MikeD's 1988 Monte Carlo SS
Above: the stock picture - 1993 (58,000 miles)
Below: a more recent picture - I think around 1996 or 1997
Above and below, current images from August 2001.
If GM kept accurate production option counts, this car would probably turn out to be pretty rare as far as the way it was optioned. Here's the list: 1988 model year, SS package, black exterior with tan interior and stripes, buckets, console, rear defrost, AC, t-tops, no tilt, no cruise, no power-windows, no power locks and no posi. She was assembled in September 1987 at the Pontiac, MI plant.
Modifications/Upgrades:
- replaced L69 305ci with home built 355ci 4-bolt small block
- replaced 4-speed automatic trans with Tremec T56 6-speed manual trans
- replaced 15x7 wheels with 16x8" GTA (black mesh) front and rear (0mm offset, 4 F-body FRONTS)
- replaced 215/65R15 tires with BFG g-Force T/A KDW 245/50ZR16 front and rear
- Modine #951 (F-body plastic/aluminum) radiator
- GM ZZ3/ZZ4 PROM chip #24502456
- GM ESC module for 350 #16128261
- GM Knock Sensor for 350 #10456288
- Taylor 8mm spiral core plug wires
- MSD cap #8426 and rotor #8427
- MSD Blaster GM ignition coil #8226
- MSD 6AL ignition #6420
- Auburn PRO limited slip diff for 7.625" rear
- Edelbrock T.E.S. headers #EDL-6879
- Torque Tech 2.5" mandrel bent aluminized cat-back exhaust w/ stainless hardware
- Dynomax Super Turbo mufflers (14-inch)
- Random Technology catalytic converter (stainless) #903006
- Hotchkis 1" drop front springs (600 lb./in) kit #1902
- Hotchkis 1" drop rear springs (135 lb./in) kit #1902
- Bilstein front shocks #B36-0949
- Bilstein rear shocks #B46-0929
- Motion Performance 2.5" fiberglass cowl induction hood
- air conditioning system removed (oops)
- new black carpet
- new black headliner
- new black sun visors
- minor audio upgrades
Future plans may include...
- 12-inch front disc brake upgrade (with tubular upper a-arms)
- rear disc brake conversion
- fuel injection
- hollow F-body front anti-sway bar
- increase rear tire size to 255/50R16
- new bucket seats (Corbeau)
- new rear lower control arms (boxed or tubular)
- paint! (black again)
- custom aluminum driveshaft (custom because of the T56)
- driveshaft loop modified for T56 placement
- more "factory" bracing
- XH steering box (with stops for 16x8 wheels)
(contact: web@darklair.com)
