79 Malibu how do I get this stance the correct way

[Irishspring46]

Looks like you will need more backspacing on the rear wheels to drop it down more. 4.25 seems to be the magic number. I've run 4.5 and needed a little spacer to bring it off the frame rail. your car may have station wagon springs in the rear to keep it jacked up to clear the tires. Try a set of standard springs and it should bring it down. Also try loosening the bushing bolts with the weight of the car on them and then tighten them back up. This was new stock springs and a 255/60-15 tire. It looked like it was an inch or so lower with old springs. View attachment 242631

What do you recommend I go for changing first, the springs? If so just oem 79 Malibu springs? I’m not really sure the backspacing on my wheels right now. They seem to sit quite far out now although I am running 275 tires. And if I change the rear springs will I have to change the front springs to the same springs and spring rate?

 

[bracketchev1221]

What do you recommend I go for changing first, the springs? If so just oem 79 Malibu springs? I’m not really sure the backspacing on my wheels right now. They seem to sit quite far out now although I am running 275 tires. And if I change the rear springs will I have to change the front springs to the same springs and spring rate?

I will be honest, I don't know that a 275 tire can be tucked up under a malibu without some work. I have seen a few cars with 275/60's on them but the car is up in the air. You have to get the back spacing just right and cut a lot of the fender lip off. Even go as far as notching the frame rail. I have run the 255's on mine for that reason. Based on the pictures, I would guess your wheels are 3.5" backspacing and won't work for what you want to do. The front and rear springs are different styles, so they are not the same and no, they don't have to be the same spring rate. A lot of times, the front springs are heavier to hold the concentrated weight of the engine. Front springs are a little easier as they are a straight wound coil, so you can jut trim a coil off to lower the car. The rears are smaller coils at the ends to fit the spring seat, so you can't just cut them.

 

[scoti]

I will be honest, I don't know that a 275 tire can be tucked up under a malibu without some work. I have seen a few cars with 275/60's on them but the car is up in the air. You have to get the back spacing just right and cut a lot of the fender lip off. Even go as far as notching the frame rail. I have run the 255's on mine for that reason. Based on the pictures, I would guess your wheels are 3.5" backspacing and won't work for what you want to do. The front and rear springs are different styles, so they are not the same and no, they don't have to be the same spring rate. A lot of times, the front springs are heavier to hold the concentrated weight of the engine. Front springs are a little easier as they are a straight wound coil, so you can jut trim a coil off to lower the car. The rears are smaller coils at the ends to fit the spring seat, so you can't just cut them.

You can cut them.

If you do, you need to verify they're correctly sitting in the upper pocket any time the vehicle is lifted and or rear suspension see excess droop. There will also be a concern if too much is cut off & the suspension overextends. I've cut rear coils on multiple g-bodys w/o issue following the above described watchouts.

 

[Irishspring46]

I will be honest, I don't know that a 275 tire can be tucked up under a malibu without some work. I have seen a few cars with 275/60's on them but the car is up in the air. You have to get the back spacing just right and cut a lot of the fender lip off. Even go as far as notching the frame rail. I have run the 255's on mine for that reason. Based on the pictures, I would guess your wheels are 3.5" backspacing and won't work for what you want to do. The front and rear springs are different styles, so they are not the same and no, they don't have to be the same spring rate. A lot of times, the front springs are heavier to hold the concentrated weight of the engine. Front springs are a little easier as they are a straight wound coil, so you can jut trim a coil off to lower the car. The rears are smaller coils at the ends to fit the spring seat, so you can't just cut them.

I have 275s on the car now not sure on the rest of the tire specs (it has a grand national rear end) if that changes anything as well, I am concerned though if I do cut a coil/change springs that my outer sidewall will rub on the fender lip, when I get a chance I’ll see if I can somehow jack the rear end up to see if it’ll rub. This weekend I’m gonna check everything out.

 

[bracketchev1221]

I have 275s on the car now not sure on the rest of the tire specs (it has a grand national rear end) if that changes anything as well, I am concerned though if I do cut a coil/change springs that my outer sidewall will rub on the fender lip, when I get a chance I’ll see if I can somehow jack the rear end up to see if it’ll rub. This weekend I’m gonna check everything out.

Support the frame on jackstands and let the rear hang so you can take the rear springs out. Then jack the rear housing up and see where the tire will contact.

 

[clean8485]

Another thing to keep in mind, is that the rear axle in the A/G body cars is not always 100% centered on the frame. I have a set of the Year One 17" rims that are 8" on the front, and 9" on the rear. I'm running a 255/50R17 tire on the rear rims. The backspace on the rear 9" rims is 5". On my 1980 Malibu, the left rear tire cleared the frame, and the right rear tire would just touch the frame rail and inner wheel tub, and that was with a 7/32" spacer on both rear wheels. I installed the same wheel & tire combo on my '84 Monte SS, with the same spacers, and the tires clear the frame rails on both sides. Not by much, but they clear. You can use adjustable upper rear control arms to help to center the rear axle on the frame.

 

[Ribbedroof]

In my experience 275 60-15 are not going to fit inside the wheel well without altering something on the Malibu. Additionally I think a 28 inch tall tire just looks too large. 27 inch tire (typically a 255 60-15) looks good ,fits well it doesn’t really give you any cause for fitment problems, assuming it’s on a 0 offset 8 inch wheel.The above is based on the three coupes and four station wagons that I’ve owned over the years, all Malibu’s. OK two of the wagons were 83 Bonnevilles but they’re the same thing

 

[64nailhead]

The easy way is do a frame notch and then install coilovers with adjustable shock mounts. I use the term 'easy' loosely.

You can roll the inner part of the wheel well for another 1/4-1/2" of clearance. Be careful of getting extremely close to the frame with rubber bushings if racing. The last thing you need to have occur at the track is the tire to frame emergency brake - ask me how I know. I've never owned or worked on a Malibu, but a newer Regal and Monte Carlo can fit a 275 inside the wheel well - barely. My son ad an '80 Cutlass and they would not fit. But a 3/4-1" frame notch would've been enough to make it happen.

p.s. - I think a 275 looks at home on the back of a G 😉

 

[Ribbedroof]

p.s. - I think a 275 looks at home on the back of a G 😉

On a car with the rounder wheelwells, it's fine. The flat-top Malibu well just doesn't look right to me with 28", but YMMV