Ok enablers, get to work.

I have just seen a 80 Malibu for sale near my house. two door, fairly straight and clean with a healthy sounding small block. I have some money coming at the end of the year, and if he's willing to take it in exchange for his car I was thinking that the motor would be nice in my Monte Carlo. The rest of the car is too clean to throw away though. Would I be crazy to put in V6 and tranny from a newer Camaro or pickup and use it as my DD in place of the Cadavalier? I think with the newer sixs making more power than my SS had originally, and swapping in the bits I pulled off my ss, springs sway bars ect I could have a nice car and the mileage would probably not be too much worse than what I get now.

Is this the dumbest thing you've heard today or absolutly brilliant.

Could you get a cheap v6 combo?

I would enable away, but my inner mullet is in conflict....

If you really want some enabling then I vote for a 4BD1T Diesel 4cyl from an Isuzu NPR truck.

This example claims mpg of 24 city 32 hyw.
http://www.isuzudieselswapper.com/photo.html

Here is a build thread of instal into '77 Buick Regal
http://www.4btswaps.com/forum/showthread.php?19749-88-4BD1T-77-Buick-Regal-Diegal

jrw1621 wrote: If you really want some enabling then I vote for a 4BD1T Diesel 4cyl from an Isuzu NPR truck. This example claims mpg of 24 city 32 hyw. http://www.isuzudieselswapper.com/photo.html

i should do that to the e30.........

you may not do this unless you have an equally epic write up about the new DD

Why not just drive the Malibu? (By the way, in high school my parents let me drive their '78 Malibu, so rock on, brother.)

I had an 81 wagon until my wife stuck it under a pickup. I vote drive it with the V8.

Malibu Race Car

dlmater wrote: Malibu Race Car

Now that's cool! I vote drive the Malibu.

Of course you'd be crazy. And of course we will egg you on. Do it, dude.

dlmater wrote: Malibu Race Car

Needs box flares and a chin strap, but otherwise... that looks like something to aim for.

Yeah, I say do it. I'm not that big on late-'70s/early-'80s cars, but the Malibu is a clean and tidy shape. Modern drivetrain would do it wonders.

3800 with 5-speed from a 4th gen F-body would be a pretty cheap and easy swap. Good MPG to boot. A later 3.6 6-speed from a "new" Camaro would be really interesting, but way harder and costlier.