Air bags for 82 Malibu wagon
 

355 with glide 8.5 10 bolt 5:57 gears 9 inch slicks The car launches hard and burys the pass rear wheel into the wheel well and lifts the left front about 5" off the ground.When it does spin it appears to do it on the rebound.It has a little bounce there.I was thinking about installing air bags so I can stiffen up the pass side rear a little.Also how much pinion angle should I run?

Re: Air bags for 82 Malibu wagon
 

I've found on my Cutlass it likes 25psi in the pass side airbag. I think one on that side is all you need.

Re: Air bags for 82 Malibu wagon
 

We run with a full size wagons right rear spring and 20lbs (as 79 I/SA). Use adjustable upper control arms and find right angle.

Re: Air bags for 82 Malibu wagon
 

I have tried an airbag in my 64 Malibu bracket car, and it seemed like a band-aid fix. I had to add so much air that the right rear corner sat up a bunch. The body still wanted to roll over and hike the left front-just not as bad as without the bag.

I think the true fix is an anti-roll bar. Wolfe racecraft makes a nice one. It is more costly, but it will correct the inherent problem with a stock 4-link set up.

An airbag is much cheaper and easier to install, so you may well want to try that first. If the problem persists, go with the anti-roll bar.

Hope this helps.

Jeff
6990 SS/MA

Re: Air bags for 82 Malibu wagon
 

Jeff I agree the anti-roll bar is the way to go.....the air-bag is just a good way (for the money) to do some R&D.

Re: Air bags for 82 Malibu wagon
 

Before spending a lot of cash try air bags. The kit is under $100.00.
Install two with 20 - 25 lbs. in the right and 5 lbs. in the left.

Find the most basic (thinnest) stock sway bar and install it. Get one from the junk yard or a swap meet, $20.00. It bolts to the lower trailing arms and will aid in keeping them in the same arc and both slicks planted equally.

You need decent drag shocks all the way around. The Koni SPA-1 are cheap, $75.00 each, and pretty good. The rear needs to be stiff on compression and loose on extension. Lets the tire drop out of the wheel opening on launch. Does not let the tire bounce back up into into the wheel opening as it tries to roll over itself when the car moves. The front needs to be loose enough to allow the car rotate and load the rear suspension. You allready have all the glass so the front to rear wights should be favorable.

Have someone watch the car and adjust the right air bag till the bumper is level going down track. Both slicks should light up at the same time in the burnout.

Scaling the car would get you close before going to the track.

The chassis need to be STIFF.

Guess the Wolf or Alf rear suspension would be better along with double adjustable AFCO shocks, but the above for under $500.00 can be very effective.

Re: Air bags for 82 Malibu wagon
 

Use the BMR Rear sway bar.
http://www.bmrfabrication.com/G-Body.htm

Re: Air bags for 82 Malibu wagon
 

We use the HR suspension. It solved all of the twist.

Re: Air bags for 82 Malibu wagon
 

Thanks guys for the good info! Been looking for a bigger sway bar for the cutlass!