“Q-ship” is a nautical term used to describe a type of vessel that looks unassuming but carries concealed weaponry that makes it a formidable threat to the enemy. This 1978 Chevrolet Malibu could be the automotive equivalent, with the engine bay housing a big-block that will provide far better performance when compared to the engine that originally occupied that space. The seller has decided to send the Malibu to a new home, and I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Tony P for spotting this beast listed here on Craigslist in Tucson, Arizona. It could be yours once you hand the seller $15,000.
After spending fourteen years as a trim package in the Chevelle range, the Malibu received standalone model status for the 1978 model year. The company worked hard to reduce the physical size and weight of its latest offering to combat the inevitable performance losses experienced due to tighter emission regulations. The original owner ordered this first-year example in Code 11 Antique White, with the supplied images revealing a range of small paint and panel imperfections. Performing a cosmetic restoration would be straightforward because life in a favorable climate appears to have left this Malibu rust-free. The trim and glass look fairly respectable for a driver-grade vehicle, but the wider steelies and dog dish hubcaps hint that there is more to this Chevy than meets the eye.
The most potent engine available to 1978 Malibu buyers was the 350ci V8, which, according to the company’s Sales Brochure, produced a “whopping” 170hp. Acceleration was all that you might expect from a car weighing around 3,260 lbs, and the only consolation for buyers was that they received a beautiful V8 exhaust note. The seller and their father made this irrelevant in 2018 when they ditched the Malibu’s original engine and transmission, bolting in a 454ci V8 and a three-speed Turbo 350 automatic. This isn’t any old big-block, because the seller chose a Generation IV unit with the “good” cylinder heads for better breathing. It has been balanced, fitted with 9:1 pistons, the heads have been ported and polished, and an 850 cfm Edelbrock carburetor sits atop an Air Gap intake. The transmission is a Hughes Performance unit with a 1,500 rpm stall converter, while a complete UMI Performance suspension kit with poly bushes was installed. It is unclear how much power the big-block generates, but it is a safe bet that it is considerably more than the 170hp provided by the 350. The seller states that the car starts, runs, and drives well, and they include a large selection of documentation verifying the work. The buyer could potentially fly in and drive home behind the wheel of this turnkey classic.
The seller’s listing leaves me slightly disappointed because they have made no effort to clean the interior before snapping the single included interior image. That means that it is dusty and dirty, not making a positive first impression. Therefore, a deep clean would be the first port of call before the buyer compiles a list of the components required to lift the overall presentation. A front seatcover is definitely required, although the remaining upholstered surfaces look pretty respectable. I would love to know what hides beneath the dash cover, because there is a fair chance that the Arizona sun may have done its worst to the pad. I’m not a fan of the wheel, although beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and you may love it. I can spot an aftermarket tach, but it is unclear whether there are any other additions.
The Malaise Era was one of the most miserable periods in automotive history, and it is hard to convey to those who didn’t live through it how bleak the situation was. Imagine a time when the all-conquering Camaro Z28 would struggle to beat a current Toyota Corolla through the ¼-mile, and you will have some idea of the extent of the problem. The seller and their father have done an admirable job of banishing the misery by bolting a 454ci V8 into this 1978 Chevrolet Malibu. If the buyer attended to its cosmetic shortcomings, it would be a genuine sleeper that would provide the level of performance the Malibu badge deserves. All it needs is an enthusiast who can see the job through to completion. Could you be that person?
Wonder about the rearend w the big 454.
This thing is a beast and must have a lot of power. They really shoehorned that engine in that compartment. I also thought about the rear diff set up to!
This is about as mild of a big block as you can build, 9.0-1 compression, .459 lift, 200 and 215 duration at .050, 1500 stall converter and stock exhaust manifolds. The basic rear end was the same one used on almost all 3rd and 4th generation Camaros and Firebirds. The wheels are Rally’s painted black with 67 police hub caps. It has all the necessary internals to significantly increase power and performance with a cam change and looser converter. Wait until the rear end blows up to address that.
These make great race cars or modified street cars, they are light, sturdy and can fit a good sized tire in the rear. Even though it isn’t inexpensive its priced is at a point where it’s worth a look.
Steve R
A turbo 350 behind a big block won’t live that long. Had a turbo 350 behind a 403 in a Firebird and the tranny took a dump once in warranty (7k miles) and the second time (with only about 13k miles on it and just out of warranty) I hosed the leaking tranny off at the quarter car wash and drove it to the dealer and traded it in. I know this one is “built” and that’s probably fine if the big block is mild, but if you want to bump up the power on the motor to make it a “street sweeper” then it needs a TH400.
My ’74 bird’s turbo 400 & 400 tin indian are all original – except for the motor’s timing chain. 250k miles on them – & i dont baby them.
We 1/4 miled a 350 trans behind a 396 Nova for a number of years. Granted, it was upgraded but it never let us down. It was budget racing in those days & it’s just what we had.
You can build a turbo 200 to handle a big block
I doubt there was a “beautiful V8 exhaust note” from the low compression stock 350 with single exhaust, choked by that very restrictive pellet cat converter.
How good are those exh manifolds on this 454?
Looks like ample room for the 454 under that hood.
Heck ya! A warmed over 454 and built Turbo 350? Depending on the rearend info, this has fun written all over it! I don’t think I’d do anything with the seats except cover them in a Mexican blanket.
I’ve always liked this model of Malibu. They look fairly small and look like they would be a neat car to drive to the local cruise ins. Like someone said about that beautiful 1955 Cadillac in today’s issue of Barn-Finds, I’m old and prefer the milder, slower, easy driving version of cars, so I would (here it comes) put an LS engine in this one. I think a 5.3 with a 4L60 E properly installed with the electronic engine and transmission controller would make this a nice driver that you could enjoy while getting decent gas mileage. I suspect this one will sell quickly if it hasn’t already sold. I think the price is reasonable and someone will get a good deal.
When I was a younger stupid kid and had powerful cars like this me and my friends kept ABC used tire store on Broadway in Everett in business because we were there frequently replacing the rear tires from the burnouts we were doing, I remember the neighbor lady complaining about the speeding and my response was we aren’t speeding because we are only going 5mph or but the rear tires were going 40 we lived a block from the state patrol office at the time. So this is all I need a burnout car to get me some tickets or keep my neighbors mad at me.
When I first saw this ad, I was certain that it was a Malibu that I ran across outside of Lincoln City Oregon in about 2000, Visually, it is almost a twin, but the similarities come to an abrupt stop there. That one had a complete true LS-6 backed by a Gen Star Turbo 400 and a Ford 9″ hung with a 4 link set up. I have driven fast cars all my life and I can tell you this, for a street car, that thing gave me chills.
There was a blue-ish one of these these that used to cruise stump town street races back in the early-mid 90’s. David C, I think was the guy who owned it, and it was sporting a warmed over 454, with a couple stages of nitrous on it. The thing launched hard on the pavement.
No idea what happened to him or the car, but I was always impressed with it.
I don’t know if my comment will post or stay up but…..I live in Arizona also and have a 79 Malibu. As a rule the sun is not kind to the steering wheels and good in state replacements are very hard to come by. You occasionally find some on ebay but the sellers sure aren’t giving them away. For that reason I too have an aftermarket one on my Malibu also.
I recall that the RCMP had these as a police package (F-41). But the biggest engine was a 350…… you would think they would have had the sense to put in the 454…..probably would have had better luck trying to catch up with us when we were street racing in Edmonton!!