5th gen Montes are what I was raised on. Here are a couple of things to keep in mind about them.

95-99 LS' all had chrome strips and LS bumper like mentioned. They all came with the 3100 v6 that made 160hp and were all mated to a 4T60E transmission. Also, odd trivia but still interesting, the 5th gen LS was the last coupe to offer seating for six people.

95-97 Z34's all came with the 3.4L DOHC v6 (LQ1) and made 210-215hp. These Z34's were mated to the 4T60E except for the 97 Z34's. In 97 GM switched to the 4T65E, which was better but still has its flaws.

98-99 Z34's came with the 3800 v6 (L36) and were mated to the 4T65E. The only way to tell a 98-99 Z34 apart from the older ones is that 98-99 Z34's had unique wheels.

The hardest Monte to modify (engine wise) is the 95 model year because it is running on OBD 1.5. 96-99 Montes all run on OBD-II.

The easiest Montes to modify are the 98-99 Z34's due to the L36.

Never buy a white 95-96 Monte (the paint tends to peel).

Don't have time to post more, but I'll try to later. 5th gens are a lot more fun and interesting then people realize.

 

^this

 

zipper ftw

 

I think the look is always a good place to start, Ground effects are a good choice. This is a nice Monte that my friends Son has. It has RK Sport effects and some simple graphics and black out head and tail lites.

 

As far as what can you do to a 5th gen, the best thing you can do is go to a junkyard and look at what other W-body's have, especially 1st gens. For instance, I was able to score a set of rear bucket seats that were out of an early 90's Olds Cutlass convertible. Just about a direct swap with only a few modifications needed.


If you're looking for things to do to the body, here are a few sites that have some options:


www.andysautosport.com


www.rksport.com


www.bodykits.com


There's many options for spoilers for our cars, my favorite is the one piece brickyard, but that's just me


For performance, it's a little more difficult if you don't have a 3800 v6.


3100 v6 performance options:


3400 v6 swap, then...


www.wot-tech.com


You can also get a lot of tips for the 3100/3400/3.4DOHC v6's on the 60degree v6 forum.


For those 5th gens who have the 3800's, performance parts are easy to come by, just check the thread in the Engine section in our forums.

 

Do you have anymore pics of that Monte? I have a collection of pics of unique Montes and that one is a really good looking 5th gen.

 

3800s are an easy swap, just completed an l67 swap on my 97 ls

 

I don't believe GM ever made an SS package for the 5th Gen Monte Carlo...

I have seen others with my same RK Sport Ground effects... That I put on my 1999 Z-34 after I bought/ordered it brand new from the factory.. There was no SS package available.. That's why I bought the Z-34 model...
The real key to make these 5th Gens etc last.. Is regular maintenance...
Oil changes, fluid filter changes on the transmission. Brakes, bearings and keep her lubed up! I regularly rotate my tires every 3000 miles... after 164,000 I had to put only 1 tierod end on it..in the last 14 yrs It has been driven as a daily driver!
I did have the transmission rebuilt at 90,000 miles.. Not that it was bad... But I wanted to avoid any future issues with it... They generally tend to start failing around 80 to 120,000 miles... So, heres just some things to consider....

also,
The elbows tend to fail in the cooling system along with the upper and lower intake gaskets... the lower intake gasket should be replaced with an aluminum one and the same for the elbows... I would also recommend flushing the complete cooling system and use regular antifreeze. with a 50/50 mix... Get rid of the dexcool that the factory used back then If it hasn't already been change.....