440 Small-Block G-body Runs 5s: Malcolm Storey’s Pontiac Grand Prix from Fastest Cars in the Dirty South

This is the series driving hard into the world of grudge racing—a form of closed-track drag racing emerging as a new standard in this “big engine” sport—and there’s no other grudge racer out there quite like Eric Malone. Join Malcolm Storey and Team 256 as they customize, restore, and create the Fastest Cars in the Dirty South. Season 1 is streaming on the MotorTrend App—subscriptions start at $4.99 per month or $49.99 per year after a 14-day free trial offer.

More FCIDS! See Tech Notes and Team 256 Info

Malcolm Storey’s ultra-clean Pontiac took more than a decade to build and features the only 440ci small-block in the group of cars we featured from Fastest Cars in the Dirty South. Although he grew up in the area, Malcolm didn’t become friends with the Team 256 crew until they raced in the pilot episode. “You know what they say, if you can’t beat ’em, join ’em,” Team 256 leader Eric Malone says. “Although we beat Malcolm in that race, we liked him, so we asked him to join our team.”

Malcolm’s first drag-racing win was in a 1970 AMC Gremlin. “I grew up racing anything that had wheels,” Malcolm says. “If there was a one-wheeled tractor outside, I’d race it right now.”

In 2001, Malcolm lost his grandmother, Lillie Mae Storey. Before she died, he made two promises to her: to take care of his children, and take care of that “raggedy ol’ car and make it the best it can be,” Malcolm says. She gave him the Pontiac in her will, although it was a rust bucket at the time.

Malcolm spent the last decade restoring the car, retaining the full interior with the factory dash, carpet, and door panels. He even recessed the gauges into the factory dash for an OEM look. “I’m a race-car guy, but I don’t like race cars. I like a street car with a race-car attitude,” Malcolm says.

Malcolm’s car is the most streetable of the bunch, and one of only two small-blocks. His trick is the time invested in researching the powerplant. He spent two weeks developing the perfect cam profile and then built the engine himself. With 13.5:1 compression, he drives around town on pump gas, but runs VP Racing Fuels C23 when racing.

Spoiler Alert: The “Black Mamba” Malibu was Malcolm’s slower car. Eric bet that with a couple of weeks of work, he could race Black Mamba against Malcolm’s Pontiac and win. He did, and now Black Mamba belongs to Eric. “Everyone wants to know if it’s true about the race,” Malcolm says. “It’s all true.”

Tech Notes
Who: Malcolm Storey, 49
What: 1984 Pontiac Grand Prix Brougham
Where: Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Occupation: Equipment operator
FCIDS Episodes: Pilot, 1, 3
Engine: 440ci small-block Chevy built by Malcolm
Rotating Assembly: Lunati crankshaft and rods with JE Pistons
Block: Dart Little M
Compression: 13.5:1
Cam: Custom-Grind from Crower; don’t ask
Top End: Brodix 11X
Power Adder: Pro Nitrous Cold Fusion Fogger with 500 shot; NOS Launcher
Power: 625 hp; 987 hp on nitrous
Suspension: Stock style four-link, Viking double-adjustable shocks, BMR antiroll bar, Edelbrock adjustable rear control arms, and QA1 adjustable front shocks
Rear Axle: Narrowed GM 12-bolt with 4:10 gears and Moser spool
Drivetrain: PTC Power Glide with 1.80 planetary gear
Weight: 3,501 pounds, with driver
Front Wheels: 15×4 Weld Rodlite Wheels
Rear Wheels: 15×11 Weld Rodlite Wheels
Front Tires: 26/4-15 Mickey Thompson ET Front
Rear Tires: 275/60R15 Mickey Thompson Pro Bracket Radial
Best time: 5.18 at 143 mph
Special Thanks: Crower Camshafts

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