John Burns

We changed a bunch of things but the funny thing is, the main reason was to try to make the horrendous exhaust resonance go away. We knew any of these changes would probably help to make more power, but if the exhaust wasn't so bad, we probably never would have touched the car. We changed the mufflers from dynomax to magnaflows (just from seat-of-the pants I think that alone was worth a couple of tenths); changed the location of the crossover in the exhaust system; changed the cam (it now has a 530/558/246/254/114- it had a 520/520/244/244/114- doesn't look much different, but desperation had set in); new valve springs (ALWAYS be sure your valve springs are happy!); new rocker arms (stamped steel to roller tip); and the final change, and the one that pains me the most but cured the resonance: exhaust headers- I miss the manifolds!!! The basic combo: 454 w/iron Merlin oval ports; 350 turbo with a 2400 B&M converter; 3:31 gears. If this picture thing will work for me, here is the mill- no yawning! Not much eye-candy here, just how I like it! And we run it with that air cleaner (no filter):

Just got back from Cecil County Dragway (MD)- good air and a handful of changes got me a 11.975 @ 112.38! So very happy- the last time (a year? ago) it went 12.4 at 110. (Then I hopped into that blue car next to the Monte in my avatar and ripped off a 10.77 @ 125.83- but that is for a different website ). Awesome day!

CB- apologies for hijacking your post! Quote: Originally posted by MC72: jrb70454, What car did you get your oil, water, and volts gages out of? Did they fit in without much modification? Thanks. The oil pressure gauge, voltmeter and fuel gauge are out of a mid-70s chevy truck. The oil pressure gauge is mechanical, so there was no wiring involved. I ran a wire from a 12V switched source for the voltmeter, and just got creative in tapping into the wiring for the fuel gauge. The temp gauge, speedo and tach are factory Monte. The truck gauges are probably relatively easy to find- mine came from my old suburban before it went to the boneyard. Did they fit without much modification? Hmmm... well, I'm a self-proclaimed hack. I can make solid-functioning prototypes (I'm not afraid to break things!), but it may not be pretty. It would probably be much cleaner if I did it again (or not). Thankfully my "work" is well hidden behind that pretty Monte dash!

Looks awesome! Wait, did I install mine on the wrong side? No wonder it took me so long to install!

Gents, I noticed this footnote on the Patriot headers: 54 - Fits manual and automatic transmission floor shifts only. -John

A blown 632? Hmmmm... whatever converter you buy, get 2. In fact, get 2 of everything for the drive train- even the best stuff won't live too long behind that beast! I have a B&M Nitrous 2400 in my 454 monte and in my 540 Camaro. They're both street cars and I'm happy with the stall speed. The Camaro had a 3000 converter but is more fun to drive with the 2400. I haven't had the car to the track since the swap to the 2400, so I'm not sure if it is going to kill my 60'. I've had good luck with B&M.

Is the radio really powerful with a big amp or other big-power draining accessories? A larger pulley on the alternator will slow it down, charge less, and make the problem worse- if that is the problem. To me, it sounds like there is something wrong with the wiring somewhere. The stock charging system can handle most simple radio upgrades.

My stock th350 with a B&M shift kit does a fine job behind my 454. I've gone 12.4 @ 111 and I punish the car regularly and the trans doesn't care. Yeah, cam and gear specs needed for a converter recommendation. I'm happy with my B&M "nitrous" 2400 converter with 3:31 gears and an "LS-6" cam.

I had my manifolds bead blasted and used Eastwood's gray high temp coating (spray can). It still looks pretty good, but is beginning to rust in some areas. This "manifold dressing" looks interesting- might try it next time: http://www.eastwoodco.com/jump.jsp?itemID=12556&itemType=PRODUCT

Someone on this site actually had some made- you might find them if you did a search. NOS (and used) are really expensive but they appear on ebay sometimes. I cut the lip off of some bottom pieces and stuck them on with some 3M trim tape. It ain't a show car (and it isn't a 71 OR an SS either!), but I love the blacked-out look!

I have a B&M 2400 nitrous (ya never know when you might get the urge to toss a bottle in!) converter in my Monte that works well. I recently replaced an old B&M 3000 in my Camaro (went with the B&M 2400 nitrous as well). That 3000 had been beaten very hard- many many bottle passes, long highway trips and most recently getting abused behind a big inch big block. I felt it was too much converter for the Camaro- that is why I changed it.

Al- Just curious- why are you putting in a trans cooler? Is your trans running hot or are you driving around on the street with a really high stall converter? I've always just used the cooler in the radiator- never had an issue, even with a 3000-stall converter and many, many miles. I even put a trans-temp gauge in and it never got too hot, so I figured "what is the point?". The stock stuff works fine in most cases- my 2 cents.

I've had both (currently an x-pipe) in my Monte. I have manifolds and 20" dynomax mufflers. The reason I switched to an x-pipe was to try to get rid of a nasty resonance at ~2000 rpm. It didn't help... There are may opinions about what sounds good- the x-pipe has a higher pitch at full throttle. Beyond that, I think I'm making pretty decent power through either system. I've used Torque Tech with good results- mandrel bent, fits well, durable. The x-pipe is supposed to be worth more power, but I haven't been to the track since I put it on. Seat-of-the-pants, it feels about the same.

Probably not a hard-fast rule- mine came with an automatic and doesn't have bushings.

Ryan- Do you know if your Monte was built early in the production run? I saw an assembly manual that showed a crossmember with rubber bushings at each end, but it said it was cancelled. I think that style may have even been recalled and replaced!

Contrary to popular belief, 1st and 2nd gen Camaros aren't exactly light-weights- maybe a two or three hundred pounds less than the Monte. I'll make this comparison (if you squint, it's apples-to-apples)... the combo in my Monte recently went 12.41@110. It is a relatively mild 454, with exhaust manifolds, a th350/2400 converter and a 3:31 gear. This same motor with headers, a th400/3000 converter and a 3:73 gears went 12.3@108 in my 70 Camaro. (The motor was decked, about .5 more compression, before it went in the Monte.) I never thought the Monte would get close to the Camaro's et- I think the mild "non-race" gears and converter actually work the motor better... and are headers really worth the hassle?

Hello mrWilson! (couldn't resist). I think the times here seem in line with the combinations. I think Hammer could go deep in the 11's. I'm curious- what is your combo and how fast are you going?

I wrapped a set of headers a long time ago. What a nightmare. I remember it wasn't possible to wrap them while in the car (camaro). The wrap I used was fiberglass and I remember the dust doing nasty things to my skin. The wrap looked like hell (dirty, frayed) after a short amount of time and it ruined the headers quickly. I highly recommend it- if you like pain.

So true- Richmond gears are ok, but set them up wrong and they'll make noise. Setting up gears is no simple matter, either. Around here, you either pay a fortune to have them set up correctly or do it cheap (by a "performance shop") and they're noisey. But hey, who cares- the exhaust drone will cover it up.... It can actually start to make sense $$ to just buy a complete new rear.

12.41 @ 110.1... with a 10.1 .060-over 454, cast iron merlin oval ports, B&M 2400 converter, stock turbo 350 w/B&M shift kit, 3:31 gear, BFG drag radials, cast iron exhaust manifolds, 2.5" Torque Tech exhaust w/h-pipe, 20" dynomax mufflers, "LS6" cam, RPM intake, Holley 800 dp, 6A MSD ignition / MSD distributor. Word to the wise: if you try to run without an air cleaner and have hood insulation, bad things can happen!

I have to stick up for B&M converters here... I have an old 3000 holeshot in my Camaro that has seen, no lie, over 100 nitrous passes and now lives a rough life behind a 540. I recently put a "nitrous 2400" in my Monte- love it so far!

Thanks for all the information!

I'm no ebay expert- apparently there is software that will bid for you? I was trying to bid on these power windows and was immediately outbid by $2.50 each time. I got annoyed and gave up. Then I see these went for $530. Is that in the "normal" range for a power window setup? http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4529747298&sspagename=ADME%3AB%3AWN%3AMT%3A1

Damn- I'll never win the concours trophy now!

Marchie- Thanks for the pixs. The wheel I have is #3. Is there any reason to believe they ran out of 70 wheels at the end of the run and slapped on a 71? Either way, I'd prefer #1!