BUILD THREAD 88 Poncho Powered Monte SS

[MrSony]

Nice Monte! I beleive tat is the same, or damn near the same shade of burgundy whatever that my regal is. Mine is more of a purply color though. I can imagine plenty of hardcore chevy dudes getting ornery about bout being shownup at the strip or stoplights by a 400 pontiac. 😀 I really want a Grand Prix to do that swap, or a pontiac 350 build if I can find one.

 

[clean8485]

80GP400, I wasn't trying to get you to change your immediate build plans for your car, I was just making a suggestion.
My reasons for suggesting that you consider the 200R4 are these.
You already have the transmission, and the car is set up for it (transmission mounts, shifter, shifter cable, TV cable, driveshaft, etc)
The overdrive makes the car much more relaxed to drive on the highway, and better fuel economy.
Most, if not all 200R4 transmissions have the bellhousing bolt pattern to accept BOP engines.
With the proper parts, and building, the 200R4 can be built to handle up to 1,000HP (check out Art Carr, and CK Performance)
The 200R4 is a non-computer controlled transmission, and doesn't require any electronics, or a stand-alone controller (4L80E)
I have a friend who owns an '88 Monte SS, with a pretty stout LS engine from an '06 Corvette, who has been running a properly built 200R4 for several years now, with no problems (the car has been dynoed at 400HP at the rear wheels). The biggest issue that he had was the stock 7.625 rear axle, which has now been replaced with a built up 8.5 from a 442.
I have another friend who was running a 502/502HP Chev crate motor in her '87 Monte SS. She got an entire season of street driving and drag racing out of a built up 200R4 (approximately 200 passes at the strip, most at under 12 seconds). She did eventually upgrade to a 4L80E, but not because the internal parts in the transmission failed, but because the transmission case would crack, and the 4L80E upgrade set her back some fairly dollars, and added extra weight to the car.
Check out some of the turbo Buick sites. Some of those guys are running very strong engines, with properly prepared 200R4 transmissions.
I'm not trying to start an argument here, and as I said above, I'm not trying to get you to change your immediate plans for the car. I jst wanted you to understand that my comments weren't made "off the cuff", and that there were some reasons for my suggestions.
I hope that your build goes well, and that the performance of your car exceeds your expectations. Good luck. Please keep us updated.

 

[Garrett1982]

If you aren't planning on drag racing I don't know if you should go for the 4L80e. You would probably be good with a freshened up 200 4r. If you are doing fab work on a rear you should consider a Ford 8.8 instead of a 9". An 8.8 is plenty strong, cheap, and more plentiful than a 9". They will use a lot less power to turn also. If you get an 8.8 from a fox body the amount of fab work will also be minimal.

 

[80GP400]

Clean8485 - I knew you weren't trying to start an argument. I was just putting out there why I was doing what I was doing. I may put a little more thought towards keeping the 200r4 in it. It may be something that I will do in the year coming up since I may need the th350 back for the Grand Prix/possible drag project. And since I really don't plan on racing it I think it will be alright with some minor upgrades. I'm just kinda torn whether to just do it now or down the road.
That's the problem with projects, they always seem to keep changing 🙂

Also I am always open to other opinions/suggestions since others have already done or plan on doing similar things that I am.

 

[Mrockatansky]

I love the idea of an overdrive transmission. Long term plan for me will definitely include swapping my TCI Turbo 350 for a 4 speed auto.

Have heard nothing but good things about the 200r4 when properly done.

Do let me know what you choose to do, would be very interested to hear what transmission you run and how you like it.

 

[O. D. Showtime]

Good looking Monte! I'll be watching the progress..

 

[thunderball]

Nearly identicle to mine. Black, hardtop, maroon interior, floor shifter 88. LOVE the black and red 88's congrats!

 

[olds307 and 403]

Depending on the 406, which like Olds is a torque motor, a billet forward drum/shaft may be necessary. If your pushing past 400 ft/lbs, just a matter of time. Of course the hardened pump rings, stator, stiffer spring and 10 vane pump plus the big Transgo shift kit with deep pan is a good idea. Hardened sun shell and quality frictions/steels with an extra friction in the OD pack is also a good idea. Mine has a 13 vane pump, hardened stator, rings and stiffer spring. Pressures were fine in low and reverse, needed a .555" boost valve in place of the .500" boost valve for acceptable pressure in the other gears. I would not use a 13 vane again. Also have the Transgo shift kit with billet servo, Hughes deep pan and 4L60E filter. The trans was rebuilt with upgraded frictions also, shifts great. The sheet metal pan with a rear pick up is very good insurance in keeping them alive. I will have spluge for a billet forward drum and shaft, 10 vane pump set up and a Dr Dan special PTC 10" 2800 stall converter, if I ever get my 424 Olds 403 stroker done. I hope you have a good 7 5/8" posi with 28 spline axles to live. I blew up the spider gears and broke a No Slip in my 7.5" with a mild 403, even with a girdle cover. A guy does 9" for G bodies on a jig, a few hours away, mine with need swapped at some point. Love different power plants in these cars.

 

[80GP400]

Well, made a little progress today. I pulled the front clip and motor and transmission out. Didn't get any pictures of it with the motor out but will tomorrow. I plan on pulling the front suspension and power washing the frame and cleaning up and getting it ready for paint.

 

[80GP400]

Well finally made a little progress. It's taken me a lot longer to get to this point than I thought it would. But I got the front frame cleaned and painted and it's about ready for reconstruction once I get the new springs. While I had/have it all torn apart I cleaned and painted the firewall. I also semi smoothed/boxed in the upper control arm mounts. They didn't turn out as nice as I had hoped, but no one will see them anyway 🙂