Possible Project: Keep My Ride

[PTAtlanta]

I've been leaning to selling my 1975 Monte Carlo. It's been fun and it's got an original 454. The problem is it just feels so big and sloppy down the road. The old suspension and generic whitewalls don't help, but there's not much out there in the after market. Does anyone have any experience building a tight street car out of a 73-77? Am I out of luck? :help:

[Twentyover]

"If you build it, they will come"

May not be much off the shelf support, but there's nthing scary about SLA front suspension converging top 4 link rears.

Go for it. You'll kick yourself for the next 20 years if you don't

[David Sloan]

I have to agree with Twentyover, an i have owned some of those years cars 73 monty, 73 ss chevelle 73 elcomino the cars really drove an handle well for the size they are.
They sux in the power department but we all know how to fix that.
go for it, if you like the car you will be happy with it.
If you want to jump on the camaro banwagon thats ok to.
But you know what they say about them ( they are like A holes everybodys got one.) an i have 6 of them. LOL!
I would really like to get another 73 Chevelle to build.

[shortrack]

pretty sure the chevelle and monte suspension is the same......check Hotchkis and the like......makea nascar out of it.....lower it down, put some 15" nascar steelies on it......275/50/15 TAs on all 4.....boomtube exhaust out the side......that car was actually my second choice other than my 69 for my build......go to www.howeracing.com they got lots of susp and brake stuff for that car that will fit in 15" wheels, lots of rollcage stuff etc.....very reasonably priced.....those cars ran 200mph and were actually very stock.......always thought it would be cool to to be out on the freeway and dust off a Lambo in a Monte Carlo!!

[TPI Monte SS]

I vote for keeping it! I have a G-body Monte Carlo, but my very first car at the age of 16 was a '76 Monte Carlo with a 350-4bbl and TH350 trans. I would LOVE to PT one out someday.

I recommend keeping the 454, do a head/cam swap, swap in a TKO 600, lower it down and put it on some nice 18's. That would be SICK!!!! How's the body/paint/interior on the car now?

[PTAtlanta]

Thanks for input guys. The car is originally from Arizona, it's solid overall. The paint job is ok and the interior needs to be redone.

I could go with the obvious and put in new springs/shocks/sway bars. A rebuilt steering box wouldn't hurt. Rear control arms are also available. My understanding is that the 73-77 front spindles have improved geometry to begin with. Is there anything else worth doing on the front suspension?

Also, how much tire do you think would fit in the wheel wells without any modification?

[andrewb70]

The 73-77 a-body front suspension is very similar to the 2nd gen f-body suspension. Keep it simple. Add springs, shocks, bushings, and you will be amazed how "tight" the car will feel.

Andrew

[RudeJester.s10]

My personal opinion is that these cars (73-77 gm stuff) will be the next build phase to take off from pt. Shall we call it "Pro-Cup"? Ive been seriously thinking about doing a real bad ass copy of one of Darrell Waltrips "mountain dew" montes.... heres some links for pics

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1290/1013191182_8a70b20b8c.jpg?v=0 pettys monte

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1197/1012296327_77ff2e7997.jpg?v=0 bakers monte (imo..that paint scheme would rock with no stickers)

http://www.geocities.com/lgsmirle/bertha1.jpg waltrips monte "bertha"

http://www.geocities.com/lgsmirle/bertha2.jpg again waltrips "bertha"

http://www.mlodeent.com/OLDSTOCK/88dwrr78.jpg waltrips round headlight monte

anyway you get the pics....i think i would do a more updated wheel, as the daytona comes in black and chrome and can now be had in 17" sizes and I would definetly not put all the stickers on. But front and rear spoilers, tuck the wheels and makie it baaaaaaaaaad fast...ftw!

[Roadbuster]

Keep it! On another forum there is a 4300lb 1996 impala SS that beats corvettes and Ferraris (sp?) in autocross events. See the link here: http://www.chevelles.com/forums/showthread.php?t=176176&page=11&highlight=tad+autocross+handle

He got a large car to handle well so there should be things you can do to yours to make it handle well!

Jon