16 year old with a 1978 Monza Spyder ;)

[Andreasu]

Hey : )

Just turned 16 and got a car (have to be 18 to drive it Legal in Norway, but got 2 years to build it up then)

It's an 1978 Chevrolet Monza Spyder with a 5.0l V8 (305)
Got some rust here and there, no big deal : )
Thinking of changing out the manifolds with Headers, but i don't know if it's enough space, Lods of things in the way as it are now : )
Just removed the A/C (Won't work, dont need it)

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/04/DSC01242-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/04/DSC01236-1.jpg

[6'9"Witha69]

Welcome to the board!

[Andreasu]

I'm really new with this car, worked on many other american cars before, but most with the Chevy 350 : ) Anyone got some tips about this 305, 5.0l? : )

[NOT A TA]

Welcome! I had a black 80 Spyder I ordered brand new from my uncles dealership.

[1971CHEVELLE]

Welcome to the site

[Andreasu]

Good thing about this car is that it got the look of a camaro in the front, from the 1982-1992 camaro's :)

[Ralph LoGrasso]

Welcome to the site.

[The Stickman]

Sweet car, welcome to the forum.

[BossaNova]

I really like those cars. Lot of potential.
I'm not gonna tell you what I drove when I was 16.

[Chevrolaine]

Love it! Had 2 of those. Wish I could find another.

[ProdigyCustoms]

Such a cool car to start with. I had a 75 Monza with a tiny little V8 when I was 16 (a couple years ago). I really like those cars. You have a lot of potential there.

Good to see another young guy enter the hobby.

Carbs are bad, they turn to sugar, so stay away from rice burners! American muscle all the way. Tell your friends!

And welcome.

[Andreasu]

Swap it out..

Not a bad idea, But i still wanna learn about the engine^^ Might tweak it abit later, just gotta get it running properly now ^^

[86Cutlass383SR]

I'm green...with envy! That's a sweet ride. I almost bought one of those brand new. Well, I ordered it at least. It came in without the Spyder package!

Nice find and good luck! And welcome to the site.

Keep us posted with lotsa pics!!!

[Andreasu]

Getting some new parts today, going to rip out the old A/C tubes and all that^^ One thing that suprises me is the radiator: p It's really small, so i'm going to remove the A/C cooler in the front and put in a electric fan just to make sure it stays cooled :p

[neki67]

Great little car! Congrats. With a little tweaking and tuning that 305 will be very nice to start out with!

I would be very interested to see that car with a LS engine and an OD tranny in it. Do realize however that your just 16 and LS engines can't be found at every corner in Norway. So just stay with the 305 for now and if you have to spent money on something, do it to the suspension and brakes first!

Good luck and keep us informed.

[Andreasu]

Great little car! Congrats. With a little tweaking and tuning that 305 will be very nice to start out with!

I would be very interested to see that car with a LS engine and an OD tranny in it. Do realize however that your just 16 and LS engines can't be found at every corner in Norway. So just stay with the 305 for now and if you have to spent money on something, do it to the suspension and brakes first!

Good luck and keep us informed.


Yeah, the front suspension have seen better days ;p (the front wheels are more worn out then the back wheels) Started it up today, need to do an service, had orange flames coming out of the carb x) Scared my friends (they ran) but i'm going to fix that.

[CRCRFT78]

http://forums.h-body.org/index.php Check this out. They should have some info for you over there. Just don't leave us over here. Cool car by the way.

[-The Stig-]

That car is dope sauce. Two thumbs up!

[Norwaycamaro]

So I see finally my son has come to senses and registered on PT aswell:-)
Andreas has been working with me on my cars for years, and I guess he has dreamt about his own sweet ride when he turnes 18.. But I thought WTH lets get him something now- keeping him away from other bad influences like girls(Heheh...well...)booze and drugs;-)
We`ll trick it out these next two years before he can get an drivers license. He`ll be doing most of the work while dad supervice I think...LOL
Anyways- welcome to the site junior!!:-)

[Andreasu]

Been working all day on it, Gonna post some pictures tomorrow, got to dark to even try to take one ^^ Cleaned up the engine abit, removed "useless" items and added a few :)

[ed1le]

Love it, don't see many of them these days..friend had one when I was in highschool with a 4-speed. It did ok w/ the 305 (that's what I think it had) backed by the 4-speed. If the engine runs good, I'd do the exhaust and focus elsewhere on the car (wheels, brakes, body, etc. if needed). Is it an auto or 4-speed car? Nice project!

[Norwaycamaro]

The cars got automatic. TH350 i guess.Havent checked though.
I agree on keeping the engine stock, and focus on the rest first. There`s some rust in the rear quarters that needs attention, Then a descent paint job should do the trick. Some larger rims and tires wouldnt hurt either, but we`ll see..:1st:

[Andreasu]

Engine runs well now, tested it today : )

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/04/DSC01244-1.jpg

[10Seconds]

Neat project, I don't see many of those where I am.

[Andreasu]

Thinking of moving the Dynamo so i can run the wires beside the engine, not ontop of it :p Also thinking to take off the waterpump and servo to clean em up and re-paint them and change the gaskets/sealings just to be sure it's 100% waterproof ^^

[MonzaRacer]

I have a 77 With a V8 if you need to know anything about Monzas let me know I can point you in proper direction.
I can let you in on some ways to upgrade the brakes, rear end and such.
I have buit 2 an half Monzas so far, working on getting my 77 Up and running.
As for headers several companies make hearers and manifolds for them.
I use the Hooker headers and for the record the other version I was told have been discontinued. The ones I have rune the rear tube through the brake line holes.
THe 5 lug up grade uses S10/Gbody spindles and require adapter from Bob Gumm from over on V8monza.com.
He also sells motor mounts but they wont fit with some headers.
I made a swing arm suspension from a 2 wd S10 rear end and cut down leaf springs.
Email me and Ill give you my cell and you can call me and we can talk Monzas and Ill try to get some clear pics for you.
And actually for me I really believe that a 4wd rear end might fit better ,just havent had money to get another one.
Long story, get in touch and Ill help all I can.
OH and do not throw away those brackets for air and alt and such, I can supply you with different brackets if you really want.
Lee Abel
AFTERMARKET PERFORMANCE
[email protected]

[Andreasu]

I have a 77 With a V8 if you need to know anything about Monzas let me know I can point you in proper direction.
I can let you in on some ways to upgrade the brakes, rear end and such.
I have buit 2 an half Monzas so far, working on getting my 77 Up and running.
As for headers several companies make hearers and manifolds for them.
I use the Hooker headers and for the record the other version I was told have been discontinued. The ones I have rune the rear tube through the brake line holes.
THe 5 lug up grade uses S10/Gbody spindles and require adapter from Bob Gumm from over on V8monza.com.
He also sells motor mounts but they wont fit with some headers.
I made a swing arm suspension from a 2 wd S10 rear end and cut down leaf springs.
Email me and Ill give you my cell and you can call me and we can talk Monzas and Ill try to get some clear pics for you.
And actually for me I really believe that a 4wd rear end might fit better ,just havent had money to get another one.
Long story, get in touch and Ill help all I can.
OH and do not throw away those brackets for air and alt and such, I can supply you with different brackets if you really want.
Lee Abel
AFTERMARKET PERFORMANCE
[email protected]

:) I'll see if i got enough money on the cellphone to call :smoke: Would love some information : )

[neki67]

:) I'll see if i got enough money on the cellphone to call :smoke: Would love some information : )

Why don't you use the regular phone and call one of those operators that lets you call for .02 Euro/min to States? We have a couple of companies here in the Netherlands that supply us that service and I would be surprised when there are no such companies in Norway. Besides that you could also use Skype or phone thru internet . . .

You need to control both your income and your expenses, my young friend!

[Andreasu]

Wish my dad would let me use then regular phone ; )

[neki67]

Maybe you can convince him when you show him how cheap it is and that you will reimburse him?

[Andreasu]

We'll see : ) thanks for the tip:)

[Tony_SS]

Kickass project - Good luck!