Thread: Engine swaps??

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I have inherited a 80 malibu 2dr. The car is in pretty good condition (60,000 miles), but has the smaller, (I suspect 267?) v8 engine.

Question.. If I wanted to drop a 327, or 350, or 400SB into it, will there be a lot of work as far as the engine mount repositioning, welding etc?? I was under the impression that the basic blocks were the same size, 267ci, 283ci, 327ci, 350ci, 400ciSB. Would they not have all the same mounting points? I have no idea what stock transmission this car came with. I expect it is not the 350 TH...?

How would a 350TH, or 400Th mount up in a swap. Same mount points??

Thanks, Bill

the engine mounts one all small block chevys will bolt right up. as far as i know so will the transmission will bolt right up too.

Cd

Change the tranny too, the one that came with the 267 sucks, big time. A turbo350 will bolt right in, just add a vacuum line for the modulator.

Well that is good news! I would like to put a RAT engine in her, but $$ yikes

I ran a 400 small block for many years, and found that it had good power for the street, and was bomb proof. I don't know what kind of power one could get from a 400, but imagine with the right mods, manifold, carb, cam, and headers, one should be able to keep it streetable, and not too pricey.

Do you think that a 400SB has any "real" advantage over the 350? I know 350's are easier to come by.

Hello I'm new here looks like a nice site with some great info.
There are some inherit problems with the smallblock 400. I wouldn't say they are bomb proof. The rods on the 400 are really short 5.565 inches and cause some nasty rod angles that can cause for easy rod failures. Just about everyone I know that has twisted a stock rod 400 over 5000 rpm too many times has put a rod through the block or pan. They do make some great torque, which is great for the street. But, you can't twist em up.
If you want one to last and make some good power I would suggest putting a 6 inch rod in it. With a good quality 6 inch rod 7000 rpm isn't out the question. The 5.7 inch rods in which are in all of the other small blocks are pretty good also but just watch how many rpm's you twist it up. I would keep it under 6000 rpm's with a stock chevy rod if you want it to last.

The 400 is decent, but like 73RS said, the rod/stroke ratio could be better.

I'm sure you've heard of Canadian High Performance in BC? Its where I buy all my parts from, theyre cheap and its in Canada - Check them out: www.hi-performance.com - 6 inch rods are under $400 CDN for the forged street ones.

Even without the 6 inch rod set-up, the 400 SBC is pretty damn sweet. My buddy was running 12.20's in a 3000 lb '69 Camaro chasis with a 406 (.030 over) 5.7" rod, stock crank, 10:1 compression forged pistons, ARP fasteners throughout, Crane mechanical cam, ported Bow-tie heads (stage 2), Victor Jr intake, Holley 750 Dble pumper, and get this........ Points ignition! I tried making him convert to something from this decade, but he seemed to get his jollies on running points and being in the low 12's.

Mind you, he did have 4.10's in the diff, a built TH350, and a 3800rpm stall..... But the car was still relativley "budget" and he could run low 12's all day long.

Don't forget that the 400 is a siamesed block (no cooling passages between the cylinders), so this means you either need specific 400 head gaskets, or you'll need to add "steam holes" into the standard SBC head gasket like they came stock for the 400 from GM.
A bigger and better radiator will help (dont forget the shroud), as well as an aftermarket water pump and a good fan.

Good points. I will have to do some investigating about the availability of a 400SB. They were not all that common. I know there were a few trucks, and suburbans running around with them. Many may have been melted down by now..

I know Bud, the owner of Kerrisdale Speed shop, here locally. He has been souping up engines for years. I think I may pay a visit to him, and ask his opinions, before I stick both feet in, as to the mill. I do have some contacts that could get me a total loss vehicle, from the insurance company, so I may have some chance to get an engine that has already had some mods.

Any idea what a stock 400 puts out H.P. wise? I remember a 70 Impala, with the stock 350, put out 240HP. Was the 400 that much more powerful?

Thanks again for the tips on the rod's! Sure don't want any nasty suprizes....

Hey Malibu,
Are you in B.C. or Wa.?
If your in Wa. I have a sweet 350- 4 bolt for ya.
If your in B.C. you got to pay to much for shipping & Border tariffs

Originally posted by Chev malibu
Good points. I will have to do some investigating about the availability of a 400SB. They were not all that common. I know there were a few trucks, and suburbans running around with them. Many may have been melted down by now..

I know Bud, the owner of Kerrisdale Speed shop, here locally. He has been souping up engines for years. I think I may pay a visit to him, and ask his opinions, before I stick both feet in, as to the mill. I do have some contacts that could get me a total loss vehicle, from the insurance company, so I may have some chance to get an engine that has already had some mods.

Any idea what a stock 400 puts out H.P. wise? I remember a 70 Impala, with the stock 350, put out 240HP. Was the 400 that much more powerful?

Thanks again for the tips on the rod's! Sure don't want any nasty suprizes....

The tranny that comes with a 267 is a TH200, just to let you know.

Originally posted by hambiskit
Hey Malibu,
Are you in B.C. or Wa.?
If your in Wa. I have a sweet 350- 4 bolt for ya.
If your in B.C. you got to pay to much for shipping & Border tariffs

Jim, I am in BC. Do they stick you with duty on a used engine. So much for "free trade"....

I know you can bring an older vehicle over the line without paying anything more than the Goods and service 7% tax, but I am not sure about used parts etc..
Anybody else know?

Thanks for the info on the tranny Matt! At least now I know what to call it..

Viking
That looks like what would happen when chevy guys become genetic engineers. I have to admit, I have no idear what a rat motor really is.

Originally posted by Tommycat
Viking
That looks like what would happen when chevy guys become genetic engineers. I have to admit, I have no idear what a rat motor really is.

Rat motor is a Big Block.

I have a 1990 S-10 Blazer with a 267 c.i. in it. My Blazer I'm sure is much lighter than an 80 Malibou. But when I got the truck, after realizing the timing was out 180 degrees! (AArrgg!!!) and changing the oil (that had over 2 litres of gas in it!) I could walk on her and just smoke the tires! So, my mechanic and I put 78cc heads on it (off a 350 4bolt main) and an edelbrock intake and Holly 650 double pumper. Performance Ignition,plugs,and wires, and slapped 2 new thrush mufflers on her. Now I'm running high 12's to low 13's with a street legal truck! My truck has a Camaro rear end (off and 83) and a 350 turbo transmission. Anyway, my point is....Never underestimate the power of a 267! They put those engines in cop cars for a reason! They have a short stroke, and with the proper heads, and a 4 bbl, you'll be runnig a stock 327 (basically) Which as you all know, will eat any stock 350. If your compression is good, it may be something to consider! Oh, and if you'd like an idea as to speed, I raced up a very large, steep hill a couple of weeks ago, and at 110 mph, she shifted into 4th and just kept picking up speed. (that was only half way up the hill.) Lots of torque!!!

Originally posted by Haywire77
I have a 1990 S-10 Blazer with a 267 c.i. in it. My Blazer I'm sure is much lighter than an 80 Malibou. But when I got the truck, after realizing the timing was out 180 degrees! (AArrgg!!!) and changing the oil (that had over 2 litres of gas in it!) I could walk on her and just smoke the tires! So, my mechanic and I put 78cc heads on it (off a 350 4bolt main) and an edelbrock intake and Holly 650 double pumper. Performance Ignition,plugs,and wires, and slapped 2 new thrush mufflers on her. Now I'm running high 12's to low 13's with a street legal truck! My truck has a Camaro rear end (off and 83) and a 350 turbo transmission. Anyway, my point is....Never underestimate the power of a 267! They put those engines in cop cars for a reason! They have a short stroke, and with the proper heads, and a 4 bbl, you'll be runnig a stock 327 (basically) Which as you all know, will eat any stock 350. If your compression is good, it may be something to consider! Oh, and if you'd like an idea as to speed, I raced up a very large, steep hill a couple of weeks ago, and at 110 mph, she shifted into 4th and just kept picking up speed. (that was only half way up the hill.) Lots of torque!!!

I just junked a 267 cause I thought it was worthless, it was in an '81 Impala.