MALIBU 1980 Malibu 500 Cadillac

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500/600

Royal Smart Person
Nov 17, 2018
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I recently bought a 53,000 mile V6 1980 Malibu with zero rust and one old repaint. Blue interior in excellent shape, bench seat, column shift, manual windows and locks with A/C..

I bought 1985 Regal with a 500 Cadillac build that was unfinished about a year ago. It was a rust free Florida car but I wanted a Malibu. I'll sell the Regal when done.

The switchover has begun......not as easily as I had hoped.

1) Currie 9" braced housing with 31 spline Currie 9+ axles with 3" studs, Eaton true trac, Strange 3.00 gears, Strange nodular housing, and new 11" drum setup. Longer billet yoke to make up for original owner ordering driveshaft too short. Moser axles in the rearend had been mis-measured by original owner and passenger side only had 1/4" of spline engagement. DONE.
2) UPI lower boxed arms and adjustable upper arms. DONE.
3) Driveshaft Shop chrome-moly driveshaft with billet ends and Strange yoke. DONE.
4) G-Force crossmember that I had to fix because previous owner did whatever he had to do to make it fit. DONE.
5) Aftermarket driveshaft tube that I had to fix because previous owner did whatever he had to do to make it fit. DONE.
6) Turbo 400 (I rebuilt because at this point my trust was wearing thin) with 2000rpm stall, all behind the stock V6 for now just to put some miles on it while I redo the 500. DONE.
7) 15"x9" US Mag aluminum slots with Nitto 555R 275-60/15 on the rear. DONE.
8) 15"x5" US Mag aluminum slots with Firestone 205-70/15 on the front. DONE.

I want fiberglass front and rear 'tucked' bumpers. Any suggestions on the best fitting brand?

Now to lower the compression and roller cam the 519" Caddy engine. 12.2:1 won't cut it since E85 isn't common around here.
 
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ssn696

Living in the Past
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Jul 19, 2009
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Quoting 'Mater: 'A built TH400 behind a V6, now that there's funny.' (I assume its a Buick V6.)

Pictures, man.
 
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Ribbedroof

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Jan 4, 2009
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Quoting 'Mater: 'A built TH400 behind a V6, now that there's funny.' (I assume its a Buick V6.)

Pictures, man.

Bet it's a 229 Chev, that was in my second Malibu coupe, also an '80

And let me be the first....
:worthless:
 
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ssn696

Living in the Past
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Caddie has the BOP block interface pattern. Let us hope his has the A motor or he'll be bummed.
 
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500/600

Royal Smart Person
Nov 17, 2018
1,167
2,638
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West Virginia
It’s a 229 with a trans adapter. The only chance it stands of even pulling out of it’s own tracks is the 3.00 gears that replaced the 2.41 posi rear, the converter, and the fact that I’ll only take off going down hill. Previous owner put dual exhaust on it if you can believe it. That’s bound to be worth 50-75hp.

I’ll post some pics
 
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fleming442

Captain Tenneal
Dec 26, 2013
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500/600

Royal Smart Person
Nov 17, 2018
1,167
2,638
113
West Virginia
One picture

1548336690119.jpeg
 
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lilbowtie

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Jan 7, 2006
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Canton Mi
I take it your switching the parts from the regal to the malibu. Interested in whats happening to the regal - looking to build another race car.
 
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500/600

Royal Smart Person
Nov 17, 2018
1,167
2,638
113
West Virginia
Just a reflection from the wall......

1548347274099.jpeg
 
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