Air bags for 82 Malibu wagon

Everett Vassar · 11-07-2007, 01:26 PM

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?

greg fulk · 11-07-2007, 02:25 PM

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

stocker4046 · 11-07-2007, 07:12 PM

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.

Jeff Goss · 11-07-2007, 08:37 PM

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

greg fulk · 11-08-2007, 03:02 AM

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.

Signman · 11-08-2007, 09:21 AM

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.

Greg Barsamian · 11-08-2007, 09:53 AM

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

Bob Gullett · 11-09-2007, 10:44 PM

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

greg fulk · 11-10-2007, 05:13 AM

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

11-07-2007, 01:26 PM	#1
Everett Vassar Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Kennedale,Tx Posts: 227 Likes: 0 Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts	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?

11-07-2007, 02:25 PM	#2
greg fulk VIP Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: jackson Posts: 1,165 Likes: 0 Liked 5 Times in 3 Posts	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. __________________ Greg Fulk 308 308X P/SA "ALL AMERICAN"

11-07-2007, 07:12 PM	#3
stocker4046 Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Baker, Louisiana Posts: 47 Likes: 1 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	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.

11-07-2007, 08:37 PM	#4
Jeff Goss Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Burlington, WA Posts: 361 Likes: 1 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	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

11-08-2007, 03:02 AM	#5
greg fulk VIP Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: jackson Posts: 1,165 Likes: 0 Liked 5 Times in 3 Posts	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. __________________ Greg Fulk 308 308X P/SA "ALL AMERICAN"

11-08-2007, 09:21 AM	#6
Signman Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Lower Slower Delaware Posts: 493 Likes: 14 Liked 199 Times in 74 Posts	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. __________________ Frank Ferrucci ?/SA 1271

11-08-2007, 09:53 AM	#7
Greg Barsamian VIP Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Central Massachusetts Posts: 1,383 Likes: 608 Liked 390 Times in 84 Posts	Re: Air bags for 82 Malibu wagon Use the BMR Rear sway bar. http://www.bmrfabrication.com/G-Body.htm

11-09-2007, 10:44 PM	#8
Bob Gullett VIP Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 1,069 Likes: 41 Liked 414 Times in 92 Posts	Re: Air bags for 82 Malibu wagon We use the HR suspension. It solved all of the twist. __________________ 68 Chevy11 327 F/S Last edited by Bob Gullett; 11-11-2007 at 12:52 AM.

11-10-2007, 05:13 AM	#9
greg fulk VIP Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: jackson Posts: 1,165 Likes: 0 Liked 5 Times in 3 Posts	Re: Air bags for 82 Malibu wagon Thanks guys for the good info! Been looking for a bigger sway bar for the cutlass! __________________ Greg Fulk 308 308X P/SA "ALL AMERICAN"