What motor should I go with?

[MrSony]

Get it, get it running right, then build an engine on the side. 350 would be the easiest. I literally can't walk 10 feet without tripping over a .040 350 around these parts. 454 is a tight squeeze, but people on here have done it with much success. Gotta have a transmission, d/s, and rear to back up all that power, even from a mild BBC. I've always wanted a black w/ maroon interior 88 MCSS with a 383 stroker, but all the factory crap on top so it looks bone stock.

 

[MrSony]

The reason to get a car and drive it as is, is so you can assess what it needs. You don't wanna buy a roller or gut the car immediately, stuff in a 600hp 454 or what have you, and rip up the street and realize "Oh &%!@ the brakes don't work!" and end up at show and tell in Mrs. Jenkin's 3rd grade classroom with the kids. It's an extreme example, but worse has happened.

 

[DRIVEN]

502 with draw thru turbo and Dominator. Maybe some naws. TH200 transmission with a 3500 stall and a reverse manual valve body. Trans brake if it sees any track time. Swap in a Gov-loc from an S-10. 2.29 gears should help top end with all that torque. Obviously 24s or 6s to help handling. Don't worry about brakes because stock Gbody stuff is more than adequate. Do a manual steering conversion and ditch those ugly body braces to save weight.
If you check Craigslist for deals it should be doable for $1500-1700. Practice up using YouTube and you could probably swap everything out on a long weekend.

 

[lilbowtie]

I'm going to suggest you search for a car upgraded the way you want - or as close to.

 

[565bbchevy]

I agree with lilbowtie that you might be best off searching for a Monte that already has been upgraded with a 350 SBC, it might cost a little more to find one that is nicely done but I would say there is probably a higher percentage with non factory engines compared to ones that still have the original 305.

 

[Turbo Zach]

When I was a kid I used hotrod magazines and parts catalogs for dreaming up stuff, now kids are using forums? I also built my first engine when I was 13. 350 stock car engine with my dad and a good mechanic friend. They showed me and then made me do it. I even ground the valves. I probably was the only 13 year old that new how to degree a cam. I will worn you, not all forums are as nice or have so many people trying to help like this one! Good luck to you and you have a lot of learning to do. Do lots of reading and then ask questions.

 

[Deshaun Frazier]

When I was a kid I used hotrod magazines and parts catalogs for dreaming up stuff, now kids are using forums? I also built my first engine when I was 13. 350 stock car engine with my dad and a good mechanic friend. They showed me and then made me do it. I even ground the valves. I probably was the only 13 year old that new how to degree a cam. I will worn you, not all forums are as nice or have so many people trying to help like this one! Good luck to you and you have a lot of learning to do. Do lots of reading and then ask questions.

Sad to say my dad isn’t as hands on in my life as yours was, but I do handle all the upkeep on my 03 Monte Carlo so I always wanted to handle my own with my g body. I’ve been trying to do as much research as possible before hand so I can know what to expect even though the unexpected always happens

 

[Deshaun Frazier]

I agree with lilbowtie that you might be best off searching for a Monte that already has been upgraded with a 350 SBC, it might cost a little more to find one that is nicely done but I would say there is probably a higher percentage with non factory engines compared to ones that still have the original 305.

The last car I seen had a heavy knock in it and the guy tried to juke me so I’m trying to get as much knowledge as possible before wasting my money

 

[Clone TIE Pilot]

The biggest concern with any prospective G body is one without rust problems. Bodywork is the hardest and ,most expensive of repairs. Much easier to swap out a blown engine or trans than a rotted frame or body shell. After that would be wiring. Previous owners just love to butcher up the wiring in bizarre ways. Oh, with all old cars and tractors, watch out for Jerry rigged repairs. Those can be the worst to re fix correctly.

 

[MrSony]

I don't know about you, but I'd pay extra to have a clean rust free car, which is probably what you're gonna have to do. Expect somewhere in the neighborhood of 3-5k for a rust free mostly original Monte SS with 50,000+ miles. Are you stuck on a Monte? What about a Malibu? Do you just want a g body, or a sort of "old and new" thing, since you mentioned you had an '03 Monte? There are websites where you can search all of craigslist at once under a certain term. It will open up as many as 30 tabs, so be careful about that.