gotmonte
10-26-2009, 10:56 AM
Hi guys. First post on this website. Seems like a really nice place. I hope I can become a fixture here through some time. But for now, I am a newb and have some basic questions that can turn into some complex issues.
First off, here is what I have:
1985 Monte Carlo SS
Completely stock suspension but power train is changed.
The tires and rim combo is as such (For Now) 205/70/15 front, 235/75/15 out back on STOCK Monte Carlo SS rims. I eventually would like to put 255/60 or 70/15s up front and 275/60/15s out back. I here there might be some issues with these combos but I would like a fat tire up front and out back while keeping the stock style SS wheels.
It originally had a 305ci and a 200r4 trans. The rear I am unsure of. 8.5? I dont know. But I do know I changed the motor over to a sbc 406ci big heads and cam and the trans is a slightly built 700R4 with a very small 3000 stall (eventually I will switch over to a 4 thousand). The rear is still in the car but I have a 12 bolt that came out of another 85 Monte I had before I recked it. I dont know where it came from, but it fit the 85 monte so thats all I know. The gearing is 4.56's. Yes I know biiiig gears and I will eventually drop them down to 3.73 or 3.90's.
Now, the level of my knowledge:
I am in NO way a mechanic. I have owned a fair amount of muscle cars that include 69 Camaro Z28, 77 Camaro, 2001 Camaro SS completely built with a LME 408, suspension work, trans work, brakes ect ect, and an 85 Monte Carlo with just the power train changed, and a 2007 Trailblazer SS 3SS package but completely stock. I dont know much about suspension. I usually have to pay out the nose for work done and I would really like to learn about these G-Bodies and would like to build somethat that can take the twisties nice but not competition, and brake on a dime. As well as look nice ;)
Here are my beginner questions:
1)- I would like to lower the car some and just purchased Eibach Pro-Kit lowering springs. They claim 1 inch drop in front and .8 inch drop in rear. What should I do besides this to let the car accept the lowered stance. As far as suspension is involved. What would you recommend I do to get this car to handle well. I dont have an unlimited budget, but at the same time I dont want to make this a junkyard build. I would like to show the car off some, so when people look at the suspension, I would like it to look nice as WELL as handle well.
2)- Brakes. Ahhh, brakes. I just totalled an 85 Monte because someone cut me off and I locked the brakes up and slammed into a pole drivers side door first at around 40 mph! Totalled. Ok, so I dont want that to happen again and I am willing to spend to get it to brake correctly and effortlessly. I would LOVE to have ABS but I dont want to swap my motor out to get it computerized, so I guess thats out. I was looking at Wilwood Engineering 4 piston front calipers on cross drilled and slotted rotors for the front. It comes in a kit and is about 8xx.xx bucks. As for rear, I would like to upgrade the drums to disks, but I am unsure if it is neccessary and if it is, which kit to go with. Baer seems to be verrry expensive, but Wilwood's seem to be generously priced. What do you guys suggest as far as brakes are concerned.
3)- Shocks. Ok, Hot topic here it seems. Everywhere I turn it seems people are arguing to death this subject. I figured maybe some Bilstein HD shocks all around. How does that sound? Different opinions? Better options out there?
I know this post is long and especially for a first post. But I want to do this once, and do it right. The G-bodies ALways appealed to me and I really want a safe car first and a fun car second. I have a new born baby girl to think of so days of flying a million miles an hour around a turn maybe over. But I still want to build a car that COULD do that! LOL.
All help and opinions are GREATLY appreciated. I am located in Suffolk County, New York. Do you guys have any idea's as to where to order products from?
I kind of need someone that I can trust, grab me by the hand and walk me through this like I am a 2 year old with mommies wallet in hand. lol.
Have a great day and I really look forward to becoming an active member here.
I know there are a few sponsors on this site and I MEAN NO disrespect to any of them as far as when I asked where to order from. I just dont know any of the sponsors and maybe someone can tell me one that stands out over another.
Ok for the questions
First off, here is what I have:
1985 Monte Carlo SS
Completely stock suspension but power train is changed.
The tires and rim combo is as such (For Now) 205/70/15 front, 235/75/15 out back on STOCK Monte Carlo SS rims. I eventually would like to put 255/60 or 70/15s up front and 275/60/15s out back. I here there might be some issues with these combos but I would like a fat tire up front and out back while keeping the stock style SS wheels.
It originally had a 305ci and a 200r4 trans. The rear I am unsure of. 8.5? I dont know. But I do know I changed the motor over to a sbc 406ci big heads and cam and the trans is a slightly built 700R4 with a very small 3000 stall (eventually I will switch over to a 4 thousand). The rear is still in the car but I have a 12 bolt that came out of another 85 Monte I had before I recked it. I dont know where it came from, but it fit the 85 monte so thats all I know. The gearing is 4.56's. Yes I know biiiig gears and I will eventually drop them down to 3.73 or 3.90's.
Now, the level of my knowledge:
I am in NO way a mechanic. I have owned a fair amount of muscle cars that include 69 Camaro Z28, 77 Camaro, 2001 Camaro SS completely built with a LME 408, suspension work, trans work, brakes ect ect, and an 85 Monte Carlo with just the power train changed, and a 2007 Trailblazer SS 3SS package but completely stock. I dont know much about suspension. I usually have to pay out the nose for work done and I would really like to learn about these G-Bodies and would like to build somethat that can take the twisties nice but not competition, and brake on a dime. As well as look nice ;)
Here are my beginner questions:
1)- I would like to lower the car some and just purchased Eibach Pro-Kit lowering springs. They claim 1 inch drop in front and .8 inch drop in rear. What should I do besides this to let the car accept the lowered stance. As far as suspension is involved. What would you recommend I do to get this car to handle well. I dont have an unlimited budget, but at the same time I dont want to make this a junkyard build. I would like to show the car off some, so when people look at the suspension, I would like it to look nice as WELL as handle well.
2)- Brakes. Ahhh, brakes. I just totalled an 85 Monte because someone cut me off and I locked the brakes up and slammed into a pole drivers side door first at around 40 mph! Totalled. Ok, so I dont want that to happen again and I am willing to spend to get it to brake correctly and effortlessly. I would LOVE to have ABS but I dont want to swap my motor out to get it computerized, so I guess thats out. I was looking at Wilwood Engineering 4 piston front calipers on cross drilled and slotted rotors for the front. It comes in a kit and is about 8xx.xx bucks. As for rear, I would like to upgrade the drums to disks, but I am unsure if it is neccessary and if it is, which kit to go with. Baer seems to be verrry expensive, but Wilwood's seem to be generously priced. What do you guys suggest as far as brakes are concerned.
3)- Shocks. Ok, Hot topic here it seems. Everywhere I turn it seems people are arguing to death this subject. I figured maybe some Bilstein HD shocks all around. How does that sound? Different opinions? Better options out there?
I know this post is long and especially for a first post. But I want to do this once, and do it right. The G-bodies ALways appealed to me and I really want a safe car first and a fun car second. I have a new born baby girl to think of so days of flying a million miles an hour around a turn maybe over. But I still want to build a car that COULD do that! LOL.
All help and opinions are GREATLY appreciated. I am located in Suffolk County, New York. Do you guys have any idea's as to where to order products from?
I kind of need someone that I can trust, grab me by the hand and walk me through this like I am a 2 year old with mommies wallet in hand. lol.
Have a great day and I really look forward to becoming an active member here.
I know there are a few sponsors on this site and I MEAN NO disrespect to any of them as far as when I asked where to order from. I just dont know any of the sponsors and maybe someone can tell me one that stands out over another.
Ok for the questions