78-82 malibu wagon transmission options

FED 387 · 11-10-2007, 12:26 PM

Regarding the 78-82 Chevy Malibu station wagons WITH a V-8 engine what transmissions STICK/AUTO were available in those cars ????? Or what trans goes with what engine (like a 305 with a 4 speed or a 350 with auto only) you get the idea??? also if you were to use a fuel cell and eliminate the stock tank where do you mount it?? can you put it in the spare tire wheel well and have that considered isolated from the passanger compartment per NHRA'S rules??? thanx in advance for your replies--Comp 387

Dave Goob Cook · 11-10-2007, 12:34 PM

Unless someone here has researched it, you might want to look at Maliburacing.com in the forums for the answer to the transmission options...I swear someone there said they had a 4-speed wagon, but don't hold me to that statement.
I know you could find them with TH-200's, TH-200C's, TH-350's, and some 4-speeds (Saginaw) in passenger cars for sure.......
My '79 coupe, 267 engine, came with a TH-350.

Sorry I can't help more.

On the fuel cell issue, as long as the cell is enclosed in with the proper materials, and isolated from the driver compartment (minimum .032" aluminum / .024" steel) you could stuff it in the spare tire well okay.
Not having a wagon, I'm guessing that the spare tire well is under the rear floor, with the wheel flat?

Dwight Southerland · 11-10-2007, 02:22 PM

Malibu wagons:
'78 was 305 2-bbl only, but was available stick and auto. 350 can be raced with auto or stick. Bobby Black raced a stick in J/S out of the Indianapolis area years ago.
'79 305 and 350 w/ stick or auto.
'81 305 w/stick or auto.
'82 & '83 305 w/ auto only.

FED 387 · 11-10-2007, 03:16 PM

Dwight if I am reading this correctly NHRA gives a factor for stock in the 82 & 83 wagon for a 305 manual----if that is correct what is the trans 3 -4 -5 speeds ???? or none of them --actually 80-83 lists manual trans for all the years what is the correct trans to use then???

Dwight Southerland · 11-11-2007, 10:08 AM

A manual factor is listed for '83, not '82. However, this is due to inconsistencies in the class guide. They also list an automatic factor for '65, '66 and '67 396 375 hp combinations and these were never produced and you cannot race them. The indicator of the available combinations on the '82 & '83 305s is that the blueprint specs list an automatic carb and that is all. If Chevrolet really did produce the cars with a stick, it would have been a 3-speed or 4-speed since the 5-speed was only ever available in the F-body cars. It will be up to you to provide the evidence and convice NHRA to accept it.

FED 387 · 11-11-2007, 01:07 PM

Thanx for your reply kinda what I was thinking but hearing it from some one more knowledgeable on the subject clears my thoughts on the subject---Once again thanx for your reply now off to the drawing board to see what we might do--Comp 387

11-10-2007, 12:26 PM	#1
FED 387 VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 3,425 Likes: 550 Liked 334 Times in 181 Posts	78-82 malibu wagon transmission options Regarding the 78-82 Chevy Malibu station wagons WITH a V-8 engine what transmissions STICK/AUTO were available in those cars ????? Or what trans goes with what engine (like a 305 with a 4 speed or a 350 with auto only) you get the idea??? also if you were to use a fuel cell and eliminate the stock tank where do you mount it?? can you put it in the spare tire wheel well and have that considered isolated from the passanger compartment per NHRA'S rules??? thanx in advance for your replies--Comp 387

11-10-2007, 12:34 PM	#2
Dave Goob Cook Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Indy Posts: 422 Likes: 0 Liked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: 78-82 malibu wagon transmission options Unless someone here has researched it, you might want to look at Maliburacing.com in the forums for the answer to the transmission options...I swear someone there said they had a 4-speed wagon, but don't hold me to that statement. I know you could find them with TH-200's, TH-200C's, TH-350's, and some 4-speeds (Saginaw) in passenger cars for sure....... My '79 coupe, 267 engine, came with a TH-350. Sorry I can't help more. On the fuel cell issue, as long as the cell is enclosed in with the proper materials, and isolated from the driver compartment (minimum .032" aluminum / .024" steel) you could stuff it in the spare tire well okay. Not having a wagon, I'm guessing that the spare tire well is under the rear floor, with the wheel flat? Last edited by Dave Goob Cook; 11-10-2007 at 12:40 PM.

11-10-2007, 02:22 PM	#3
Dwight Southerland VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Arkansas - In the middle of everything. Posts: 2,002 Likes: 64 Liked 783 Times in 195 Posts	Re: 78-82 malibu wagon transmission options Malibu wagons: '78 was 305 2-bbl only, but was available stick and auto. 350 can be raced with auto or stick. Bobby Black raced a stick in J/S out of the Indianapolis area years ago. '79 305 and 350 w/ stick or auto. '81 305 w/stick or auto. '82 & '83 305 w/ auto only.

11-10-2007, 03:16 PM	#4
FED 387 VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 3,425 Likes: 550 Liked 334 Times in 181 Posts	Re: 78-82 malibu wagon transmission options Dwight if I am reading this correctly NHRA gives a factor for stock in the 82 & 83 wagon for a 305 manual----if that is correct what is the trans 3 -4 -5 speeds ???? or none of them --actually 80-83 lists manual trans for all the years what is the correct trans to use then???

11-11-2007, 10:08 AM	#5
Dwight Southerland VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Arkansas - In the middle of everything. Posts: 2,002 Likes: 64 Liked 783 Times in 195 Posts	Re: 78-82 malibu wagon transmission options A manual factor is listed for '83, not '82. However, this is due to inconsistencies in the class guide. They also list an automatic factor for '65, '66 and '67 396 375 hp combinations and these were never produced and you cannot race them. The indicator of the available combinations on the '82 & '83 305s is that the blueprint specs list an automatic carb and that is all. If Chevrolet really did produce the cars with a stick, it would have been a 3-speed or 4-speed since the 5-speed was only ever available in the F-body cars. It will be up to you to provide the evidence and convice NHRA to accept it.

11-11-2007, 01:07 PM	#6
FED 387 VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 3,425 Likes: 550 Liked 334 Times in 181 Posts	Re: 78-82 malibu wagon transmission options Thanx for your reply kinda what I was thinking but hearing it from some one more knowledgeable on the subject clears my thoughts on the subject---Once again thanx for your reply now off to the drawing board to see what we might do--Comp 387