1984 Monte SS Advice

[cstuteville123]

Im trying to figure out what to do to my car next. I would like some advice or even some tricks i could do to my car that would set the car off or get it to the next level. I want to be doing autocross events in the future.

350 bored 60 over
T-5 5 Speed Tranny
Ridetech Level 2 coil over system that includes upper and lower control arms
Ridetech MUSCLEbar rear sway bar
Iroc z28 front sway bar (36mm)
18x8.5 with 245/40 Black boss 338 wheels in front
18x9.5 with 275/40 Black boss 338 wheels in rear
Flowmaster mufflers with true duals

Any advice is appreciated!!

90946

[Samckitt]

My guess is a T5 wont last long behind a 350.

[J. Chris Davis]

Very nice! Like the stance.

[howehot]

First thing you need to do is what you are building the car for. Autocross, find one and start getting some seat time. Wish I would have started long ago. While doing this you will find out what areas need to be adressed. Steering, brakes, tires, that 7.5" diff are some that come to mind.

[SSLance]

Your car is real nice just as it is...to me anyway. But you can always do things to it to make it perform better.

What I like to do is drive my car quite a bit, even compete in it...and find things that I don't like or want to improve...then find the best way I can improve them within my budget.

You've got one heck of a start in improving your car over it's stock performance...but once you start autocrossing it, you'll likely find even more things it struggles at. Once there, there is plenty of help available here to help walk you through ways to improve on it.

[Ron Sutton]

If you're looking to make it handle & perform competitively as an Autocross car ... in addition to getting lots of Autocross driving experience ... you should read SSLance's thread where he & I worked out the suspension & geometry to make his car a mean handling machine. Go here (https://www.pro-touring.com/threads/98063-Need-a-little-help-figuring-something-out).

Best wishes.

[mc84_zz4]

Lance's thread is a great read.
From what I read in your signature, you have done some significant changes/improvement in the suspension already.
Some parts that I think could use attention would be:
1) frame/body bushings
2) add frame and body bracing
- underhood braces from Monte LS/SC on fender to rad support
- firewall to rad support braces 78-80 Monte
- radiator cowl x braces from 78-87 grand-Prix
- rear seat braces build or buy
- SC&C front frame brace (replaces f41 bars)
- build a brace on rear frame horns or find a gBody class 2 hitch (28 lbs)
- box-in plates on open area of frame
http://www.gnsperformance.com/products/framebrace_boxinkit.html
- Reinforcements on LCA mount points
http://tntraceshop.com/1978-1988_G-body_180100-180200-180101-180201.html
3) maybe look into a seat upgrade
4) replace steering coupler (rag joint) or upgrade to a jeep steering shaft

I replaced my steering box with a Lee Performance unit, it is a big gain in feel, accuracy, and faster reflexes. I don't think they get enough press on what a large improvement this really is.
http://scandc.com/new/node/246

Here's more info on seat braces, pics, etc:
http://www.montecarloss.com/community/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=994630&page=1

HTH

[BMR Sales]

Seat Time - Have Fun

Learn the Techniques of A/Xing - after a few A/Xs you will find things that you will want to change. I've learned from Experience not to throw a lot of Parts on a Car at a time, because then it is difficult to figure out which one made the most important improvement

[cstuteville123]

Appreciate all the replies!! What seat upgrades would you suggest?

[SSLance]

Well, the factory seats are horrible...but you already know that. I upgraded to late model GTO seats and LOVE them for every day use. It's a bit of work to get them in and they are a tight fit...but for driving on the street they are fantastic.

That said, a competition type seat that allows 5 or 6 point harnesses to work with them are also a nice upgrade. Since I'm racing my car more and more now, I've bounced back and forth about changing at least my drivers seat to one of the nicer "race seats" out on the market. It's a trade off as it would not be as nice to drive on the street...so I haven't decided for certain what I'll do.

[71RS/SS396]

Power steering cooler would be one thing I would consider if you don't already have one.

[cstuteville123]

Installed a jeep steering shaft today and WOW it made a huge difference with the slack in the wheel. A lot more responsive. Thanks for the advice on that. Next is interior i believe and disc brakes.

[cstuteville123]

What other seat conversation has people done? Just front seats. Trying to decide if i want to just re do my seats or upgrade the fronts and do leather throughout.

[JAWSS]

All good advice from all. I agree mostly on the body bushings, and seat upgrades. I have installed cobalt SS Recaros in my 84 Monte Carlo SS and 2010 Camaro SS seats in my 86 Monte Carlo SS. I love the camaro seats much more than the cobalt seats.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2014/03/0E5AD4FC65AB4E21A8B6EFD7C424B79170820000-1.jpg

[SicMonte]

Hey buddy! I would say seat time and seats in the immediate future. You have a very nice set up so far!

Here's a link to my build thread for info on my set up.

https://www.pro-touring.com/threads/67083-Project-SicMonte

[cstuteville123]

Keep the blue interior in my car or go with black or grey!? I will be re doing my seats in the near future and trying to decide whether to keep the factory SS blue interior and just upgrade it with leather or turn to a grey or black interior and paint the trims and dash plus new carpet! Let me know opinions!

[SSLance]

I had a White 1984 MCSS with the Blue interior way back in the day and I liked it. It was real fresh though and looked like new. Sometimes the Blue can look pretty washed out if it's wore and deteriorated. How is your dash, still in good shape? If it is and doesn't need rehabbed, I'd stay with the Blue. If it's wore and cracked, then I'd do whatever color floats your boat.

[Josh@Ridetech]

Good looking car, they've always been one of my favorites! Just get some seat time and have fun!


Hey buddy! I would say seat time and seats in the immediate future. You have a very nice set up so far!

Here's a link to my build thread for info on my set up.

https://www.pro-touring.com/threads/67083-Project-SicMonte

Don't listen to this guy..... :cheers:

[cstuteville123]

Josh-- Ive been wanting to re do my interior for while now just on a college budget and haven't had the funds!

Lance-- When i re did the car i put a new dash cover on it so thats in good shape. Actually the interior is nice except for the driver seat has a come wear from getting in and out. I just want a fresh look and clean feel inside. Maybe something different then everyone. Been looking at seats and dang there high!! I hate to re do my seats in leather and be disappointed with the looks or ride.

[SSLance]

I would never spend any money redoing the stock seats, they flat out suck.

I've got right at $1,000 in my front GTO seats, $500 for the seats, $425 to recover them to match and some costs building the brackets to mount them. I've seen the Blue GTO seats in a blue interior MCSS and they look pretty good (no need to recover them if you can get past the GTO logo stitched in them).

I've been looking at new seats myself, trying to decide what I can to do incorporate some 5 or 6 point belts into the car and I agree...they are pricey. Like with my GTO seats though, they are the point where your body connects to the car and typically you'll spend a fair amount of time sitting in them, that makes any investment in them worthwhile. Seats are not a place to cheap out in a build.

[cstuteville123]

What do you think of the pro car elite series seats? Any experience or heard anything?

[SSLance]

I really don't know about them, or any others for that matter.

I usually work tech at our SCCA events so I'm in and out of cars all of the time with race seats in them. I know some of them feel a lot better than others, but I've never really paid attention to which ones are which. Since I'm looking more at them now, this year I'll pay attention to each of them as I'm teching the cars and ask the owners about them if I run across some that are nice and comfortable as well as safe.

[gammapunk]

Your Monte looks awesome. What is the backspace/offset on your wheels?

[cstuteville123]

Thanks bud I really appreciate it. My rear wheels are 18 x 9.5 with offset of -4 and backspacing of 5.013

[gammapunk]

Thanks. You got a part number/year for the Jeep steering shaft? I have upgraded my steering box with one from Lee (12.7:1 ratio), but have not updated the steering shaft yet.

[cstuteville123]

Go to pull a part or junk yard. It has to be off a 1989-1994 jeep cherokee. Can't be grand cherokee there totally different. Simple to take off and put on.

[bad86ss]

Hope im not too late! I installed Cipher Racing seats in my 86 SS. They are very comfortable for their style, feel great on the street. I am starting autoX next event, so I can give feedback then if you want

[bad86ss]

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2014/05/Interior_zpsydvjllok-1.jpg (http://s1010.photobucket.com/user/bad86ss/media/86%20Monte%20Carlo%20SS/Interior_zpsydvjllok.jpg.html)Excuse the mess...I had stuff I took to a buddies when installing

[silvermonte]

Those look like a pretty nice fit. What brand and model are they?

[bad86ss]

Not sure the model, but cipher racing brand

[bad86ss]

The brackets were a little high, about $200/set. I designed some with a buddy of mine and made them ourselves.