lt1/t56 swap in an 81 malibu??

[80proZ]

Was'nt sure exactly where to post this.
Got an 81 malibu and will be picking up a 95 formula tomorrow with the lt1/t56 for cheap.How easy is this swap?How about a wiring harness?Will standard sbc headers work on the lt1.Any info to make this a little less painful would be great.
Thanks in advance.

[Samckitt]

It is easier than you think to swap it in place. I had John Spears at Speartech redo the factory harness for me for the Monte. Get a fuel sending unit from a fuel injected V6 Monte & put the high pressure pump on it. Standard small block headers fit on it, ports are the same except they are .100" higher.

[80proZ]

One thing that does help is the malibu is a factory manual car,but i'd like to use the hydraulic setup in the formula.What about the brakes on the Formula?Can i use them on the malibu axles??

[Samckitt]

I used factory G body pedals, with a bracket between the firewall & brake booster to mount the hydraulic master to. Took the factory F body pedl & cut out a section that the post is attached to & welded it to the factory G body clutch pedal. As for the brakes, I have "LT1" rear calipers with brackets from Baer using 94 Vette calipers. You could do it with brackets from Kore3 or Ed Miller (ebmiller).

[Samckitt]

Another thing on the brakes, depending on the caliper bracket for the rear, you may or may not have to remove the axles to get the caliper on. But, for the Vette rotors to fit on the rear, you WILL need to remove the axles & have the dia of the flange turned down. I don't remember the dia off the top of my head.

[80proZ]

Thanks for the info.Got the donor car today.That car is pretty impressive,can't wait to get the engine and trans in my malibu.
What was the cost to have the engine harness done?

[Samckitt]

$450 for a reworked factory harness, or $650 for a new one. If going the new route, he will make it with lengths you need to place the PCM wherever you want & add wires for gauges, or electric waterpump & so on.

www.speartech.com is his address.

[Samckitt]

Reviving an old post here. How is the LT1/T56 swap coming?

[80proZ]

Kinda slow.Trying to get all my interior metal work done before i tackle the engine swap.Been working alot of hours lately also.Hope to get back on it here shortly though.
I do have a Q for ya while i'm thinging about it.What year malibu sending unit?

[Samckitt]

Did the Malibu ever come with a fuel injected V6? If so try and find that one, or do like I did & find one from an injected V6 Buick GN.

[Twentyover]

Think G body Malibu production ended in 1983, so no factory FI configuration was done.

Other G bodies were produced until 87-88, and TBI and MPFI configurations were available

[Samckitt]

I would say you will have to use a sending unit from a GN, Regal, or Monte with injected V6. Be sure to put a high pressure pump on it. I assume the tank size is the same, 18 gallons on the Monte (I think).

Or use an inline pump.

[icebird84]

:idea: this calls for project thread and remember :postpics:

[80proZ]

Will do one today in the projects forum.