MONTE CARLO "COPO" Monte Carlo SS - Turbosaurus Build (Swinging Dick Racing's c*ck got bent... she bounced a little too high & hard, & came down awkwardly)

[TURNA]

Another one...dam!!!!!!!

Sounds like this one will be just as awesome.

Is that 4.8 an aluminum block?

If not would an aluminum 5.3 to help with your weight goal?

 

[motorheadmike]

Another one...dam!!!!!!!

Sounds like this one will be just as awesome.

Is that 4.8 an aluminum block?

If not would an aluminum 5.3 to help with your weight goal?

Nope, iron block 4.8L (all 4.8s are iron blocks). I can always move the rotating assembly from a 4.8L into an aluminum 5.3L block down the road to gain back the 100lbs lost. The thing is this is a Gen III engine and not very strong by comparison to the Gen IV LS-stuff - so I am going to experiment with it and then upgrade later once the Gen IV stuff becomes more common place in the junkyards.

The cool thing about the 4.8L is they have a very preferable rod/stroke ratio and the piston speed is kept down - which means they can take a lot more (potential) abuse compared to the other LS engines. http://www.superchevy.com/how-to/en...84-hp-out-of-a-4-8l-engine-mini-mouse-part-1/

In case anyone is looking to service a Gen III engine:
https://www.bakesonline.com/images/MediaLibrary/Indmar_6.0LQ9RepairSpecs.pdf

 

[TURNA]

Yes I was reading they where comparing the two to the 327 vs 350.

It definitely make some good power!!

 

[motorheadmike]

I was bored last night (recovering from yard work and cleaning up the garage) so I decided to decode the RPOs on the Monte. It is a bit of a weirdly optioned car.

Buick 3.8L w/2bbl, TH200, and 2.41 gears says: I am the cheapest MFer on the road. This is the most basic drivetrain available.

Yet, it has power windows, rear defrost, 4 speaker stereo, the wide chrome exterior trim, locking wire wheel covers, landau roof, extra sound deadening, the "Z06" premium interior package (w/ 60/40 bench), and the F41 suspension package (I had a feeling the front swaybar was large when I took it off - I measured it at 1.25" diameter). This screams I want to be moderately comfortable, look good, and like a firm ride - while being a cheap *ss slow poke.

But, it doesn't have AC or cruise control. But, does have a block heater (because Canada!).

Consequently it is hard to tell where the car was spec'd to be driven (not on city streets or in traffic due to a lack of AC) and not on the highway for long distances (no cruise). This thing must have lived its whole life between 40 and 80km/h on paved rural roads (roll the windows down at speed and coast a few kms at a time).

 

[motorheadmike]

The asshattery continues!

Stripped the CL clip off and stuck the SS clip on. Did some surgery on the bumper shocks, and shaved some weight in other areas too (clutch fan, shroud, copper/brass rad, steel hood, fender liners, the SS airbox). Natasha was really good about helping me move the large awkward parts around (she has cleared me to buy composite parts forevermore).

I'll put the rear bumper and lights on tomorrow.

 

[motorheadmike]

Trying this on mobile since my 9 yearold PC is dead. Pics are gonna be huge from the new phone!

Managed to gap and align the front clip/hood - which is tedious. Built some headlight braces from aluminum sheet to delete the steel rad airbox. Degreased and painted the core support, and cleaned the frame horns. Stuck in a Modine 951 rad, external trans cooler, and will be hanging a stock Turbo Buick cooling fan.

Still haven't got to the back end yet...

 

[motorheadmike]

Finally got the back of car stripped down. The rear frame rails were just packed with dirt (pounds of it) - thankfully no significant rust; even if there were I would just back-half the car.

Pressure washed the bumper bar and inside the cover - so much grime. Just need to pressure wash the back of the car now.

I am going cut down the rear bumper shocks like I did in the front.

Also, who needs CL parts? LOL.

 

[motorheadmike]

Felt froggy after loading up on coffee and ice cream post-Father's Day dinner... so I stripped off the remaining chrome.

And what a shitty experience it was!

Top tip: break-away torque too high on those little b*st*rd trim screws? Heat the head of them up real good with a propane torch, slather on some WD40 or candle wax, and smack the heads with a hammer. Should work everytime.

Yippie rust in the never winter driven undercoated granny-mobile! See all that dirt and junk? It is probably hiding in your car too. Clean your wheel wells, kids.

Patch panels here we come! Good thing we are building a drag car, not a show car.

 

[Injectedcutty]

Good idea Mike on getting rid of that trim. It's such a great place to store rust! My cutlass didn't have the wide chrome trim, just the wheelwell trim.
I made it a point to delete it for good...my repop 1/4's came without trim holes drilled which was great. We just welded in all the trim screw holes on the fenders to match. After some love with the grinder, it looks as if they were never there.

The monte is looking good and moving along, tuned in for sure.

 

[motorheadmike]

Good idea Mike on getting rid of that trim. It's such a great place to store rust! My cutlass didn't have the wide chrome trim, just the wheelwell trim.
I made it a point to delete it for good...my repop 1/4's came without trim holes drilled which was great. We just welded in all the trim screw holes on the fenders to match. After some love with the grinder, it looks as if they were never there.

The monte is looking good and moving along, tuned in for sure.

I kinda wish I had pulled the trim off the car when I bought it 3-4 years ago.

I am trying to decide if I am going to buy complete patch panels or make them.

Grinder and paint make me the welder I ain't.