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My Malibu (dearly departed)
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:
PERFORMANCE:
NEW BEST
ET'S! (3/15/2002)
Best 1/8 Mile (motor only):
[email protected] MPH ENGINE SPECS: The engine is a 2 bolt
main block +.030 from a 74 pickup 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 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:
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: 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. |
