Hi, I have a 2003 Monte LS with the 3.4 engine. I have owned it for a while now, about 7 years. It has 99,886 miles on it and I put about $6,275 into fixing it up it in the past 4 months. Just yesterday I had $2K worth of work done on it. Engine tune up, new spark plugs, spark plug wires, coils, new intake manifold gasket, Fuel injection system cleaning, new transmission lines, new fuel filter. I really love the car and would like to keep it, my family and friends think I'm insane for spending so much money on an old car, especially cause i don't make a ton of money, but its all paid off and runs great now apart from an exhaust leak, so its loud, and my brake lines are rusted but they aren't leaking yet so those two things are next on my list. Every thing I fix is one less thing that can go wrong so I'm hoping there isn't many more fixes.

Before that I had the Timing belt cover gasket, Shocks, rotors, struts, wheel bearings, calipers, coolant reservoir, water pump, battery, serpentine belt and control arms replaced. I also had the ignition tumbler rebuilt by a locksmith since it was really difficult to turn on cause the tumblers were worn out, works perfect now.

I don't have any issues with the Transmission as of right now, but I heard the transmissions in these Monte's aren't that great because of the way they were made and a remanufactured one would be better and last longer. While they were changing my intake manifold gasket they said the engine looked good, so that's good at least, I'm just worried about the transmission.

I do know someone whos a friend of my dads who works on cars and can pretty much do anything, not sure if he can rebuild a transmission but I know he can put a new one in, since he did that for one of my family members not too long ago, and he doesn't charge much either, far less than a shop.

So yeah, trying to fix up my Monte so it'll last at least another 5 or 10 years or longer.

Thanks!

 

Do a pan drop, filter change, fluid change. Run it 'til it breaks. Are there issues with the transmissions? Sure. But some people don't have problems.

If that's the case, just find a junkyard transmission and have him drop it in for you for cheap. That's all I would do, I would not bother rebuilding them when they are a dime-a-dozen. If you REALLY want this friend to do something with a junk yard tranmission, when you find a low-mileage one, just buy this kit (https://www.sonnax.com/parts/3034-the-sure-cure-kit) and see if they are comfortable at least doing that.

When I say that's all I would do, it's also because it is all i've done. My trans went at 140k, I grabbed a junkyard trans with 60k on it and that is still what is in my car, and I abuse my car haha.

 

Yeah thats what i'll probably do. The people who owned it before me didn't drive it much at all, it only had like 30 or 40K miles on it. My dad put like 10K on it Driving long distance back and forth for a job and I never drive on the highways with it, and I dont often go past 45 mph so the transmission shouldn't have too much wear and tear on it. I personally just use it to get to work and back and grocery getting and thats it, i dont drive it all over the place.

If I cant find a decent junkyard transmission I was thinking something like this might work: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Rebuilt-Tra...QAAOSw7fVdRKDT

but idk, I dont mind paying that much for a new trans as long as its good, but a junkyard one with low miles would be my first priority.

But I need to get my exaust system fixed. I cant remember what the guy told me butI think he said the leak was in front of the catalytic converter and something about the resonator, i'll have to call again today and ask exactly so i can find the right part but i can have my dads friend put it on, I was thinking of this: https://www.upsw.com/2003-chevrolet-...r-exhaust-kit/

 

Ask local auto locksmith, they probably have a way to find the new transmission.

 

I dont think local auto locksmith is the only place that has google.

 

Just might want to spend a few more dollars and put dual exhaust on the car they will run alot better than the single as long as you are doing it. And probably the O2 sensors should be replaced at the same time.