Hi all. I be a newbie to this forum. I have a white 1997 Monte LS 3.1l with almost 100k miles on it. I just replaced the fuel pump and it runs better than it did when I first bought it (March 2003). I am going to be looking to do a lot of performance and visual upgrades to it in the spring. Any advice on where to start would be appreciated. The only thing I have done so far is to remove the trim from both sides of the car.

I should point out that this car is my daily driver. I will be looking to buy other Montes in the future. I would love a 77, and the new 06s look a lot better with the new front end (let's not forget the 5.7l V8). I must say that the 05 SS with the supercharged 3.8l is appealing as well.

 

Welcome to the forum Tribal!!


I would start with opening up the intake and exhaust system. Have you done anything to it so far?

 

I did have a cheap cone filter on for a little while, but my gas mileage started to drop, so I took it off.

I have already planned to get a less restrictive cat, a Y pipe, and dual Flowmasters. I'm not entirely sure what to do about the intake, though. I know I can get a K & N filter, but after that I have had no luck in finding anything else. Any suggestions? Perhaps a website that has performance upgrades for the 3.1?

I have heard you can put custom headers on a 3.1. Is this just a rumor?

Starting with 160 HP, I would be happy to be able to squeeze 200 out of my 3.1 (or more) without doing any major engine upgrades.

As far as visuals go, I will be getting summer wheels (I live in New England), a spoiler, graphics, maybe new front and rear bumper covers. My car looks a lot "cleaner" without the side molding on it. I might do some interior stuff as well.

I have always liked Montes, even when I was a young lad. I was at a local dealership on a day off and I took a brand new 2002 SS for a test drive. After that, there was no turning back. I bought my 97 after totaling my 87 Buick Riviera (a daily driver I was slowly restoring) in February of 2003. I broad-sided an Olds 98 that neglected to stop for a stop sign.

About 2 months after I bought my Monte, the dealership I bought it from backed a Trailblazer over the front end. I guess 2003 was a bad year to be my car. The dealership took care of it, though. New headlights, hood, grille, paint, and stripes.

 

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