpensive, I just bought one with less than 50k for 300.00.
Instant 300hp stock with a smooth idle.
The list goes on...
Gen I sbc are harder to find (at a low cost) very easy to make 300 but requires lots of mods & aftermarket parts $$$
If you already have the LS then go for it. Just see what you need to do with the bellhousing and clutch to make it work. Or get a t56. There would be less headaches. Holley has everthing you need to do the swap.
It might be easy to find an LS engine for $300.00, but you have to look at the overall cost of having that engine in the car and running. In order to fit in the A/G body chassis, you need conversion engine mounts-how much will they run you? To run a Gen 1/2 SBC, the mounts are already there, they just need to be relocated forward. Are you going to keep the fuel injection on the LS?-then you're looking at possibly buying a conversion harness, or trying to build your own-$$$ or time. What kind of exhaust system will you run with the LS? Will stock manifolds work, or do you want to go with a set of headers?-more $$$. Will the stock oil pan fit, or will it hang too low?-more $$$. What kind of an accessory drive setup do you want to use? You said you wanted cold A/C. I'm assuming that you want to keep the power steering as well. You might be able to fabricate something that will work, but that will take some time. If you go with a different accessory drive in order to get things to fit-more $$$. Even if you convert the LS engine to run on a carburetor, you still need a carbed intake manifold, and a stand alone harness and module to run the ignition system-more $$$.
Don't get me wrong here-I'm not anti-LS swaps. I have a friend who swapped an LS2 from an '06 Corvette into his '88 Monte SS, and he did a fantastic job. It looks like it grew there, and it goes like stink, and he has all of the stock accessories, but it wasn't cheap, and it did take time.
Its not hard to find a decent Gen 1/2 SBC, nor is it expensive. Go with a set of Vortec heads and intake, a decent cam, and its relatively easy to make 300HP, in a package that will be easier and cheaper to install in your Malibu than an LS, and easier and cheaper to keep the stock clutch and manual trans. Just my $0.02.
Don't get me wrong here-I'm not anti-LS swaps. I have a friend who swapped an LS2 from an '06 Corvette into his '88 Monte SS, and he did a fantastic job. It looks like it grew there, and it goes like stink, and he has all of the stock accessories, but it wasn't cheap, and it did take time.
Its not hard to find a decent Gen 1/2 SBC, nor is it expensive. Go with a set of Vortec heads and intake, a decent cam, and its relatively easy to make 300HP, in a package that will be easier and cheaper to install in your Malibu than an LS, and easier and cheaper to keep the stock clutch and manual trans. Just my $0.02.
You are very correct! I have been thinking of all of those exact issues/costs. I have put a couple Vortec engines in some older cars with an intake carb swap and was very impressed. I've never done the LS thing but always wanted too after seeing how the Vortec motors performed. I own a repair shop, working on car and trucks everyday. I've never been so impressed with an engines reliability/power as I am with the LS motors (except maybe the 3800's) I own and drive a couple later model chevy trucks with the 5.3L and love them.
I am leaning towards a carbureted gen 2 style engine just for the less intrusiveness factor with this car.
It might be easy to find an LS engine for $300.00, but you have to look at the overall cost of having that engine in the car and running. In order to fit in the A/G body chassis, you need conversion engine mounts-how much will they run you? To run a Gen 1/2 SBC, the mounts are already there, they just need to be relocated forward. Are you going to keep the fuel injection on the LS?-then you're looking at possibly buying a conversion harness, or trying to build your own-$$$ or time. What kind of exhaust system will you run with the LS? Will stock manifolds work, or do you want to go with a set of headers?-more $$$. Will the stock oil pan fit, or will it hang too low?-more $$$. What kind of an accessory drive setup do you want to use? You said you wanted cold A/C. I'm assuming that you want to keep the power steering as well. You might be able to fabricate something that will work, but that will take some time. If you go with a different accessory drive in order to get things to fit-more $$$. Even if you convert the LS engine to run on a carburetor, you still need a carbed intake manifold, and a stand alone harness and module to run the ignition system-more $$$.
Don't get me wrong here-I'm not anti-LS swaps. I have a friend who swapped an LS2 from an '06 Corvette into his '88 Monte SS, and he did a fantastic job. It looks like it grew there, and it goes like stink, and he has all of the stock accessories, but it wasn't cheap, and it did take time.
Its not hard to find a decent Gen 1/2 SBC, nor is it expensive. Go with a set of Vortec heads and intake, a decent cam, and its relatively easy to make 300HP, in a package that will be easier and cheaper to install in your Malibu than an LS, and easier and cheaper to keep the stock clutch and manual trans. Just my $0.02.
Don't get me wrong here-I'm not anti-LS swaps. I have a friend who swapped an LS2 from an '06 Corvette into his '88 Monte SS, and he did a fantastic job. It looks like it grew there, and it goes like stink, and he has all of the stock accessories, but it wasn't cheap, and it did take time.
Its not hard to find a decent Gen 1/2 SBC, nor is it expensive. Go with a set of Vortec heads and intake, a decent cam, and its relatively easy to make 300HP, in a package that will be easier and cheaper to install in your Malibu than an LS, and easier and cheaper to keep the stock clutch and manual trans. Just my $0.02.
Sorry for the double post. Garrett must have replied as I tried to post to the thread, so it didn't clear my original post.
Anyway, I understand what you're saying Jamie. I've been a licensed mechanic for many years, and I've been driving/playing with these '78-'88 A/G body cars for over 25 years now. I know it can be a tough go to have your own business in this trade these days-my hat is off to you.
You have a PM.
Anyway, I understand what you're saying Jamie. I've been a licensed mechanic for many years, and I've been driving/playing with these '78-'88 A/G body cars for over 25 years now. I know it can be a tough go to have your own business in this trade these days-my hat is off to you.
You have a PM.
IMO, if you're going to trash all the benefits of a late model engine by switching to a carb and archaic trans, might as well just swap in a Gen I SBC
Everything that comes with the EFI....easier/better cold starts, driveability, better fuel trim throughout the rpm range, tuneability...you know, everything that makes a modern EFI engine better across the board for everything other than all out WOT performance.
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