Aaronz28

who makes the best reproduction vinyl top?

anyone know if the Corvette style (long branch) manifolds fit the monte carlo? I have the OE log type on my car, but i kinda want to run the Corvette style for a little better flow - and I have a new set of BBC Corvette headpipes that would fit if the manifolds clear anyone?

No, i'm talking about an air cleaner that looks correct - the Chevelle LS6 air cleaner was designed for a cowl induction - hence the hole in the hood - i don't want an air cleaner that seals to the hood - and the single snorkel LS5 is probably too restrictive.... and open element style doesn't look stock was my point. at least with the 3x2 there is no confusing what it is.

i have oval

Thanks ! LS65speed - ive been going back/forth as to whether or not to run the 3x2 vs the l72 or L88 intake. The problem i'm dealing with at the moment is regarding which air cleaner i'd run if i go 4bbl. My stock LS5 air cleaner will work with a 3/8 spacer (which i've tried) but looks kinda silly with that obvious performance intake.... and i can't run a LS6 chevelle air cleaner as I don't have the hole in the hood... i want the car to look factory even though it might not have come that way

do both fit under neath the hood? planning to shelf the original intake and run a GM alumiunim - the LS6 clearly looks shorter - but if the L72/L78 or the L88/ZL1 intake fits, i might go that route.. any advice on fit/best performance? Thanks

My SS454 air cleaner was refinished previously in a flat black.... is that correct? or should it be gloss? or semi? and as long as I'm asking - pulleys? brackets? gloss? semi? for original accuracy

what part of Ontario are you in? I'm in Allen Park, which is 15 minutes south of the bridge.... maybe Eric will give us a deal on 2 systems... probably not but you could ship it to my place if that would help

Eric refrains from putting prices on the web - i think its so that people call and discuss exactly what they need - they have a wealth of info as to what systems specifically came on cars i.e. factory changes and such - and they offer things like "concours" package which has technically accurate hangers as opposed to simply functional, and then they can ceramic coat the flanges, they offer zinc coated clamps, etc etc... so its not just "1 1970 Monte Carlo system pls" as for price - my Chambered system for my Camaro was like 1600-1800 with the concours package, heat riser, ceramic coated flanges, and shipping... so definably not cheap... but when it comes to being perfect - there simply is no comparison...... And for sure - when its performance you are after, a good aftermarket mandrel bent system is far superior in terms of performance (sound is subjective so i won't go there) but if you are doing a high dollar resto with manifolds and want every detail correct... these guys are it. Thanks Aaro

They do not mix/match anything - they build concours quality systems from the blue prints of the original systems - and they only sell complete kits i have had several of their systems on Camaros and the systems literally fall into place perfectly - i've never ever encountered another system that does that. i've used their chambered and transverse system on my 69 Z28 and absolutely love the fit/finish/sound.... something about an OE muscle car muffle just does it for me. Here is my 69 Z with their chambered system on it - the chevelle chambered system has resonators before the tail pipe tips so its a tad more subdued I think - https://youtu.be/hTRntCxb7es and someone else 69 Chevelle with their chambered system.. https://youtu.be/YNCZtaP9WP8

GardnerExhaust.com

Sam, can you post photo or two of the exhaust? would love to see it... I'm thinking of their 69 Chambered system for my SS454 - for fun

So, i was thinking of ordering a concours system from Gardner exhaust - they claim the systems for Chevelle/Elky/Monte are all the same.... with the longer wheelbase -how can this be? Or is the added length of the wheelbase on the front end only? i.e. from mid engine back - monte/elky are the same as the Chevelle? this would make sense with the longer fan shroud - but i wanna be sure before spending a chunk of money on a high dollar exhaust system thanks

yes - i'm in for the Woodward cruise - also gonna bring the family to Norwalk this year for the meet. i also thing that the closed chamber oval ports - with the matching 3x2 intake, and the LS6 cam will be a killer combo. I extrude honed my SBC manifolds for the my 69Z - and didn't notice any difference for regular driving - the car currently has 2.5" dual system which is what i'll keep on it for now - should be fun. worst case scenario - the 3.31s come out and 3.73s go in

Unless you are going racing - the GM OE 250hp/300hp camshaft is about as good as it gets for street car in a heavy Monte.... you can get crazy and go big on a cam, but 9x out of 10, guys wind up over camming and engine just because the "tech support" guys made a suggestion. For about 10 years, I swapped 8 different cams in the SBC that was in my 69 Camaro - trying to improve on the factory's hi-po cam... in every instance - the GM grind was superior. (when using anything other than racing heads/intake/exhaust etc.) I know I sound like an old curmudgeon - but really, i've been down this road a dozen times with people... and in every instance - without fail - a factory grind will ofter the best all around performance, reliability, ease of maintenance, and lastly - least amount of wear on the valve train. GM engineers knew what they were doing. NOW - aftermarket heads, intake, exhaust, converter, gearing? then sure you can go bigger - but you might not like the low end sponginess of a big [censored] heavy Monte whose engine doesn't wake up until 2500 rpm.