1978 Malibu for stock?

[jpalmer]

OK...just informed...its already a 1979... Who knew? LOl
I have a 305 engine now....just have to start checking numbers. How hard to find a 200 trans? What are they out of? Not very into gm parts...LOL
Hey, you people are gonna build this thig...not me...I will be the assembler. LOL

[Dave Jung]

You need to find a set of 450 heads with the big valves, most came with small intake valves. You can also use a 614 head. I use a 249 manifold. The 200's came in late 70's and early 80's cars. I'm sure not really one to give advice here, there are alot of fast guys out there with G-bodies, and they have alot more experience than me. I am new to stock racing as well, just letting you know what I run and what info I have picked up so far.

[jpalmer]

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]

[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.

[Ron Middleton]

The year modal on the Malibu isn't hard to change enough for NHRA/IHRA and finding parts are easier than some others. If I were to start from scratch I would spend some serious time looking at the classification guides and find a fairly favorable combination that won't be as hard to make competitive. Look through the qualifying and elimination runs from Drag Race Central and see if there is a combo that runs good that you like. The smaller carb and/or motors seem to be effected by weather changes more than combos with bigger engines/carbs. Fuel Injected cars are getting more affordable. If I had it to do over again I would buy a car that is already running and go from there. Believe me it will save you money in the long run. There areseveral cars for sale now that would make a good startercar. JMT.