MALIBU 1980 Malibu 500 Cadillac

[500/600]

I went for the first long drive today. 2200rpm at 60mph. Temperature 172-176 driving, 180 at idle (I ended up with an 18" plastic flex fan and dual 12" electric fans all hidden under a stock shroud). Oil pressure 34psi idling hot, 54psi driving at 2000rpm, increases past 60psi as soon as you stab at it. Voltage is 15.1.
I didn't rev it past 4000rpm. The thing has so much torque you really can't tell much about how much power it has. I like it!

Oh and it handles great. I drive an SRT car as a daily driver so I was expecting 'no comparison' with this car with its 205s on the front. Man it didn't do bad at all. If I could find some wheels that I could live with the looks of, I'd throw a set of 18s on this thing in a heartbeat.

 

[ssn696]

Name it 'Chug'? My old G8 was like that...any gear, 1-6, step on it, and it took off. Torque rules.

 

[500/600]

Name it 'Chug'? My old G8 was like that...any gear, 1-6, step on it, and it took off. Torque rules.

My SRT is that way. Start out 3rd gear and 60mph. Punch it and let it shift itself. You're past 150mph before you know it. The Malibu has wayyyyyy lower rpm torque than the SRT. The torque at 2500rpm is hilarious.

 

[500/600]

I have the front bumper fitted up after a ridiculous amount of effort.

 

[olds307 and 403]

Can't believe I missed this build, coolest Malibu ever!

 

[olds307 and 403]

Robb MC makes some nice stuff for sure. I’ve got one of his O-ring sealing swivel water necks on my 455.

View attachment 118253

I have one too, well made. Pretty sure all their stuff is well made in house.

 

[Turbo Zach]

I love everything about your car! Good work.

 

[500/600]

Finished body work and mounting on the front bumper. I love the look of these on a Malibu.

X

 

[Longroof79]

What did you use to reinforce the two pieces together...besides plastic filler?
The car looks great, man...I'm really diggin' it.

 

[500/600]

The filler is only on the ends getting the lines to match the body. I had to split the center of the bumper at the top and bottom to make it fit right. The bottom has a 1"x1/8" aluminum bar reinforcement riveted in. The top and bottom are both put back together with four layers of fiberglass and matting. Way too much work for a supposed to be finished part, but well worth it.