Here's a thread from back when I joined:

https://montecarloforum.com/forum/new-member-area-4/newb-here-another-5th-gen-now-w-mod-list-pics-7736/


Honestly not much has changed since the pics- when I moved home my last semester of college middle of last year, I didn't have a place to work on the car- but we just recently started looking for a house, so it shouldn't be long before I have my own garage and can get going on some serious mods.

I've still been racking up some parts- I've got another ~$2k in performance goodies that are either already here, or on order- so I should be able to really get into it once I get a garage again.

About the only difference from the pics is I've since put the whipple on (using the Animul lower plate)- and the amps/head deck were stolen. Other than that, it looks pretty much the same.

 

Damn, I knew your ride was going to be slick and decked out but I didn't expect THAT out of a 5th gen. Friggin Sweet!

 

Thanks. I forgot, I have a vid of it on youtube too:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpO7z6L5Rqc

I'll admit the vid is 90% garbage (due to all kinds of various problems at the time- it was just after the whipple install), but there is probably about 20 seconds or so of decent cam'd idle vids stewn about in there.

I need to make an edited version of the video to cut out most of the crap.


Some basic plans once I get a garage:

-impala is getting a top swap with the gtp's old M90 (and other parts I've had left over since the swap), the 1.9 rockers from the gtp, the plog from the gtp, and the 3" DP from the gtp (plan to leave the rest of the exhaust stock since this is the wifey's DD and our trip car)

-gtp is getting the ported and full exterior polished M90 from the monte, the DPP headers from the monte, new head gaskets (front is popped into the valley right now), and an XP cam.

-monte is getting the yella terra whipple adaptor / water-air IC, alternator relocation/ac delete, DP nitrous, probably a bigger-custom cam; and I have a couple other more extreme projects on the drawing board that have been waiting until I get settled into one place and quit moving around

 

If you're looking for an 04-05 s/c monte, I've seen them all over autotrader.com and the other carbuying sites. A majority of them are Intimidator editions and they don't usually run more than maybe $13,000

 

I feel discourged to do this setup now after you telling me alot of aftermarket parts dont fit hahaha:P.

 

Its just with the 95-99 montes, they're an unusual breed. Don't let it scare you too much- most don't care about the suspension part differences because most don't get in deep enough into suspension modding to ever care (most regulars just do struts/lowering springs- the more serious guys do coilovers/struts). So mild handling upgrades and/or slamming the car is still easy- they just don't have all the options of a 00+ monte, 97+ GP or any other 2nd gen wbody.

The only real modding pain IMO with the 5th gen montes are the headers.

Honestly though- the 5th gen montes seem to sell cheaper than the 6th gens- so it may be something to think about. The cheaper price may be worth it in the long run.

 

The biggest reason the 5th gens are cheaper than the 6th gens is it's going to be darn near impossible to get a bank loan on a 5th gen. It's 10 years old. Banks won't loan money on 10 year old cars. It's either cash, which isn't very much for a 10+ year old car, or buy-here-pay-here dealers. MOST of them have a bazillion miles on them. My 1st Monte was a '95 red LS, and it was a great car, although I had it a very short time.

It just depends on if you want something unique, like a 5th gen with a L67, and know that you will have GREAT grief in doing the conversion and keeping everything TOGETHER afterwords, or for the same money or less, and drive it RIGHT NOW, and get a GTP, or spend the extra money and get an '04 or '05 S/C Monte.

Bottom line, how deep are your pockets?

 

I hate to say it- but if you're trying to get a bank loan to buy a $2000 car, you have no business buying a car like that- and you definitely shouldn't even be thinking about buying a 00+ monte, especially an 04 SC- and you'd definitely have no business spending $500-1k on a top swap.

The KBB on a 98 monte Z34 (NA 3800) w/ 75,000 miles is $2025- which is right around where most of them go for around here (I've recently seen a couple near perfect really low mileage ones go for under $3500).

You won't have great grief doing an L67 swap. Since it has been done so many times- we've figured out the easiest way to do it, and it makes it 99% bolt in plug in- the only two exceptions being 2 plugs needing adapted/changed, and a passenger axle being made (takes 20 minutes with a pair of snap ring pliers and a boot crimper). I have no idea what you mean by keeping things together afterwards- its no different than any other L67 vehicle at that point.

Not to mention, if you got a 98/99 Z34- all you would have to do is a top swap, in which case it would be no different than buying a GP GT or 00-03 monte SS- just a $500-1000 top swap away from boost.

GTP's really are a performance bargain, if you can find someone being realistic with the price- and one thats not been modded or beaten on. KBB for a 75k mile 98 is ~$3250. Between that and a 98/99 monte Z34 w/ a top swap- I'd definitely jump on the gtp if both cars were equal. You'd save a little money w/ the monte (~$500-750 all said and done depending how cheap you got the top swap parts)- but with a gtp you'd also get leather seats, a heads up display, better handling car, and a handful of other cool features.

The downside to the GTP's is, it is harder to find one in good shape- and its harder to find one that isn't marked up due to supercharged engine and sporty appearance. It seems like lots have a much easier time moving an umolested GTP than a more regular car like a monte.

So if both cars were in equal condition and mileage- I'd get a 98 gtp over a 98 monte Z34 + a top swap.


The reason I mentioned the 5th gens is if you're really wanting to stick with a monte. As I said above, a 98 monte Z34 w/ 75k is about $2025. However, a 00 monte SS (also an NA 3800) w/ 75k is about $4615. Either way you're talking about adding $500-750 for a top swap, so the price difference whether you actually do the top swap or not is over $2500!

 

or if your going to invest the time to part out a top swap for an l36 to an l67, get the
L36 n/a and throw a turbo on it
kits start at 2200 on zzp, or part it out from the forums. better price per dollar.