1979 Malibu

[TireSmoker]

Well sports fans, I pulled the trigger and bought myself a drag roller. This is a 1979 Malibu that I found on the Ohio Drag Race Parts group on Facebook. I had seen the car, and BP had also sent it to me through messenger (not knowing I had already seen it). BP was too busy to make the trek to go look at it, down in Killbuck, OH, so I called Andy and he said he was up for some adventure. We took his trailer too.

I got cold feet about putting a cage in my Chevelle to go fast, so this was the answer. Its got some decent usable parts, its solid, there's a good 6pt bar in there, two nice racing seats, brand new seat belts good through 2023, Ford 8.8 rear w/4.10s. There were some electronics in the car that I negotiated out the the deal to lower the price a bit -- a programmable MSD box, HVC-2 coil, MSD Grid, and a delay box. With the EFI, I def wasnt going to need the MSD stuff. I'm gonna put the new engine from the Chevelle in here, and put my ZZ383 back in the Chevelle and keep it a nice street car.

I'm gonna have a crowded garage this winter, but the plan is to sell the '90 Vette to make room.

-Dave

[TheRookie]

Orange you glad Andy and his trailer were available? Looks awesome! What’s the weight difference and thus the expected times?

[TireSmoker]

I believe he said the race weight w/him (270lbs) was 3200. If the car is 2900 w/ drivetrain, that's easily 500lbs lighter than my Chevelle.

-Dave

[MostMint]

This is a southern car that spent a lot of time in the sun. Original interior parts are pretty well baked but frame and floor pans look real clean and solid. The whole rear end setup is about as good as it gets short of back halving the car and it's already run low 10's.

Thinking about this Dave - the car should probably have an external kill switch, battery in the trunk and a small fire extinguisher onboard.

[TireSmoker]

Yep, Battery to trunk is prob one of the first things I'll do. I think I could get rid of the inner fenders if I do that. Never done one of those before, nor a kill switch, but should be pretty straightforward. Looking forward to this build.

-Dave

[MostMint]

Not sure what the rules are about the kill switch, but shortly after that comes the wheelie bars and drag chute

[TireSmoker]

Couple more pics, rear suspension and the crappy dash pad -- probably the ugliest part of the car. I'll get some engine bay and trunk photos soon.

[Fred32v]

OK, it could be ready for TRP in March, right! Well, now I know someone with a real "Drag Race" car.
Can't wait to see it make a pass. Really smart move saving the Chevelle, '79 Malibu, a great choice!

[Blue_69_malibu]

I hereby nickname this car......"The Browns Helmet".

I dig it!

[MostMint]

I hereby nickname this car......"The Browns Helmet".

I dig it!

I do not advise naming this car anything to do with the factory of sadness. Don’t want to wait 5+ decades to win a championship with it!

[TireSmoker]

Initial To Do List:

*) Move seat forward -- although, oddly enough, I havent actually sat in it yet. But we all know..
*) Trunk mount battery / kill switch
*) Replace front control arm bushings
*) Investigate fuel cell and fuel plumbing options -- 10gallon?
*) Need to find out correct motor mounts (engine side)
*) Get a copy of ignition key

The other (potential) issue is the rear tire clearance. It's REALLY close, but prev owner raced it with this same size tire. I might need to roll one of the fender lips.

For now, it's just sitting on the trailer outside. I need to finish the Megasquirt upgrade on the Saturn before I can roll the Maliboost / Malibuust (yes/no?) into Tiresmoke Central.

-Dave

[MostMint]

Maliboost has some style!

I keep thinking about the cow in the Experian Boooost commercials. Can't see it as a good tie in though

[Blue_69_malibu]

I like Maliboost. Excellent word play!

[GMJohnny]

I hereby nickname this car......"The Browns Helmet".

I dig it!

I’m voting for “Bow Tie Fringe” or maybe “Boost-a-tic Fringe”!!

GM

[TireSmoker]

Gwen think we're all dorks for naming it, haha.. As a nurse, she said boost made her think of that old people supplement too.

My neighbor Jerry txt'd me and said "I like the pumpkin you picked out for Halloween!"

-Dave