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Login to post Forums » Grassroots Motorsports » Edify me in the ways of '80s GM full-sized wagons

Nov. 11, 2011 10:02 a.m. mrwillie Reader

As a child growing up in the '70s, some of my earliest memories were of me riding in the back of our Olds stationwagon on trips. Plenty of room to play( who needs seat belts anyway...) and room to sleep when u got bored. Yesterday I see this......

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/cto/2694544569.html

I don't have many cars "call me". but this one did. What can u tell me about the pontiac v8s of that era, in general. Can these cars be made to handle like a "sports wagon" on a grassroots budget? I don't know anything about the car except whats in the ad. Still waiting for the owner to get back to me.

Thanks. Will
Nov. 11, 2011 10:22 a.m. pinchvalve SuperDork

The Malibu version looks sportier than the Impala version that I was used to...is it considered mid-sized?

I know that the Impala was available with a 302 or a 350, not sure about the Malibu but I am guessing only the 302.

You won't have the option of swapping in the HD cop suspension stuff from the Police Caprice, so not sure what the cheap way to improve that thing is.
Nov. 11, 2011 10:26 a.m. Gearheadotaku Dork

Add better spring and bars. Stiffer bushings. Check out the 9C1 forum. Engine bay will accept anything, while LSX power is nice, a big block is needed here.
Nov. 11, 2011 11:25 a.m. failboat HalfDork

pinchvalve wrote:

The Malibu version looks sportier than the Impala version that I was used to...is it considered mid-sized?

One thing I learned about the malibu wagon very recently....the windows in the rear doors do not roll down.
Nov. 11, 2011 11:41 a.m. Joe Gearin Associate Publisher

That is not the same chassis as the Impala. The Impala was full-sized, the Malibu was mid-sized (G body I believe)

Chances are the "Pontiac" motor is just a 305 taken from a Pontiac. (same as Chevy 305) if it is a Pontiac 350 or 400 it would be a different animal IIRC.

This bodystyle is in pretty high demand as it will accept a V8, but is lighter than the larger Impala platform.
Nov. 11, 2011 11:47 a.m. Ranger50 Dork

That is a G-body or intermediate platform wagon. Prolly has a Pontiac 301 V8 in it. I wish it was closer and I had the $ for it.... I'd be all over it like white on rice.
Nov. 11, 2011 12:12 p.m. mrwillie Reader

So, the caprice cop package wouldn't fit. I wasn't sure if this was considered a mid-sized or not. But being "small and lighter" def has its advantages. I think I need to back away from this. I want it, but its not really what I need right now. It won't hurt to check out the forums I guess....
Nov. 11, 2011 12:23 p.m. stuart in mn SuperDork

There is quite a bit of aftermarket support for suspension upgrades on a G body.
Nov. 11, 2011 12:28 p.m. ZOO SuperDork

failboat wrote:

pinchvalve wrote:

The Malibu version looks sportier than the Impala version that I was used to...is it considered mid-sized?

One thing I learned about the malibu wagon very recently....the windows in the rear doors do not roll down.

A lesson learned "dutch-oven" style when I was child riding in the back of "G" wagons and sedans . . .

Pre-teen boys are cruel to one another.
Nov. 11, 2011 12:29 p.m. dlmater New Reader

If memory serves correct, it is the same chassis that was used on the early and mid 80's el camino's as well. There have been some GRM posts in the past on the Malibu chassis and the availabilty of cheap, circle track race suspension parts that fit these cars. I would assume the wagon version would be similar. Below are two I found.

http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/grm/autocrossing-a-g-body/38671/page1/

http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/grm/late-70s-chevy-malibu-can-you-make-them...
Nov. 11, 2011 12:32 p.m. Toyman01 SuperDork

If it was local to me I would have already bought it. Just saying.
Nov. 11, 2011 12:44 p.m. 93EXCivic SuperDork

The Malibu wagon has the same G-body chassis as the same era Elky. I think the Malibu wagon is the most awesome of the G-bodies minus the Grand National.
Nov. 11, 2011 2:54 p.m. mrwillie Reader

93EXCivic wrote:

The Malibu wagon has the same G-body chassis as the same era Elky. I think the Malibu wagon is the most awesome of the G-bodies minus the Grand National.

so all of the el camino upgrades work??? cool...off to google...
Nov. 11, 2011 3:10 p.m. a401cj Reader

swap in an SBC...preferably an LS but a GenI or II will suffice.

the 301 Pontiac is widely regarded as one of the top 10 POS engines ever cast. It isn;t even worthy of being a boat anchor. However, IIRC, one of the folks over on one of the other boards did manage to make one run fairly well after spending about as much as an LS7 would have cost
Nov. 12, 2011 1:46 a.m. codrus New Reader

failboat wrote:

One thing I learned about the malibu wagon very recently....the windows in the rear doors do not roll down.

Yeah, my parents bought a purple '80 Malibu Wagon when I was in elementary school, the rear doors had "vent" windows at the back. Ours were electric windows, and they were constantly breaking. I never drove it (they replaced it with a Taurus a couple years before I got my license), but from what they've said it was a terrible car. Gutless (V6, I think), lousy in snow, frequent mechanical failures, etc. My main memories of it are the broken window motors and the vinyl seats that would get dangerously hot in the summer.

Friends of my parents had an Impala wagon with the side-opening rear door and rear-facing 3rd row seat, which was my favorite place to sit and play "tail gunner". :)
Nov. 12, 2011 10:55 a.m. Rob_Mopar Dork

I'd be really surprised if that has a true Pontiac V8 in it. And if it does, it's probably the 301 that has already been pointed out. I'd bet it's a Chevy 305 out of a later Pontiac.

I don't remember if the Malibu wagons had a 3rd row seat option or not. My cousins had an '81 'Bu wagon when I had my '78 coupe.

There is a good demand for those wagons, and a slew of aftermarket parts available. If I were to do one budget style it would have bits and pieces selected from an '80's Monte SS. 3.73 rear with Posi, built up 200R4, steering box (The Monte SS had a quicker ratio), gauge cluster, buckets, console and shifter.

Some aftermarket suspension goodies, an EFI 350 Chevy of some sort, restored stock exterior and some factory 15" wheels. Then go cruise for groceries in style.
Nov. 12, 2011 11:04 a.m. fast_eddie_72 SuperDork

I always wanted to get one and do this.
Nov. 12, 2011 11:58 a.m. mrwillie Reader

Seller never got back to me. Thanks for the info.........
Nov. 12, 2011 12:14 p.m. cwh SuperDork

Back in the day, I bought a 2 door '78 'Bu. Had a worn out 267 in it, I built a mild 350 and quickly discovered that the original TH200 was not happy. Changed to a TH350 and had a lot of fun. Nice size, good bit of room under the hood. I thing a big block would not help drivability. A decent SBC would be fine.
Nov. 12, 2011 12:48 p.m. Ranger50 Dork

cwh wrote:

a big block would not help drivability. A decent SBC would be fine.

SACRILEGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Nov. 12, 2011 12:57 p.m. pres589 Dork

Global West, Hotchkiss, and a host of others sell bits for this chassis. The Olds Cutlass 442, Monte Carlo SS, and the turbo Buicks all offer junkyard upgrades. I considered a Regal as a project and would have liked to score a mid-90's GM 2WD truck drivetrain for one; junkyard bits should allow everything to bolt in relatively easily and they're cheaply powerful.

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