HELLO !! I have a 1978 Monte Carlo that I will be building with a 454 ci engine, T-56 six speed transmission, dana 44 rear end (narrowed to fit, proper brackets and attachements welded in place). I had a 1968 C-10 custom truck that was a show winner, but it didnt make it out of the barn fire. This is my next project and it will be my first car I build. I want this to be show and go.

I need to know about the following:

suspension kit (I want to lower the car to help with handling, and 1/4 mile launches)

disc brake conversion (bigger rotors, better calipers)

Springs and suspension parts are a concern since I am dropping in the 454. Also, headers are a concern. I have browsed Summit catalogs but no luck. Do Malibu parts fit Montes in the same year groups?

Looking for a clutch pedal assembly too. I will be getting a D&D Performance T-56 six speed to bolt in, and that will eliminate the need for the hydraulic clutch. I have been told that Malibu pedals will bolt in place.

I am anticipating 500 hp, and with the trans, I am anticipating a top speed of 140 to 155 on a LONG open flat road. I would LOVE to hear from anyone that has done a gauge cluster conversion (any). I am thinking about a custom set up using aluminum sheeting inside the origional cluster and a 5 gauge kit from Summit.

How should I run the exhaust? I want it to run out the back of the car, but lowering it does make this a concern.

Who makes a fiberglass / metal cowl induction hood?

I need to locate a floor shift console and I would like to change the interior to black, charcoal, red, or grey. I am planning on painting the car black and putting on SS stripes from the late 60's muscle cars. If I have to keep the tan interior, then it will get matching SS Stripes. I would rather have a Black on Black car for more color options.

Currently the car is brown with a tan interior. I am willing to trade for interior parts as soon as I get back from Afghanistan (12 / 2010).

I would like input on similiar builds, and other issues that I have ahead of me that will need custom fabrication. Other areas of concern are the stereo, speaker locations, weather strip replacement, and dash wiring.

I want to put AC back in (dash has vents) and I would like to put in T-tops. Since it is a full framed car, I shouldnt have to worry about body twist, right?

ANY and ALL input is welcome.

 

bumping thread.

 

thats alot of work. dana 44? is that the independent rear from the c3 corvette? if it is i wouldnt want it backing up my BB car. for the power your looking to make i think running a big block is overkill. you could make that power with a large small block and save yourself the weight and expense of a BB chevy. the malibu headers will fit. 78-80 is a funky group. i believe there is a little difference in the brake setup of your and mine.
. i also believe you could by upper control arms from hotchkis or GW and then use 70s f body spindles and brakes. its something along those lines i had it researched years ago when i was going to work on slowing mine down.

for suspension and brakes these guys are for real
http://www.globalwest.net/1978-88_Ch...components.htm

on the hood theyre arent too many options. theres this company that i never used but will be going through in the future.
http://www.usbody.com/Pages_Cars/78-MonteCarlo.htm
or
vfn. vfn makes a 4 inch for the car and most people have good luck with them but they screwed me on my cowl hood and wouldnt refund me. but that was just my experience.

once again the malibu stuff should work. so the pedal assembly should work.

my exhaust runs out the back. all honesty it doesnt sit below the body. my driver side header collector sits a little lower than i would like. but the rest of the exhaust is not visible so you should be fine as long as your not dragging the body.

on the center console i currently have one sitting here. its carmine red and i wouldnt mind parting with it for a price.

i personally wouldnt convert it to t-tops. it would be cool if it was a t-top car but its not and i dont think you should cut it up to make it one. and yeah its full framed and i wouldnt worry about frame twist with t-tops unless you were running it on slicks with the tops off. and even then i doubt it.

i actually might have the whole original ac setup from mine somewhere as well if your really interested in that.
anyway good luck.

 

MONTE MAN,

Thanks for the response and the links to parts. Always welcome. The Dana 44 is just a guess ... its a solid rear axle out of a 3/4 ton truck. I wouldnt trust a corvette rear end to stand up against a Big Block either.

This is a tribute build I am doing with my nephew. My brother had a vision for this car, and that included the 454, 6 speed trans, and this truck rearend. He wanted a quick street car that would be fun to drive with a bullet proof drive train. At the same time, he wanted to build something he could take on the open road without suffering too much pump to pump. He didnt believe in trailer queens.

The small block idea I agree with, but I am going with the Big Block. Ive never built one before. I plan on making no less than 500 hp. This was what my brother wanted.

I want to build this car with the go-fast-goodies, but take my time and put some show car quality into this project. My truck was a show class winner, and I want to carry that over to the Monte. Ive never built a car before.

My plans include pulling the body off the frame and painting it before I lower it, changing the mounting points for the new trans, and getting the rear end installed. I want to rebuild all the suspension & steering components and replace all bushings so it is "all new". Then I want to lower it for handling and better 1/4 mile launches. After that, I want to undercoat the body, put it back together, then get the car painted.

I have several plans for the car, but nothing major in changing the Monte appearance. I want AC, and I am going to do my own custom gauge cluster for the dash - with new gauges that will help carry the 60's era muscle car theme. I would LOVE to find a red or black interior with a center console. I have a tan interior (no center console) that I am willing to trade, with or without cash.

I would have to pass on your console - unless I can find the rest of the interior to match.

 

these guys make all the interior parts for the car. theyre pricey but have good stuff ive gone throw them for stuff that i couldnt find in the junkyard. if you want to change your interior color you can go through them and get every piece in whatever factory color you want from carpet to headliner.
http://opgi.com/product.asp?catmaini...og=Monte+Carlo

 

I am useing the fabric paint they sell in the auto part stores to do my interior what are you veiws on that?

 

what are you painting? ive used that stuff and it sucks. if you want to paint your door panels and console and what not go to an actual auto paint supplier and have them mix you the right factory color you want for your interior. i did it that way and you really couldnt tell it was painted. it was like 70 bucks a quart but that was like 8yrs ago.