the Final word

[erikwst]

I've owned my 80 Malibu wagon for the past 24 years and have wanted to do something with it but with 3 kids and a mortgage I could never really afford it. A couple of weeks ago I won a bunch of money in the state lottery so now it's time. After paying off everything (except the house) I have 3 to 4,000 to spend on the wagon. I bought a newly built 406 small block for 1300.00 and want to spend the rest wisely as I probably won't get lucky again.
Over the past several months I've searching the forums looking for info on headers and crossmembers.
In the next couple of weeks I'm putting the 406 in the wagon, I want to use shortie headers with a full exhaust. I don't want full length headers, I've had them before and they just seem to get bashed flat during daily driving. The question is, which shorties will fit the best and are the easiest to install. I've looked at Patriot and some others but not sure if they will fit correctly as they seem to be somewhat generic. I don't want to spend 3 or 400.00 on ceramic coating.
I also want to use 2.5 or 3 in exhaust into Magnaflow mufflers, will this be to much or not enough. I don't know much about exhaust so any input would be helpfill.
The next thing is a new crossmember. The biggest reason is for the dual exhaust. I've seen several discussed on the forum but not sure which one I need. I'm going to keep the TH350 for now but will probably change to a 700r or maybe even a 4-speed later..
I don't really need racing equipment as this car is not a race car and will probably never see a dragstrip. It will be used as a summer driver and will be driven to some of the car shows in the area, within a 200 mile radius from home.
Any and all opinions will be appeiciated, any part numbers of tried and proven parts will really be helpful

Thanks in advance, Erik

[dropit69]

WOW thats awesome man..good job paying off the house first smart move..maybe do a search all over for a malibu forum..im sure someone has done it ..almost everything has bene done in the hotrod world...