Last year,I sold a good friend of mine a stock 1973 454 from a GMC p/u
We put it into a 1980 Malibu with a TH350/2400 B+M 2400 convertor and a GN 3.42 posi rear.
Left the motor stock other than a 3310,HEI,Performer and headers.
(new timing chain and gaskets too)
For stock,it sure pulled nice and was very fun to drive.
Anyway,we recently added a Summit 228/238 .540/.540 114 LSA cam and and my old 215's (replacing the 049's on his motor)
The motor should be buttoned up this week and we'll have it running by Saturday (or sooner)
I will post my observations and impressions :D

Sounds like a really fun project, Chris!
Keep us posted...especially some feedback on that cam.

Definitely keep us in the loop. I'm searching for a new BBC myself and I'm looking into as many successful combinations as possible in the meantime.

Sounds like me. Also have an 80 Malibu and will be putting a 454 in it. already have a race prepped Th400. Motor is in the back of the truck now and will be at the machine shop this evening. I will be going with a solid cam around .600 lift.

What headers did you use? the Hooker 2241's are kinda pricey but I've heard of people using the 2455's from a 70's chevelle

Bryan,we used the 2241's
We tried regular 1 3/4" primary tube headers from a 70 Chevelle and they wouldn't work

Is it going to the track?

What's the new compression?

thanks. Someone on maliburacing said they used a set of 2455's and had a minimal clearance problem that was an easy fix. I just wish they weren't SOOOOO expensive

That should scoot pretty good in an 80 Malibu

What's the new compression?

with stock flat top pistons, .039 head gaskets and 101 cc chamber heads it will probably be 8.9 to 1 or 9.0 to 1

Jim,hopefully I can get my friend to the track.With a stock 454,it felt like a stock Grand National,so it was no slug.
The cam and 1 point more compression should help tremendously.

Got it fired up last night.Sure sounds better than stock :D
Idles pretty smooth for a 228/238 @ .050 duration..actually smoother than my UD 223/231

..test drive should happen today
We used Pep Boys brand HD30 and a bottle of EOS for the break-in
15W40 Rotella is standing by for the first oil change

Got it fired up last night.Sure sounds better than stock :D
Idles pretty smooth for a 228/238 @ .050 duration..actually smoother than my UD 223/231

..test drive should happen today
We used Pep Boys brand HD30 and a bottle of EOS for the break-in
15W40 Rotella is standing by for the first oil change
makw sure you ipdate us on the test drive......
the motor may sound smooth because it wants more initial timing.
my 227/233 @ .050 cam kinda sounded smooth until I gave 18-20 deg @ idle. NOW it has the "don't F with me at the next light" sound.

Just got back from a ride..set the timing at 38* total and it runs very well and pulls nice :thumbsup:
Sounds a little rumpier now too.

Chris
thats good to hear that it seems to run well. The 114 lsa I was told was for the Idle on such a high lift cam. Mine is the same and I'm wondering if I need a little more timing to help with the 60 ft times. Keep me posted because I'm looking to wake up the bottom a little. Congrats

John,this motor runs very well.Especially in a 1980 Malibu with a 2800 flash stall and 3.42's
its pretty impressive for a stock flat top piston low end with closed chamber heads and $80 cam/lifters

I love to hear stories of successful "ghetto" builds... suits my budget! ;) :)

I have had very good luck doing head/cam swaps on stock, untouched small block bottom ends.