Not a Regal, but pretty close...

Discussion in 'V-8 Buick Powered Regals' started by LaneSutterby, Aug 28, 2019.

  1. LaneSutterby

    LaneSutterby broke college kid with a love for fast cars

    Hi guys,

    I've been toying with an idea. I've got a 430 sitting in the corner of my shed, got the thing for free. From everything I can tell, it's a '67 model, with the 10.5:1 compression, 360 HP. It came with the ST400 trans, but I rebuilt that and put it behind the 472" Caddy mill in my rat rod project.

    If it doesn't have a spun bearing in it - hell, even if it does, I'll just throw in a new crank and send it - I want to build the motor up a bit, and stuff it in a car. Here's where this forum post comes in.

    The car in question is a 1979 to 1982 Chevy Malibu sedan (not sure exactly which year, I haven't seen the car in person in a long time).

    Correct me if I'm wrong, but wouldn't this be about the same sheetmetal and chassis as a G-body? If so, what all would I need to get the 430 shoehorned into the Malibu? What motor mounts, what radiator, what trans should I go with, etc.? Anything I need to take preemptive measures against, such as exploding differentials?

    I want to do a sleeper build, keep the outside basically as-is with the faded paint, pretty much restore the interior back to original, muffle the snot out of the exhaust, and have the only outward feature that might tip someone off that it's quick be some wide drag radials tucked into the rear slosh tubs.

    Thanks for your input! Sorry if this doesn't exactly fit the forum topic, but it's the closest thing I could figure lol
     
    Donuts & Peelouts likes this.
  2. gsgnnut

    gsgnnut Well-Known Member

    Not the same as a g body but similar. but those year malibu's make good big block sleeper projects.
     
    LaneSutterby and sriley531 like this.
  3. sriley531

    sriley531 Excommunicado

    I had an 81 Malibu for a short time (and wish I still had it). The sheet metal isn't the same, but the chassis pretty much is. Should be a fairly easy swap. Around here the g-body sleeper jig is about up though. Most anybody who pays attention to cars in any manner and knows at least a little bit doesn't go to sleep on a g-body. That said, you should totally do it. If I was in a position to, I certainly would.
     
  4. rus

    rus Well-Known Member

    That would be great sleeper package. I did one in a four door 78 century with hub caps.
     
    Machinefarmer likes this.

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