Im getting a new project car for free next week. A 86 Monte Carlo SS.
I havnt seen it yet, but was told the body is in good condition. So, my questions to you are
1. Who has owned a first gen monte ss and how are they?
2. What are problem areas with them? I.E. Trans, Engine, Door rust...ETC
3. What engine did they come with? 305 TBI?? (he only knows its a v8 lol )
4. In MA when do cars become Emissions exepmt? I wanna make alot of power easily
5. any good sites for parts?
I will post pics in a few days when I pick it up.
So now I have two projects, 92 camaro and 86 monte
im not the best with monte's, but i believe the SS came with a 305 HO. well atleast thats what was in my parents old 85 SS. They are beautiful cars. Good luck with whatever you do with it. Get some pics up!
The first gen was in the 70's. The first year was 1970. I had an 86 SS for my first car. They have a HO 305 Qjet. 180HP, like 250ish TQ, 373 gears, th200-4r trans. Not fast, but a mid 15 car. T-Top cars leak and rust really bad in the ttop area. Cars can be made really quick. They are great canidates for LSX swaps. They have screwey ehxuast from the factory, ditch the stock pipes and put some LT's and a true dual setup. A modified cross memeber will also be in order.
jim smith wrote:The first gen was in the 70's. The first year was 1970. I had an 86 SS for my first car. They have a HO 305 Qjet. 180HP, like 250ish TQ, 373 gears, th200-4r trans. Not fast, but a mid 15 car. T-Top cars leak and rust really bad in the ttop area. Cars can be made really quick. They are great canidates for LSX swaps. They have screwey ehxuast from the factory, ditch the stock pipes and put some LT's and a true dual setup. A modified cross memeber will also be in order.
Great engine info thanks!!! This is a t-top car, so they known for leaking huh
Im thinking this car might be stripped
and turned into a track car. maybe take out all the interior, build the engine, add N20 and good to go lol
If it is the 8 cyl, it will be the 305, most likely the quadrajunk 4bbl. The engine will last forever, but lacks powerwise. You can spiff it up all you want, but I would think about a 383 stroker if you are looking to be truely fast. Check the doors, inner quarters, and front shock towers for rot.
I wouls highly recomend some subframe connectors to stiffen up the suspension.....it can be a bit sloppy. but I agree with the everything that has been stated above. I don't know MA's emissions laws, so it is something you need to look into for sure.
I would throw in some higher ratio rear end gears first thing, as they usually have the gas milage gears in them, 2.73...i think the SS's had the higher ratio. I think (but may be wrong) that they had the 700r4 tranny's, but jim smith seems to have more knowledge of the monte's than me.
John Benham wrote:If it is the 8 cyl, it will be the 305, most likely the quadrajunk 4bbl. The engine will last forever, but lacks powerwise. You can spiff it up all you want, but I would think about a 383 stroker if you are looking to be truely fast. Check the doors, inner quarters, and front shock towers for rot.
I wouls highly recomend some subframe connectors to stiffen up the suspension.....it can be a bit sloppy. but I agree with the everything that has been stated above. I don't know MA's emissions laws, so it is something you need to look into for sure.
I would throw in some higher ratio rear end gears first thing, as they usually have the gas milage gears in them, 2.73...i think the SS's had the higher ratio. I think (but may be wrong) that they had the 700r4 tranny's, but jim smith seems to have more knowledge of the monte's than me.
Yup all SS's had the Q-Jet 305. Different power ratings thru the years. All SS's had 200-4r's. Im not sure on all rear end ratios, my car an 86 SS had 3.73's. Chech MonteCarloSS.com for all the info you will need.
Ditch the craptastic 305 and source an older 4-bolt main 350, especially if you have intentions of building the engine and throwing nitrous at it.
