Purchased The New Heart Donor (SBC PARTs Un-needed)

[lildudefl]

Looking for unbiased(if it exists) opinions on keeping my chevy sbc or going with the grand national power train for my 1980 Malibu. I found a non-grandnational gbody car currently with the GN setup. I want to buy that car. Take the motor trans and rear end out. put a running 350 engine in its place with my rearend out of my car. Then sell that car to make sum money back. 😀

How would you guys react to seeing this setup. wat are your likes and dislikes about the idea. Its a rare engine to run across complete without needing significant work. I want to do something a little different (i know this has been done before, but not as often).

I pretty much am going to get this setup is the car checks out upon inspection, but i still would like to get sum feedback on the idea. :?:

 

[chevy2480]

Re: GN Powertrain in my Mally....HMMM

Well it wont be the first one i seen done. If you dont mind spending alot of money then do the swap. But if money is a issue or might become one dont do it. Buicks are expensive to mod and very touchy when it comes to tuneing. The 3.8 are notorious for blowing headgaskets when pushed hard. Sbc are much cheaper and will run almost forever. I have both as you can see from signature while the buick is fun i much perfer the feeling of pure power.

 

[lildudefl]

Re: GN Powertrain in my Mally....HMMM

Well it wont be the first one i seen done. If you dont mind spending alot of money then do the swap. But if money is a issue or might become one dont do it. Buicks are expensive to mod and very touchy when it comes to tuneing. The 3.8 are notorious for blowing headgaskets when pushed hard. Sbc are much cheaper and will run almost forever. I have both as you can see from signature while the buick is fun i much perfer the feeling of pure power.

Well im not looking for a race car. This is a cruiser. I mean yea i will hit it every now and then just as a show of power, but mainly this car will be driven in a tamed manor.

I definitely understand where your coming from with the chevy being cheaper to build but, i have patience and don't mind building up parts slowly for power additions to the engine. Even if i where to stay chevy, i would be building a beefy 406, just a decent 350 with around 300-375hp and im good 8)

And as stated in the original post, i am aware this isn't the first time this has been done, but it's alot more rare than the typical 350/350 setup most guys are running.

Thanks on the info about the head gaskets though, sumthing to keep in mind. :wink:

 

[chevy2480]

Re: GN Powertrain in my Mally....HMMM

Leave the motor in its stock form and setup. Do not raise the boost level and you got yourself a reliable 14's secon or so car. GN only ran low 14's the feel of boost will become addictive then you will want more trust me. Started at stock 14-15 psi now pushing 24 psi with alky o what a difference.

 

[85GPLef41]

Re: GN Powertrain in my Mally....HMMM

Depends on what year GN the motor came out of.... IMO if it's carbed then i wouldn't really do much to it. If it's EFI then it's a way better swap. 8)

 

[lildudefl]

Re: GN Powertrain in my Mally....HMMM

It's out of an 87 GN and yes its EFI

 

[85GPLef41]

Re: GN Powertrain in my Mally....HMMM

It's out of an 87 GN and yes its EFI

Then i would be allover that! I have access to a complete engine out of a 90'sTyphoon that i have been thinking of snatching up for a swap as well!

 

[pontiacgp]

Re: GN Powertrain in my Mally....HMMM

This might sound crazy but if the frame is good on the buick have you considered just doing a body swap?. It''ll give you a chance to put new body bushings on and check the gas and brakes lines and anything else that needs attention and it's not that hard. It might even be less work...

 

[lildudefl]

Re: GN Powertrain in my Mally....HMMM

The engine isnt in a buick its in a malibu wagon. and the thought did cross my mind but i really dont have the space for that and i wanna redo the wiring for my own piece of mind.

 

[pontiacgp]

Re: GN Powertrain in my Mally....HMMM

different rear rails on the two frames anyway.....I didn't realise it was in a wagon