Quick & Dirty Monte FAQ

• Q: What are these acronyms, etc?
• A: You will probably see these often on the mailing list and this web site:

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	BBC = big block chevy
	SBC = small block chevy
	L69 = H.O. 305 (came in the SS)
	LG4 = non-H.O. 305 (an option for the non-SS, with the 4.3 V6 being another option)
	ZZ3 = GM crate motor (345hp 350 SBC)
	ZZ4 = next generation ZZ3 (355hp 350 SBC)
	H.O. = high output
	2bbl = a 2-barrel carburator
	4bbl = a 4-barrel carburator
	Q-Jet = The Rochester Quadra-Jet (a 4bbl carburator)
	spreadbore = 4bbl carburator "shape" - uneven sized primary and secondary throttle blades (primaries are smaller)
	squarebore = 4bbl carburator "shape" - all 4 throttle blades are of equal size
	SES = service engine soon (light)
	GN = Buick Grand National
	GNX = a very special GN, of which only 547 were made
	LS = Luxury Sport
	SS = Super Sport
	CL = Custom Luxury
	EGR = Exhaust Gas Recirculation (emissions)
	EFE = (often EFE valve) Early Fuel Evaporation
	TPI = Tuned Port Injection (GM)
	TBI = Throttle Body Injection (GM)
	EFI = Electronic Fuel Injection
	SFI = Sequential Fuel Injection
	MPFI = Multi Port Fuel Injection
	MAF = Mass Air Flow (a method of EFI management)
	SD = Speed Density (a method of EFI management)
	ECM = Engine Control Module (a.k.a. The Computer)
	cat = catalytic converter (emissions) (a.k.a kitty)
	VIN = Vehicle Identification Number (saying "VIN number" is redundant)
	RPO = Regular Production Option
	bore = the size of the cylinder (diameter). bigger bore = bigger piston = more volume
	stroke = the length of travel of the piston in the cylinder, as controlled by the crank/rods. longer stroke = more volume
	RWD = Rear Wheel Drive
	FWD = Front Wheel Drive
	Z65 = The RPO code for a Monte SS
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• Q: What years were the Montes made?
• A: 1970-1988 (RWD) and 1995-present (FWD).

• Q: Was the Monte Carlo designed to compete with another car?
• A: Originaly, it was designed to compete with the Pontiac Grand Prix (think of the First Gen Monte as a Luxury Chevelle). Later generations went after the Ford Thunderbird, especially in NASCAR racing. Ford even "borrowed" some ideas from the Monte during the 70s for its Thunderbird. To be honest, I have no idea what the 1995-up Monte's are designed to compete with, if anything... but they are still used (name only) in NASCAR. I still think they should take the "S" out of NASCAR myself.

• Q: What car was the Monte Carlo based on?
• A: In the early years as an A-body it was based on the Chevelle and designed with a bit of luxury in mind. Later it followed the G-body line. The 1995-up Monte's are members of the W-body line, like the Lumina.

• Q: What years could you get an SS?
• A: 1970-1971 and 1983-1988

• Q: What engines came with the SS?
• A: 1970-1971 = 454 BBC (LS5) ; 1983-1988 = 305 SBC (L69)

• Q: What trans came with the SS?
• A: 1970-1971 = TH400 (3-spd auto) ; 1983-1984 = TH350 (3-spd auto) ; 1985-1988 = TH200-4R (4-spd OD auto) [note that the TH350 is NOT an overdrive transmission]

• Q: Explain to me more about the 400 vs. 402, etc...
• A: Check this out.

• Q: Did any SS's ever come with Fuel Injection?
• A: Nope. Just the good old Q-Jet 4bbl.

• Q: What are those SS's with the big rear glass?
• A: Those are AeroCoupes. They were made in 1986 and 1987. Only 200 were made in 1986, very rare. 6,052 were made in 1987, not as rare, but still pretty rare considering that 72,993 Montes were made in 1987. They were made to gain an aerodynamic advantage in NASCAR racing. For the most part, you love 'em or hate 'em. Aside from the rear glass and the spoiler (see spoiler section below) they were the same as an SS. The rear glass gained roughly a 2.7 percent advantage in drag coefficient reduction. (there is more AeroCoupe info elsewhere on this site)

• Q: What is the coefficient of drag of the Monte Carlo SS? And what about the SS Aerocoupe?
• A: The SS had a coefficient of drag of 0.375. The Aerocoupe was 0.365. So the Aerocoupe was 2.7% more efficient in the wind. For comparison, I have a bunch of CoD's for various cars here.

• Q: I've noticed 2 different types of rear spoiler on 1983-1988 SS's, what's up with that?
• A: Yeah, there were two styles, here's the deal. ALL 1983-1986 SS's came with the "normal" "stand-up" spoiler. ALL 1988 SS's came with the "lay-down" spoiler. ALL 1986 & 1987 AeroCoupes came with the "lay-down" spoiler. The 1987 SS's came with a mixture of the two, the later cars having the "lay-down" spoiler.

• Q: I've heard that 87 and 88 L69's had roller cams, true?
• A: Nope. And if they did, they were VERY rare, because many of us have had our 305's apart and we could only wish we had a roller cam. What you may have heard is that the 1986-later 305 block was set up for a roller cam, but they sure didn't come with one.

• Q: Was posi standard on the 83-88 SS?
• A: Nope. It was an option. The option code is G80.

• Q: What were the trans/rear combinations for the SS's (83-88) ?
• A: 1983-84: TH-350 with 3.42's / 1985-88: TH-200R4 with 3.73's (the SS had a 7.625" rear). With the TH350 being 1:1 in 3rd gear, the final ratio was 3.42:1. With the TH-200R4 having a 0.67:1 4th gear, the final ratio was 2.50:1. There is more trans ratio information elsewhere on this site.

• Q: How many of each year were made?
• A: It's on the web page, look here.

• Q: Can someone explain to me more about bore and stroke and displacement?
• A: Check this out.

• Q: Hey, this posi stuff in confusing!
• A: No problem, look here.

• Q: What are "Lightning Rods" ?
• A: It's a shifter put out by Hurst a long time ago: here's a picture.

• Q: I heard the Buick GN was better, is that true?
• A: In many ways, yes. But we like V8's for some reason. Now go away. :)

• Q: What's this restoration packet I keep hearing about?
• A: It's on the web page, look here. Basically it's like a history booklet with random cool info thrown in along with some parts suppliers info, etc... it's free.

• Q: Can someone decode my VIN?
• A: Probably. Here are the guidelines.

• Q: Can someone decode my RPO (trunk lid) codes?
• A: Yes. You can :) Look here.

• Q: What are the biggest tires I can fit on my SS?
• A: It's on the web page, look here.

• Q: Tell me about this 140 speedo conversion!
• A: Lauren Engineering (phone number is on the page) makes a sticker that should match your factory gauges that goes up to 140mph which you stick on your existing speedometer. You must then take your speedo to a shop and have it calibrated per the instructions that come with the sticker. I think it's about $30.

• Q: Was there ever a First Gen Yenko Monte Carlo?
• A: We're not sure, but we're trying to find out. We don't think so. [we = the mailing list]

• Back to the main Monte page.