# Chevy 229 stroker build **URL:** \ **Category:** Power/Fuel\ **Tags:** chevrolet, malibu-classic\ **Created:** [December 22, 2021, 5:49am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/chevy-229-stroker-build/181396 "2021-12-22T05:49:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![81\_malibuclassic](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/81_malibuclassic/32/45633_2.png) [@81\_malibuclassic](https://community.cartalk.com/u/81_malibuclassic)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2021, 5:49am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/chevy-229-stroker-build/181396/1 "2021-12-22T05:49:41Z")
I have a 1981 malibu classic 2 door with a 3.8 229 stock engine transmission is unknown. I have decided to do a stroker build as this engine only has 56,000 miles on it but I have never done this before so could someone please help provide me with tips and a parts list ( I can’t find anything on 229 strokers ) thanks. ---
**Author:** ![It\_s-Me](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/it_s-me/32/12660_2.png) [@It\_s-Me](https://community.cartalk.com/u/It_s-Me)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2021, 6:27am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/chevy-229-stroker-build/181396/2 "2021-12-22T06:27:18Z")
> [@81\_malibuclassic](#): > > I can’t find anything on 229 strokers That’s because there isn’t any There is for the Buick 3.8 231, but that’s a totally different engine, no parts interchange. ---
**Author:** ![Nevada\_545](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nevada_545/32/41232_2.png) [@Nevada\_545](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Nevada_545)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2021, 6:45am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/chevy-229-stroker-build/181396/3 "2021-12-22T06:45:33Z")
Replacing the 229 with a 4.3 L engine is an economical improvement, many were built. Most people replace the old 6 with a V8. ---
**Author:** ![oldtimer-11](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e79b87/32.png) [@oldtimer-11](https://community.cartalk.com/u/oldtimer-11)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2021, 6:46am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/chevy-229-stroker-build/181396/4 "2021-12-22T06:46:37Z")
Just because it is named a Malibu Classic does not mean it is a classic. 81 is in the terrible smog years, unless you live some place with no emissions inspection, don’t even think about modifying the engine. If you don’t have inspections, I would see in a late model Chevy pickup 4.3 V6 wi=ould fit. Over 300 hp and good fuel economy. ---
**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2021, 11:18am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/chevy-229-stroker-build/181396/5 "2021-12-22T11:18:14Z")
Even if there were parts to build a 229 stroker (there aren’t) you would still have issues with the 200 transmission. We used to call those the cellophane transmission…because they were so weak. They won’t stand up behind a decent 4.3 V6 either. Bite the bullet and swap both… or leave it alone. ---
**Author:** ![Cavell](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/cavell/32/43396_2.png) [@Cavell](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Cavell)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2021, 1:24pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/chevy-229-stroker-build/181396/6 "2021-12-22T13:24:20Z")
My sis had a 77 Buick Apollo w/3.8 and auto trans. What a slug. Had to be identical to this Chevy. Identical as in low tech. Carb motor. 3 spd weak auto trans. Gutless combo. 81-82 had the E2ME carb though. ---
**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2021, 1:55pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/chevy-229-stroker-build/181396/7 "2021-12-22T13:55:36Z")
> [@Cavell](#): > > Had to be identical to this Chevy. No it was not identical. It was a Buick 3.8 liter V6. Similar but not identical. ---
**Author:** ![VOLVO-V70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8e8cbc/32.png) [@VOLVO-V70](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VOLVO-V70)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2021, 2:37pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/chevy-229-stroker-build/181396/8 "2021-12-22T14:37:05Z")
Personally I would be more impressed if this Malibu ( Classic ? ) was put in show room condition just as it is and a few cosmetic touches. ---
**Author:** ![Scrapyard-John](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f6c823/32.png) [@Scrapyard-John](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Scrapyard-John)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2021, 8:47pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/chevy-229-stroker-build/181396/9 "2021-12-22T20:47:02Z")
LS swap with a 4l60 trans. Or leave it stock. Those are my two votes. Not that anyone asked 😁 ---
**Author:** ![Scrapyard-John](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f6c823/32.png) [@Scrapyard-John](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Scrapyard-John)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2021, 8:50pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/chevy-229-stroker-build/181396/10 "2021-12-22T20:50:13Z")
The 3.8 in my 05 Buick is pretty decent. Whatever V6 was in my first car (1982 Grand Prix) was pretty awful. I’m assuming it may have been a carbed 3.8 with a smog pump, low flow heads, etc. I’ve never researched what motors came in Grand Prix’s back then. ---
**Author:** ![wolyrobb](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/wolyrobb/32/45497_2.png) [@wolyrobb](https://community.cartalk.com/u/wolyrobb)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2021, 3:57am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/chevy-229-stroker-build/181396/11 "2021-12-23T03:57:31Z")
The 82 Grand Prix had the Buick 3.8 231cid which had the same HP rating as the Chevy, 110hp. The trade school I went to in 1994 had a 1983 Malibu wagon with the 3.8 and it could climb the hill going back to campus but it really struggled. The 90 Celebrity with a 3.1V6 didn’t really notice the hill by comparison. ---
**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2021, 12:41pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/chevy-229-stroker-build/181396/12 "2021-12-23T12:41:59Z")
An 83 Malibu with a 90 degree 3.8 V6 (a 305 Chevy V8 minus 2 cylinders) was a heavier RWD car while a 90 Celebity with a 3.1 L 60 degree V6 was a 400 lb lighter FWD car.