87 Monte Carlo SS Build

[Speedman87]

Hey, Was looking for some advise on the process of building a car. If you had a fresh canvas where would you start? in what order would you build the car?? I Just acquired a 87 monte carlo ss. I want to build it as a street car that sees the track 4-5 times a year, but still handles decent. I'm definitely going with an LS swap as i already have a lq9 6.0 and a 4l80e trans. I project this is going to take me 2 years and aprox $25K. My game plan thus far is to 1.get the body off the frame. 2. Box and reinforce the frame. I'm on the fence whether or not i'm going to notch the frame at this point. From my research on the forum i SHOULD be able to fit 275/40/18 Drag radials, which i hope is enough tire for my goals. Please advise..... 3. Send the frame off the be blasted and powder coated. 4. Next is mounting the rear end and suspension components once the frame is back. Choosing a Ford 9" rear from quick performance with rear disk brakes (Eaton Tru track posi, 3.91 gear set). Still on the fence with what suspension kit to go with. I know i want to replaced ALL control arms front and rear, and lower the car 2", but don't know if i want to go with springs and shocks or coil overs. Advice and experiences here would be a big help. 5. Next is Front Brake conversion with 6 piston wilwoods. 6. Power train swap is next with Engine harness, engine mounts, trans cross member, Oil pan, headers, fuel tank, fuel pump, fuel lines, serpentine system, radiator and fans all coming from BPR hotrod. (had a friend use them with a LS swap and things went pretty smooth). 7. lastly the body is going back on the frame and the car to the body and paint shop. Going with Hooker 3in Black heart Exhaust system.

Engine Specs:
Lq9 with 799 heads ported by Advanced induction 11:1 compression
Texas speed V4 cam (231/234 .629/.615 111 LSA
Fast 102 Intake, throttle body and 42lbs injectors

Trans is going to be stock 4l80e with Trans go HD2 shift kit and 3600 Yank stall converter

My Goal is 425rwhp and 12.5 sec 1/4 mile times

Will be doing all the work myself excluding body/ paint and the frame blasted and powder coated.

Any advise for someone working from scratch is greatly appreciated. am i going about this build the right way? are my processes in order? is there anything I'm missing? Please advise

 

[MechMan]

First off awesome car, very jealous. I am planning on doing something similar but I don't have the car yet. I plan on starting my motor build first and while doing that find my Monte. I will most likely do a frame off as well.

 

[rustydustydoc]

Sweet car, great plan for a build. Why does the car have hoosiers? if you don't mind me asking. Looking forward to seeing your progress.

 

[Speedman87]

Stock car racing??? lol. Honestly not a clue. Purchased the car like that a couple weeks ago. Has the original 305 with 2004r trans.

 

[1320John$$$]

A true LS swap and they probably have a forum only for this

 

[Speedman87]

are they any common trouble areas in the body frame i should be looking for since I'm doing the frame first??? any other upgrades needed while i have the body off the frame??

 

[fleming442]

Body mounts at the firewall (especially, the passenger side), rear frame rails behind the axle, and all the body mount holes.

 

[Northernregal]

What are you thinking for ECM and trans controller?

How much shop space do you have? A frame off and strip requires some storage space as you strip parts off the car.

Are you committed to the 102mm TB? What you want would be easily done with a cheaper 92mm. Dorman makes a replacement ls2 intake that looks good and is a direct bolt in for the factory intake. Would save some $$$.

 

[Speedman87]

Going with a P59 PCM and engine harness from BRP. Getting a mail order tune from EFI performance (tunedbyfrost.com) to get it running then towing it down there to get fine tuned on the dyno. I talked with a Tech at FAST as whether i should go with the 102 or the 92mm TB and he said with mild head work and a decent cam i should choose the 102mm. Not sure if this is my best option just one opinion. Im open to ideas..... As for space i have plenty. Have a detached 1300sq ft garage that i do side work out of. was hoping to get the frame ready there and hopefully store the body in the attached garage (if wife lets me) lol. Here's my shop setup........ I have the skills and equipment to do the work. im just clueless when it comes to performance and restoration. Plus i know nothing about the G body. I honestly wont work on a car older than 2000 unless its mine.

 

[mclellan83]

Very impressive, looking forward to this coming together