On the 'mildly' Cheap SS Monte Carlo chasing a 9.0___

[64nailhead]

Quick update. I was able to get the 8.8 installed this weekend. A big thank you to Mac at Southside. His support is second to none, can call anytime and he's anxious to help. And wow, alot of welding.

The lower a-arm geometry is way better than stock. The uppers seemed iffy on fitment when I was fitting everything together, in terms of contacting the body, but they clear without issue, just a bunch closer than the stock 7.5.

I swapped out the fuel sending unit at the same time due to an inaccurate fuel gauge, and it made for more clearance getting the rear in and out 4 times to get everything fitted, tac welded, rechecked, and final welding. Unfortunately my fuel gauge is still inaccurate - WTF and SMH LOL. Fortunately I live with Mr. wheel (my son) whom had a set of Ford pattern 5x4.5 in stock with a set of Nitto's mounted. And of course 3 set of spacers to make it work no matter which I needed. If I've never mentioned it, he has 4 complete sets of wheels for the Cutty and two extra sets of rears - none of which are stock.

Got it running and out the door at 11:00 Sunday night. 5 am Monday came pretty quick 🙂

Hopefully the converter is here within a week and we can hit the strip within the next two weekends.

 

[64nailhead]

Did some street tuning Friday night, I should mention by 'street' I mean a 1 mile strip of divided and deserted highway, to get it off of the ultra safe tune. Then hit the dyno for some pulls on Saturday.

I need some shocks, a set of tires, an alignment, and to get the converter installed before next weekend. Shocks, alignment and converter are looking good - still haven't drummed up a set of tires.

Hopefully 675 whp is enough to get me into a reasonably low 11 the 1st time out with little to no suspension tuning - time will tell.

 

[64nailhead]

Should've mentioned that the run at 276 WHP is the the NA run on this with the intake pipe unhooked. Basically added 400hp with 21 psi.


🙂🙂🙂

 

[lilbowtie]

With 675 whp I think you will jump right into the 10's

 

[64nailhead]

With 675 whp I think you will jump right into the 10's

Hope so. But I'm trying not to be optimistic - AT ALL.

 

[Streetbu]

Go into the trunk. There should be a connector on the left hand side. That will have the wiring for the turn signals, running lights, and brake lights in it. It will also have the wire for the sending unit.... You can check from there to see if the wire is good or bad or where the break might be.

Oh and congrats!

 

[motorheadmike]

Where are the specs on the engine?

 

[64nailhead]

Where are the specs on the engine?

Gen 3 4.8, SS2 and Pac 1218 springs, 1500SEP injectors, twin AEM 380's, 171702 Borg S475 (yes 1.32 A/R) with a stock truck intake and on E85. AFR was 11.5, 12 degrees of timing and 20.5 psi.

 

[Turbo Zach]

That's a lot of boost! Thanks now I feel like a woosy with 15psi.

 

[64nailhead]

That's a lot of boost! Thanks now I feel like a woosy with 15psi.

Modern (efficient) combustion chambers is how it happens. And 100 octane doesn't hurt either.

Try this on pump gas with a Gen1 SBC iron head - if you aren't reading the plugs almost every pass, then you can assume it won't last long because the tuning window is so darn small. 10-15 psi on an old combustion chamber is plenty IMO. It's the reason set of AFR, Profiler, Dart, Brodix or similar heads are must on the old stuff to crank them up.