1985 Monte Carlo lq9 swap project ironwolf

[ironwolf]

Good morning everyone, Im new to the pro-touring scene. I fell in love with a silver 69' Camaro in my area and it inspired me. Coming from what many here would call the "Donk" scene(Flashy paint jobs, interiors, built motors but oversized ungainly wheels) for those that don't know. I know I have some learning to do, mainly in setting up a suspension to overcome poor geometry, so that it can preform welll on a road course. I have 1985 a 1985 Monte Carlo SS hardtop that ive owned for 2 years. This is my second g-body.
My first was a black 1988 t-top Monte Carlo SS. it had a 450hp 355ci engine 2004r trans 3.73 gears stock 10 bolt rear end. Fun car. Lost it in a fire while getting floor pans replaced.


I want to go a different route with my current car. So I've been working on swapping a 2004 lq9 with 89,xxx miles on it.
so far I have:


Holley Midrise intake
92mm Rev throttle body
46lb ls3 injectors
Aeromotive 340 lph fuel pump
rebuilt 317 heads, 3 angle valve job, milled 30 thousands,
045 compressed head gasket,
Brian Tooley trunion kit, Stock rockers,
Howards .625 lift springs,
ls7 lifters, Meiling high volume oil pump,
Cloyes billet timing chain.
Howards cam 222/225 @50 561/581 lift 112+4 lsa 108 center line
Brp hotrods 1 7/8 longtube headers
Pypes 2.5 inch exhaust with x-pipe and race pro mufflers
2006 4l60e from SS trailblzer
3.73 rear gear
wheels are 30.1 inchs tall over all.
Psi harness and pcm
holley accessory drive




Anybody with a similar setup? If so what kind of power are you making? I was hoping for 410 horsepower at the wheels. Anyone have any advice?

Also im trying to decide what suspension set up to go with. What are other g-body guys running? I thinking Ride Tech tubular strong arms and Detroit Speed or viking coil overs front and rear.
This car will be my daily driver in the spring, summer and early fall. It will see the drag strip and road courses.

Here are some pics of the parts I have waiting for assembly when time/funds allow.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2016/01/80clear_zpsmfze6gdf_5bd09b1a541a3b999a3a-1.jpg




https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2016/01/8011870864_865820836827390_3138381264076-1.jpg




https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2016/01/80unnamed_204_zpsk6crgs7q_ba244e2f4b8968-1.jpg


https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2016/01/80torch_zpsvxewgalg_291aa31fae3845fa00c4-1.jpg




https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2016/01/80sandblasted_zpslx8uc7cy_6ec7c73b106b21-1.jpg




https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2016/01/80bracket_zpshnpcalps_6e247342f46e77acce-1.jpg




https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2016/01/8012088206_10153678806021241_77554403177-1.jpg




https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2016/01/80unnamed_208_zps8jvacyyv_8cd81a3692490c-1.jpg




https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2016/01/80unnamed_201_zpsspqkkmn8_24f24eb452853c-1.jpg




https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2016/01/80unnamed3_zpsae439112_7bd567f0b7ad6feba-1.jpg






https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2016/01/80unnamed13_zpsc5e0a192_46cb24861ef04194-1.jpg




https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2016/01/80unnamed7_zps0828a3d1_0357e32ae10055009-1.jpg




https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2016/01/80unnamed_209_zpsi8drjvrr_b686e66dbef244-1.jpg




https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2016/01/80blurry_zpsxcb4yvj2_15d6ebac874222c7eb5-1.jpg




https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2016/01/80headers_zpseupnerop_ea6abb46c71648d951-1.jpg




https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2016/01/80fans_zpsvvjztmwd_d2f8daffa2aac0c99d91a-1.jpg

[andrewb70]

Good start, and welcome!

You should look into the Holley g-body LS swap components.

Andrew

[SSLance]

Looks like you've got a nice start going there...Good looking car.

I run mostly a Ridetech setup on my G-body and it handles very well. The other companies you mention make nice parts as well. The main thing with these cars is to first correct the front suspension geometry, it is horrible from the factory. Ridetech Tru-Turn setup for the front is a great all in one setup. Going to coil over shocks at the same time will make adjusting the ride height to taste and performance that much easier. For the rear I like the UMI double adjustable upper and lower control arms with Roto-joints at each end.

What rear axle are you going with? Don't think the 7.5" will stand up to that engine for very long.

[ironwolf]

Good start, and welcome!

You should look into the Holley g-body LS swap components.

Andrew

I looked into them Andrew. Based on what I read,the holley components have a better drive line angle. I wish I went with them, but I already have brp hotrods crossmember and motor mounts.


Looks like you've got a nice start going there...Good looking car.

I run mostly a Ridetech setup on my G-body and it handles very well. The other companies you mention make nice parts as well. The main thing with these cars is to first correct the front suspension geometry, it is horrible from the factory. Ridetech Tru-Turn setup for the front is a great all in one setup. Going to coil over shocks at the same time will make adjusting the ride height to taste and performance that much easier. For the rear I like the UMI double adjustable upper and lower control arms with Roto-joints at each end.

What rear axle are you going with? Don't think the 7.5" will stand up to that engine for very long.

Thanks for the compliment. I looked at the tru-turn system today. and googled some reviews on it. I think im going to go with that set up in the front, thanks for the advice. Ill look into the umi rear components later.
I agree with you on the rear end reliability. plam on using a mildly beefed up 8.5 from a grand national or 442 cutlass, with a 3.91 or 4.11 final gear.

[ironwolf]

Looks like you've got a nice start going there...Good looking car.

I run mostly a Ridetech setup on my G-body and it handles very well. The other companies you mention make nice parts as well. The main thing with these cars is to first correct the front suspension geometry, it is horrible from the factory. Ridetech Tru-Turn setup for the front is a great all in one setup. Going to coil over shocks at the same time will make adjusting the ride height to taste and performance that much easier. For the rear I like the UMI double adjustable upper and lower control arms with Roto-joints at each end.

What rear axle are you going with? Don't think the 7.5" will stand up to that engine for very long.


checked out some your post. nice car!