1985 Monte Carlo SS known as Barney

[SSLance]

and here are the autocross runs from my first time out with Ron Sutton's Stage 1 setup under the car. I just kept running it harder and harder on each run, and it just kept getting faster.

http://youtu.be/N3ggkP3P_tE

I can't wait to see how it does this Sunday with Stage 2 under it.

[FETorino]

Nice to see something different running hard.

Good luck tomorrow Lance

Can't wait to see how stage II works out.

[SSLance]

Dec 3rd, and the second day in a row that I've driven my MCSS to work.



Probably be the last day for a while though as winter is supposed to reappear tomorrow.

Checked the odometer today and have put about 1900 miles on the car since the T56 install last December. Pretty good year. A LOT of those miles were put on 50 seconds at a time competing in autocross events, I think 11-12 total events...need to go back and add them up. Plus a two day track day event at Heartland Park for about 180 miles or so.

I'm still tweaking a just bit on the Ridetech shocks to find the ultimate street ride settings. I've got them pretty close though...man this thing is fun to drive on the street...and I wouldn't hesitate to take it on a long road trip either now, it's just that comfortable. Still handles off ramps and twisty roads pretty well in street mode as well.

So glad to have a car so driveable yet so fun to drive at the same time. Even had someone pass me on the highway, slow back down...and hang a camera out the window to take a picture of the car rolling down the highway on the way into work today.

Plans for the off season include but are not limited to:

Body Bushing replacement
Front brake replacement\upgrade
Power steering system overhaul\upgrade
(2) 17x9.5 rims to match the rears and (4) new 200 TW tires for them
Final remeasure on all of the suspension points and tweaks to fine tune them after

and then just some piddly stuff like adding a day\night comp\temp mirror, some fit and trim pieces inside, some cosmetic work under the hood to cover up wear and tear and a good overall cleaning.

Should keep me busy through the long cold winter don't ya think?

[instro84]

cool. nice work Lance.

[WSSix]

sounds like a good plan to me!

[SSLance]

Body Bushing Replacement Project has commenced...

Since I knew that I'd need the frame sitting on the wheels to get the bushings all trimmed to fit properly and I knew that I needed to do some work on my billet wheels too, I broke out the stockers.



Old School... Still looks good too, IMHO...



Crib stands work like a champ.

Here is what the core support bushings look like with the weight of the car on the tires.



And with the frame lifted in between the wheels...



I'm hoping to tighten that up with new bushings in place.

I set the car on the stands and started loosening body bolts starting at the #1 position. They all came out pretty easily, if they'd start to tighten up and get stiff I'd reverse the wrench a couple of turns then continue loosening the bolt. All of them came out real well until I got to #6 driver side. A half of a turn with the wrench is all it took...



I was a bit discouraged but went ahead and took the other 3 bolts behind the rear tires out. #6 passenger side was the second worse, but it came out whole. Here's the old vs new pic...





Thankfully I think there is enough of the broken bolt sticking down out of the nut that I should be able to get a hold of it with something once I get the body lifted off the frame.



I'm pretty sure that's the only spot on the frame that will need a repair as well. The rest look pretty good.





Well, maybe not good but...hopefully good enough.


I've got the front fenderwells out, and I've loosened the front and rear bumpers...and all of the body bolts out. I'm trying to decide exactly how far I need to lift the body and what else I'll need to take loose depends on that.

Main thing I don't really want to take loose is the radiator hoses...taking the master cylinder loose isn't that big of a deal.

Other than that, I'm done for the day. Need to order some body bolts and some rust converter and paint...

[Ron Sutton]

Looking good Lance.

Keep us updated & share your great "how to" photos.

[deuce_454]

i boxed my frame and installed with aluminum bodymounts.. and can really recommend it....