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My Malibu (dearly departed)

I owned this Malibu for about 5 years, but it's now found a new home.  I put a lot of time and money into this Malibu, and enjoyed every minute of it.  



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I bought this car in completely stock form in 1997, other than the Torch Red paint, which was done by the guy I bought it from. The guy I bought it from had it since 1982, which was given to him by his Mother-in-law (original owner). When I bought this car it had an anemic 267 ci V8, and TH350. These were pulled and sold for money to spend on a worthwhile engine, a 454 Big Block. NO REPLACEMENT FOR DISPLACEMENT is my motto.  So here's the goods:



Click here to see construction pictures
Latest Huntsville Dragway Pictures
Videos at the dragstrip!


PERFORMANCE:

 

NEW BEST ET'S!  (3/15/2002)

 

Best 1/8 Mile (motor only): [email protected] MPH
Best 1/8 Mile (with 200HP nitrous): 
[email protected] MPH
Best 1/4 Mile (motor only):  11.40@118 MPH 
Best 1/4 Mile (nitrous):  Haven't run 1/4 nitrous pass yet.
Best 60 foot:  1.518


ENGINE SPECS:

The engine is a 2 bolt main block +.030 from a 74 pickup
Stock cast crank
Stock rods using 3/8" ARP rod bolts
Block Decked .005"
Speed Pro (7060P) forged pistons with .095" dome (same as TRW L2399F),
Heads are '75 oval port (casting #781), that I port matched and did a bowl blend myself, shaved to 110 cc to give me 9.6:1 CR, and solid bronze valve guides inserted and Manley 2.19/1.88 stainless valves
Crane Energizer roller rocker arms
Cam Motion custom solid "street" roller camshaft, 250/255 [email protected]", .642"/.645" Lift

Comp Cams solid roller lifters 
K-Motion Valve Springs 
K-Motion Chromoly Retainers 
Victor Jr intake (port matched)
Barry Grant Silver Claw 750. Flows 933 CFM
Holley Blue pump - for carb
Holley Blue pump - for nitrous system
Performance Distributors "Race" HEI distributor
MSD 6AL
MSD Multi-Step Retard
NOS Cheater nitrous plate system


 EXHAUST:

Hooker Super Comps with 2" primaries with 3 1/2" collectors ceramic coated by Airborn Coatings.    3" exhaust pipes into 2 chamber 3" Flowmasters turned down at the rear axle.


TRANSMISSION

 

A TH400, Modified with a TCI reverse full manual valve body, rebuild kit, and a B&M Holeshot 3000 torque converter. Factory 
"deep" pan with drain plug.  I use a B&M Pro-Ratchet to shift gears.  Custom Built 3 1/2" steel driveshaft built by Huntsville Driveshaft with 1330 and 1350 Spicer u-joints.  G-Force transmission crossmember


REAR END/SUSPENSION

I have a Moser "bolt-in" 9 inch Ford rear with Moser 31 spline axles, a 31 spline Detroit Locker with 3.89 gears, The only suspension mods I have made are; Moroso rear trick springs, Energy Suspension polyurethane bushings, and homebuilt (by Dave V.) square tubular lower and adjustable upper control arms with lowly Gabriel Red Ryder gas shocks.   I also run Airlift air bags (not pictured), about 10 psi drivers side and 20 psi passenger side. 


FRONT SUSPENSION:

I run Competition Engineering adjustable (set at 90/10) shocks on the front, with the stock small block coil springs. I removed the anti-sway bar. Obviously, this car is not much of a corner carver.


WHEELS/TIRES:


Whew!  That's tight!

M/T ET Street 28X12.50" tires on 15X8" with 3.5" backspacing Weld Draglites at the dragstrip.  165/80/15's radials on 15X3.5 Weld draglites on the front.


BODY:
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The car is a 1979 Malibu Classic Landau. The guy I bought it from had already removed the vinyl landau top. It was originally a "turd" brown color. It is now '93 Lumina Torch Red, painted by the previous owner. He owned a body shop and did a first class job on the paint job (since it was his own car). The body is all steel except for the fiberglass hood. It is a 3.5" cowl from U.S. Body Source in Hampton, FL. The car weighs in at 3375 lbs without the driver or 3575 lbs with me in it (you do the math).


INTERIOR:

The interior is mostly stock. I tossed the factory bench seat, and used '90 Cavalier front bucket seats, Stock back seat, all covered in tan colored tweed. Yes, I kept the back seat installed!  I installed RCI 5-point seatbelts on both the driver and passenger side.  The factory door panels had to be tossed, the molded plastic armrest hit the door bars on the 6-point roll bar I installed. I had the upholstry shop make flat tweed door panels.  I installed door pull handles from a Nissan Sentra.  New carpet was installed, it is "Mocha" color.  I installed a 6 point rollbar.  I made every effort to keep the roll bar inconspicuous as possible. I have Autometer oil and temp gauges installed in an aluminum panel I made, and inserted where the center factory A/C vent was located. I have an Autometer monster tach with shift lite on the steering column.   And, for safety, I have a fire extinguisher installed between the passenger and driver front seats.