Alex Guck's 1987 Silver Monte
The Edlebrock TES
(EDL-7979) are first and foremost place to start building your SS. The
engine in the Monte Carlo SS is code named the L-69 and it is a decent little
5.0 liter engine. Unfortunately while it has a pretty good aluminum
Intake manifold and a fairly healthy cam for a stock engine, the exhaust
system is too restrictive for the engine to make good power. The
Monte-list has seen roughly 25-30hp over stock when switching to these emissions
legal headers. These headers fit nearly all GM small-block heads including
305 heads, 350 heads, ZZ4/corvette heads and the 400 heads . As you can
see they are quite flexible if you plan to swap the engine to a 350
or larger engine later. It is highly recommended you get them coated
as this reduces under hood temperatures and prolongs the life and good looks
of these headers. Typical Cost $330 (+ $200 for coated) from Summit.
These Bolt right up with all hardware included, I was impressed with
the quality and content. Also note that ceramic coating is not PROOF
against corrosion in the rust belts, but you will get serviceable life out
of them.
Update from MonteCarloSS.com: Edelbrock discontinued their ceramic coated (EDL-7979) version of the TES. They have the non-ceramic coated version and a nickle plated version available at this time. In addition, since this web page was originally created, Hooker Headers now has emissions legal headers for the 4th generation SS. Hooker part number 2050 is the proper header for the SS. These have larger primary tubes than the Edelbrock TES (5/8" instead of 1/2") so provide better performance. Jet Hot Coatings provides members of MonteCarloSS.com a discount on their ceramic coating of these headers. Check out the Parts Information page under Exhaust for more information.
Now is a good time
to change your spark plugs. After installing the Edlebrock TES, the plugs
are VERY difficult to reach. Many people have used the various
"hi-performance" plugs on the market and have failed to see any noticeable
improvements. In the Case of the Split fires, most people saw a small
increase in MPG with a noticeable decrease in performance, while other found
an increase in performance as well. Do note that simply changing a worn set of plugs
to ANY new set will also have a similar effect, so the results from any of the
higher priced variants remains questionable.
Stay with the GM/AC plugs AC FR5LS, 904, or MR43LTS. Cost around $20
The TES throw off a Lot of Heat, and so it is a good idea to upgrade
your plug wires to something which will handle the heat. The Taylor Hi-Energy
8mm wires have proven to be the best value, while the Accel 300+ Pro-sleeve
wires have even better heat shielding but at a higher cost. I like
the Accel wires because of the added protection they provide. Accel places
a heat sleeve on the wire for you and in combination with boot covers has
eliminated cooked wires on my car. Taylor's run around $40, Accel's
run around $70
The Monte SS has a
nice Hi-flow catalytic converter but if you have more than 50,000 miles on
it, then a change to a new PFP catalytic converter (PFP-6151) or a Random
Technology 3" converter is recommended. The PFP Catalytic converter
is a good choice for all 305 and mild 350 engines. The Random Technology
3" converter is a better choice for 300hp / 350cid engines or larger.
Replacing your cat won't enhance power, but it will prevent a possible
restriction. The PFP from Summit runs $70 while the Random Tech Cat.
runs $300. Also note that the PFP comes with the flanges welded on
(bolts right up with 1/2" bolts) while the Random Tech requires the flanges
from your old (or donor) converter to be cut off and welded to the Random
Tech converter. A muffler shop will do this fairly cheap for you.
The Next area
to improve is behind the Catalytic converter by switching to a Mandrel Bent
system. There are a few varieties out there but the only one we have
found so far that exits in the stock location is the Walker Dynomax cat-back
system (WLK-17423). It is an aluminized system with 2.25" mandrel bent
pipes, the last 18" are chrome tips and have the proper angle cuts. These
are great on all 305 and mild 350 engines, you can see a gain around 5-10hp
with this system. For 350cid engines and larger a 2.5" or larger Mandrel
Bent system is recommended, although myself and others have had success with
the Walker system on 350cid/350hp engines. This system seems to noticeably
lose horsepower on engines producing power above 5500rpm. The 3" exhaust
systems appears to lose torque in engines below the 350cid/400hp level, so
do not consider 3" pipe unless you are planning on an engine that radical.
The only exceptions are Supercharged and/or Nitrous fed engines. If
you plan to go either route a 3" pipe will benefit you. These engines do
best with exhaust work rather than induction improvements.
The Walker system runs $235 including all clamps, and two Super Turbo mufflers which some people prefer to the Flowmasters. The debate rages as to which muffler brand has the best flow, best sound, and attenuation. You can always replace the Super Turbos a couple years later if you dislike the exhaust note. The Super Turbos get louder after a few months, but are somewhere between stock and Flowmasters in volume.
Related Upgrade:
Your engine is now
producing enough Horsepower and Torque at this point to justify switching
to a larger tire to get this new power planted to the ground. P235/60-15
sized tires work well in the front and improve handling. While P255/60-15
size tires work well in the back on Stock 7" or after market 8" rims.
P275/50-15 are stock diameter and work nearly as well on 10" rims.
The Rear tires may rub a little on large speed bumps with passengers
in back but otherwise should fit fine. The P255's are a 10" section
width tire which will help you plant more of your new power.
Remember not to mix bias-ply tires with
radials!!! My personal choice is the BFGoodrich Touring T/A for
the front, and the BFGoodrich Drag Radials for the rear. Other successful
rear DOT approved tires are Mickey Thompsons, M&H Racemasters,
McCreary's, Hoosier QuickTimes, as well as others. Do NOT expect long
lifetime's on these soft compound tires, 10-15,000 miles would very good.
If you prefer to give up some traction for longer life then the BFGoodrich
Comp T/A's have been found to give a decent mix of traction, wear, and handling
characteristics for around $165/pr.
BFG's Drag Radials (255/60-15) run about $320/pr.
Note: P255/60-15 Tires will cause a Speedometer error
of +3mph @ 65mph (indicated).
Also: P275/50-15 Tires cause a -0.5mph error @ 65mph.
Air Lift bags, which are inserted inside the rear coil springs can be a very cheap and effective method of controlling wheel-hop as well as allowing you to preload the suspension to increase traction. If you plan to install a performance suspension later on you might just skip these, but if your on a limited budget, these babies rock for the price/performance. About $75!!
This Completes the STAGE 1 buildup of the 83-88 Monte Carlo SS
Using the Edlebrock TES, PFP Catalytic Converter, and the Walker-Dynomax Cat-back system.
*Bonus - many people see their MPG increase!
*note: all estimated times are calculated using 85F air temp, 80% Humidity, 100ft elevation, no posi-traction and are WORST CASE scenarios. Also note that most Stock SS's are running worse than 15.9s in the 1/4mi. (Due to engine wear over 10+ years.)