Project - 79' Malibu "Built to Death"

[01cherryreds10]

Note: Before anyone starts bashing at the thread title, it's kind of a thing with my dad and his buddy that when they see a car modded they just say "Built to Death". I named the project that because they are helping with me.

Alright story time!

Found a 1979 Malibu on eBay and bought it for $3700. Car was originally from AZ and spent 3 years in WI being driven only around 6 times per year in the warm weather. The previous owner just got done building a Malibu drag car and a 66' Nova to cruise with his dad and decided to get rid of the car. When we got up there and saw the car, we couldn't beleive it. My 01' S10 had 10 times more rust than this car. No rust or rot on the frame just some spots of surface rust from rock chips on the body. All the windows are tinted but I need to take those off ASAP because that's just another reason for a cop to give me a hassle. The interior is trashed so it's going to need to all be replaced. The car originally came with a 4.4L 285, but the original owner took it to an oil change place and they blew it up, so they paid for the replacement 350 to be dropped in. Not sure what trans is in it because METRIC isn't stamped on the bottom so it's not a 200 Metric trans. Rear end is a weak 7.5" 10-bolt and I'm saving for a new rear after I finish the exhaust.

Here are the pics!










As of right now it's sitting in my garage. Today we took the exhaust and all the accessories off the engine so all that's left to take off is the trans x-member, throttle cable, fuel line, and a couple vacuum lines on the back of the engine and it should be all good. We are replacing the tired 350 Goodwrench with the 355 from my dad's Camaro he had when he was hot rodding around back in the day. Also putting the TH350 from the Camaro which is built up from what I've heard from people that knew the Camaro. Right now we have the Hooker Comp 1-5/8 longtubes mocked on there and it's gonna have a dual Pypes 2.5" mandrel exhaust with Pypes mufflers for now and a Iceman Racing trans x-member. It's gonna be painted back to the stock color, we all call it Loser Blue and I love the color on there. It has a mismatched wheel you may be able to tell but I'm trying to decide what wheels I want to put on, possible a set of 15x8 Rally wheels from an earlier Vette/Nova/Camaro.

I'll get some pictures of where we are tomorrow after work.

Enjoy and don't hate too much

[1BadElky]

*subscribing

[DROPTSBLAZE]

Don't hate the 'bu's! I'm on my 3rd one, a '79 also. Have fun with the project man.

[V8Blaze]

wow that thing is super clean. If i ever get another car, and its not another nova, it will be a malibu. I love those things

[ka_jd7and1]

The interior doesn't look all that bad either, just needs new carpet and a little cleaning from what I can see.

[Wicked Mayhem]

Drop a lsx in it!




Clean car!!!

[heeter_33]

looks good man cant wait to see the progress, ive always wanted to build up a late 70s malibu

[01cherryreds10]

I've only had the car for maybe 3 weeks and I'm pretty sure I won't be getting rid of it until at least I move out, if ever. For now we are just dropping another Gen I SBC in but during the winter I plan to get either an LS2 or LQ4 and build it along with a 4L60E trans. I have no idea what it is about these cars but G-bodies are just awesome. The interior from the pics doesn't look bad but everythings cracked from the AZ sun including the dash which is fvcked same with the upper rear door panels. Pics to come soon.

[2toneSdime5]

i would love to get my hands on one of those for a decent price.. isnt gonna happen tho those cars are a goldmine

[01cherryreds10]

Yeah it's hard to find a decent one let alone an unmolested one. I'd be willing to bet that alot of them that are still out there have bent frames too.

[1BadElky]

you're lucky you didn't get the computer controlled year. its gonna be a PITA when I sort out my wiring.

[odevious1]

I used to have a 78 malibu, sold it 6 months ago for $700 bucks. Frame was solid, car just needed a paint job.

[CommanderKidUT]

fcuk yea

[01cherryreds10]

What year was computer controlled? That would be a total pain to do lol. Todays update is me spray painting the engine brackets flat black and I got my Malibu sport mirrors in, they are the ones from Monte SS's. Hopefully tomorrow I'll be getting the trans x-member and engine stuff and after I get off of school the engine and trans will be yanked out.

[1BadElky]

Quote: Originally Posted by 01cherryreds10

What year was computer controlled?

'81+

[01cherryreds10]

Well we happened to get a little more done over the weekend. Had to work until 4:30 Friday and be back up at 8 for work on Saturday till noon, so we had to work fast. Took probably close to 15 minutes to yank the trans out and close to an hour to swap the small blocks. While we had the engine out we went ahead and replaced the motor mounts. Definately a struggle to get those out but other than that it went pretty smooth. Here are some pictures.

I love AZ cars

Out with the old


In goes the new!


The 2x4 is there so the right head doesnt smash into the firewall because the trans isn't in and neither is my trans crossmember.
My dad did this while taking out the huge stock fan

Picture of the headers that I'm using - Hooker Comp. Longtunes

Sport mirrors with the cable of course

Taylor 8mm wires, ARP header bolts, Accel cap and rotor

Oh, why is this engine on the stand....?


I was browsing through the 09' GMPP catalog and ran across the replacement engine section and said what the hell I'll look it up.
http://www.sdparts.com/product/10067...350Engine.aspx
4 bolt mains
Powdered connecting rods
2 piece real main seal

So just for shits and grins I took the oilpan off the one on the stand just to see. I was expecting just a 2 bolt main block with the GM valve covers on it but it was a 4 bolt main block to my suprise. I was going to build a 6.0L and have it run off a computer, but I told my dad the block is a 4 bolt and he asked me if I wanted to ditch EFI for a stroker. Hell yes!

Right now I'm waiting on my trans crossmember which will be here tomorrow. And my Pypes mandrel slip fit 2.5" exhaust w/ x pipe and mufflers which should arrive Tuesday. After that I'm just saving up for a Grand National/442/T-type 8.5" rear. Found a couple on craigslist so I may give them a call later this week.

Well that's all for now really no updates until probably next weekend since that's the only time we have to work on it.

EDIT : And yup, that's a Performer RPM on the engine we took out

[kevdog]

I love Malibu's!!!

My first car was a '78, and man do I miss that thing! *subscribes*

[01cherryreds10]

Haha that's basically every reaction I get from telling people what kind of car I have. Seems like everyone who has ever owned one loved it and would want it back if they could have it.

[jtcfanof3]

Nice,always loved the Malibu's! Buddy in high school had an 81. Any chance you wanna sell that hard fuel line from the mech pump? I hate my rubber setup from the PO.

[01cherryreds10]

If we weren't gonna use it on the other engine I would just give it to you. The line is pretty big too it's nice.

[low-blazer]

Lookin good man...I've had my '83 'bu wagon for 3 years now...I'll never get rid of it

[1BadElky]

just a tip.. you can use the aluminum radiator from a v8 third gen camaro or trans am. just make sure its an auto so it has holes for the trans cooler lines.

it bolts right in. the only thing you have to do is bend the upper trans cooler hose up a tiny bit. I have one in my El Camino

[scootch]

sweet fkn car. id like to do one of these whenever my 77 impala is done.

[01cherryreds10]

Quote: Originally Posted by 1BadElky

just a tip.. you can use the aluminum radiator from a v8 third gen camaro or trans am. just make sure its an auto so it has holes for the trans cooler lines.

it bolts right in. the only thing you have to do is bend the upper trans cooler hose up a tiny bit. I have one in my El Camino

That's good to hear I'll keep that in mind if we ever need another one.

Yesterday I got the header gaskets from Autozone, picked up a cheap $40 "Spectre" plug wire retainer kit. Looks like the Billet Specialties ones just not nearly the same quality but it looks good for half the price of Billet's. My radiator and full exhaust came in yesterday as well. Waiting for my dad to get home so we can put the trans in with the new detend and speedo cables and start bolting everything back together. Hopefully I'll have some pictures soon.

[2001xBlazer]

nice..my buddy has the same year thats his prostreet car...622 CI Rehr Morrison motor..pretty damn sweet car thats forsure

[01cherryreds10]

Well got alot done yesterday and today. Was another Friday-Saturday project time. Got the trans in, crossmember painted up. Had a problem with the header hitting the frame on one tube and the upper control arm on another so Mr. Sledgehammer took care of that. Got the whole car buttoned up. Time for some pics?
Header collector to reducer to exhaust pipe

Side shot of the exhaust

Where it exits (on both sides)

Sitting in it's home finally

Trans in

Iceman crossmember (sorry its sideways)

Amazing plug wire holder kit (pepboys special )




All done for now haha.

Drove it around today after putting the distributor in 180° opposite, and nearly starting a fire trying to get it to fire for the first time. Engine hasn't run in I think around 8 years like I said it's out of my dad's Camaro. He said it was the best father's day present driving the car around with his engine and trans. The TH350 is built and it shifts hard into 2nd and 3rd. I have a feeling the rear end will give soon. Doesn't chirp the tires but it's a HARD shift let me tell you. It's still got some timing work to be done but it's awesome. Right now I'm saving up for a rear end and wheels and tires. We are gonna try to find a set of C3 wheels like the picture below. Not sure what we are gonna do about the hood the air cleaner is very close to the top with the carb spacer plate in there. We are looking for a 8.5" G-body rear so if anyone has one looking to sell, let me know. That's all for now!

[1BadElky]

there are always guys parting out turbo regals on turbobuick.com. thats how i got my rear end.

[01cherryreds10]

I'll have to join that site and watch the classifieds like a hawk. I could have sworn that Monte SS's came with 8.5's but I was told they came with 7-5/8's which won't help me a bit. I guess the search continues.

[1BadElky]

Quote: Originally Posted by 01cherryreds10

I'll have to join that site and watch the classifieds like a hawk. I could have sworn that Monte SS's came with 8.5's but I was told they came with 7-5/8's which won't help me a bit. I guess the search continues.

yep, 7 5/8.

8.5 only came in the 3.8 turbo G-bodies like T-type, GN, 442, turbo T... etc.

[t01blaze]

definately gonna watch this.

i got an 81 malibu 2 door Im going to start to build also. too bad i need doors, quarter pannels, rear wheel wells, rockers becasue of rust here in the Northeast. I might try to find a cleaner one from AZ like you did, but this was my first car and I cant see letting it go.

[Restoration]

How is the rear end search coming along? been waiting for an update forever lol