I like the fact that 78-88 G bodies are quite a bit lighter than 68-72 A bodies..so I'm contemplating my next project.I have a mild 454 laying around and a stout 396 (not sure which one to use)..also have a TH400 shortail.For a rear,if I can't find an 8.5,I'll go with an older A body 8.2,and get the Jegs's/SSM
kit to install one of the older rears into the 78-88 style.No more than 3.73's for gear,and I'm sure I'll be using a powertrax/Richmond locker too :D ET goal will be at least low 12's/11.99 and be totally streetable graemlins/thumbsup.gif
Anyway,I guess finding a nice g body to start with
will be the most difficult..I'm undecided on what to go with (Cutlass,Monte or Malibu) Can't be newer than 1980 (emissions exempt graemlins/thumbsup.gif )
For headers,what ones do I need to work with a BBC in one of these cars?
I also have built 455 Olds too..so the Cutlass route is even more tempting,with or without an Olds motor

If you're shopping for a cutlass look for one that has an aluminum hood and core supt. The core supt will have an "A" stamped on it.

Buick Grand Nationals had 8.5" rearends that interchange but tough to find. I had a 79 Regal but they are as heavy as an older A body. A 73 Cutlass 8.5" bolted in my Regal with shortened upper control arms and a shortened driveshaft.

Aw no fair you get to do it first! For sure Chris, and I would encourage you to throw streetability out the window, to a certain extent.

By my cal'cs, with a stout solid-cammed 11:1 454, and all the go-along stuff ( 8" ATI, suspension mods, 4.10s/28-9" slicks ), you should be running 11.5s on shakedown, and should be able to tune into the high 10's! Too many of those around here BBC'd and running 6.90 or better in the 1/8.

IMHO a MINT drag platform! One of the locals is selling his right now. 10K with powertrain, no trailer. He started with a 2K car from down south, 82 Regal I think. Its a deep plum/purple ( $400 special from a buddy), and looks really nice. Full interior. Bruce was running on a 6.90 dial when he stopped racing. EXTREMELY consistent racing and always in the top ten. Footbrake car. Hung those tires in the air everytime!

What's that equiv to 10.9? And he was running big heads and an "L88-type" cam. Probably never tried ovals and a smaller cam, highly intense, with 107 centers.

If none knows here and I can call the guy and see which pipes fit his Regal. His isn't the only one around, but the one that got me thinking about the platform.

Its the guy that built Lev's T350. ( which he was getting 3 seasons out of before re-freshening, racing twice a week!)

When you start working on those year models you got emission laws to look at for your inspection. That's unless you know someone or don't have those laws to worry about.

How much $$$ you looking to spend? My Malibu is For Sale and I can provide you with a car that has all the best possible parts in it, and you'll be running 10's out of the box graemlins/thumbsup.gif .

Car was built as a frame-off restoration. Every bolt & nut has been replaced or replated.

some pics here

http://www.qis.net/~geislert

Sorry, didn't mean to make this sound like a classified, but if your gonna build from scratch and make a real nice ride, this is gonna be cheaper.

Mr 4 Speed. You are in luck. A guy I work with's brother has a 400 short block. I am contemplating buying it from him. Anyway...

He has a 78 or 79 2 door Malibu with a small V8, (267 I think he said) a T-350, and a posi rear. He was building the 400 to put into it but he needs cash for other things. The car runs and drives. He told me that he'd like to get $1500.00 for the car. Since I am not a big fan of that year, I don't know if that's a good price or not and I haven't seen the car. If you email me, I can put you in touch with this guy. gmw468@yahoo.com

The car is here in PA. That's not too far from you in Connecticut.

Originally posted by Bad Rat 414:
When you start working on those year models you got emission laws to look at for your inspection. That's unless you know someone or don't have those laws to worry about. Emissions and inspection exempt 1980 and older here in CT graemlins/thumbsup.gif

Todd,I'm just looking for street car..somewhere to park one of the many $500 big blocks I have laying around and have some fun smile.gif
I'll do this cheap too..most expensive item will be the rear and the shell..I already have a motor (several to choose from) and trans.I won't tie up more than $2500 for the whole project.I'm figuring about $1000 or so for a decent shell,and another $700 for the rear,and SSM/Jegs kit,and the other $800 will be for headers,exhaust,and misc.

Gregg,I'm just casually looking,don't want to travel for the car,but thanks anyway guys graemlins/thumbsup.gif

The best race cars IMO are 68-72 Nova, 67-69 Camaro.

Unless you can afford to build a Late model, they're more aerodynamic.