1982 Chevy Malibu Wagon Hotchkis TVS Extreme Kit Install - Chevelle

1982 Chevy Malibu Wagon Hotchkis TVS Extreme Kit Install Slalom Racing

1982 Chevy Malibu Wagon Hotchkis TVS Extreme Kit Install Stock Suspension Setup

And here's our starting point: vintage 1982 worn out Malibu suspension. Aside for the obvious aesthetic shortcomings, it also rode bad and had sketchy handling.

And here's our starting point: vintage 1982 worn out Malibu suspension. Aside for the obvi

Rodney Dangerfield couldn't get it, Aretha Frankin had to spell it, and Brittany Spears is struggling to get it back. It's called respect. It's also something guys who own wagons seem to miss out on ... a little. As an owner of an '82 Malibu wagon I know this firsthand. Yeah, I know they are commonly referred to as grocery getters, but I sort of like that term. Maybe it's because of all the cool, vintage drag race Stockers I used to see back in the day.

But in today's world of building cars, having that grocery getter handle corners just as good as the coupe it's modeled after isn't a problem thanks to companies like Hotchkis Performance. Their TVS Extreme kit for G-bodies is tuned and ready to go. It basically bolts up to our Malibu Wagon pretty much the same way it would on a coupe or its El Camino cousin.

1982 Chevy Malibu Wagon Hotchkis TVS Extreme Kit Install Old Bump Stops

Part of the problem was that the wagon was riding on what was left of the bump stops. We also found several other parts, like the sway bar endlinks, were pretty much toast from over 28 years of active duty.

Part of the problem was that the wagon was riding on what was left of the bump stops. We a

We picked up the car a few months ago with the idea of having a wagon for us editorial guys to haul a bunch of timing and photo equipment to photo shoots and car test days. When we purchased the car, we knew the existing suspension was, for the most part, original and it would need new shocks and springs at the minimum. But once we got around to ordering up the new parts, we figured it would be cool to go with a total sport suspension system and turn our work wagon into a hot handler.

We called the folks at Hotchkis and told them what we had in mind for this car, and after the chuckling on the other end of the line finally subsided, they realized we were serious. Actually they loved the idea of bolting their kit up to our wagon. They're pretty familiar with our driving habits so they knew the TVS Extreme G-body kit would be perfect for what we had in mind. They also suggested we go with the rear airbag kit since we'll be loading the car with some pretty heavy equipment. We also went ahead and ordered up new shocks since the ones that came on the ride were toast. They may even have been original equipment. Seriously, the ride was incredibly bad, unless you like bouncing four extra times over speed bumps.

1982 Chevy Malibu Wagon Hotchkis TVS Extreme Kit Install Removing Stock Springs

No need to bore you with a blow-by-blow recount of how we pulled the old junk off. We do want to remind you to take care when pulling the spring since the stored energy is more than enough to ruin your whole day.

No need to bore you with a blow-by-blow recount of how we pulled the old junk off. We do w

With the new suspension parts bolted up, the fact that the stock steering had a wicked flat spot became painfully obvious, so before hitting the track, we called up the crew at CPP (Classic Performance Products) and ordered up a new steering box. After all, new suspension will only perform as good as the car's steering ability.

Needless to say, after all the new suspension goodies and steering box were bolted up, we couldn't wait to test out the new parts. So we packed up our gear and took the car to our testing facility at the old El Toro Marine Base in Irvine, California. We hammered it through our 420-foot slalom course and 200-foot skid pad and couldn't believe the handling improvement. It's also important to point out that the Hotchkis Sport Suspension is tuned for every day driving as well as aggressive cornering, so we didn't give up any ride comfort on city streets and highways.

All in all, we were quite surprised at how well the car held up through the rigorous testing. Not that we doubted the strength and ability of the Hotchkis suspension components, but the fact that we were running some no-name-brand 380 treadwear tires on front and non-matching 200 tread wear rubber on the rear, was a testament to the quality of the suspension components. And it was all done on 15x6-inch wheels up front and 15x7s out back.

1982 Chevy Malibu Wagon Hotchkis TVS Extreme Kit Install Hotchkis Springs

Here you can see the shiny new Hotchkis coil spring next to the ravaged stocker. One reason for the bad ride was that someone had lowered the wagon by heating up the stock coils. This is a bad idea on so many levels.

Here you can see the shiny new Hotchkis coil spring next to the ravaged stocker. One reaso

Of course that got us to thinking, 'what if we had 18-inch wheels with more accommodating rubber on this thing?' Well, that's another story for another test day, but I'm sure that will happen soon.

So the bottom line here; don't be disrespecting the wagon. And even though our extra long G-body hauls around a bunch of camera equipment, it can also haul around corners with the best of 'em.

Here's the Hotchkis TVS Extreme kit for our Malibu (PN 89009). In addition to the kit, we also opted for their airbag kit and a set of Bilstein shocks. The kit comes with all the hardware necessary, but if you need replacement parts, like tie rods, be sure to pick them up from your local parts house.
Here's the Hotchkis TVS Extreme kit for our Malibu (PN 89009). In addition to the kit, we
Cory Bedortha, of Hotchkis, got busy putting the new stuff in place by installing the new bump stop on the control arm and sliding the upgraded coil spring in place. A large pry bar helped "pop" the spring into the pocket.
Cory Bedortha, of Hotchkis, got busy putting the new stuff in place by installing the new
With the coil in place and the control arm re-attached to the spindle, we then slid in the new HPS-1000 Bilstein shocks. These shocks have been tuned by Hotchkis to specifically work with their suspension components.
With the coil in place and the control arm re-attached to the spindle, we then slid in the

Included in the kit are new tie rod links. These replace the flimsy stockers and won't deform under heavy lateral gyrations.
Included in the kit are new tie rod links. These replace the flimsy stockers and won't def
The last step was to put the new 1 3/8-inch Extreme hollow sway bar in place. We really like the design of Hotchkis' bushing blocks since the extra gussets really add to their strength.
The last step was to put the new 1 3/8-inch Extreme hollow sway bar in place. We really li
Here's our starting point for the rear suspension. Nothing was broken, just old and worn out.
Here's our starting point for the rear suspension. Nothing was broken, just old and worn o

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see that the new Hotchkis lower trailing arm is way stronger than the stamped steel stockers, and this equates to better traction and reduced wheel hop. Plus, the polyurethane bushings are greaseable, unlike the original versions.
It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see that the new Hotchkis lower trailing arm is way
With the rearend supported by a jack, we pulled the old trailing arms and installed the new ones.
With the rearend supported by a jack, we pulled the old trailing arms and installed the ne
Installing the new bushings for the upper trailing arms was the toughest part of the whole deal. The old ones were knocked out with a BFH (big freaking hammer) and we installed the new ones using this slick tool sold by Hotchkis. If you don't have the tool, you'll need the BFH again, but you need to be careful not to damage the bushing while you're "persuading" into place.
Installing the new bushings for the upper trailing arms was the toughest part of the whole