Not sure if anyone still follows this thread.. but here are a few updated photos and I still need help with clearing up a few issues!
Need a Starting Point for 1987 Monte Carlo SS - BBC project
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Have you pulled the valve covers off and found the casting #'s on the heads ??
Your performance goals will depend a lot on your budget.
With the right stock Hi Po parts a big block can easily make 1 HP per Cubic inch.
Aluminum heads with the right camshaft can make more than that.My old 468 with Brodix Race Rite heads and a UDHarold custom grind solid roller made 550 HP,which works out to 1.17 HP/CI,and that was with the stock LS-6 bottom end.The beauty of aluminum heads is that they put your BB on a 80 lb diet.
If your still running the stock 7.5 rearend you should put some thought into something stronger,like a Grand National 8.5,or a Ford 9 inch.
Brakes and suspension can also use upgrading,and there are many options available.
It comes down to how much money you have to spend and what you want from your Monte.
Here is a link to bracing your chassis,lots of good info here;
https://gbodyforum.com/threads/f41-and-aftermarket-bracing-diagrams-more-pics-added.8126/
If you are looking for suspension and brake goodies Mark at SC&C is very knoweledgable,he has actually written a book on How to make your muscle car handle;
http://scandc.com/new/
Guy
Your performance goals will depend a lot on your budget.
With the right stock Hi Po parts a big block can easily make 1 HP per Cubic inch.
Aluminum heads with the right camshaft can make more than that.My old 468 with Brodix Race Rite heads and a UDHarold custom grind solid roller made 550 HP,which works out to 1.17 HP/CI,and that was with the stock LS-6 bottom end.The beauty of aluminum heads is that they put your BB on a 80 lb diet.
If your still running the stock 7.5 rearend you should put some thought into something stronger,like a Grand National 8.5,or a Ford 9 inch.
Brakes and suspension can also use upgrading,and there are many options available.
It comes down to how much money you have to spend and what you want from your Monte.
Here is a link to bracing your chassis,lots of good info here;
https://gbodyforum.com/threads/f41-and-aftermarket-bracing-diagrams-more-pics-added.8126/
If you are looking for suspension and brake goodies Mark at SC&C is very knoweledgable,he has actually written a book on How to make your muscle car handle;
http://scandc.com/new/
Guy
So to start off, I did pull the valve covers when I first got the car because there are no stamps or codes anywhere on the block itself except on the passenger side where it says 7.4L. Otherwise I would have had no idea it was even a 454... The casting number in the heads came back as a mid 90's suburban awful cast head... but I worry that the engine might be older. I'm planning on dropping the turbo 400 out to at least see if it has a two piece or one piece rear main seal. As for the transmission I am buying a T56 Magnum and I already purchased a new Quick Performance Ford 9" with wildwood disc brakes and UMI tubular control arms, 2" lowering springs and new shocks. I have a new floor and quarters for the car and new inner rockers and a new cowl hood. I'm going to notch the chassis and stretch the quarters out an inch and a half on each side. Already did a GN fuel tank with a Aeromotive Stealth fuel pump and new lines. Made my own adapter plates and put serpentine on the front of the big block, swapped to electric fans and installed a/c and power steering for the first time since I've owned it.
I'm going to start doing some engine work, but I want to make sure I have a decent lower end before I start investing time into this engine. Each cylinder put out about 164-168 PSI when I compression tested... but I want to now what the hell I really have in there!
Thank you for the help!
Sounds like you are getting it all sorted out,one of the better purchases I have made was the Ford 9 inch.
I blew up the little 7.5 and what a mess and it took the transmission out at the same time,LOL
I wonder if you have a Mark IV 2 piece rear main seal block that someone swapped newer heads on to ??
If so that might be in your favor as the Gen 5 engine was considered a bit of an oddball and you don't really hear too much about anyone using them in a Hi Po application.
IMO,this is how Chevrolet should have made these cars in the first place,with a big engine and a stick shift !!
Guy
I blew up the little 7.5 and what a mess and it took the transmission out at the same time,LOL
I wonder if you have a Mark IV 2 piece rear main seal block that someone swapped newer heads on to ??
If so that might be in your favor as the Gen 5 engine was considered a bit of an oddball and you don't really hear too much about anyone using them in a Hi Po application.
IMO,this is how Chevrolet should have made these cars in the first place,with a big engine and a stick shift !!
Guy
Well it DOES have a fuel pump boss, which cuts down the possibility of it being a MK V engine.
I'm intrigued! What do you mean? The MK V doesn't have a spot for the factory fuel pump being mechanical... correct? I thought I saw that somewhere and couldn't find that information again. The block and oil pan themselves just look OLD.
I agree Guy. I like the feel of the heavy engine and the torque.. but I'm having a hard time getting it running the right way. That's for sure! It'll stay a big block either way, but I don't know if this engine is going to make the cut.
Get the number off the driver side rear of the block behind the head by the bellhousing.
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