I think I found ONE...

Hi Guys,
First I want to thank all of you for the support and comments !!! You guys are the BEST !!! It's looking like there is a wagon right here in the area...Take a look, http://tampa.craigslist.org/hil/cto/1413454280.html
The owner has had it for 5 years and has been keeping it running and making improvements as needed. But, doesn't really know much about the running gear. So, my question at this point is... Where can I get some info on a '83 Malibu CL wagon, online? I know it's a small v-8, but how about the rear and tranny? It is 2 tone silver and white, ps, pb, p-windows, door locks, etc, etc. I'm taking the boys over on Fri. to check it out and buy it if everything checks. I will warn you there will be lots of if this pans out. Let me know what you think... I'm really thinking of a little stroker (don't go there...). Will the frame take the power and torque of a 383 or am I better with a 350 (LT-1 style)? I don't want to intentionly tear it apart !!!
Thanks for EVERYTHING !!! all of you !!!
Almost there,
Bruce

 

Yep, that's the one!

It's got everything, and makes a very good basis for whatever mods you want to do. Don't worry about the chassis handling a 383 stroker - lots of guys have put big blocks in them with no problem. You may have to upgrade the rear end of course.

 

http://www.stationwagonforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5836

There's some G body wagons in this link that are drag cars. They are essentially stock suspension cars being a stock eliminator car and not allowed to modify the cars suspension from factory design.

 

Those G bodies can take a lot. So go big block or what ever you want.

 

$5000 for a 83 with 130,000 miles? I hope he tosses in all you can handle pleasures from his wife for life for that kind of money. IMO the ONLY way it would be worth more then $2000 if it is low mileage with less then 50K on the clock. I would go over that entire car with a fine tooth comb and knock off several hundred for every tiny flaw I would find. I could understand if it was a LT1 powered car that is 16 years newer, but it is just a 305 with alot of miles for a 305 of that era.

 

Ok as far as driveline it probably has a TH350 trans which are good. I doubt it would have the 200-4R but if it has OD then that would be the trans. If it has a 200C thennotso good but I believe they easily swap to a TH350. The rear's in all wagons was the beefier 8.5 or so I have been told. As for V-8's it should have either a 305 or 350. It looks like a good buy, but I would still negotiate some.

 

350 was not offered in Malibu's after 1981, so "if" it has the original motor, it is a 140hp 305 LG4, TH200C and 2.56:1 was the common gear ratio used.

 

I sold this '83 about a year and a half ago for $5400. Malibu CL Estate, 305 V8 w/ all options, 43,000 miles, a Florida original.

If that Craigslist '83 is $5000, did I get screwed?

 

Your car was very reasonably priced, not to mention a lot better looking! The 130,000 mile one on CL is way too much money. There is 130,000 miles of wear on that car and being a early 80s 305, it does not have alot of life left in it as well as the puke TH200 tranny. The only thing I would trust that many miles on when it comes to a GM is a L05 or LT1 350 that are easily 250-300k motors if maintained properly. To even ask $5000 for a 96 RMW with a LT1 with that many miles is too steep. They can be had all day with that many miles for under $3000 and you are getting a hell of a lot better car with a beast of a motor.

 

Hey Blackfoot...

I get your suggestion about his wife, but I'd need a Big Ole Woody, and they'd be paying ME. She's a bruiser with about a million miles, on a 2 stroke engine, that hadn't had been serviced for a long, long time!!! LOL I believe the cowboys say it best, "Rode hard and put away wet !!!"
Hell, even at my age, I have STANDARDS !!! Low as they may seem to some people...but higher than our ex-president!!!
I have the option to start at $3500. with the car, and if it is as straight as he claims, it won't be much of a problem. If it isn't we deduct or walk...done it before, and I'll do it again! As my boys say, "Here we go AGAIN !!!"
The biggest thing I'm out for, is a clean, straight little wagon. There's a guy, a little down south, with a 455 (BAL. & BLUEPRINTED) in a killer Buick, 70's style with ALL the goodies done, and more. But, I'm not looking to get 50 miles to the tank, for a daily driver. When I'm finished it will haul the groceries and the mule that carried them in!!!
Thanks guys,
Bruce
Ps. To the guy who thinks he may have let one go too cheap, were YOU happy with the deal??? Don't waste time lookin back, you'll only get a crick in your neck!!!

 

i agree with blackfoot...the th200 is horrible. my omega had one....very weak even when in a-ok condition. first order of business should be to get a turbo 350 under it. it is a tank of a tranny. sure to put up with any and all you toss at it.

 

Wait are we talking the 200C or the 200-4R? I love my 200-4R. It did blow out the front seal but the early ones did have that problem and it is easily fixed. And you can't beat the OD.

 

They did not offer anything but a 3 speed for the autos in the Malibu wagons, so its a TH200C. I had a 200-4R myself and it has no problems when mated to a 70 LT1 300hp 350. They used them in the Grand Nationals, so they were a very stout tranny. I dont think I could handle having a non OD tranny, they just turn too many RPMs as cruising speed when mated to a nice low set of "get up and go" gears.

 

oh yeah, sorry stick, i was talking 200c as well. 76 omega 3spd auto.

 

I have a 150k mile th200 in my cutlass. To put it in perspective, when I dropped the pan I though ALL the clutch material was in the pan and the fluid looked like it was never changed. Low and behold, I have been beating the ever living crap out of this car for the last 4 months EVERY time I drive it, including hot lapping light to light and it has taken everything my little 307 can throw at it. So considering it was neglected for 150k miles and I've been hammering on it for 4 months, or ~1k miles and it's still together I have to say it isn't that bad a trans. I think it's a craps soot as to whether or not you get lucky.
(Next time I take the car out it'll blow up because I said that )