Dans '70 Z20

Steve just likes a clean mirror b/c he's always the one in the lead and likes to get a clear view of his current and future victims .......... us in most cases. LOL Dan

I think you are able to get a build sheet if your car was built in Canada. I think you can order a restoration packet from Canada too. Built in USA you are sh*& outta luck. Dan

Emailed him a few days ago. Original drivetrain long gone! Nice car anyway, and does look nasty when suspension lowered.

Joe, You don't even have to know the brand to get an idea if they may fit. Pick any mfr and see if a particular header(pick same type short, mid or long as the ones on motor) is listed to fit both our cars and a G-body. If both are listed its a good chance (not a guarantee) that they may fit. There is always slight changes between companies but I would guess most are similar as to what they fit. Do to cost it is easier to make one header fit more applications than develop a second with a slight chang. Dan

Just called Chevelles R Us. 1967-8-9 stainless tanks are coming as we speak but the stainless tanks for 1970-1-2 will be another three to four weeks before they are available. Get this: ONLY $ 229 !! Almost sorry I have a tank already. Dan

Invest in "Chevy by the numbers" book or go to nastyz28.com he has alot of good info on there. Year One's site also has some info and there representatives are also be willing to help you out. Dan

Spoke to the "legendary" Art Carr today. Do not associate him with the company currently working under the Art Carr name in Texas. Original buyer of his empire paid down payment on business with an agreement to make good in three years on the balance. Needless to say he did not and sold business to a converter company out of Texas now working under the name Art Carr. He says they have a local AAmco dealer doing the trans orders. Anyway after a million dollars spent in legal fees he gave up the fight and started working with California Performance Transmissions. He says he has been building 200r4's to 800hp for 6 years. Has them on Grand nat'ls doing 9.5sec 1/4 mile times, 502/572 cars doing mid 11's etc. Says they have less rotating mass than the TH400,4L60,4L80 and therefore will help at the track. Says he has had many guys running them for years. Kit with everything is $2900. Spoke to Coan Performance (who I go my Torque converter from) and they disagree. They say if you want overdrive to swap out rear gear and put in a gear vendors. Says they have never seen one fail. They say the 2004R's are now built to handle more HP but will just take longer to break down. Stock TH400's can handle a BB without modification. They also recommended sticking with the stock gear set in the Turbo 400 rather than using the lower gear set. The Gear vendors unit only uses 1/4 hp per 100hp which is minimal. I'll stick with my Street/Strip TH400 and swap out rear gear to 3:73 and add a GV unit when I get the cash. Seems more reliable in the end. Dan

Yeah, you are right now that added up the numbers. Turbo 400 Street/Strip rebuild with lower gears $1500-1700 Gear Vendors: $2595 Total you would be at around $4000. A 2004R built for a big block with TV kit and torque converter, new shaft probably end up about the same cost. The benfit is you can outlay the cost in stages and add gear vendors later to put off expense. With 2004R your all in $$. Also with a Turbo400 you have insurance based on its historic abilities......the 2004R upgrades are only currently being put to the test. Dan

Be sure its a well built TH2004R. Only as of recently have they come out with aftermarket parts for them to withstand the torque of a big block. Stock ones have no chance. Pretty costly when built right and then you need TV cable and new converter. Cheaper route: Re-use/rebuild Turbo 400 and have them install 2:75 lower gear set. You will then have 2:75 first 1:57 Second and 1:1 third .......same as the first three gears on a TH2004R. If and when you want an overdrive add a gear vendors O'Drive to back of Turbo 400 ($2500). This way you get a known bullet proof Turbo 400 with lower gears and a bullet proof O'Drive unit in the Gear Vendors. It can shift into O'Drive at a certain speed automatically or can be switched to manual and manually shifted between gears ........1, 1 Over, 2, 2-Over, 3, 3-Over to better 1/4 mile time. New TCI: GM 4L80E 6 spd is currently having some problems. 700R4: really low 1st gear. No need for low end torque of a BB. 2nd hits so hard torque of a big block stresses 2nd gear. 2004R: known as a weak transmission has only recently had parts available to build above 400hp. We'll see. Turbo Regals going into 8's on 2004R's but they do not have the torque of big blocks. Turbo comes in at higher RPM so less stress on tranny. Looked into this in the past and thought I would share. The only benefit of going with 700r4, Ford AOD 0r 2004R is the ability to fully program shift points to maximize times at the track. Dan

Yep, Once again I stand corrected. I meant the M-20 but my typing skills and lack of sleep got the best of me. LOL

With a big car like ours the lower first gear in the M-21 will benefit you off the line, unless you already have a low gear in the rear. That is why our cars came with the M-21 in the first place.

Larry from Mass. (the machinist) was making the top hockey sticks for SS's. They are different than the bottom hockey sticks b/c they have spikes to hold them in place on quarter extension. I cannot remember the contact info for Larry. He has sold his 71 SS454 due to slowing business at his shop, but he does intend to get another once things are back to normal. Leo Konik was getting them from him, in fact there is a set on Sam(Bones) car. He will be able to get them for you. They are a bit pricey though, but he is the only one making them. Dan

Naaaaah ! Arsin. The only way you can get away with 13's is if the car is able to stand on three legs. That's the only place for 13's.....but the gold spokes are a must. Too bad Monteman1971 sold the set of silver 14" true spokes wheels he got his monte with.....he would have given you a deal! LOL Dan

Not Coys but they will give you an idea. My opinion is a musclecar needs a stepped lip rather than soft, reversed or fat lip wheel. Monte -Foose Nitrous

Most of us "racers" would hang out for the extra day. One day of racing and you consider yourself recruited I guess. LOL

If my car is done......I will make every effort to attend if possible. We'll have to see when the time comes. Woodward Dream Cruise seems do-able to me and is an event every car guy would hope to attend at least once in his life. Dan

One for each shock

WARNING !! Be sure to use acid-free clear plastic pages to slide the build sheet inside for safe keeping. The acid in many office type plastic pages will cause premature yellowing, cracking and further drying out. You can get the acid-free stuff at any scrapbooking store. I got mine at Michael's Arts & Crafts (large chain). Didn't want you to think you were protecting it when you were accelerating the deterioration. BTW.... I too only use a good photocopy to show. My original is in the acid free clear plastic page and in my safe!! Hope this helps. Dan

Willie, Glad the recommendation worked. Did you use the bug & tar remover also prior to the clay bar. Just curious. It's funny how everyone I recommend to do this says the same thing "smooth as a babies behind". Nice to hear it worked out. Dan It was a dealer on Jamaica Ave in Queens. I believe they did have another set. Not sure of part # now. I can check to see if I can locate it. Call me: cell (516) 578-1828

Yep, Got an NOS set last year from a regular GM dealer. Just do a search on www.PartsVoice.com It will tell who's got 'em. DAn

Guess your leaning towards DRAG @ SuperChevy after making this purchase. Dan

Ed, There is a guy in Valley Stream, NY with two SS454 Montes which he claims are survivors. A triple green 70, and a Triple Black 71. Only saw him a few times at cruises here. Rubbed us the wrong way. I can't remember if it had fiber optic but we are awfully close to Jersey and the guy has had them for years. Last year he had both listed in Hemmings multiple times (with a (718) phone number but he was asking $20k for 70 and $25K for 71. Too much money for cars that are in good driver/low rust condition but need to be restored. He believes because they are "survivors" they are worth more....not true. I believe he lives in Queens but keeps the cars in a garage in Valley Stream. Hope it helps. Steve (Monteman71) is also familiar with these cars, I'll see if he remembers. Good Luck. Dan

Be Careful the old Art Carr transmissions no longer has the wisdom of Art Carr. He is involved with a new tranny shop in California and building 2004R's to 1000hp I think. Why not go with the legend. Especially, if its with a tranny that was known to be weak until some of the serious goodies only became available as of recently. http://www.cpttransmission.com Give them a call and pick their brains. Probably worth the call. Dan

Here is the article on the comparison of various step downs with x-pipe compared to open headers. http://www.carcraft.com/techarticles/exhaust_system_installation/index.html Very interesting article. Dan