Greetings

I'll get right to the point. I joined this outfit for ideas, information and whatever else comes along.

I've had a '71 Malibu for a number of years. It's a box-stock Malibu coupe with a 307, TH350, Buckets, air and dealer installed power brakes. It has just under 80k original miles on the odometer. I know it's accurate because my grandmother bought the car new in 1971. It's always been garaged and maintained properly.

I'm looking for some opinions. I've been toying with the idea of replacing the drivetrain with a crate big-block and all that fancy stuff or just restoring it. Having a muscle car really appeals to me but I don't know what it would cost for a 502, a 700r4, and a 12 bolt posi rear.

Any thoughts on the future of this project would be appreciated.

Heck, if it runs good I would concentrate on cosmetics and handling improvements- good shocks, lowered springs, harder suspension bushings, plus one or two wheels, etc. You can only go so fast before you get busted by the law anyway, right? And gas isn't going to get any cheaper.

We have a lot of drag racers here, and if you are interested in taking it to the strip, then a major HP upgrade is desireable.

Just ask yourself what do you want? A nice looking car that you can drive anytime, anywhere, for pleasure? Or do you have a need to race? Or do you have a need to show off?

Summit Racing:
GM Performance fully assembled 502: $7459.95
TCI built 700r4 : $1499.88
Moser 12 Bolt with Posi: est. $2200.00

Total, less shipping, ... $11159.83

Now add big brakes to stop the beast, big wheels to fit the big brakes, gauges to monitor all the expensive hardware, installation, nuts, bolts, hoses, fluids, radiator, etc etc etc.... the list goes on and it never stops ... its an addiction...

Welcome to the club!

I threw a set of Wheel Vintiques reproduction rally wheels on it a couple years ago with a set of Cooper 60 series tires. Looks good. The springs sag so it looks lowered, anyway. Rebuilding the suspension is something that's gonna get done regardless and I'd no doubt opt for for a set of front disc brakes. Ya know, I'm nearly fifty years old and aside from a few junk yard hot rods I had when I was a kid, I never really had a muscle car. 12 grand for the drive train really isn't that bad. Makes me keep thinking about it.

You've pretty much answered your own question. You can tell yourself that the "gas prices aren't getting any cheaper" and that the car would look just as good repainted and so forth with the 307 or 502, but you know what you want, or you wouldn't be asking. I'm assuming at your age (I'm in a similar age range), you have daily transportation? You would only drive this vehicle when you wanted to. Who cares if it it's going to cost you $10 to go to the local ice cream stand, just to show off your car. If the $12k doesn't scare you away, your almost home. If you have any mechanical aptitude, take the body off the frame, and do it right from the ground up. Suspension parts won't break the bank, and when you are done, it will be like new. New brakes & lines, fuel lines, ball joints, body bushings, etc. I started mine in 1994. It took me 8 years to complete, and more money than I would care think about. Last year, I pulled the engine, repainted the engine compartment and put a new cam in. I use 3/4 of a tank of gas to get to the track for T&T (2 or 3 passes) and back home. $30+ worth of gas and the $15 to get in. All worth while and enjoyable. If I don't have the $50 for the nite, I don't go. It's a toy, and I enjoy it more than any other toy I've ever had! I also have a virgin 400 sbc waiting to be rebuilt in my garage. The next spare $2500 that falls in my lap will bring it to life! It's a disease, addiction, therapy, etc. Get some books, order up that drive train and have some fun.

You said it, Thom. Mechanical aptitude....in an earlier life I was a mechanic. That's what we called them then..Mechanics. Went to tech school for two years after high school. I loved cars then and I love'em now. The Chevelle is just one of the four vehicles in my driveway. Well, actually it's in the garage while two 2005 F-150's (daily drivers) sit in the driveway. I kinda grew up on that sort of thing. A family member has been drag racing for 30 years and our relationship got me interested in being a mechanic and the high performance side of it. Spend a half ton of cash to put a car together just to show it off at the local ice cream stand or cruise up and down "Main Street" a few times on a Saturday night. Sounds like fun to me. Thanks for the support!

IMO, I start with the suspension/brakes, transmission and rearend...

If you start withthe 502, then those other things might give you problems ...

Also, you could save a few $$$ (IF desired) by going with a 454 instead of a 502 (and with decals, etc, no one will know the difference)...

Start with the safety items: Brakes & Suspension - front to back.
Then the performance: Axle, driveline, transmission, engine - back to front

Here is my 2cents... Hey U asked:) I was a very lucky 18/19 year old. I bought a brand new cuda in 1970. I had a new 1972 Duster 340 in 1971 (you know they came out early) I was a unlucky 19 year old and Uncle Sam needed me more than drag racing.. When I got home from the Army the Duster didnt run well from sitting... I got :angry: and sold it ... That was my last ride in a Muscle/Hot Rod car until the one I have now. I was 52 before I could afford to buy another one and that was only after the death of my parents (my now car has a Thanks Mom and Dad decal)


I said all of that to say this... I went and drove a lot of cars before I settled on the Chevelle I have now.. I would get in cars drive them and think OK this doesnt feel like I am 19 again and what I remember.. I had cash and I wanted a Muscle Car and I wanted one BAD.. BUT I wanted the feeling that went along with it more than I wanted a Fancy Car.. The hey cool car wasnt what I wanted to hear..I wanted to Hear the roar of the engine feel the G's in to the seat back. Since I wasnt brand particular I drove a lot of NICE LOOKING with OK performance cars/trucks.. I still wasnt happy.

When I saw this Chevelle I was like OK Car .. It was buried deep in a lot of cars.. The fellow moved two vettes/a 55 Chevy (which I had driven) out of the way to get to it . As soon as he cranked the car and I heard that rumble ,I knew then that if this car drives anything like it sounds I am BACK BABY. Well it did and I bought it and I have Not looked back .


So YOU NEED TO BE HONEST WITH YOURSELF and decide if you want Looks or BOTH. If you know you can be happy with a resto on your current ride to stock ,thats what you should do .If your going to sink 12 grand into it and drool at every Muscle car that goes by DONT.. It was a wasted $12 Grand..

I knew I would not be happy until I had a car that was LOUD AND PROUD and thats why I NOW measure :) smiles to the gallon and NOT miles to the Gallon

Thats my story and I am sticking to it

YOU GO & WRITE YOUR HAPPY ENDING because your the one thats knows what it should be :thumbsup:

Slodysco - I grew up on it also. My dad was a gear head in the 50's. He passed the bug on to me, but wouldn't let me take it too far. In high school I wanted to do paint and bodywork, which I had been doing in my parents driveway since I was 14. Anyway, they outsmarted me, and told me to go to college first, to learn business, and then I would know how to run my own shop. I graduated college with an accounting degree, and run a handful of businesses that I either own or have some ownership in. (thanks mom & dad) I am truly greatful, since I got to keep it as enjoyable hobby, and not turn it into the daily grind. I had my Chevelle on the road for about a year, when a gentleman that worked for me, let me know he was selling a 1970 Mercedes 280SL (2 seat convertible) that was in running condition. He didn't want to put anymore money in it. He owned it since the mid 80's. After much research, I couldn't pass up the deal. I did the necessary repairs to make it safe & roadworthy, and have been driving it for the last 3 years. I will restore it when it won't get me around anymore. The money I will need to invest to restore this car, makes the Chevelle look cheap! ($160 for a piston). Anyway, I have been messing with cars since I was 14, when they did call mechanics, mechanics. I enjoy it and have always taken pride in the vehicles that I have worked on. Good Luck!

I bought a survivor, numbers matching 1970 Chevelle with 51,000 original miles. 307, PG tranny, immaculate inside and out. 1st thing I did was lay in a 350/300hp motor, headers and duals. I will keep all of the original stuff, but for now I want MORE POWER! Do what will make you happy.

You've got a survivor car and all the history that goes with it. I'd keep it as is. But, if you "must" swap out that drive train keep the original then you can always go back.

You've got a survivor car and all the history that goes with it. I'd keep it as is. But, if you "must" swap out that drive train keep the original then you can always go back.

Just doing the motor and I am definitely keeping the original one. I even replaced all of the accessories (alt., starter, etc.) so the originals are being saved. I have every state inspection receipt the car had since day one. What that means is I can tell you the miles put on the car by year. I'm not going to mess it up.