SS Added Upgrades - What are they?
 

I was just curious if anyone knew, or knew where to find a list of, what the upgrades are when you get an SS Monte as opposed to an LS, LT, etc. All I've read (for the '05 model year) is the supercharger, leather wrapped steering wheel, cruise, and maybe one more thing that I can't recall (17" wheels?). Specificallt I've always wondered if the suspension and/or drive train is upgraded in anyway.

I know (at least I think I do :)) that the SS doesn't neccessarilly have the Hi-Sport package ground effects, and spoiler, as one might thing they would. I've had a bad additude that for the 2000-2005 years Chevy just slapped an SS badge on anything to get more money out of it; then in '06 they started caring again and really tricking the SS's out (see interiors of TrailBlazer SS, Impala SS, etc.). I'm hoping someone can prove me wrong.

Thanks!

RE: SS Added Upgrades - What are they?
 

[align=center]Hi `Matt,[/align][align=center]Check out the below link. It contains reviews/road tests[/align][align=center]on every generation Monte Carlo.[/align][align=center]Some post have the breakdown in equipment/upgrades/etc.[/align][align=center]Hope it helps, `Space[/align][align=center][:-]click below [:-][/align][align=center]https://montecarloforum.com/m_34860/tm.htm[/align]

RE: SS Added Upgrades - What are they?
 

[align=left]http://media.gm.com/division/2005_pr...oletbanner.jpg [/align]
CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO
For Release: Aug. 1, 2004
New for 2005

http://media.gm.com/division/2005_pr...rlo/index.html[/align]

RE: SS Added Upgrades - What are they?
 

The SS had many small changes... on top of the 3.8L and it's 20 extra horsepower

A 140 MPH Speedometer
4 Wheel Disk Brakes
Dual Exhuast (small inlets on the bumper with two pipes, barelly visible wihtout appareance package)
Ducktail spoiler stock
Trim Package
Seems like there is an extra gauge, but I can't recall which one
I think the RPM goes up to 7 instead of 6 or something



Lots of small details that make it worth the extra money to me.

RE: SS Added Upgrades - What are they?
 

From what I can see in the Chevy Brochure from the dealership:

- Cruise control is standard equipment on SS, optional on LS
- Mirror group is standard (includes auto-dimming inside rearview mirror, with dual reading lamps and heated outside sideview mirrors)
- 6 way power driver seat is standard
- Illuminated visor mirrors standard
- Driver Info and Security Group is standard (includes trip computer, outside temp display, compass, Homelink transmitter and theft-deterrent alarm system)
- Seating Comfort Package standard (includes six-way power front passenger seat and heated front seats)
- Onstar standard
- SS Sport Appearance Package (includes race-inspired rear spoiler, 16 inch diamond-cut cast aluminum wheels on SS, 17 inch diamond-cut cast aluminum wheels on Supercharged SS)
- Dual exhaust outlets with bright stainless-steel tips standard.
- Foglamps standard
- rear decklid spoiler standard (there are two different style spoilers. race-inspired available on SS models only)

Guages differ on LS, SS, and Supercharged SS. LS guages include speedo, tach, fuel and temp guages. SS guages include speedo, tach, fuel, temp, oil pressure and volt meter. Supercharged SS guages include speedo, tach, fuel, temp, oil pressure and boost guage.

- Seating material and pattern differ from the LS and SS models
- Leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio system and cruise controls standard.

Axel ratios differ: LS -- 2.86:1
SS -- 3.29:1
Supercharged SS -- 2.93:1

Engines: LS -- 3400 V6 (180hp)
SS -- 3800 V6 (200hp)
Supercharged SS -- 3800 V6 (240hp)

- Supercharged SS gets a heavy-duty transmission
- four wheel disc brakeswith electronic traction control and tire inflation monitor standard

Suspension setup is different: LS -- Ride & Handling tuned suspension
SS -- Sport tuned suspension
Supercharged SS -- Performance tuned suspension

Tires: LS -- P225/60R-16 Touring
SS -- P225/60R-16 Performance
Supercharged SS -- P235/55R-17 "W" speed rated Performance






Hope this helps.

Please keep in mind this is 2005 we're talking about. Previous years, and 7th gens (2006 & 2007) may have different options.

RE: SS Added Upgrades - What are they?
 

my SS doesn't have the "comfort seats" or the 6 way adjustable seats.. plus my mirrors aren't heated, and I don't have OnStar

RE: SS Added Upgrades - What are they?
 

Maybe because of the different year?
If not, I dunno. Sorry, man.
If it makes you feel better, the Onstar was the old analogue system, which is now useless anyway. Like the Onstar in mine.

RE: SS Added Upgrades - What are they?
 

Yeah I think some of that stuff is still optional even on the SS

Mine doesn't have the appearance package, Heated seat or mirrors, No onstar (doesn't bother me :) ) No exhaust tips, but I do have the power seat :)

I think the options that Taz listed are for the Pace car SS version of the Monte Carlo.

RE: SS Added Upgrades - What are they?
 

mine don't even have a button for OnStar... can't say I miss it though.

RE: SS Added Upgrades - What are they?
 

Thanks everyone. This is all really good info!

This kind of confirms and disconfirms my suspicions that up until the '05 year Chevy was slapping an SS badge on anythign to get more money. I have only ever thought this to be the case b/c most Montes of this generation that I see on the road are SS's, and at least exterior wise they vary so much. Some (all SS's) have this spoiler or that spoiler, some have ground effects some don't, etc. With a few responses above of, "mine doesn't have that," I can kinda see this trend.

It does seem as though there were some performace upgrades to the SS's throughout the years, but in '05 by removing the SS badge from anything that was not supercharged they started to get back to their SS roots. Now in the '06 and on model years, while throwing an SS badge on a ton of different models, it seems they are really tricking them out mechanically and visually.

It was really nice to see that there are things like suspension upgrades, as I was kind of feeling jipped that I have an SS and there is virtually nothing better about it (which is not the case). I guess it's b/c you (or at least I) don't/didn't ever see these features touted anywhere like, <car commercial announcer voice>"Monte Carlo SS feature a race-inspired performace tuned suspension, heave duty 4 speed automatic transmission, and yada yada yada."</car commercial announcer voice>

Anyway, enough ranting about my feared shortcommings in life. Good info guys!
Keep on keepin' on.

RE: SS Added Upgrades - What are they?
 

My '02 has all the SS options Taz listed. The heated mirrors and seats are really nice even if we don't that much ice/cold. And I love the audio controls on the steering wheel and theauto dimming rearview mirror (although it freaked me out at first - didn't know they made such a critter, LOL), but why don't they also put it on the side mirrors? You don't get blinded from behind, just the side.

RE: SS Added Upgrades - What are they?
 

Not that it really matters, but the '04 SS have the samefeatures as the '05 SS.

Becky, you really are lucky to have such a great Earnhardt edition.
I'm not 100% sure on the available options in the '02 SS,but I think the Earnhardt editions may have gotten a little more than the regular '02 SS. (Someone please correct me if this is wrong). I am aware that the 02 didn't have an available supercharger, which was a shame in my opinion.

The listing in my previous post was not for just the pace car, or signature series. It was for all the '04 & '05 SS models. Pace car and signature series simply included the appropriate appearance package. Mostly stickers.

I too am glad that GM finally got their act together in 2006 and returned the V8 power to the SS models. I agree that for many years GM was slapping either an "SS" or a "Z" on cars in all their brands, with not muchto back it up. Putting the V8's back into the SS models brings respectability back to the SS name. JMHO. :)

RE: SS Added Upgrades - What are they?
 

I wasn't aware that a supercharger was even available in '02, if so, then I am missing an option - darn it. Oh well, it'd just get me into trouble, LOL. And you are probably right about the DE Editions getting more than the regulars, for the price they were charging for a new one, they should.

RE: SS Added Upgrades - What are they?
 

Becky my guess would have been any and all of the DE editions would have the supercharger on them. Afterall, those cars were the higher end and if you wanted one (or do want one) you paid more to own one.

Taz, did you mention the SS got different diameter sway bars on them versus the other models?

I know one yeat anti-lock brakes were an option even for the SS and the next year they were standard on the SS Monte.

In '06/07 the SS got 3 point engine mounting on the 5.3 versus theLS, LTs and LTZ which only got 2 point engine mounting.

Leather was always an option for the '00-05 LS and standard in SS. But some SSs you could get cloth seats if you wanted.

Then there's the obvious like the spoilers and ground effects.
But again even LS could get the race inspired spoiler with the appearence package.

RE: SS Added Upgrades - What are they?
 

That's what I would think too, so maybe they did not have a supercharger that year (?), because I don't have one. hmmm, makes me wonder if they were available then. Oh well, like I said, I don't need it, but I am curious now.

RE: SS Added Upgrades - What are they?
 

The first supercharged SS was offered in 2004.I remember seeing one of the first onesat the local Chevy dealer and tossing around the idea of trading in my 2000 SS for it,but decided against it.When I saw the 06 was going to have a V8 though,I finally decided it was time to reallystart shopping for one.

RE: SS Added Upgrades - What are they?
 

Question answered. Thanks Laserblue06SS, now I can quit wondering, LOL.

RE: SS Added Upgrades - What are they?
 

Sorry for any confusion.

For some reason, GM would not offer a supercharger in the Monte until 2004. Before that, you had to buy a Grand Prix if you wanted a s/c. They could have sold a lot more Monte's if they offered a supercharger in all the 5th and 6th gen Monte's.

The fact that they didn't put a supercharger inthe 2002 DE edition is a shame. I agree with you Becky, for the extra money you had to pay for the DE package new, they should have included the supercharger.

Oh well, not much we can do about it now. Unless you want to do an engine and tranny swap in your awesome DE edition, Becky. Sounds like a good project though. :)

RE: SS Added Upgrades - What are they?
 

LOL, Taz, at this time, I'm not financially able to be swapping things that are not necassary, so I think I'll leave it alone. Besides, if I did have a S/C, my son might want to borrow it and we can't have that. It goes plenty fast enough for me ;)