87 Monte Carlo SS aerocoupe -2nd chance-

[-83MONTESS-]

I also had a pretty awesome find on craigslist. I got a set of Hooker Gbody big block chevy swap headers in great shape for $150. I think they're the 2241's with the slip tubes. I have a local guy that soda blasts he said he would do it for $25. The hard part is finding someone that can do high temp ceramic/powder coating.

Here is the interior combo I think im gonna run with. Black carpet, headliner, and rear package tray, maroon everything else, chrome trim accents, and carbon fiber hydrodipped gauge panel, console panel, and dash trim.

And I FINALLY got the 83 out and the aerocoupe in the garage. It was sad rolling the 83 out for the last time. It took 4 of us lifting the front of the frame of the aerocoupe to roll it in. Way easier I than I thought it would be with no front suspension and flat rear tires.

 

[HAFROD]

They sound so wicked without tail pipes too!

 

[565bbchevy]

I'm not gonna run tailpipes on this. As much as I want to I just don't see it as a priority. I will change the turndowns I have off the muffler to something that comes to the side of the car a little more but still isn't visible. It sounds weird but I never liked the tailpipe locations of these cars.

When I first installed my BBC I made my current H-pipe with the Flowmaster 2 chamber race mufflers but with turndowns I made from EMT 90's and just angle cut the end. So basically they went out from the muffler and then curved towards the outside of the car, I cut 4 thin slots in the end of the muffler and used a band clamp to secure the "turndown" but with this set up I was able to turn them to aim to the ground or raise then to be more out the side.
Believe me it sounded like a full on race car but the reality is I have received far more compliments on how it sounds now with my 4" tailpipes that go over the axle and exit like a GN (never been a fan of rear exit tailpipes)

 

[-83MONTESS-]

Not much of an update. I got the rear out of the 83 today finally. My buddy is still slacking on the trailer to finish the welding so I decided to try and see what I could do with this little mig welder. On the highest setting 3/16" inch with a basic C pattern this is what I got. Doesn't look too bad but still not that good I suppose. It seems like it's getting equal penetration by the looks of the puddle. I only ran a few small 3-4" beads testing out different techniques. I figure I'll grind them all down and go over it all again or just wait til my buddy with a real welder can finish it. Tell me what ya think. Don't worry about offending me, I know they look like sh*t lol.

And here is a pic of the rear bracing with the rear half assed installed. Everything clears fine.

 

[Turbo Zach]

Can't wait to see this hole project through. Good build so far. I have a Miller 110 welder, I have welded every thing with it. Does not work as easy as a bigger welder but will do the job. Try lowering your wire speed and go slower. Will help with the penitration problem. O and good luck!

 

[-83MONTESS-]

Try lowering your wire speed and go slower. Will help with the penitration problem. O and good luck!

Thats the thing man, there isn't an adjustment for wire speed on this thing. Im gonna give it another shot and go slower next time. Im used to using a TIG or a real MIG where heat is the least of my worries.

 

[-83MONTESS-]

I got the interior out to get a good look at the floors. Driver's side has been replaced front and rear. Passenger side looks way worse in the pics than it really does. A lot of surface rust and scale but after probing it with a screw driver I can't find any holes or weak spots. The underside looks awesome. I plan on wire wheeling the sh*t out of it and rolling with it.

I did however find a hole by the driver's side rear seat/seatbelt mount hole. This will be patched when the body comes off the original frame. I looked around and couldn't find any other holes.

 

[1evilregal]

nice progress so far, I understand the sadness of moving the 83 out for the last time.... don't worry about how the welds look, as long as they're functional and better looking than MY welds!

 

[GBodyscuffle]

I really hate that your 83 was totaled man. Was anything salvageable from it?

 

[-83MONTESS-]

I really hate that your 83 was totaled man. Was anything salvageable from it?

Basically everything was salvageable. The frame and body was just too tweaked to fix. All the body panels minus rear bumper are good, engine, trans, rearend, interior, etc.... will all be used in the aero.