Dans '70 Z20

From Hellwig: Hellwig Motorsports Tubular Sway Bars feature our latest designs and utilize high strength tubular DOM steel to maximize performance but with up to half the weight of a solid bar.

The Hellwigs are hollow! I'll shoot you some pics Dan

Not sure about the size of the front bar if you are planning on an LS swap. It will be determined based on the weight of the block as compared to that of the old iron blocks. I am sure Mark has set up many A-bodies with LS Motor swaps and has a pretty good idea what is needed to achieve optimal results. Regardless of the front bar that you choose the solid heavy duty end links are a must. Hopefully we will see her next year at the Eastern Meet in Carlisle. If you shoot me a PM with your email I can send pics of my suspension front/back before we dropped body on. You do not have an email included on your profile. Dan

I would simply call Mark at Sevitskes Classic & Customs @ the link you posted above. He is a wealth of information regarding anything suspension. Good choice for the rear bar. The Hellwig bar attaches to frame cross member rather than the lower trailing arms. This offers much more torsional regidity than stock location. They also have three settings. Street/ Performance Street & track. If you want it to act as a drag bar atthe track simply disconnect the sway bar link and adjust to stiffest seting. When back on the street bolt it back to your street setting. Not only do Hellwigs have a bit more technology built into them but they are the least expensive. FYI: I didn't like the silver hammered effect powder coating so they did mine in regular satin black. Dan

Not sure what you are running in your car. Looks like a small block from the picture but I am not familiar with your build or future goals. If the motor is closer to stock I agree with what others have posted regarding Edelbrocks. I have heard they are easy to adjust and trouble free. We have had a lot of luck here on Long Island ordering carbs from ProSystems (they tweek Holleys specifically to your build). They are literally bolt on and and go. Really very little if any adjustments necesaary (none in most cases),,,,,unless upgrades are made to the motor after install ……. whish does happen! LOL, On my 575+hp BB I dont even have to give it gas …. just reach in and turn key. Never touched it. Pro System Racing Carburetors Dan

I am sure during the R&D process while tuning the header to maximize torque/HP the primary tube lengths inevitably end up very close to equal lengths. This insures that exhaust pulses from each cylinder reach the collector sequentially allowing for maximum release of exhaust gases and better overall breathing. Dan

Build/Design a tilter and try testing/tilting it with a SS454 body atop it for the first time….. priceless. Not something I would like to try. But I guess you are a well calculated designer since all seemed to work well. Great job on tilter. Should make the work on the underside of the body more bearable. Working on your back isn't any fun when all you burn, scrape, eastwood wheel, wire wheeling off etc falls in your face, lap etc. ….. all while trying to keep your safety goggles from fogging up so you can see what your doing. Ohhhh the good times!! Great job!! Anxious to follow your progress. Dan

Likely a newer Oldsmobile late 70's to late 80's Cutlasses had them. Just be aware of wheel diameter. I believe they chaged over the years. Here is one on eBay for example : Custlass wheel on eBay Dan

FYI They dyno test on premises a few different header prototypes to maximize power gains for each set that they manufacture. Dan

Unless Stainless Works ever finishes their set they promised. Stainless and pricey too. Dan

Just took a tour of manufacturing facility here on Long Island. Pretty impressive. What impressed me more was there understanding of our header issues and recognizing we are different than other A-bodies. They design header to fit regardless of auto/stick, AC or proportioning valve interference. do not simply include us in their A-body header fitment list like most header mfrs but instead make a specific set for our cars. They were aware drivers side uses same as Chevelle but passenger side needed to be Monte specific. Currently they are only make Big Block headers but willing to do small block if need arises. Currently manufacturing headers for Dodge Challenger Ramcharger, Chevy COPO Camaro and Ford Mustang factory race cars. Here is link to Monte header http://americanracingheaders.com/1970-72%20MONTE%20CARLO%20SS%20454.html

Sounds like a great upgrade Cory. Maybe someday. I have also heard that Viking are the was to go now and made in the USA. QA1 supposedly was purchased by a Japanese company (like many repro companies) and they are now made oversees and quality has suffered. If any of you have not seen Nicks car here is a link to his build. On page 2 - 4 he shows the install of the rear coil over kit. For those that want to see pics he shows install in detail with great pics. He used the DSE coil over kit but it looks similar. http://www.fgmcc.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=426832&page=4 Dan

(OOOPs just reread and you were speaking of Left/Right alignment but figured I would leave this article in case anyone needed it) Here is an article that explains how to set pinion angle. Pinion (center section) sits nose down at rest. When accelerating hard it will rise with torque of motor and grip of tires. The more HP/Torque your motor is the more rise. Usually most pinion angles are set in the 3 - 5 degree range based on HP/Torque. The goal of proper pinion angle is to insure driveshaft and yoke are parallel during hard acceleration. Therefore exerting less stress on the u joint. Here is the article: Car Craft - How to set pinion angle article. Dan

Took her for her longest ride yet! 25 minutes each way!! LOL Boy what a nice ride. Temps stayed within range and no issues were uncovered. She handles great. Dan Have fun at the Eastern Meet guys!

Took her for her longest ride yet! 25 minutes each way!! LOL Boy what a nice ride. Temps stayed within range and no issues were uncovered. She handles great. Dan Have fun at the Eastern Meet guys!

At 9.5 hrs without stops I am not sure that is something I am prepared to do without an enclosed trailer. If weather turns sour thats a whole lotta mess that will need to be cleaned up. I'll put the word out. Dan

Sorry you couldn't make it back Sunday ….always something right? 1- Left for Carlisle and my house alarm was acting up on my wife. 2- Left for Super Chevy and my wifes Buick Enclave spit up a water pump and my wife had a bout of Vertigo. …….. always happens when your somewhere! Nothing happens when your home. LOL. Hope to see all next year for Eastern Meet in Carlisle. We are also looking into different shows to attend possibly up state for future attendance. We want to mix it up a bit. Dan

Here is all the info you need to decode any Chevy trim tags and stampings. Nasty Z28 has a pretty complete decoding info page. (Note Link takes you to engine decoding but there are links on top for transmission and rear decoding. Here is link: Chevy decoding @ Nasty Z28

Sorry you weren't able to make it back. We were scrambling last minute too. Next year we have to all remind each other to prepare early. Whenever we have an Eastern Meet in conjunction with Carlisle its always a big showing of Montes. I think we had 34 or 35 last ime. That will pre-prep you for Super Chevy since usually 3-4 weeks apart. This year Super Chevey was held two weks earlier than usual. Not sure why ….. but the weather was much more bearable than it usually is end of July. Hope to see everyone next year. Dan

Yep, we all did. It was only one row away from us. Beautiful car. Dan

LOL. The "Coupe Nazi" made sure to stay on me pointing out every fingerprint. He kept such a close eye on my car that when he packed up his car cover he actually put it in my trunk!! Too funny. Great to meet you and your family Mike. It really gave everyone a long time to get to know one another personally. Always a good thing. I think everyone owes you a bit of gratitude for the use of your golf cart. It prevented many a sore back I am sure. You are an honorary member of the Sopranos. Your black Monte can be part of our crew anytime. However, if you keep taking best Monte my cousin Vinny may pay you a visit to take you on a fishin' trip with a custom fit pair of cement shoes. Yu know wudd I'm sayin'. Just have to find myself a clean fan tunnel and tidy up a few things to be 100%. I am glad Steve took first regardless. It is his efforts and friendship that has kept many of us "not so talented" guys on Long Island looking/running our best. Granted, I was there every step of the way doing my fair share of the grunt work, but it was his efforts that made my car what it is today. A big thanks to Steve. As he repeatedly says during my learning curve "Patience Grasshopper" LOL Dan

Great news! FGMCC received an award for highest club participation. We had 7 FGMCCers in the show and 4 in bowtie alley (never put fgmcc down on card). So we really won! Big Thanks to Jay for working his magic and getting us parked along the fence. That allowed us to have a triple canopy for shade which is usually banned on show field. Wire tied canopies to fence with no issues and was able to see cars coming/going on the road behind us. Primo spot! Tony & Allie were kind enough to open there home to about 20 of us for a BBQ on Saturday. Great food, great, fun and great people. Mike Boyt kept his famous homemade lemonade/vodka drinks coming and all were happy. We agreed to leave the participation award for Tony. He deserved it and was the only board member present. Plus, he has a basement of automobilia second to none where it will be proudly hung. Was a great show and FGMCC represented with force once again. Mike - BEST Monte Jay - 2nd in show class Monte Steve - 1st in modified Dan - 2nd in modified Scotts (69 Camaro). Restored by Steve and also a non-Monte member of FGMCC (Cali Z28) won Top 10 drag car on the racing side. All in all a great weekend and the "Levanti Custom" cars (3) gave Steve the recognition he deserves. Despite an hour delay on the Cross Bronx which we avoided by cutting through the tunnel, through Manhattan and over the 59st bridge (with 4 trailers in tow …. LOL!!) it was smooth sailing home. Got a few good shots of "Montes in Manhattan" as we cut through. Even with the adventure, everyone made it home safe and are looking forward to the next gathering. Dan

Will do Greg. Hope to see that Caddy once summer cools down. Rest of you guys see you there! Dan

Just seeing if anyone has plans of attending. We have a convoy of six trailers leaving Friday morning at 5 AM. Not all Montes though. Steve…..71 SS454 …………. Show \ Dan..…..70 SS454 ….…..…. Show | " FGMCC in the house !! " CK……...70 SS454 ………….. Show / Richie...57 Chevy Post……. Show (Likely one of the top tri-5's in attendance) Mitch…..68 Camaro ……….. Drag (runs in the low 9's naturally aspirated) Scott…..69 Camaro ……….. Drag (runs mid 10's on pump gas) Hope we have a bunch from FGMCC planning on attending!! Surely enough close-by ….. See you there. Dan

The accordian restoration file of receipts that I shall never total $$. LOL Kinda don't want to know …. ever! The level of restoration Steve & I have accomplished on my car is to the point of ridiculous. But I am in the mind ….. do it once do it right. Hopefully, you can save some money here and there on a few things and spread it out over time to be less painful on the pocket. That is the only reason I was able to forge forward (time). Good luck my friend and don't lose sight of your vision. Sometimes its all you need to keep you moving in the right direction. Dan