1978 Malibu for stock?

jpalmer · 04-27-2010, 11:37 AM

OK guys...I am a super class racer and want to build this car to a stock class car... Just want to play in a new class. I have the car as was sitting. I want to build the 305 and 350 trans. I need helpful ideas... And any know upgrades that arent $1000 each..LOL
What 12 bolt rears fit this if any?
Would the 10 bolt hold up with a spool and axles?
What heads are the best?
I dont want to be the fastest, just run 0.60 under or so...

Paul Merolla · 04-27-2010, 11:56 AM

I would suggest doing some searches on this forum and in the tech forum first, before you get too far ahead of yourself. Making this car into a stocker is going to take a lot more work and cash than a few upgrades...especially if you expect to run 6 under! Remember, 6 under is the new 9 under!!

Wade_Owens · 04-27-2010, 12:02 PM

j, talk to Dean Oliver, Greg Turk or Billy Lynn. Any of these guys are very nice and helpful to get you started. 2 of them have Facebook pages too. C'mon in, the waters fine. I'd bet you will have fun...........and some headaches!

Wade O

John Leichtamer Jr · 04-27-2010, 12:08 PM

Don't call your car a 78 call it a 79 or later
78 is a 2 bbl engine.
10 bolt will work just buy the good stuff for it.

Hammer

Mike Galuk · 04-27-2010, 12:08 PM

I will sell you mine which is almost ready to go down the track for 10K. You cant buy the pieces to put one together for that. Good luck with whatever you do. Mike

Mike Galuk
JOE COOL RACING
M/SA-2000

jpalmer · 04-27-2010, 01:46 PM

OK...now this is not for class wins... just would like to throw some money at it and do a "legal" car and see what it runs, then start doing mods. I alway bracket race and never tried to make a car run fast. Can I call it a 79 without much effort? Anyone know what was different on them? I have to get a dash anyway...will get a 79 dash. Thanks for the info, keep the suggestions coming...
What # heads work the best...Intake #?

Mike Galuk · 04-27-2010, 01:59 PM

You have a PM. Mike

Mike Galuk
JOE COOL RACING
M/SA-2000

Ron Middleton · 04-27-2010, 03:56 PM

you have a PM

jpalmer · 04-28-2010, 07:57 AM

OK guys...thanks for the help. But adding up what I have and what I need... I will be switching cars. I think I will look for a 79 or 80 Malibu... Mine is too stripped and would be tough to rebuild. Plus it is a 1978. Soooo I am bbc'ing it for s/st ...
What is the easiest car to build to stock? I was thinking a 1976 Nova? Or is the Malibu better. Both are easy to find. I just want to throw together one to run and play with. Maybe a 70 ish Camaro? I have a duster I will finish asap and then will be looking for a junker to build. I just liked the Malibu idea...just too much missing. (No dash, wrong year, no interior..)

X-TECH MAN · 04-28-2010, 08:27 AM

[QUOTE=jpalmer;looking for a junker to build. I just liked the Malibu idea...just too much missing. (No dash, wrong year, no interior..)

It sounds like a S/ST or bracket car already. Best advice is to BUY a done stocker and save a ton of money, work, and time. It dosent have to be a killer car or a 67-68 Camaro. Id stay away from the higher classed cars in the beginning until you gain experience and see if you have the desire to begin a career of never ending spending $$$$.....lol. There are plenty for sale that will run 5-6 under and are legal. I would also suggest talking to some stocker racers at the opens, points races, etc. (they are very helpful.....some more than others) to gain some knowledge about how to go about running a class legal car and which combos are easier to make competitive than some of the others. Class racing is a different world than the .90 classes to compete in and requires a different attitude toward all of it. It can be very rewarding as in self satisfaction.

04-27-2010, 11:37 AM	#1
jpalmer Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 5 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	1978 Malibu for stock? OK guys...I am a super class racer and want to build this car to a stock class car... Just want to play in a new class. I have the car as was sitting. I want to build the 305 and 350 trans. I need helpful ideas... And any know upgrades that arent $1000 each..LOL What 12 bolt rears fit this if any? Would the 10 bolt hold up with a spool and axles? What heads are the best? I dont want to be the fastest, just run 0.60 under or so...

04-27-2010, 11:56 AM	#2
Paul Merolla Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Papillion, NE Posts: 610 Likes: 242 Liked 293 Times in 65 Posts	Re: 1978 Malibu for stock? I would suggest doing some searches on this forum and in the tech forum first, before you get too far ahead of yourself. Making this car into a stocker is going to take a lot more work and cash than a few upgrades...especially if you expect to run 6 under! Remember, 6 under is the new 9 under!!

04-27-2010, 12:02 PM	#3
Wade_Owens Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 578 Likes: 0 Liked 3 Times in 1 Post	Re: 1978 Malibu for stock? j, talk to Dean Oliver, Greg Turk or Billy Lynn. Any of these guys are very nice and helpful to get you started. 2 of them have Facebook pages too. C'mon in, the waters fine. I'd bet you will have fun...........and some headaches! Wade O

04-27-2010, 12:08 PM	#4
John Leichtamer Jr Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Orange City Fl Posts: 764 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: 1978 Malibu for stock? Don't call your car a 78 call it a 79 or later 78 is a 2 bbl engine. 10 bolt will work just buy the good stuff for it. Hammer

04-27-2010, 12:08 PM	#5
Mike Galuk Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 328 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: 1978 Malibu for stock? I will sell you mine which is almost ready to go down the track for 10K. You cant buy the pieces to put one together for that. Good luck with whatever you do. Mike Mike Galuk JOE COOL RACING M/SA-2000

04-27-2010, 01:46 PM	#6
jpalmer Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 5 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: 1978 Malibu for stock? OK...now this is not for class wins... just would like to throw some money at it and do a "legal" car and see what it runs, then start doing mods. I alway bracket race and never tried to make a car run fast. Can I call it a 79 without much effort? Anyone know what was different on them? I have to get a dash anyway...will get a 79 dash. Thanks for the info, keep the suggestions coming... What # heads work the best...Intake #?

04-27-2010, 01:59 PM	#7
Mike Galuk Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 328 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: 1978 Malibu for stock? You have a PM. Mike Mike Galuk JOE COOL RACING M/SA-2000

04-27-2010, 03:56 PM	#8
Ron Middleton Member Join Date: Jan 1970 Location: Jackson, Ms. Posts: 350 Likes: 183 Liked 12 Times in 4 Posts	Re: 1978 Malibu for stock? you have a PM __________________ #4892 J/SA. We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then, is not an act, but a habit.” - Aristotle

04-28-2010, 07:57 AM	#9
jpalmer Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 5 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: 1978 Malibu for stock? OK guys...thanks for the help. But adding up what I have and what I need... I will be switching cars. I think I will look for a 79 or 80 Malibu... Mine is too stripped and would be tough to rebuild. Plus it is a 1978. Soooo I am bbc'ing it for s/st ... What is the easiest car to build to stock? I was thinking a 1976 Nova? Or is the Malibu better. Both are easy to find. I just want to throw together one to run and play with. Maybe a 70 ish Camaro? I have a duster I will finish asap and then will be looking for a junker to build. I just liked the Malibu idea...just too much missing. (No dash, wrong year, no interior..)

04-28-2010, 08:27 AM	#10
X-TECH MAN Banned Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Lake Placid, Florida Posts: 3,203 Likes: 1,047 Liked 235 Times in 110 Posts	Re: 1978 Malibu for stock? [QUOTE=jpalmer;looking for a junker to build. I just liked the Malibu idea...just too much missing. (No dash, wrong year, no interior..) It sounds like a S/ST or bracket car already. Best advice is to BUY a done stocker and save a ton of money, work, and time. It dosent have to be a killer car or a 67-68 Camaro. Id stay away from the higher classed cars in the beginning until you gain experience and see if you have the desire to begin a career of never ending spending $$$$.....lol. There are plenty for sale that will run 5-6 under and are legal. I would also suggest talking to some stocker racers at the opens, points races, etc. (they are very helpful.....some more than others) to gain some knowledge about how to go about running a class legal car and which combos are easier to make competitive than some of the others. Class racing is a different world than the .90 classes to compete in and requires a different attitude toward all of it. It can be very rewarding as in self satisfaction.