Hello there. I've been a lurker on here in the past and realized that I've actually been a member for awhile with no intro post. Well, I'm 27 from Central MN. I'm married with 2 children. I went to school for Automotive Tech and Auto Body Collision and am currently working a job unrelated to both, haha (that economy for ya). Anyway, I've owned my 5th gen '98 Z34 since March 2006. In August 2010, I top-swapped my car and last summer (2013) I swapped it to a 5-speed Getrag 284. I've only put a few hundred miles on it so far and it has some small things to work out (namely trans codes tuned out and cruise control) but it's a blast to drive. Here's my shameless How-To thread over on W-body.com for any of those interested in the manual swap:

Monte Carlo Z34 5-speed swap HOW-TO

I hope to post some newer pics here eventually. Thanks for looking!

 

Welcome to the forum and being here for a year already. Your monte carlo sounds like a sweet ride. Post some pictures here too.

 

Hey!!

Beautiful car, with a great setup! Glad to have you here... again

 

Welcome, I know you from somewhere.....

 

Just went through the whole thread for the first time. Nice work and welcome! Can't wait for videos, and I think it's time for you to get headers. They're not too expensive, especially compared to what you've spent on the swap. Keep up the good work!

Also, is there an ultimate goal for your Monte?

 

Looks like a sweet custom ride!

 

Stealing my lines now eh?

 

Thanks for the nice welcomes.

Headers are next on my parts list; including finally getting HP Tuners eventually as I need to get into tuning on my own. My goal has really been to get to this point. It was a pipe dream for forever (seemingly) to make it a SC 3.8; whether by top-swapping or L67 swap. After I finally did that, I was really getting excited at the idea of a 5-speed swap. I'm feeling pretty good at this point. I know that a manual is generally slower than a auto, but that's not my point to be the fastest; just fastER and fun at the same time. Heck, I've never even taken my car to a track before, despite urges from fellow gearhead friends. My next pipe dream (and ultimate goal) is (shhhhhh, secret) an LS4 swap while retaining the 284. I'm pretty confident in my abilities but still realize the challenge it presents. Anyway, here's a few pics

 

I do say again, that is slick!! Tops swaps have been done, but manual conversions are far less common in the W-bodies (especially an earlier generation W-Body like you Monte). I love custom fab stuff like that. There is so much that goes into custom fabbing a 1-off solution that was never a direct out-of-the box product.

I'm certain many people have questions and are curious about your complete build. THanks for joining with fellow Monte enthusiasts!

 

thats awesome!