G Body LS Swap - What I learned and what I'd do differently.

My 1981 Malibu I have owned since I was 16 years old. LS Swapped with a Gen IV 5.3L with some upgrades and a 4L80E trans.
In this video I talk about the decisions a person has to make when LS swapping an old car, and the decisions I made on this car.
I talk about what went well, and what I would do differently for next time.
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• 1981 Malibu - My First...

[@user-ym3dk6dc8s]

Absolutely important video, just found your channel. For the past couple of weeks I've been taking notes from many LS swap videos and though I have gained much knowledge an tips, nobody else has mentioned anything about what they would have done differently. Thank you for this video especially.

[@SlowCarFix]

thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed and that it is helpful. I love how the car turned out, but I also learned a lot.

[@jasonrogers3484]

I love the 80s look too with the rally wheels.

[@TurboMalibuV6]

There's nothing like the feeling of building things from scratch and getting it to work the way you wanted. In 1997, I swapped a Buick Grand National drivetrain and the COMPLETE wiring from a donor car into my 78 Malibu. It was a "bolt-in" project, but it was still time consuming. I'm also focused on reliability and performance in one. I've owned my Malibu for 37 years and even to this day, its never 100% finished no matter how long you own it.

[@SlowCarFix]

Agreed 100%. I think I'm at 25 years with this one. I'm still enjoying it. You're right, nothing is ever finished. Thanks for watching.

[@brianmiskell9090]

I enjoyed the video. Getting my ducks in a row before i drop a 6.0 in my g body. Thanks

[@SlowCarFix]

hopefully it helped. There's a bunch of videos documenting the whole swap on this car and on my 57 truck, check them out and maybe they'll help you. Good luck with your project.

[@bruceh92]

I passed my drivers license test in a then-new maroon '80 Maliby V6 coupe in Toronto (parents car) so I have a special fondness for it aside from already loving these cars on its own merit and would love to own one some day and restomod it - perfect, affordable candidate for such a project and that's how I found your channel by going down rabbit holes on Malibus. I subscribed and looking forward to more of your very good content. Thanks fellow Canuck!

[@SlowCarFix]

Thanks very much for the kind comments and welcome to the channel. This car was my first car. I've had it 25 years. They're good fun.

[@CORVAIRWILD]

I had a 78 Malibu, in 1982, had a rusty rear frame, and a 200V6 with AC and TH350

[@Heat0ne]

Very great video, thanks for making it! So often we see these videos and always wonder how they actually turn out.

[@SlowCarFix]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed. I will likely have more on this car. I'm very happy with the results.

[@MrOT903]

Big motivation to my 79 Malibu i purchased earlier this year

[@SlowCarFix]

Anyone can do it, lots to learn along the way. I tried to document as much as I could in my videos.

[@502undergroundmedia6]

Thanks for the information. New subscriber because I am about to embark on this journey myself for my 85 Monte Carlo SS.

[@SlowCarFix]

If you're after LS swap information, also check out the videos on my '57 Chevy truck that I swapped last year and I did a video comparing the two. I will be doing an LS swap on my '55 project this year as well.

[@Spiritof_76]

Those are some awesome vehicles you have there. I love hot rods/ street rods that are out of the ordinary.

[@SlowCarFix]

Thanks very much. Lots of hard work to get this stuff.

[@BargoTheBandit]

I enjoyed the video. Nice ride

[@SlowCarFix]

thanks very much and I'm glad you enjoyed.

[@jacksonmarshallkramer5087]

That looks fantastic.

[@SlowCarFix]

thank you

[@aachannelitsabouttruenatur6026]

Car looks good bro 👌

[@SlowCarFix]

Thanks very much!

[@TrappKicks]

Good video very helpful

[@SlowCarFix]

thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed.

[@ibrahim-chevelleMalibuman]

Good for you nice color by the way

[@SlowCarFix]

thanks very much. it's kinetic blue from a 2010 Camaro

[@kingartsprojects4150]

Hello, thanks for the great and informative video. I have a 1980 Malibu Classic Landau that I'm planning on doing a swap with a 2002 5.3 from a GMC YUKON. I've never do e a swap before, but I'm very mechanically inclined and very excited to do it. I've seen it done a hundred times and feel as though I pretty much got this.Im not over confident or anything just excited. Wish me luck!

[@SlowCarFix]

You can do it, no problem. I have videos of the whole process. Also the LS swap on my 57 truck could help you. Any questions, just comment and I'll help if I can. Best of luck!!

[@kingartsprojects4150]

Thank you so much. It's guys like you and others on KZbin that make it possible for all of us to be able to take on projects like this. Thanks for the video. I've been a subscriber!

[@SlowCarFix]

@kingartsprojects4150 it's folks like you that make me want to keep showing what I'm doing. I'm glad you're inspired. There's so many on KZbin and in life that inspire me. Keep wrenching!

[@kingartsprojects4150]

@SlowCarFix Yes Sir, Thanks!

[@glenjones9758]

Subscribed

[@SlowCarFix]

Thanks very much, welcome. I hope you enjoy.

[@R0yL33]

Ls swaps are so common I had no idea they are such a tight squeeze, though I believe they are a little bigger than a chev sb (deck height). Would've thought muscle car pan wd be low profile. Good info .

[@SlowCarFix]

Glad you enjoyed the video. I learned a lot doing this swap and will be better informed for the next one.

[@motherlovinsnuffstar]

Tight squeeze? People run big blocks in these cars.

[@IronHorseGarage]

Yee Haw!!!!

[@sTyLeZ1225]

Love the build! Are your tires stock/oem size? What are the sizes for front and rear? I'm starting a 80's malibu project, need to put some used tires on the car to get it to be able to move around my garage.

[@SlowCarFix]

275 60 15 rear and 205 60 15 front. stock would have been a 14 inch wheel.

[@ibrahim-chevelleMalibuman]

What front end coil springs you using after LS swap did they still stock I wanna do LS swap I had the same car

[@SlowCarFix]

All new stock AC Delco springs and shocks all the way around. This engine is all aluminum, so it's probably lighter than the 350 that I had in it last.

[@kendallseawright2471]

Did you use the original gbody driveshaft with the 4L80E transmission ?

[@SlowCarFix]

I had a drive shaft made. My original drive shaft was long gone.

[@shawng7902]

Those rear rallys look awesome!! Looks like they might be a little bigger than 8s?? Is that a 275/60 on it. Ive got 295s junk on mine. Id really like to be able to keep that much tire. Mine will be for extreme spirited trans brake boost launches lol.

[@SlowCarFix]

Hey, thanks! They're 15x8 in the back and 275/60. I'm not sure you can run 295 unless you're narrowing the frame. 275 is really pushing it for my car. Thanks for watching.

[@user-ig5ux3jf7l]

What do you recommend for me? I’m doing a 1985 Buick regal LS swap 5.3 2001 1500 truck motor

[@SlowCarFix]

Same as what I did except, buy your trans crossmember instead of building. Also, use the stock manifolds instead of headers. Use a top street performance oil pan, and personally I prefer drive by wire throttle. Good luck!

[@jasonbarrett5709]

What cam did you go with?

[@SlowCarFix]

It's just a cam from Summit. Stage 2 I believe.

[@ibrahim-chevelleMalibuman]

Hi can I wire my stock Malibu harness into LS with out touching the inside of car only do service engine light and I will keep the transmission TH350 on it and thanks for your help

[@SlowCarFix]

There's a lot of variables. Are you doing drive by cable or drive by wire? If it's drive by wire, then you will need to install a wired pedal. With the TCC you won't need the brake pedal switch wiring. You will also need to mount the OBD2 port somewhere, and get it power, but that can be under the hood if you chose. Hope this helps.

[@ibrahim-chevelleMalibuman]

@@SlowCarFix I will do drive by cable . And I will use standalone harness did the fuse box come with it and . Thanks a lot

[@SlowCarFix]

@@ibrahim-chevelleMalibuman Glad to help.

[@user-lo9wq5ij5z]

New sub here man cant wait to learn from your builds i have a 85 grand prix got a 5.3 i want ro throw in it but trying to do alot of homework before i dive into it . Have one question though whats your thought of useing the 6 speed transmission its what it came with. Read alot of pros and cons. Would love to hear your input. Thanks

[@SlowCarFix]

Thanks for subscribing. Check out the LS Swap on my 57 truck as well, it might help. I think the 6 speed would require a fair bit of tunnel mod. I believe they are quite a bit bigger than the 4L80. The 4L80 required a little tweaking of my new floor pan to fit. Best of luck!

[@arthurtirrell661]

Use the six speed.

[@glenjones9758]

Nice....subs

[@SlowCarFix]

Thanks 👍

[@Noname23489]

did you have to change fuel pump or fuel tank?

[@SlowCarFix]

Both actually, check out my other videos. I cover in detail everything I did for the fuel system.

[@kanairsforte23]

On the truck motor they make LS swap pans and fast LSX makes a low manifold for the motor

[@SlowCarFix]

This has a GM performance LS Swap pan, which is shorter than a stock truck pan. It's still not short enough. There are others available that would have been a better choice. On my 57 truck, I use a Top street performance brand pan and it has much lower profile. I know I can change the to a lower intake, lots of options, but as soon as the throttle body moves lower, it gets into the front accessory drive. So, changing the intake manifold also means changing all the front accessories. It becomes expensive in a hurry. It all works and I have about 10k miles on the swap now, but if I had my time back, and was doing it again, I would have had a different pan and different intake and front drive. Thanks for watching.. 👍

[@kanairsforte23]

@@SlowCarFix ahhh okay okay I know what you mean I had to change mines understandable and your welcome I watch most of your content

[@SlowCarFix]

@kanairsforte5298 that's great! Glad to hear. I did a video a while ago where I compared this swap to my 57 swap. You might find that one interesting. It's 6.0 and I did things a little different.

[@kanairsforte23]

@@SlowCarFix I’m actually watch that now cause I have a 5.3 vortex that I put in a Monte Carlo I been learning off your videos

[@aachannelitsabouttruenatur6026]

How you buy one of those car bro??

[@SlowCarFix]

How did I buy my cars? A ton of hard work, long hours and lots of time traded for money. Are they for sale? None of my cars are for sale.

[@aachannelitsabouttruenatur6026]

Ok thanks was asking if it's for sale....an yes I know I ofto put in hard work bro 💪 💯

[@SlowCarFix]

@@aachannelitsabouttruenatur6026 I wasn't sure which you were asking so I answered both. I've owned the car for 25 years. My kid will get it when I'm gone. Thanks for watching and I'm glad you like the car.

[@jaxjax5322]

Just change the truck intake for a camaro o corvette intake or a fast intake

[@SlowCarFix]

It's not as easy as that. When you change the intake, the throttle body points down and you have to change all the front accessories for clearance. It works great as it is, just tight for clearance to the hood. I have about 10000 miles on it since putting it together.

[@JAB3454]

What size rear tires?

[@SlowCarFix]

275 60 15

[@robertjones1820]

Hey bro, where you at? You been ghost lately

[@SlowCarFix]

I posted a video about a week ago. I'm on a road trip right now with the Malibu. 5000km so far, no issues. Another 4-5000km to go. Thanks for asking.

[@CORVAIRWILD]

1st view

[@SlowCarFix]

Woohoo!

[@phuryusstylesphuryustyles2273]

Car is dope your shirt is wack 🤣🤣🤣

[@SlowCarFix]

What shirt is it?? Don't make me watch my own video to find out.

[@phuryusstylesphuryustyles2273]

@@SlowCarFix it's the trump shirt... you'd be better off bear chested😅😅😅

[@phuryusstylesphuryustyles2273]

I have a 83 Malibu I live in California they probably won't let me LS SWAP MY SHIT.....

[@phuryusstylesphuryustyles2273]

Smog regulations and all

[@SlowCarFix]

@@phuryusstylesphuryustyles2273 I'm pretty sure I wouldn't wear a Trump shirt under any circumstance. I'm Canadian and in Canada, I could care less about US politics. I care about cars.

[@mannycarinha770]

Really lol just put a big block Chevy problem solved. lol I need a drink

[@SlowCarFix]

Why? Less power, less efficient than an LS, and much heavier.

[@mannycarinha770]

Different feel

[@SlowCarFix]

@@mannycarinha770 to each their own. As long as you're enjoying it, that's all that matters.

[@mannycarinha770]

Yes 👍 absolutely thank you 👍🇺🇸❤️