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86MonteSS
09-25-2007, 12:50 PM
hey guys, I have been patroling the forums and finally started my project. A 1986 monte ss, yes another monte. I am going to strip it all down put in a 350 bored .040 over with some speed-pro pistons and not sure what i am doing for heads yet. Have the tranny rebuilt, fix all the rust and rot in the floor and trunk, maybe a roll cage clean up the frame and underbody, put down some good rust paint and have a nice empty interior, notthing flashy just the essentials. I want to do some suspension upgrades in the front and do a custom 3- link in the rear. The car is going to be a daily driver that sees the the road racing track everyonce in a great while, so I don't want to go to really crazy. Any suggestions on some good suspensions upgrades would be great and any good tips to make the car handle when i want it to would be great.I am working with a extremely small budget seeing that I am only 16. But any tips would be great. Thanks, Tom.

This what I have done so far. It is going to be a slow process. But I will keep the updates coming.
My engine:
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/09/DSC03933-1.jpg


https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/09/DSC03936-1.jpg
front end off with engine and tranny ready to be pulled out.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/09/DSC03931-1.jpg

SicMonte
09-25-2007, 01:06 PM
hey buddy...welcome and nice project!! I have an 88 ss...with a mild 350 bored 60 over...built up 200-r4 trans...stock rear (im working on that)...but I have a lot of suspension done. The best bang for the buck in my eyes is the SC&C stage 2 kit. www.scandc.com. They are a sponsor on here. Some pics of my car are on their pictures page.

Marc from SC&C did my cage for me, the frame notch and pretty much all my suspension upgrades. Stage 2 front kit...belltech spindles...SC&C front brace...I made my own rear frame brace..moog springs...ZQ8 snubbers...vari shocks all around...I have a hellwig 1 5/16 front sway bar with a stock SS rear bar...rear control arms are the Cur-Trac ones from SC&C. All I have inside the car is the cage...2 racing seats and my harnesses...thats it. I'll put up some pics when I get home.

Now keep in mind my car not a daily driver so I took out the a/c and the heat. The motor looks really clean and very "open" with the heater box gone...plus it is soooo easy to work on now!! If you ever need any help...feel free to ask.

86MonteSS
09-25-2007, 01:35 PM
Thanks for the info sicmonte. Yeah my car isn't going to have the heating box in it either. Never liked it and just gets in the way. Thanks for the link I will check it out. How does you car handle? and i will take as many pics as you wanna give me. The more I get the better I can picture what I am looking for in my car.Also, what did you beef up in your tranny? and how well has your rear end been treated to the hp and torque?

SicMonte
09-25-2007, 09:25 PM
here you go!!!

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif


https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif


https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif


https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

86MonteSS
09-26-2007, 02:38 AM
Thanks for the inspiration! What was beefed up in your tranny, how has the rear end been with all the torque and horsepower, and how does your car overall handle? If you could answer any of these that would be helpful. Thanks

SicMonte
09-26-2007, 05:42 AM
Thanks for the inspiration! What was beefed up in your tranny, how has the rear end been with all the torque and horsepower, and how does your car overall handle? If you could answer any of these that would be helpful. Thanks


the trans is a 200-r4. To be honest im not too sure what is done to it. A buddy of mine knew a guy who builds them up so I gave it to him along with $1400 and a week later I got it back. I do know that it has billet servos...a better pump?...and a 2400 stall converter. Shifts hard and just gives me no trouble.

The rear end is the 7.5" 10 bolt with the G80 code...3.73 posi. Rear end has over 170,000 miles on it and still lays down two tire marks!! I change the fluid once a year and use royal purple.

My monte handles like no other car I have driven. The cage really stiffens the car up and the front suspension is amazing. When I first drove it I couldnt believe that it responded the way it does. It is possible to get these cars to handle well. If I was in your shoes I would lower the car with some springs...get some better sway bars...then look into the stuff from SC&C. They have some nice packages up there.

86MonteSS
09-26-2007, 10:54 AM
ok I feel more comfortable about the rear now.thanks for everything again.

Jim Rockford
09-26-2007, 05:09 PM
Hi and welcome ,you need to pick up some vortecs for that 350 you got going on , really help in the economy department seeing street use ,ther ea good head and cheap for the performance you got ,i'm doing a 86 ss with a LT1 and 4L60e .
https://www.pro-touring.com/forum/showthread.php?t=30976
ther eis just about a complete history ,i have the engine wired up and all the suspention done ,i'll update it tommorow.

TPI Monte SS
09-27-2007, 07:10 PM
Welcome aboard from a fellow Monte nut! I'm on my fourth one, and it's been built on a strict budget since I've got a wife, two kids, and a house. For what I have into it, the car handles great, rides great, and is extremely fun to drive. Check my website out if you want some more ideas (link is in my sig). Best of luck with your Monte project!