Looking for ideas for a 80 Monte Carlo turbo

[Turbo Zach]

I will start by I'm new here from Iowa but not new to 78-80 Monte Carlos. I have just bought a really nice 80 Monte Carlo turbo about two months ago. I didn't buy the car because of the turbo engine. Bought the car for the car. Interior and frame are about perfect. Body and black paint is nice. Needs trunk painted and paint buffed out. The car has 70 thousand miles on it. The engine is a factory replacement with 500 miles on it. Car has been stored for 15 years after engine was replaced. Purist may hate me but o well. I would like to lower the front of the car two inches, but with the six cylinder don't know the best way? I put 17 inch torq thrusts on it all ready. I'm looking for ideas what route I should go with the car. I knew when I bought the car I would get board with the 170 horse turbo engine. Just didn't know it would be so soon! I was thinking 5.3 ls but now thinking grand national engine would be awesome. What do you guys think? My criteria for the car is. Good cruise ability, decent milage, dependable, and of course have some nuts.

 

[565bbchevy]

I personally think a GN drivetrain would be cool and it would still be Turbo Monte.
I think the LS engines are excellent engines but now a days it is far from the "dare to be different" approach since I see them in just about everything now.

 

[Turbo Zach]

I personally think a GN drivetrain would be cool and it would still be Turbo Monte.
I think the LS engines are excellent engines but now a days it is far from the "dare to be different" approach since I see them in just about everything now.

 

[Turbo Zach]

That's kind of what I'm thinking. Don't know how easy I can find a grand national engine compared to a ls. A grand national engine would drop right in though. Would drop spindle be the best way to lower the nose?

 

[1evilregal]

I don't know if the bellhousing bolt pattern is different on the blocks or not, I'm sure someone will come in with the proper info on that... I like the way you're thinking on this though!

drop spindles would be the best way to go, but why not kill 2 birds with one modification? read up on the front blazer brake upgrade, and get a pair of those drop spindles?

be sure to start a thread on your build, and don't forget pics.... we love pics!

Darin

 

[Turbo Zach]

Boy people must not really like these cars. I love the 78-80 Monte Carlos just not the turbo version. No one wants to talk about one?

 

[Turbo Zach]

Almost bought a 84 t type engine and parts car. Was not paying attention and did not bid. Lost it by five bucks. A 86 or 87 grand national engine would be a lot better anyways. I keep thinking about taking the easy way out and building a 350. But that would not be very new to me or daring. Come on guys I need some support!

 

[pencero]

It's hard to get GN guys to come off their parts because they don't want to end up in the same boat as you in the near future; wanting to have 'something different' under the hood but feeling forced to settle on a 350. If you can find a wrecked syclone / typhoon that might be another cool turbo6 to play with if nobody wants to come off their GN motor. Lots of people have given lip service to doing a newer 3800 v6 project too, but it never seems to go down. Lots of Grand Prixs and Grand Ams on craigslist w/ slipping trans but perfectly good engine if you look around.

 

[Turbo Zach]

Problem with the 3800 v6 is the bellhousing is different. I would like a turbo something in the car to keep the turbo theme.

 

[Garrett1982]

The syclone/typhoon idea was cool. I believe all it essentially was is a 4.3 with a intercooled turbo Buick system adapted to it. On that youtube show Roadkill they built a Datsun 240z with a Chevy 4.3, Ford Powerstroke turbo, and s10 5-speed. It was pretty cool.