Monte Carlo SS - Summer Build

[darkember]

Its not an F-body, but I think this build might be entertaining for some.




In 2001, I bought an 88' Monte Carlo SS before heading off to college. It allready had an LT1/4L60E transplanted in it when I bought it, which helped it to weigh in at 3300lbs on HRP's scale. After several mods, the LT1 eventually got a 13.7@102mph at Rocky Mountain Raceway(4400elevation). Fast foward a few years to 2005, and the engine siezed from loss of oil pressure. Since then I have graduated from college, pulled the car back to Houston, gotten married, watched the economy stumble, bought a home, bought a 32k original mile 1990 Pontiac Firebird Formula, and bounced around between several jobs while struggling to make ends meet. The last 7 years have been really crazy, but the Monte was never far from my thoughts. I have been saving my pennies and gradually acumulating parts on the side. Well, its taken 7 years but the Monte is now nearing the days of driveability and street warrior status again. With the history said, its time to talk about the build:

The Engine, expecting 440FWHP@6500rpm:



355 C.I.D. (Going for a higher reving engine)
Scat Forged Crankshaft 3.48 stroke
Scat Forged H-Beam Rods
TRW Forged Aluminum Dished Pistons 8.3:1 compression
Double Roller Timing Chain with -4 degrees cam timing set(offsetting the +4 advance Cam grinds into the camshaft)
Hamburger Road Race 7 qt baffeled oil pan w/ windage tray
Crane handles all Valve Train Components:
Retrofit Hydraulic Roller Camshaft 234/242 @.050, .574/.595 lift
Hydraulic Roller Lifters
Hardened Pushrods
Gold Roller Rockers
Dart 215 Iron Eagle Platinum heads 2.055/1.625 valves
Weiand Team G Intake(port matched to heads)
Holley 700 Double Pumper and Holley Electric Fuel Pump
GM Crinkle Dress-Up Kit
MSD Handles all the spark, from their Billet Distributor, to the SS coil, Super Conductor Wires, 6AL Ignition with Adjustable Rev Limmiter Box
AutoLite Sparkplugs(reccomended by Dart)
ARP Mounting Hardware
Ram Aluminum Flex Plate/Clutch/Pressure Plate (mates SBC crankshaft to T56)
Cooling is handeled by a Griffon 31"X19" Radiator
Exhaust is routed through Jet-Hot Coated Hedman Hustler 1-7/8" 3 1/2" collector long tubes and 3-1/2" Flowmasters







Drivetrain:

T56 From a 94 Trans Am
Eaton Posi w/ Richmond 4.10's

Suspension:

G-Force 2" Drop spindels up front
Moog 5662 Springs(These F-body springs provide a 2" drop spring for a G body)
PST 2" Drop Springs out back
Koni Specials on the stiffest setting
PST Polygraphite front end bushings
PST Front and Rear Swaybars(Eventually to be replaced by Hotchkis and BMR units)
BFG Rubber






Currently the car is getting cleaned up to make ready for the new engine. Por-15 is going on the chassis, control arms, swaybars and engine accessory brackets.





The whole car has a red and black color scheme. I am using the ropes to help me find the correct size belts. The A/C compressor is in the mail. Once that shows up, I can complete the belts and the engine will be ready for installation.





Alright thats enough pics for now. There are a half dozen unmentioned things that I still need to do in order to get this thing driveable, and a few more parts to purchase. I am trying to have it ready by the 3rd Gen Round-up, but no guarntees.

Now, missing from this mod list are the 3 final big upgrades. None of these will be done in 2012, unless someone wants to give me a truckload of cash

#1 Whipple Twin Screw Supercharger, and expecting 750hp with as much boost as it takes to get me there

#2 Ford 9" Rear End with 3.50 gears

#3 17X9" Wheels and 275/50/17 BFG rubber at all 4 corners.

This is not a 1/4 mile car, I am building it for races like the Big Bend Open Road Race.

[darkember]

Things have and will continue to move slow, but at least I have time to make sure its all being done right. Cleaning and prepping the chassis has taken a lot longer than I anticiapted. I ended up removing several components so I could make sure I did a good job. I used a wire wheel to brush off the chassis/suspension components(some of which had been previously painted), then I used the Por-15 water based degreaser. That stuff works really good considering its water based. Almost as good as brake cleaner. After that, I then basted it all with their metal ready prep. This stuff leaves a zinc powdery coating on everything, which apparently helps the por-15 bond. Here are a few pics:

Chassis brushed off and marine cleaned.



Chassis, prepped with metal ready.



Chassis coated with Por-15 flat black.



These pics are not up to date. The chassis has been since coated with their gloss black product. Also, the upper and lower control arms, spindles, sway bars, end links and hardware, battery tray and motor mounts have all been coated. I just have not yet organized and photographed it. I will do that soon

[darkember]

Here are some of the latest pics. The por-15 is finally done. Prepping the chassis took a lot longer than I thought it was going to take. The suspension components came out pretty well also. They were base coated with por-15 and then top coated with some of their engine paint. Also, here is a current, albeit sad pic of the monte in its current state.











It will run again soon... honest.

[one92rs]

looking good. that is the project i am saving for next year on mine when i get the engine built and the new tranny.

[Mancha87]

This thing is looking awesome already!