VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND NEWER 1971-1979 78-81 Malibu

Hello all,
Can any one give me a little info on the malibus of the late 70's early 80's? Are they interchangable as far as bodies go?
if so, what years? Are all these malibus automatic transmissioned? Did these cars ever come with bucket seat, or with shifter (automatic) on the floor? Do these cars incorprate frames, or the uni-body method? (Of coarse I speak of original cars off the eassembly line.) I looked at a 1980 coupe at a small car show last weekend, and I think I found the car I would like to restore/rebuild. Any information you might have on these cars would be appreciated. Last questionis... does any one know what the deal is as far as pollution stuff on cars? I live in IL.,if I put a 1969 small block into a 1980 car, would I still need to have it tested by the pollution people? well enough for now, thanks for any help, Gene

Gene,

The ONLY one of your questions I know anything about is the motor change question. And what I'm about to tell you MAY only apply to Oregon. I contacted the OREGON testing folks (called DEQ in Oregon) about putting a later model 350 V-8 in my 84 Caprice Coupe that has the original "high output" 305 in it. Basically I was told I could put any engine in the car I wanted to; but it would still have to pass the "original" 1984 pollution test / specs. That seemed like good news to me. I figure a "new" Mr. Goodwrench-type 350 would be cleaner than a 1984 305.

I wouldn't be surprised if most states are "about" the same. But it obviously would be a good idea for you to check with your "local" IL pollution folks.

Bill.

That model malibu and the monte carlo were body and frame,and the 78s could be ordered with a four speed they had buckets and floor shift autos.an in dash tack with gauges was also an option .the 305 with a four barrel and smog stuff ran real well the only thing lacking in these cars is an overdrive tranny.and a200r4 is a bolt in.

I ordered a 78 malibu 'classic' w/ V6 from the Chevrolet dealer in Seward Ne. I wanted a standard trans.I asked the salesman to order the car w/ a 3 speed floor mounted shifter.(according to the salesman ,that option was listed for the Nova but not the Malibu) The salesman was really suprized when the car arrived w/the floor shift. The window sticker stated 3 speed manual trans, but did not reference the fl shift.The car was also ordered w/ a bench seat,which still allowed sufficient room for the shifter.I still have the window sticker, but not the car. Mel Goddard

The 1978- 86 versions with a 3 speed came with the floor shift only. They came with the 200 and 300 auto trans plus the later had the 700 also I believe. They used 267, 305 and the cop cars had the 350 engines. Were also available with the 200,229 and 231 V6 engines -may have even missed one. The rust is their enemy. The rear sections of the frames rotted off plus the usual body rust. The Monte Carlo of the same years has more style and a longer hood, other than that the same car.

One of the guys at work has a low mile 305 4-speed manual. He believes that all is priginal, but I have not done any research.

Anyone interested in purchaseing one of these cars should definitely stay away from the 200 v/6 because of the lack of power. The 229 and 231 were both v/6's Chevy, Buick.

The 4 speed was a $125 option in 1978 - available thru 1981 - from my info. Was installed in .05% of the cars in those years.

My '70 Chevelle Malibu came with 350ci, bench seat, Muncie 4 on the floor, factory air but no power steering. I left everything the same when restoring, I didn't want a clone. I may add power steering cause with the big radials on it steering at dead slow is quite difficult.

My daughter bought an 81 Malibu with a 229 and 3 spd on the floor. She still has it and it sits waiting for my grandson when he turns 16. My brother repainted it about 11 years ago (red) and its been in srorage for the last 10 years. Very good shape.

pete

Hi Im new here and I have an 80 Malibu Classic Landau. I checked out some months ago an article about this generation in Wikepedia, maybe could be helpful for you. Im the author of the article in spanish, you can check it out with a translator if you want. There were some differences between american cars and mexican-made Malibus. In this country there were 350 V8's available for civil cars and different trim packages, I hope you enojoy you car as much as me.