Hey guys,
New to G-body's and looking forward to learning from the forum while tinkering with a new toy.
This 1983 Malibu Wagon (which I've dubbed "The Root Beer Float") was bought new by my grandmother in '83. She drove it for quite some time then it sat for a few years before gramps decided to do something with it. I don't recall what engine was in it (probably a 307) but he replaced that with a slightly leaned on 400ci small block in front of a strong Turbo 350. It has headers into 2-1/4" dual exhaust w/ Flowmasters so it sounds fairly healthy and moves down the road pretty well. It definitely gets some surprised looks when you fire it up in the Trader Joe's parking lot.
Definitely plan to stay with the sleeper / grocery getter concept. I'll make a post in the right section when I get a chance, but short term it needs weatherstripping all the way around and some paintless dent removal. Longer term I think it needs a posi, the typical suspension and brake upgrades (which I've already found some great posts about), another pedal w/ a few more gears, and maybe even some sort of spinny thing to push more air and fuel into the engine... we shall see. It's going to be fun.
I'm new to PDX so, if there's any local guys reading this, drop me a note if you have any Portland G-Body knowledge like where to get parts or meet-ups or what not.
Don't have any good pictures at the moment but these will give you an idea.
Cheers!
-G
New to G-body's and looking forward to learning from the forum while tinkering with a new toy.
This 1983 Malibu Wagon (which I've dubbed "The Root Beer Float") was bought new by my grandmother in '83. She drove it for quite some time then it sat for a few years before gramps decided to do something with it. I don't recall what engine was in it (probably a 307) but he replaced that with a slightly leaned on 400ci small block in front of a strong Turbo 350. It has headers into 2-1/4" dual exhaust w/ Flowmasters so it sounds fairly healthy and moves down the road pretty well. It definitely gets some surprised looks when you fire it up in the Trader Joe's parking lot.
Definitely plan to stay with the sleeper / grocery getter concept. I'll make a post in the right section when I get a chance, but short term it needs weatherstripping all the way around and some paintless dent removal. Longer term I think it needs a posi, the typical suspension and brake upgrades (which I've already found some great posts about), another pedal w/ a few more gears, and maybe even some sort of spinny thing to push more air and fuel into the engine... we shall see. It's going to be fun.
I'm new to PDX so, if there's any local guys reading this, drop me a note if you have any Portland G-Body knowledge like where to get parts or meet-ups or what not.
Don't have any good pictures at the moment but these will give you an idea.
Cheers!
-G
