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Air cleaner decals used on
1970 LS3 400 engine
Malibu 400 Facts
Although the Malibu 400 was offered for a
three-year period, few of these cars still survive today. One theory is
that since these cars were already fitted with big-block engines, many
owners converted or "cloned" them into the more flashy SS models by adding
SS features such as domed hoods and SS emblems. And since it has generally
not been well-known that Malibu 400 models were available, people often
mistakenly assumed that the big-block in a Malibu 400 must have been
installed by a previous owner some time after the car was sold new. However,
with websites such as Team Chevelle (www.chevelles.com)
providing a way for Chevelle enthusiasts to gather and share information,
more and more people are learning that the Malibu 400 was in fact a reality.
1970 Model Year
The big-block LS3 400 engine was first made available
for production in all non-SS Chevelle and El Camino models beginning in late October of
1969. Rated at 330hp for the 1970 model year, the
LS3 engine actually displaced the same 402 cubic inches as the 350hp "396"
L34 engine offered in the Chevelle SS. Both the LS3 and the L34 were
essentially 396 cubic-inch engines overbored .030 inches to 402 cubic
inches, although neither were officially referred to as 402 engines in
Chevrolet sales literature. Aside from being given different names, the
primary internal difference between the two engines was a smaller camshaft
in the LS3. Externally, the LS3
differed from the L34 in that it received painted valve covers rather than
the chromed variety. The LS3 also received a closed-element air cleaner with
the unique decals pictured above.
Click on thumbnails to enlarge the photos.
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Copy of 1969 memo from
Chevrolet Zone Office first
announcing availability
of LS3 engine for order |
1969 magazine ad
mentioning availability of
"330-hp Turbo-Jet 400 V8" |
Unrestored 1970 LS3 400
engine |
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Closeup of "400" emblem
on
1970 model. Left side emblem is also slanted toward front of
car, and therefore was
different from right side unit. |
Build sheet from 1970
Malibu 400 with LS3
engine and air cleaner decals highlighted |
1971 Model Year
For the 1971 model year, Chevrolet was no longer
offering two separate 402 cubic-inch big-block engines. Whether a buyer
ordered a Chevelle SS with the base big-block engine, or a Malibu with the
400 engine option, in each case they received the LS3 400 engine rated at
300hp. Even the visual distinctions between the SS and non-SS big-block were
gone for the most part, as in both cases the engine came with painted valve
covers and a closed-element air cleaner. The one exception was the decal on
the air cleaner - "400" and "300 Horsepower" was used in the Malibu
models, and "396" and "300 Horsepower" was used for the SS. Also, if
the SS model was also ordered with cowl induction, the special cowl
induction air cleaner with the "396" decal was installed rather than the
closed-element type.
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Unrestored 1971 LS3 400
engine (note: chrome valve covers
are not original) |
Build sheet from 1971
Malibu 400 with LS3
engine highlighted |
Factory illustration of
1971 LS3 400 engine |
1972 Model Year
The 1972 model year followed the same protocol
as 1971, with a single 402 big-block engine being produced, regardless of
the application. The horsepower rating was reduced to 240, largely as a
result of GM reporting net rather than gross ratings of horsepower for their
engines. For both the Malibu 400 and SS models with 402 engines, there was
no air cleaner decal used to indicate the engine designation. Aside from the
lack of a decal on the air cleaner, the appearance of the 402 engine for
1972 was essentially the same as in 1971.
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Closeup of fender
emblems on
1972 model. For both 1971 and
1972, emblems read "Malibu 400"
on left side, and "400 Malibu" on
right side, with "400" slanted
toward door on each side. |
Factory photo of
1972 Malibu 400 |
Is there such a thing as a Malibu 400
small-block?
Occasionally the question arises as to
whether 70-72 Chevelles were ever equipped with 400 small-block engines from
the factory. Although the small-block 400 was released in 1970 and installed
in full-size Chevys, there is no documentation that this engine was ever
installed in
70-72 Chevelles. So, every legitimate Malibu 400 started out as a big-block-equipped
car.
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