1980 Malibu Classic "Madge"

[LS6 Tommy]

Well, after being a member for some time I've realized I never posted anything in any detail about my Malibu, "Madge". The car is named after my Grandmother, whom I inherited it from with 20k miles. It's a no-snow, almost never driven in rain, NJ survivor.

I'm trying to build my emulation of what GM might have done if they still made 454 powered Malibus in 1980. To make a short summary, I've removed the stock V6, rebuilt my GM LS6 454 with a full Comp Cams solid roller setup, ported heads with 2.25"/1.88 valves & a ported factory intake. I've replaced the supsension with Global West Delalum components, 12" 1LE front rotors & 1/2 ton pickup calipers, a 9" 3.70 rear with Explorer style 11" rear discs with parking brakes (I know, not GM... I ordered a 12 bolt & they built a 9" by mistake. I can't complain, they only charged me for the 12 bolt. LOL). I had a new front centerlink modified to allow bumpsteer adjustment since the B-body spindle conversion doesn't exactly have the most perfect geometry. I'm going to convert to a hydraulic clutch & reuse my M21 4 speed. I replaced the steering column with a factory manual trans column & a 1982 Vette leather wheel with a 1969 Chevelle Sport Wheel horn button.

In keeping with the GM OEM theme I've been slowly getting engine trim & dress up parts for a 1970 SS 454 Chevelle, including the Cowl Induction air cleaner. I will be retaining the A/C & the original V6 came with the same A6 compressor the A-bodies used, so I got factory A/C brackets from a 70's 454 pickup truck. They're the same as the 1970 Chevelle used, but about $200.00 cheaper than what the resto companies get for repops.

Originally I had 1987 Monte SS N90 wheels & BFG rubber, but when Year One introduced their new 17" "N90" (1980 Z28) wheels, I just had to have them. The modern rubber will work better with the updated suspension, too. Since I'm keeping the factory Medium Camel paint color, I had them refinished in the "proper" Solar Gold they would have been on a brown car from GM.

Most recently I got a Goodmark steel Cowl induction hood from a local bodyshop that is doing work for a friend's car & will probably do mine. I got it on the car last week, but don't have any good pictures yet, just a cell phone pic I took in the garage.

I think that more or less sums it up. Here's some pictures.











































Tommy