Looking for ideas for a 80 Monte Carlo turbo

[kustomkyle]

I personally wouldn't lower it, but I don't like anything lowered. I guess it looks better that way with bigger wheels (again, something I wouldn't put on my car). If anything I always try to get the car back up to factory ride height after all the years of use and sag. Everytime I hear someone say "Gonna lower 'er" I feel like responding with "I've got a set of springs with 400,000 miles on that you'll love". Those years (1978-1980) Monte Carlos, and even the later ones, lend themselves to a slightly higher front end because of the shape of the body.

That being said, if done right, with a Hotchkis kit or something, it'd be a tight handling car if that is what you're after.

In all honesty I think factory rallye wheels on any G-Body look much better than any aftermarket "mag" wheel. I think the 1983-1985 Monte Carlo SS wheel (can't remember if those were 14" or 15") would look great. But, again, if you want it to handle, I guess tire sidewall isn't doing any favors.

If the original engine is gone, then a SBC V8 wouldn't be that bad of an idea. After all, it is a Chevy.

 

[pencero]

I agree with kyle on not lowering the car, I had a 79 MC and the front end would sort of lift up if I nailed it, just like an old gasser. The Cragar S/s wheels that came on mine really added to that effect for me. Then again to each his own, but consider converting to electric fans if you lower it anyway. The factory air dam does more to cool the engine than I thought it did

 

[kustomkyle]

Another thing to keep in mind is that once you change the engine, you'll likely have to upgrade or change the transmission and rear axle. I'm not sure what those came with from the factory though. I'm thinking TH350 and 7.5 axle?

Just another thing I've never been too interested in. As long as their running properly, stock these cars ride pretty balanced. They're not like earlier cars where you had too much power and no brakes/ill handling. It's one of those things though where if you've driven something more modern for any length of time you'll probably want to start changing things.

 

[black_aerocoupe]

The LS engines are common because their EFI is contemporary, they have a great power to cost ratio, and buildup options are numerous.

The Buick V6 was contemporary, even into the 90s, but there's no positives to it when you can do a turbo aluminum 5.3 that weighs less, runs harder, and gets better mileage. Make your car the best it can be; don't worry about "Keeping it Buick" or crap like that.

 

[Turbo Zach]

Thank you guys for the input so far. I have built several cars over the years, so I'm not new to this stuff. I have a 700 horse nova that sits in the garage. Too radical to cruise. This is the second Monte I have bought this year. Sold the other when I got this one. I have three Montes right now. One good and two junky ones. I have all ways loved these cars. Just looking to do something a little different with this one. Mild 350 bores me. Done that too many times and no wow factor. Carb turbos just suck I guess. Originally planned on 5.3 then turbo later. I really like this idea just see it too much. Grand national engine are finicky and hard to get. 3800 engine I have been researching. Kind of like the idea, but making the turbo header kind of scares me I guess. Looking to do something different I guess and make it more fun to drive. Sorry no pictures yet. Don't know how to get them on here yet. Might have to get wife to help me.

 

[jiho]

You have no sense of history. 😀

Horsepower isn't the only reason to own a car. Yours is rare .... for a reason, but still .... it's different, very different. I mean, if you're going to have an antique, why fool around?

 

[jiho]

You might wander into the "Before Black" section on www.turbobuick.com, looking suitably naive. There are carb turbo guys hanging around there who have .... ideas. 😱

 

[Turbo Zach]

15000 made and I have found three other 80 turbo Monte Carlos on Craigslist in the last 6 months. Not real rare. 81 Monte Carlo turbo half as many made a lot more rare. 170 horse stock best you can get out of it 250 horse power and like 14 sec quarter mile. Stock 18 sec quarter mile. If that is what you like fine. It is not what I like!

 

[565bbchevy]

Just throw a nice pump gas 632 Big Block in there, I don't see too many those.

 

[Turbo Zach]

That would probably drop the nose nice. How do you get a 632? Never head of that.