MALIBU 1980 Malibu 500 Cadillac

[500/600]

I started installing the new sway bar tonight. Since the bushing perches were for a 3" axle I opened up one side to match my 3.25" tubes and the other side to match the 3.5" step up on the housing. That just happens to be where the perches landed. Welded on instead of u-bolts and painted black. Man I hate welding. I'll finish up in the morning.

 

[500/600]

Ok, so I had to see it bolted on, even late at night. That is where she'll hang with the links at their shortest. Well above the bottom of the housing.

 

[fleming442]

Got a pic of the front?

 

[500/600]

This afternoon. My old eyes have a bifocal appointment this morning.

 

[olds307 and 403]

Gee, I wonder why you have that rear so reinforced😁. Looks really nice.

 

[Jorge1958]

I had a 229 v6 in my 80 Malibu wagon i used to own. I put an updated cam in it. Ran real good for what it was.

 

[fleming442]

This afternoon. My old eyes have a bifocal appointment this morning.

All good. Couldn't remember if it was you going for the control arm mounted bar or not. Is that Detroit's G-body bar or Blazer? I dig it; may have to check it out....

 

[500/600]

Gee, I wonder why you have that rear so reinforced😁. Looks really nice.

So in theory nothing behind the engine will break until past 1000hp1000tq. I still want the car to run 6.99/10.99 with the capability to put it back to road course/interstate/driver mode in less than an hour. That should be a front sway bar link re-attach, tire change, and front shock adjust.

 

[500/600]

After finishing the installation I could not be happier about how this bar fits! It will have to wait until tomorrow to try it out. No more using a wood block to keep from crushing the other sway bar into the drain plug every time I jack the car up. That is a plus. The back of the bar clears the 9" housing by about 1-3/4" in the installed position. Here is a pic of the front hooked up to the frame.

 

[500/600]

So I sold an old set of American Racing wheels and tires for $500 on faceballs. That plus $26 extra paid for the Detroit Speed rear bar, a nice used hollow 34mm front sway bar from a late '80s Z28, Spohn spherical bar ends, and Energy Suspension urethane bar mounts. That 34mm hollow bar is exactly 10 pounds lighter than the solid 32mm bar that was on the car. I just can't give up the idea of the awesome handling that the car has over the drag strip numbers. I want both......................