BUILD THREAD 1980 Monte Carlo build

[dye4speed]

Had to make an account to share. Ran into some things while building that there was almost no info on so this may help some of you out there.

Hello, I've been following this forum for a while and some of the builds on it and I figured I'd throw my hat in. Started this build a little over year and a half ago with my father and it's kind of spiraled out of control... it was a 1 owner car with almost no rust (spent it's life in Iowa so there is some). This is my first build so it's been a learning process and the goals have shifted a little throughout the build. It will become a little apparent when you see some of the part selection in certain areas... Why go with a 35 spline non floater if you want to autox it, why not a 31 floater? ya got me there lol. ya so if you see something in my build and you ask why. I might have had a different vision of the end goal at that time. so here we go.

first image of the car I have. first day I got it.

got it into the shop and disassembly started...

And so begins the escalation of the project. the frame off.

for a 1980 all Iowa car with 70k miles this is about as good as it gets.

wire wheeled and blasted.

the frame notch and box. have to give huge props to my father on the fabrication on this. knocked it out!

innovative painting solutions. bring friends to lift!

boxing control arms.

learned to powder coat.

rear end arrived, got it mounted up to see how it looks.

painted and installed.

"learned" how to rebuild a 4l80e... if it doesn't work at least it's pretty. here's a video of it just out out of the oven.

rad support project.

I stopped taking as many photos, but here's some paint prep.

together once again.

Things started getting complicated with the front suspension...

current state.

This has been quite the project so far but there is a lot more that needs done. let me know if I should keep updating this as progress continues. also if you have any questions shoot them at me and I'll try my best to answer otherwise tips are always welcome.

 

[bruisedbanana79]

Welcome to the forum! Loving the build so far, looks like you want to go fast haha! Would love to know about your motor and the latest plans for the car.

 

[64nailhead]

Holy moly, that’s a rear!!! Ask your mom what to do when a guy gives you compliment like that.

Need some details mister. Power plant, cage?

 

[dye4speed]

Welcome to the forum! Loving the build so far, looks like you want to go fast haha! Would love to know about your motor and the latest plans for the car.

Thank you, glad to see people enjoying it. The motor, as I keep putting it, is motor #1 as it won't be the car very long.
It's just your standard 4 bolt 350 bored 30 over with a balanced eagle rotating assembly. not even a stroker.
afr 210cc race heads
afr dual plane intake-port matched to heads
scorpion 1.6 rockers
afr girdle
crower solid roller lifters
Manton pushrods
Holley sniper efi with hyperspark
I can't remember the exact cam but its comp solid roller~.600 intake and exhaust 230's duration @50 with a 112lsa. don't get me started on this I wish I hadn't ordered it when I did. plans change and now I don't need the vacuum for brakes...
I actually just got a borescope and checked the port match today and I got to say it's pretty spectacular.

Holy moly, that’s a rear!!! Ask your mom what to do when a guy gives you compliment like that.

Need some details mister. Power plant, cage?

LOL, it's a 35 spline Moser m9 with the Eaton truetrac. Thank you Moser black Friday! No plan on putting a cage in it until the next engine. really wanting to get it on the road this year.

 

[bruisedbanana79]

That little engine should scoot you along pretty nicely lol

 

[64nailhead]

That’s a lot of head for a 350. If the bottom end and valve train can withstand the rpm’s , then with the right headers it’s 425-475hp. It will just take some rpm’s.

Those are excellent heads. And I’m sure you paid for them. Those heads make your Gen 1 run with or in front of something with the LS heads.

And I still think the rear is still some overkill until you hit about 1400hp lol. But dang I’m envious.

 

[dye4speed]

First update, got the converter in and the transmission in.

Currently working on the transmission crossmember and planning for the exhaust. Here's the engine and transmission installed. headers needed some persuasion to fit but they are in. they are 1"3/4 primary 3" collector.

while waiting for some parts the interior got torn apart. This is it's current state. little more to go before it can get put back.

 

[Turbo Zach]

My new favorite build! You probably could buy a house here in Iowa for the amount of money you have in that car. Where abouts in the world are you from?

 

[dye4speed]

Yaaa, just so happens I'm located in southeastern Iowa. Thank you btw, I'll try and keep on top of updating it as things progress.

 

[scoti]

Nice build. Definitely keep posting details & even add some back story w/pics if/when you can.

Looks like some Speedtech spindles up front? Spill the suspension/brake set-up details. What wheel/tire combo are you going to use?