Matt's 84 Monte SS project

twomanymontes · Moderator - Monte Hunter Lead Investigator

RE: Matt's 84 Monte SS project

Montess2k · Administrator- Comic Relief

Yep no doubt about it! Hardest part is having the patience for "in due time" lol....

Joe

twomanymontes · Moderator - Monte Hunter Lead Investigator

Matt Decided to play "How much can we annoy Dad while he's working!" evileye

Over the last few weekends he decided it was time to do some upgrades on his SS

First it was Paint and install the Cutlass fender braces

It was Install the new Speedomoter

Then he decided he wanted to upgrade the steering column, So out it came, repainted, reinstalled, then installed the Billet accents and the new grant steering wheel

Now yesterday he decided it was time to install the Grand Prix Front F41 braces

And Finally the Radiator Cross braces he took out of a cutlass

Now hopefully he's done for a while so I can get some work done! biggrin

87z16 · Senior Member

nice upgrades!! he will enjoy the stiffness difference. now just to add the rear seats braces and the brace for the rear chassis. he can make them both.

intimadatorsquizz · Moderator

looks great guys

black07ss · Guru

Looks great guys. So when is the nitrus getting installed??

Doc · Administrator

Matt is doing a great job on the Monte (with Dad's help). Keep up the good work Matt!

twomanymontes · Moderator - Monte Hunter Lead Investigator

87z16 wrote:

nice upgrades!! he will enjoy the stiffness difference. now just to add the rear seats braces and the brace for the rear chassis. he can make them both.

Yeah, thats the next thing he's working on, After he fixes the floor and installs the Camaro 36mm Sway Bar he so happened to find evileye

Bob, NO Nitrous!!!! At least not until he's on his own insurance!!!!

Doc, He actually did do a lot of the work himself, But it seemed like every 10 minutes, it was "Dad, what do I have to do to pull the radiator?" Or "Dad what size wrench do I need to do this?" Why can't he be like every other teenager and Just say "Dad can I borrow some gas money and your truck?" Oh wait, he did that already, LOL!

-- Edited by twomanymontes on Monday 31st of May 2010 07:27:39 PM

Donutboy97 · Moderator-Monte Hunter Lead Investigator

so how was he annoying you??? lmao!!!!

Great Job Matt..... so did the tool that I broke get fixed so I can get my braces?!?!?!?!

twomanymontes · Moderator - Monte Hunter Lead Investigator

Tim, nope it's still broke, I've been looking for another one, But to make you feel better, I finally got my bar painted and installed too, LOL! And Now I know what tools to bring to get them off anyways

mattthias · Moderator- Monte Hunters Camera Crew

Wow. Amazing job. Looks awesome!!!!!!!!!!

Donutboy97 · Moderator-Monte Hunter Lead Investigator

twomanymontes wrote:

Tim, nope it's still broke, I've been looking for another one, But to make you feel better, I finally got my bar painted and installed too, LOL! And Now I know what tools to bring to get them off anyways

lol, Thanks buddy for making me feel better lmao!!! If I get a chance I'll swing over to harbor freight to see if they have one since I broke the last one

twomanymontes · Moderator - Monte Hunter Lead Investigator

LOL! don't sweat it, it's not like I paid for it

Donutboy97 · Moderator-Monte Hunter Lead Investigator

oh I'm not worried about that... I just want my bar lmao!!!!

twomanymontes · Moderator - Monte Hunter Lead Investigator

Well, Since Jim was wondering if anything has been done on Matt's car over the last year, I guess I had better update this.

We installed the F-Body 36MM sway bar with new links and bushing, He's had this for well over a year now and I finally had time to install it.

And then we replaced the Steering center shaft, Got rid of the old rag joint set up.

Now the car stays planted and handles really good in the front! but the rear has a tendancy to come around in the corners. Still need to figure out a live sway bar set up in the rear,

next up Transmission! Got the new Crossmember and stainless trans cooler lines in the other day.

intimadatorsquizz · Moderator

looks good Dave.
it's about time you got off of your butt and did something...lol

mattthias · Moderator- Monte Hunters Camera Crew

looks very nice. i like how it matches the paint scheme with the blue and silver.

tim - that's how the top bushing should look, lol....just messin w/ ya.

twomanymontes · Moderator - Monte Hunter Lead Investigator

Wow! I haven't updated this in a while!

Spent a bit working on Matt's car. The Transmission went in during the fall and is working, but I'm waiting on a new shifter cable. The original cable is too short and the 3rd gen F-body cable makes too tight of a bend and binds. I found a 4th gen F-body cable that is longer and has the correct ends. We'll install that when it arrives.

Out with the old!

In with the new!

Working late finishing it up last October

We pulled out the small original power booster,

Compared the 2.

and installed a B-Body brake booster.

Plus we pulled out the entire interior minus the dash in the fall. Over the last month or so, we installed a new headliner, carpet, repainted all the plastic parts and have most of them installed. Installed a 3rd brake light too. We did do something a bit differant to give it an updated look as well. The package tray, A-piller, B-piller and the upper trim pieces are now covered with headliner material and it blends in really good. Plus, he still needs to finish the mounting of the new center console and the new door panels. Going to look all new this year with the exception of the seats. That will happen next year.

here are some pics to give you guys an idea:

Plus installed the Dash Matt

Tomorrow I might install the new stereo and get the gauge wiring set.

Donutboy97 · Moderator-Monte Hunter Lead Investigator

Lookin great matt, cant wait to see it in person

intimadatorsquizz · Moderator

looks great

mattthias · Moderator- Monte Hunters Camera Crew

Coming along awesomely!!

twomanymontes · Moderator - Monte Hunter Lead Investigator

Matt says thanks. He can't wait to get it on the road and start cruising
I installed the new stereo this morning. Waiting on the new front speakers, should get them this week. Then we can finish putting the doors together. Matt told me today that he's thinking he may want to get the seats redone this year after seeing everything but the seats is new.

twomanymontes · Moderator - Monte Hunter Lead Investigator

Today, I spent a few hours working on Matt's car. He put in some finishing touches to the interior.

Because the pillar pieces were dried out and didn't look good painted. So they were covered in
headliner material. It gives it an updated look.

The new center console is almost completely custom made by Matt. It started out as a console from a W body,
then cut in half and fiberglassed to conform to to the dash. The Shifter is out of the W body and the top
plate is covered in headliner material and fitted with the Ampmeter and Vacuum gauges

All new Door panels, Uppers upgraded to 86-88 versions and the lowers are customs that have the mold
for the speakers.

Basically the interior is done for now. In the Fall the seats will be pulled and recovered.

And I upgraded the rear sway bar. We took the rear sway bar out of a 2001 Olds Bravada and
used a set of front link pins from a 2001 Dodge Durango. Very little modifications to make it work.
Out with the old...

Comparing the old with the new.

and then installed.

Took it for a test drive and it is like night and day! After installing the front F-body sway bar,
the rear would come around if you went to fast around a turn. Now it tracks flat and hugs the curve!

Next year, new rims and tires, tubular trailing arms

firebird_1252 · Senior Member

it all looks really good.

frankoc · Guru

Great progress, looking good!

intimadatorsquizz · Moderator

very nicely done guys. it looks great

mattthias · Moderator- Monte Hunters Camera Crew

awesome!!

NYMontess · Administrator

Lookin good!!!

Donutboy97 · Moderator-Monte Hunter Lead Investigator

Awesome job matt

knightfan26917 · Guru

Holy cow ... that's looking awesome! Congrats, Matt!

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hope4anarchy99 · Guru

twomanymontes wrote:
Well, Matt's drop spindles arrived yesterday. So last night we installed everything.
But due to time restraints and Dead Camera Batteries, I didn't get to document the
procedure. I only had an hour and 51 minutes to get it done before Diana came home.

The stock height, Measured from the ground to the tip of the wheel well 27.5" in
the front and 29" in the rear.

After the 2" drop spindles adn drop springs in the rear were installed 25.5"
in the front and 26.75" in the rear. equalling a killer stance! Plus I'm sure it will settle over the next week and loose anothe half inch.

No more unsightly rusted springs, LOL!

The Drop spindles were purchased of Ebay for a 84 S-10 pick up and they fit perfectly!
Funny thing, They are made by Ground Force, But they have Bell T. stamped into them. I
Can't remember what Mine say, But if they are really Bell Tech Spindles, We just saved
about 75 Bucks!

Like I said, A killer stance..

Special Thanks to Keith W [85T5MCSS] Or as Matt calls him "Uncle" Keith for the
Donation of the rear springs.

Don't worry Tim, we'll still let you park that 4X4 Monte next to ours, LOL!

-- Edited by twomanymontes on Thursday 10th of September 2009 10:09:47 PM

with the side glare shots looks so baby smooth finish nice job

hope4anarchy99 · Guru

soo um when i get 4th gen someday u help me too ?? lol

twomanymontes · Moderator - Monte Hunter Lead Investigator

Matt says "Thanks Guys" He's really enjoying this car. Since the car isn't as wild on turns, today I set the timing and gave him more throttle, he's been running at 3/4 throttle and a timing of 0. Now he's at 10 degrees with about 90% throttle. It runs really good now! Maybe next year when he's on his own insurance, I'll give him full throttle.

Jon, Matt did most of the body and paint work in shop class a few years back. So far since he bought the car in 2007, the only things that were not done here was the exhaust and rebulding the transmission. You get a 4th gen and we'll see. Its a long drive from Syracuse.

firebird_1252 · Senior Member

car looks great. love the stance of the car!

hope4anarchy99 · Guru

lol never that far from syracuse if it comes to learning and building my own 4th gen some day.. now same time dont they make reproduction panels for the 4th gen i swear i saw on a car show one time u can order corner panels and such

mattthias · Moderator- Monte Hunters Camera Crew

Looking good!

twomanymontes · Moderator - Monte Hunter Lead Investigator

Jon, there are a lot of panels available, just depends on how deep your pockets are.

Rob, the car sits almost perfect. It has a real mean stance, it will look better once the new wheels and tires are on next year.

Matt, Look out at the shows this year, LOL!

Donutboy97 · Moderator-Monte Hunter Lead Investigator

Lol Dave... I already know Matt is getting all of my participation awards for this year lol

black07ss · Guru

Great job Dave and Matt. Is is looking better every day

hope4anarchy99 · Guru

twomanymontes wrote:
Jon, there are a lot of panels available, just depends on how deep your pockets are.

-roughly what would a corner panel go for? or door panel, ect? and how many parts do they make that are reproductions- as in dashboard or inner door panels ect? i mean if u really needed to basically rebuild one from frame up lol how much could that go for, just in body that is ?

twomanymontes · Moderator - Monte Hunter Lead Investigator

Jon, to replace every panel on a car would be expensive. Look at sites like Original parts group, Year one, Mike's Montes, Dixie Monte Carlo and even Ebay. You'll see what it costs to replace the parts. Then add labor to that. BAsically, if you have to ask how much, you can't afford it.

I have over $30K wrapped up in my SS, and I have done all the labor myself. I have changed things many different times. Parts that I had laying around found their way onto my son's car and other projects.

I was once told, "Take a $100 bill and set it on fire, if you can watch it burn completely to ashes without wincing or trying to put it out, then you can afford to own a hot rod. If not, then buy a Honda!"

hope4anarchy99 · Guru

wow 30k, in which one?.. i hope shes fast lol

mattthias · Moderator- Monte Hunters Camera Crew

hope4anarchy99 wrote:
wow 30k, in which one?.. i hope shes fast lol

his Ford Mustang Jon.

hope4anarchy99 · Guru

mattthias wrote:
hope4anarchy99 wrote:
wow 30k, in which one?.. i hope shes fast lol
his Ford Mustang Jon.

ummm eh?

firebird_1252 · Senior Member

hope4anarchy99 wrote:
wow 30k, in which one?.. i hope shes fast lol

its not always about speed..

dave.. i stopped keeping track how much i put in to mine.. just makes me depressed. lol

hope4anarchy99 · Guru

if aint about speed then did u at least put on some spinners? lol

twomanymontes · Moderator - Monte Hunter Lead Investigator

Rob, I only keep track of everything for Insurance. Last year I switched companies and retotalled up the reciepts. Yes, it gets depressing, but when you take it for a spin, it makes it all worth it!

Jon, it's fast enough to get me in trouble. And it's worth every penny to me.

hope4anarchy99 · Guru

still lost on which one u spent 30k on someone said mustang but umm im hoping it was a joke lol.. heck if i tossed 30k into a car besides the actual cost of the car, im sure not gonna drive to fast unless i got the money to repair anything i break lol.... when i get my 53 vette ill never get her over 30 miles an hour ever lol

87 SS · Veteran Member

wow i swear that car gets better every time i see it. Matt is truly a blessed and talented indavidual. and having Dave there to help is awesome too.

twomanymontes · Moderator - Monte Hunter Lead Investigator

After a year, I finally took some updated pics of Matt's interior and other upgrades today.

Last year, Matt made his own version of a trunk kit. Created fiberglass forms, smoothed them with body filler and covered them with headliner material.

Even added some power outlets

Over the winter we took the seats to JMB Interiors in Canindagua. The factory seats were redone with larger bolstering and covered with Synthetic Ultra leather with custom stitching. The Head rests have the SS embroidered in them

and the rear seat has the Knight's Crest in the center of the rear.

Plus all 4 seats are heated with hidded switches and are done in two tone to match the rest of the interior.

Then we added the GPS/Tire Pressure Monitor screen to the center console and recovered the center piece in the Ultra Leather. Plus we added a compass rear view mirror with LED map lights

Why a Tire Pressure monitor? Well, basically to protect the new rims and tires.

Staggered sizes, 235/45R17 in the front and 275/40R18 in the rear.

They made a huge difference in handling. and ride.

-- Edited by twomanymontes on Saturday 27th of July 2013 07:29:52 PM