Need some help, wanting to build a 83 Malibu with a 2.4t, 500+HP built zzp le5, not sure how I'm going to make it RWD, I'd like to do a ford 9in conversion, or should I just leave it FWD and use all the cobalt front end parts and swap it over? Really would like to do a RWD setup, but if it's too hard to pull of I'll just stick with FWD. Any ideas, what trans, what donor parts? I think this would be one badass car when done.

 

Would be a pretty cool build. There is a guy building a rwd 2.2 Porsche on this site right now. Thread title is "so I bought a Porsche".

I would definitely go rwd. I'm not entirely sure on a tranny though. Way more knowledgeable guys on here to help,with that. Maybe a solstice transmission?

 

Actually thought of doing a solstice trans, but not sure if it's going to hold 500+hp, that's why I was thinking something else, but if I did happen to go with a solstice trans I'm not sure how I'd do a 9in conversion, probably have to build a drive shaft to fit the slip yoke on the 9in and come off the solstice tranny.

 

There is a company that makes a t56 to ecotec adapter housing.

 

There is a company that makes a t56 to ecotec adapter housing.[/QUOTE]

No ****, happen to know the name of it?

 

i think its DDMWorks or Performance Autowerks

 

83 Malibu is a RWD platform.... soooo .... just keep it RWD.

More interestingly, i simply can't understand why.

Why a 4 cylinder?
why a LE5, u'll need forged internals, everything custom, turbo, etc, .... just why?
Why would you even consider making a boat like that FWD, that would be a huge waste of money for little performance.
why not just run an LS like everybody else. LS3 + cam + headers will make the power you want, and probably for cheaper. It's common because it's cheap and it works, don't discredit that common solution.

if you insist on staying with a 4 cyl, GM performance parts, sells the 6 speed RWD trans that is used with the LTG (manual 2.0 turbo ATS and camaro), so you might be able to adapt one of those.

All that said, i hope you complete the project, good luck with it.

 

The reason is I can buy a girdled gen 3 block for 2k, internals and twin GT28 turbos for 3k, and make close to 600hp, I have a built ford 9in. The car I have is a gutted 83 malibu. Plus I'm tired of seeing LS swaps, I want to do something nobody has done before, and the girdled gen 3 block is rated for 1000hp. The car is going to be a quick little 4 banger. I've seen a Fox with a 1000HP mitsubishi 4g63, I've seen a camaro with a built 4.3 make 450HP, and I just seen a 99 mustang with a 4.2 on craigslist for sale with 500HP, I want something unique and that will turn everyone's head that's my reason behind this build.