[TLB34]

GEN.7 MODS STOCK & TUNED
(2008-2012) Chevy Malibu
2.4L Ecotec ( LE5 )
| LS, LT, LTZ |
Non FlexFuel, Non California Emissions
Hey y’all wanted to start a fun thread and just share some fun mods for the 2.4L LE5 don't matter if y’all are stock or tuned just here to share fun ideas with y’all and see everyones setups🤘🏻

Everything but the LTZ Swap stuff which everyone can find on eBay as I did I’m sure lol everything else is all from

zzperformance.com

it’s all under the Ecotec category y’all should be able to find it just fine!

AIR INTAKE UPGRADE
An easy day one mod is to ditch the stock Ecotec Engie cover/intake they never deal correctly and are annoying trying to work in the engine bay, either make your own from the parts store or order an after market intake, ZZPerformance makes a really nice high flow intake tube just for the 2.4L but idk if I can justify the price when I made the same thing for $30 tops lol

Now this next one is a must if you plan to run like a K&N pod filter style later down the road your gonna need something like this to adapt the GM card style MAF Sensor into your new intake

Engine cover from a 2.4L Ecotec Equinox, if you want to have your custom intake but still want your engine to look stock, or you just don’t want to see the 2.4L bare this is the way to go! I found this one on eBay, just ordered this for mine while I was making this lol.
Factory 2.4L Chevy Equinox Engine Cover
($45-$65) eBay

IGNITION SYSTEM UPGRADES
The next mod I would probably do after this is get a set of these ZZP high voltage coil packs and a fresh set of ACDelco Iridium Spark plugs, My car is tuned and the 2.4L loves the Iridiums from Delco. Do not buy NGKs car did not like them I cracked 2 of them surprisingly one day.

Perfect way to finish off the ignition system with this sweet coil cover plate from ZZP is literally just cosmetic but it really dresses the engine up big time I think!

SWAPPING LTZ PARTS ON (LS, LT)
Another sweet mod that I’m in the process of doing currently is swapping my stock LT red tail lights out for the Clear lens LTZ Tail lights. Pair them with a set of Red LEDs and it looks awesome, Also adding the Factory LTZ Fog lights will run ya about $250 I swapped em into my LT with H11 6K beamtech LEDs

Pair of Factory 3.6L V6 LTZ Outer Taillight Housings
($190-$225) eBay

The next best LTZ parts swap is to find the stock LTZ 3.6L Dual Tip Muffler and the Factory 3.6L Dual Tip Rear Valance

Factory 3.6L V6 Dual Tip Rear Valance
($75-$80) eBay

Factory 3.6L V6 Dual Tip Muffler
($170-$190) eBay

LSJ Throttle Body Upgrade
I am not 100% sure if you need an hptuners for this one or not but essentially it’s a LSJ Throttle body and adapter from ZZP because the stock LE5 Throttle body is small and actually restricts airflow. Into the larger intake inlet.

Very cool upgrade actually I’m gonna have to try this out for sure, feel free to post any mods y’all want I love comparing with y’all! Dont be afraid to PM either with any questions y’all might have thanks again!
Tim ​

 

[Goaliescottie]

Yes to the taillamps! Did it to my 2LT during it's LTZ transformation, and they look great! If you get lucky, you can find good condition, used housings on eBay. If you get even luckier, you can even find them with the stock bulbs. I got mine for $59 plus shipping. Only thing is, on the stock bulbs they do require a different harness, but it's essentially plug and play to get it in.
Part number for the harness:
25913257
In my honest opinion, it's worth the hassle of getting the new harness installed for the factory bulbs. You get the clear bulbs in the clear housings, plus if you use regular 3157 bulbs, you'll need to cut the housings too...

Very detailed writeup, hats off to you!

 

[TLB34]

Yes to the taillamps! Did it to my 2LT during it's LTZ transformation, and they look great! If you get lucky, you can find good condition, used housings on eBay. If you get even luckier, you can even find them with the stock bulbs. I got mine for $59 plus shipping. Only thing is, on the stock bulbs they do require a different harness, but it's essentially plug and play to get it in.
Part number for the harness:
25913257
In my honest opinion, it's worth the hassle of getting the new harness installed for the factory bulbs. You get the clear bulbs in the clear housings, plus if you use regular 3157 bulbs, you'll need to cut the housings too...

Very detailed writeup, hats off to you!

Thanks for the Info on the LTZ Tail lights I was not aware of the different bulb and harness sizes from the LTZ and my LT2 good lookin out 🤙🏻

 

[Steven46121]

I have the 3.6 rear bumper filler and custom dual exhaust, I’m currently waiting for the rksport one which gives it a more aggressive look. Here’s my setup and upgrades I’ve done.

 

[08shtbx]

I have the 3.6 rear bumper filler and custom dual exhaust, I’m currently waiting for the rksport one which gives it a more aggressive look. Here’s my setup and upgrades I’ve done.

I take it the modified intake and cat-less exhaust required tuning. Did you do it yourself with HP tuners? I'm trying to figure out if I want to go that route with mine.

 

[TLB34]

I take it the modified intake and cat-less exhaust required tuning. Did you do it yourself with HP tuners? I'm trying to figure out if I want to go that route with mine.

The modified intake no you do not need a tune you can run the factory air box with the custom intake pipes on the stock tune, if you end up running a pod filter setup then yes you will need to tune the MAF. For the cat less setup you definitely need HPtuners in order to disable all the downstream O2 and emission codes. I love mine and I highly recommend it!

 

[08shtbx]

View attachment 70538 View attachment 70539 View attachment 70540
few questions on the above pics:
Where did you find that header/pipe?
What is the bar/link you replaced
And what are the details of that strut assembly?
Thanks

 

[Steven46121]

View attachment 70538 View attachment 70539 View attachment 70540
few questions on the above pics:
Where did you find that header/pipe?
What is the bar/link you replaced
And what are the details of that strut assembly?
Thanks

Sorry I’m late to answering. So after the intake I did need a tune it was causing me to run very lean. After the header the lean issue was worse my system was running 40% lean so I was loosing hella power. I have a local tuner that Tuned it with HP tuners right after the header install. We drove around to change some parameters then strapped it to the Dyno to mess with timing and fuel and disabled the down stream O2 sensor. The coilovers were custom made by a company overseas and I had trouble with them so I am currently swapping them out with a custom set from BC Coilovers for a Saab 9-3. Getting Saab 9-3 coilovers does require some fab work but it’s minimal and a lot less headache than I had to deal with with the set I had done. The “bar/link” is a sway bar end link from Godspeed its adjustable which helps for lowered cars and it’s a whole lot stronger than the crappy plastic factory piece. The headers are a 4-2-1 design header for a 2005 cavalier actually 😂 we had to cut one section in order to make a slight bend then re welded it and it fit like a glove. However, I am also going to swap it for a 4-1 header from CMB motors and titanium wrap it. Hope that helps some.

 

[Chris99]

I have the 3.6 rear bumper filler and custom dual exhaust, I’m currently waiting for the rksport one which gives it a more aggressive look. Here’s my setup and upgrades I’ve done. View attachment 70538 View attachment 70539 View attachment 70540 View attachment 70541 View attachment 70542 View attachment 70543

Is this the 2.4L? If so wow! Let me know what I need 🤣

 

[Steven46121]

Is this the 2.4L? If so wow! Let me know what I need 🤣

Yes it is a 2.4L.

 

[Chris99]

Yes it is a 2.4L.

Besides making the headers for the 2.4 what website have you found for 2.4 modifications? There isn’t really much out

 

[TLB34]

ZZP Performance

Besides making the headers for the 2.4 what website have you found for 2.4 modifications? There isn’t really much out

ZZP Performance: Ecotec Section
ZZP

 

[Steven46121]

Besides making the headers for the 2.4 what website have you found for 2.4 modifications? There isn’t really much out

Specifically for the 2.4 Malibu there’s not really anything out. You can find engine internals and head/cams from ZZP tho. My suspension mods are a collection of parts for a SAAB 9-3, Pontiac G6, and stuff I’ve paid to have custom fabricated. My CF engine cover is actually off of a slingshot. Just takes innovative an over active imagination and have to have the wallet to back it up but can it be done.

 

[Chevykid01]

Any tips on removing a stuck steering wheel for replacement?

 

[TLB34]

Any tips on removing a stuck steering wheel for replacement?

Feel free to PM me if you need help and I’ll explain it more in depth. I apologize for the delay been super busy with work lately!

 

[DrivenDaily]

I wonder if you know or can estimate how much torque and HP you now have. Any info you can share?

 

[TLB34]

I wonder if you know or can estimate how much torque and HP you now have. Any info you can share?

A little update for y’all I’m not sure on exact numbers right now I can’t imagine it’s anything crazy obviously but the car is far more responsive than stock. I recently just pumped up my shift points and I immediately felt the difference in accelerating and just getting to speed much easier I’ll get a data log soon and share it with y’all! In the mean time everything is running flawlessly I’ve had zero issues!

 

[DrivenDaily]

There are a few apps that I believe will estimate your HP. I think Torque will do it but I'm not sure.

 

[TLB34]

Okay so few more little mods I’ve done just for preferences and maybe some performance as well, first thing was I installed 4 new BOSH Iridium plugs and they are phenomenal highly recommend got all 4 at Autozone for $33.78 out the door. I moved the valve cover breather hose all the way down to below the front of the engine with a 5/8 to 3/8 adapter coming from the valve cover to a 3/8in braided line down to my little 3/8 breather and just zip tied it where necessary to secure it, the second thing I’ve done is I added another Rockford P1 which has been amazing, but on top of doing that I had some left over 4AWG wire so I did the Big 3 wire upgrade (Alternator power wire to battery, Engine Ground, Negative Battery to chassis ground) definitely helps keep everything running great especially with the 2 P1s lol. Last thing I did was re calibrated my MAF for an intake for the giggles…I was actually shocked to not be getting just more acceleration but much better MPG! Im gettin about 32-35 city and 36-42 highway there are lots of variables depending on weather and how I’m driving lol!😉🤙🏻 these cars do not run well with an intake and the stock MAF tune they are very sluggish, I highly highly recommend using an HP tuner and someone who knows how to tune before installing an intake setup Here’s some pics I’ll try to keep y’all updated if anything changes but so far cars kickin some butt!

 

[TLB34]

Okay so few more little mods I’ve done just for preferences and maybe some performance as well, first thing was I installed 4 new BOSH Iridium plugs and they are phenomenal highly recommend got all 4 at Autozone for $33.78 out the door. I moved the valve cover breather hose all the way down to below the front of the engine with a 5/8 to 3/8 adapter coming from the valve cover to a 3/8in braided line down to my little 3/8 breather and just zip tied it where necessary to secure it, the second thing I’ve done is I added another Rockford P1 which has been amazing, but on top of doing that I had some left over 4AWG wire so I did the Big 3 wire upgrade (Alternator power wire to battery, Engine Ground, Negative Battery to chassis ground) definitely helps keep everything running great especially with the 2 P1s lol. Last thing I did was re calibrated my MAF for an intake for the giggles…I was actually shocked to not be getting just more acceleration but much better MPG! Im gettin about 32-35 city and 36-42 highway there are lots of variables depending on weather and how I’m driving lol!😉🤙🏻 these cars do not run well with an intake and the stock MAF tune they are very sluggish, I highly highly recommend using an HP tuner and someone who knows how to tune before installing an intake setup Here’s some pics I’ll try to keep y’all updated if anything changes but so far cars kickin some butt! View attachment 70963

UPDATE Fender well intake mod

just some pictures of my fender well intake mod for the 2.4L definitely looks cleaner and runs great curious too see if anything changes with milage as it’s not sucking hot air from being so close to the engine rather than cool air from front bumper and tire well. Here’s some pictures. I used a MAF intake tube and Filter that I bought from eBay for about $90 you can simply search it on eBay they pop up everywhere for these cars. Next I bought 2 3in Silcone Couplers, 45 degree intake pipe, and a 90 degree intake pipe from Autozone to make the configuration fit properly.

view from inside the passanger side fender well