'72 Monte Carlo Goes PT

[quarterbooty]

Hey guys. I'm new to the forum, and I thought I'd jump right to a project post. I've been lurking around here for several months while I pondered what to do next on my '72 Monte, and I definitely came to the right place. There is a wealth of information on this site, not to mention a plethora of awesome projects going on.

My car is a '72 Monte Carlo that I've owned since 2003. It was definitely a 10 footer when I bought it, but over the course of several years and a lot of hours it ended up like this:



It was basically a resto mod to this point. The drive train was modified and upgraded, but the car remained stock appearing. The suspension and brakes were redone, but not with anything elaborate (Hotchkis springs, Hellwig bars, Metco trailing arms, poly bushings). It rode nice, but that's about it. The brakes left much to be desired, but that's expected when you're only pulling 10 inHg at idle with a vacuum assisted booster. So, combine the sub-par handling and abysmal braking with an "it's never done" mentality, and the result was big overhaul (for me at least!).

I replaced the front suspension with control arms and spindles from Detroit Speed. I also went with their sway bar and coilovers (550# spring rate). Build quality and fitment are both top notch.



For the front brakes, I went with the C6 Z06 setup from Kore3. I can't say enough positive things about Tobin and their products. The biggest problem I had during the entire brake system upgrade was stopping a leak on the original combination valve proportioning fitting. I pulled the valve apart to eliminate the proportioning function (now using adjustable Wilwood in the rear line), and I had it apart a few times before I got the right o-ring and sealed it up.





Out back, I elected to keep the Metco trailing arms and Hellwig sway bar for the time being. I did install Detroit Speed's bolt in rear coilover kit to match the front and get the ride height adjustability. Rear brakes are also C6 Z06 with the Kore3 parking brake assembly.



It took me forever to decide on wheels and tires, but I eventually settled on Rushforth Super Spokes that I got through Jon and Justin at Driverz Inc. These guys were a ton of help and nailed the wheel/tire combo. 18x8s and 245s up front and 18x10s with 285s out back. Here's how it looks now:







Here's the engine compartment. It's a 383 with a forged Eagle crank and H-beam rods, JE pistons with 11:1 CR, AFR 195 Eliminator heads, a 242°/248° 0.584"/0.579" Comp hydraulic roller ground with XFI lobes on a 110° LSA, Holley HP carb, Edelbrock RPM Air Gap intake, MSD ignition, and the list goes on. It's nothing special, but it runs good and gets out of its own way. I did toss the vacuum booster in favor of a hydroboost unit. It's a relief not to have to stand on the pedal anymore. And before you laugh at the A/C, it works!



That' about sums it up. I need to get it aligned before I start shaking it down, but so far so good. Let me know what you guys think. I'd be happy to provide more information or detail on how this went together. If anyone is ever in the KC area, give me a shout! Thanks for looking.

Nick

[Zanie]

Very cool. Nice job wedging those rear tires in there. whats the backspace on those wheels 5.5 or 5.75?
Nice job leaving the stock stuff under the hood.
Are you keeping the bench seat?
I dig it: I dig first gen montes.
I sold my 72 402 monte to get my chevelle convert.
Nicely done!

[shortrack]

nice!....hows the handling now?....no prob with pump gas and 11:1??

[quarterbooty]

Thanks!

whats the backspace on those wheels 5.5 or 5.75?

It 's kind of a screwy deal. The driver side is 6.25 and the passenger side is 5.75. The rear portion of the wheel opening lip was tighter on the driver side, and I didn't want to cut on it, so Driverz and I decided to go with the mixed backspacing. The difference in wheel lip width isn't noticeable, and both wheel wells are filled out this way. Of course, down the road selling these will be somewhat of a challenge, as someone will most likely need to rehoop one of them.

Are you keeping the bench seat?

Yeah, for the time being. I guess it goes well with the AM 8 track in the dash.

I sold my 72 402 monte to get my chevelle convert.

That's alright. Most of the time I hear guys say they stripped parts of of a Monte to get a Chevelle restored!

Nick

[quarterbooty]

nice!....hows the handling now?

Thanks. I haven't pushed it too hard yet, but so far the handling is great. Once I get it aligned (sometime this week), I'll get a lot more seat time and let you guys know. I do know a 600 series steering box is next on my wishlist.

no prob with pump gas and 11:1??

No issues with 92 or 93 octane, believe it or not. The duration on the cam is long enough to bleed off sufficient cylinder pressure to preclude detonation.

Nick

[Zanie]

Thanks!







Yeah, for the time being. I guess it goes well with the AM 8 track in the dash.



That's alright. Most of the time I hear guys say they stripped parts of of a Monte to get a Chevelle restored!

Nick

Oh it wasn’t a slam. I dig the lines of the first gen montes.
I would have kept mine if I could. I wanted a drop top; I didn’t want to hack up my monte and didn’t want somebody else’s convertible conversion.

My monte had the bench and my chevelle does too. My buddy calls it “the Tomato seat”. You can cruise around and have the “Tomato” sitting right next to ya.
But when he says it he says: Ta-may-ta…………..ya know:
“cruise around wit da tamayta sittin’ right dere”

[strtcar]

Looks great always loved these cars.

[68400BIRD]

Very nice looking car, you added a lot of great parts that should make it very fun to drive.

[quarterbooty]

Oh it wasn’t a slam. I dig the lines of the first gen montes.
I would have kept mine if I could. I wanted a drop top; I didn’t want to hack up my monte and didn’t want somebody else’s convertible conversion.

Oh yeah I know. I've seen a few Monte convertibles in person, and they just don't look right even when the craftsmanship is decent. Without the roof to break up the long hood, it ends up looking like something Boss Hog would be driven around in.

Nick

[DriverzInc]

Awesome man, you just don't see alot of Monte's done right, and your car looks just that. Glad I got to work with you, and that it all worked out.

[bonecrrusher]

Love the brakes... thats a big ass car... and it looks awesome!

[sr73bu]

Sweet ride man... nice to see another big car (like mine) going PT.

[quarterbooty]

Thanks for all the compliments guys!

Love the brakes... thats a big ass car... and it looks awesome!

They are big, and it's all up front. Same frame as the other A-bodies except the frame rails extend further past the engine cross member. At one time, the 70-72 hood was the biggest in the GM line. Hell, it may be the biggest they ever produced.

[CruizinKev]

sweet!!! love all the montes

[406 Q-ship]

Yours is just another of the great big Montes that are around......heres mine.

[titan460]

I love the first monte carlos. I do however resent the fact they overshadowed the grand prix in 70 but hey who's complaining.

[keffe1]

gotta love them early mc's

[Zanie]

Hey 406 Q-ship, where are your headrests?

[406 Q-ship]

Hey 406 Q-ship, where are your headrests?

Headrest.....We don't need no stink'in headrests.

They're in my closet right now.

[Racie]

Welcome good to see another one restored right!