Monte Car Low
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- Опубліковано 5 вер 2024
- Chevy purists cried foul when this Gen-6 front wheel drive platform got the Super Sport nameplate in 2000. But it wasn’t all sad news. With a little help from Warner Brothers’ cartoon Tasmanian Devil, race-prepared Monte Carlos made NASCAR history. Steve tells the story.
Loved my 71 & 73 Monte Carlos.
My 73 year old mom bought a new 02 Monte Carlo SS, dark green with tan leather. It was a nice looking car.
The first-generation Monte Carlo from 70-72 were some of my favorite cars from the era but the Chevelles always got all of the attention for some reason guess they were just a little cheaper. These later models didn't even deserve the Monte Carlo nameplate.
Yes, they quit clearcoating certain underside areas, probably to meet government mandated restrictions on total output of VOC's (volatile organic compounds aka solvents) In the late 90's , some genius somewhere, came up with what they referred to as "under hood colors. Most refinishing techs ( car painters) were none too happy about that, myself included. The factory would paint the underside of the hood, and fender edges, a different, but similar color. It would be a non- cleared, non- metallic basecoat, even if the exterior color was metallic. That meant mixing a second color for that area. If you had , say a door to cut in ( paint the inside) along with something under the hood, it took 2 different colors. When I got a job replacing the doghouse ( both fenders and the hood) I always cut the parts in with the exterior color, and clearcoated it. It looked so much better! When the customer would notice, they always liked, and appreciated it. I even had an insurance adjuster compliment me once, a very rare occurrence. Lol
Nice! I always wondered why the undersides on my parent's 84 Celebrity were dull. Thought it was cheap compared to the full paint on dad's 66 Coronet.
Fellow body shop guy here too. I know exactly what your talking a about 😅
Geez, I remember when these were new and now cars from the 80s and 90s are classics and ending up in junk yards!!! My Dad had a 1970 Monte Carlo, dark green with dark green interior and it was a cool car.
I have an 06SS. Black on black. 5.3 LS4. Drive it everyday. I put a Jasper trans in it 5 years ago, and other than that it's been the best car I've ever owned. Comfy, moves right along and sounds great. Get compliments all the time. Got my license in Dads new 72! I've had a 72, 97, (2)98's, 20, and my 06. Daughter had 2, 98's. I've BEEN to Monte Carlo to visit my sister and attend the Grand Prix there in 09. If they ever came back, make mine an LS3, 6 speed rwd please.
Surprised you haven’t put more than one trans in it. Awesome car though hilarious 0-60 definitely a sleeper
@@darrensanimalsreptilesfish30 Because I replaced it with a Jasper 'remanned'. Upgraded internals, not a rebuilt with OEM stuff. 5yr, 100k mile parts AND labor.
@@SuperOperator4 Post some videos of it.
Jasper?? 🤣🤣🤣🤣
Should've used a Monster High Performance Transmission instead.
Best transmission case closed.
@@extremedrivr Going strong after 3 years, beat daily
2000 wasn't the first appearance of the Buick 3.8 series II in the Monte Carlo. The last two years of the previous gen saw the 3.8 replace the 3.4 Twin Dual Cam motor in the Z34 model.
8:57 you mean the "5.3Liter V8"......but us motor heads knew what you meant. Great review/memory lane journey!
I love the, Wrong wheel drive, I mean Front wheel drive joke he threw in there lol Good stuff.
My wifes uncle built a 87 MC convertible. Painted i teal green, and made a black phantom top for it. Dropped it 2 inches, and put KMC rims on it. It was beautiful. I have pictures of it. I always wanted it, but hes long gone and so is the car. It was something special, at least i have the pictures
In high school, I had a red 98 z34, Monte Carlo with a 3.8. Fast fun, reliable car. I miss it.
Chevy had the Warner Bros. contract even before this car. In 1999, the top rrim level Venture minivan was the "Warner Brothers Edition", complete with badging on the front doors by the Venture nameplate of Bugs Bunny leaning against the trademark "WB" shield.
@corvairjim1 I had a 1962 Rampside sat in the backyard off my buddys house. For almost 25 years. Had a lot of rust bought a brand new fuel tank from Clark’s Corvair. Got the firing order corrected Cleaned carbs. By the way Bought it for $2k had it towed to my house almost 6 years ago. Truck fired up had the mystery shifter the one that rubs on the tank. Very reliable truck. Sold it about 3 years ago went fast to a guy in LasVegas he brought a trailer. I’m from San Diego.👍
I have an 08 Grand Prix GXP, the LS4 powered cars of that era are certainly fun to drive.
Always loved the monte carlo had several of them.
I have a 2002 dale earnhardt edition with less than 3000 miles on it and two 1973 Montes with 454s...
The 2006-7 Monte Carlo's had the Chevy 5.3L LS V8! Pretty nice and quick!
Yes, the 5.3 V6 would be a real "find" as it didn't exist. Of course, we know you meant 5.3L V8 and it was just a slip of the tongue. Yes, the Monte Carlo of this vintage was Lumina based as both were "W" body cars (like their cousins the Oldsmobile Cutlass and Pontiac Grand Prix).
No VIN, can't win, but somewhat easy to figure out, no doubt: 2G1 for Canadian made Chevrolet passenger car, WX15 for Monte Carlo SS, K for 3.8L V6, aka RPO code "L36", then a random check digit, then 1 for the 2001 model year, 9 for Oshawa, Ontario Canada assembly, and the rest is the production sequence. The Oshawa plant operated until 2019, closed for a short time and then opened again in 2021 with a Silverado being the first vehicle off the reopened line. The plant still operates today.
Chrysler tried to use "Taz" for the Duster logo, but negotiations failed between Chrysler and Warner Brothers, so Thomas Bertsch designed the "twister" logo that would be used by Chrysler. Mr. Bertsch was the interior designer director.
Correct, no manual transmissions in these "W" body cars, only the 4T60E, 4T65E or 4T65E-HD four speed automatic with overdrive depending on the year and engine option. The four means four speed, the T means transverse mounting, the next two numbers are the relative torque capacity/sizing/etc. for the transmission and the "E" means electronically controlled. No tag, can't brag, and no SPID (on the trunk label right where you were), wish you did, but this is code 51/WA203C Dark Toreador exterior paint.
Never knew that the "Twister" logo was born out of a failed attempt to put Taz on the Duster. Personally, I never liked Taz and I think I would have been weird on a Duster (I guess Plymouth wanted to compete with the Demon and look how that ended up for Dodge).
The pancake spoiler on these Montes just look dumb. Does nothing to begin with on a front wheel drive car and doesn't even look aerodynamic. At least the blade version on DE Jr versions looked the part even if it was still a useless piece of plastic...
@@LongIslandMopars Yup, I believe he died in 1987.
I sometimes juggle numbers as I speak and YES, i called the 5.3 a V-SIX twice. Argh. Of course we all know its a V-EIGHT! Thanks for watching and understanding that my long suffering 58 year old noggin suffers valve float occasionally. Oh, if you dig Oldsmobiles...you'll probably enjoy next week. We visited "The OLDS Red Barn" and found some treasures! Those 8 videos begin next week. I hope you'll tune in. Hint....can you say "J-2"? -Steve Magnante
@@SteveMagnante Yes, I like Oldsmobile. Back in 1983-1984, my sister had a 1974 Gold Duster (with the LTP). She wanted another "twister" decal. So we penned a letter to Lee Iacocca's office requesting them. Sure enough, they replied back with two, and they were "360" decals. We used them (less the 360 lettering) on the Duster. We sold the car in 1985. The guy that called the house said to my mother, "Your husband said you would take $1300 for the car". We were only asking $900 in the paper. Sold. The car "lived" in our neighborhood and I saw it until about the early 1990s when the new owner would come home from college during summers. After that, gone. I'm sure it's long been made into a washing machine or dryer three times over by now. LOL.
@@SteveMagnante Awesome. Can't wait for that series.
Could not pay me enough to take one.
If they had just made them RWD they would have been cult classics. FWD made them just another forgettable car from that era, being a 2 dr lumina didnt help their cause either.
That's what I always thought. You can really see it with the 95.
I'll bet if Chevrolet had built a Dale Earnhardt model with rear drive could have sold many for any price.
People can say what they want about the 5th Gen. Monte Carlo I had one up until recently and it was a damn fine car Tudor lumina or not It fulfilled the mission it was stylish, comfortable ,personal handled well and well made Everything A Monte Carlo should be
@@suzi_mai they did a few years prior, it was called the Aerocoupe and it made DE because it kept up to the thunderbirds he left when they were a 1980 brick. In 2002 they made a DE version of the FWD car. they do have their fans, but like fuzzymaine said below, it was a great rental car.
I agree completely the fwd killed a really nice car!
71 monte with a nice original LT1 Corvette engine,my first car,and still the best!
What a great mornin! Another great episode to start the day! Thanks Steve!
I have a 2004 SS Intimidator. It's one of my favorite cars to drive. Silky smooth.
Good Morning Gents ! 🇺🇸
speaking of space saver spares.. ive seen them worn bald on cars in the junk yard
Those buick 3.8 , V6 weren't bad engines , in those 6th gen Monte Carlo 's .
Those phenolic upper intake plenums could become porous , around the coolant bypass tube area , behind the Throttle body .
You're right ✅ a V8 was available in
the last years of the 6th gen run .
yep my son has a 97 Pontiac Grand Prix GT 3.8.
The EGR pipe melts the plastic intake! Thats why the series III got an aluminum upper intake manifold I would guess
Only 3.8 I ever killed was because of that, replaced the oil with coolant.
In 1994 I went to the dealer to order a new 95 Monte Carlo, I was so disappointed by the V6 front wheel drive that I completely jumped brands and bought a V8 RWD 95 Thunderbird instead.
We're all pulling for you Steve. Hope to see you soon
Another great use of Steve’s automotive literature archive to give context to what’s in the yard! Unfortunately these printed marketing tools have nearly disappeared. Went to this year’s Chicago auto show and walked away empty handed. Not a single manufacturer thought enough hand out a single piece of literature to the tens of thousands of people attending. Ecologically better - probably. My hope is they’re like reading LP liner notes - just read LPs outsold CDs last year. Maybe it’s time for automotive brochures to make a comeback?
That will never happen. But I will say old car brochures in new condition make great gifts for old car guys. Especially for cars they might have actually owned and probably brought home brochures of while car shopping at that time. Bought my dad a 1972 Chevelle brochure for his birthday just for fun (so mint I swear it must have still been in the original wrapper for its entire life!). His reaction was priceless. He told me he ordered his SS based exactly on the red one in the brochure, so it had extra meaning. The nostalgia can't be beat!
If they ever decide to bring back the Monte Carlo it will be in the form of a SUV, so in a way I hope they do not bring it back.
And it would most likely be electric.
Saw one just yesterday drive by as I was sitting at a stoplight. In a world of trucks and SUVs they certainly stand out.
The lumina Z34 5 speed were fun cars. At least as fun as it can get.
I owned a base model 04 with 3.8L. I still think it is an attractive body style and really love the interior (design, not materials). Aside from the front wheel drive, I think GM got this one right. Of course an AWD would have been a grand slam!
In 2008 I ordered a new Camaro SS, which would end up being built on the same assembly line that the Monty vacated.
Anybody else notice the Lumina Z34 in the background at 6:42? You could get those with a 5spd manual for a few years. There were a few odd choices by GM for the Gen5/Gen6 W-body Montes. Like why they maintained the Z34 moniker when they ditched the DOHC 3.4L and went to the 3.8L in 97. I don't understand why they didn't go straight to the 3.8L SC motor for the SS when Pontiac and Buick had already been running it in their W-bodies since 1997. Made it feel like such an afterthought when it finally happened in 2004. The LS4 SSs are definitely the odd duck of the LS family, but it was pretty cool to see a V8 make it's return to the Monte line, even though the LFX 3.6L V6 would eclipse it in power after the SS model was gone.
Probably around 2000 there was a local guy who made a 1971 Monte Carlo convertible. He made the rounds at the local cruises! A Chevelle ragtop was used as a donor vehicle. It turned out nice!👍 As for the FWD Montes, I got nuthin' . Don't remember even driving one.🤔
I remember back in 1996 from Road and Track mail in comment section, One of the Chevy fans were not happy with Monte Carlo being revived as FWD car stating it could ruin the classic Monte Carlo's legacy.
I've always associated the Monto Carlo as a longer wheelbase and upscaled version of the Malibu. Tons of room under the hood and a crazy long fan shroud. Guess that only applies to the'70's. Thanks for the memories.
Good demo derby cars with all that room between the radiator & fan 👍
Thank you Steve
Look forward to it every morning
My friend had a 1970. He loved it
We had an '03 SS (non-supercharged 3800). It was an okay car. Rode good, but right around the 90K mile mark it started nickel and diming us so we got rid of it.
There is an orange Tony Stewart edition tucked away in a carport under a cover near my home. I think the owner has aspirations of a big auction payday someday. I have my doubts about it's collectability, at least in the near future. But one can dream I guess.
It’s gonna be a classic
First year Monty's on a modified Chevelle rolling chassis were supposed to be FWD. But in afterthought GM calculated they would be way too expensive for most Chevy buyers to justify the added expense of their new Turbo Hydra-Matic 425. So instead of placing the powertrain way forward like on a Toro or Eldo, they mounted the motor and transmission conventionally back near the firewall, used a mile-long fan shroud and rad hoses and...went right on.
While these cars were certainly “of their era” (before big muscle came back to the enthusiast new car market) I think they get a somewhat undeserved bad rap today. The 3.8 was a peppy and reliable power plant, the interiors of the SS’s were nicely appointed, the lines and proportions of the body were very sporty - I wouldn’t mind having one at all today to tool around in!
The SS’s are getting really hard to find in pristine, low-mileage condition, and are plagued somewhat by owners who seem to think they’re more sought-after than they really are, resulting in a huge chasm between what the seller thinks their car is worth and what buyers are typically willing to pay for it. The Earnhardt and Gordon special editions are actually easier to find than the SS’s, but were often purchased by people who thought they were going to be “instant classics”, once again resulting in a pretty significant disconnect between sellers and buyers when it comes to worth.
But overall, neat cars! As a “Ford Guy” at heart, I often think it would be neat to have a two vehicle “Chevy Shed” consisting of an early 2000’s Monte Carlo SS and a 90’s era 454 SS pickup just for fun…….👍
No kidding, I see plenty of sub 10,000 mile Dale Earnhardt editions for sale for absolutely ridiculous amounts of money. I always wonder just how many crazy (or stupid) people are out there that will actually buy them for sometimes over 40,000 dollars.
Monte Carlo is just a rebadged Lumina..
These cars came out in 87 or so,GM kept this platform for decades.
Still nice to see they still made 2 doors albeit smaller and fwd lol..Never liked them,but not a bad car I guess,these are the reason people bought so many fullsize trucks,people wanted big V8 rwd vehicles thus trucks took over!
we bought the first front drive in 95...3.1 V-6 and all white... lasted 12 year till the A/C control panel failed...traded it for a 2006 Saturn Vue with the 3.5 Honda V-6 ...what a rocket....
My grandpa would get every Firebird Trans-Am or formula back in the day, but after the cancellation of them he was kinda stuck with the Monte SS in 2003 it was cool vanilla color and it was okay but the next year they had a supercharger but we were done he got rid of it and bought an old Nova he had " the one that got away" and we did a full restoration. So I'm kinda grateful for the blandness of the Monte
I hope you are continually improving and doing well. Love your videos I’m 66 years old and a long time gearhead loves Chelles and far get well soon it didn’t look right watching Barrett Jackson but I chewed our Steve my name is Ralph.
Just bought my first 2001 Monte Carlo SS and I absolutely adore it if I would have known any better I would have got one a long time ago I've owned many many many vehicles in this is by far one of my favorite and most fun of all! I especially like the front-wheel-drive it gives you a challenge how to drift it ,race it?
About the only way GM would bring back the Monte Carlo name now would be as a sport package on one of their boring SUV's or maybe an electric version they want to tack on a few more grand in price for just the name.
Would be a disappointment like so many retro names
I owned a 1998 Lumina LTZ which was basically a 4 door Monte. It had this same drivetrain and was a decent enough car until the northeast winters here dissolved the rear subframe sections. Notorious for bad valve cover gaskets also.
the early monte carlos were nice cars
Got a 2006 right now. 131k miles. 3.5v6. it's great
Hi Steve, great video on this Monte Carlo SS. These cars were some of my easiest cars to sell. They attracted female and male driver's. The guys liked them because of Earnhardt and the wins these took home on the NASCAR tracks. The ladies, on the other hand, loved the comfort, styling, and the surprisingly peppy engine. Down south here, one with that optional foot bath really helped to cool off and relax after a long day on your feet.😅 I believe these also shared the same platform as the 2dr Grand Prix. Pontiac had the GXP name plate as their performance package. I've never had a V8 Carlo on the lot before I had 1 GXP that I was able to get my hands on. It was resell red so it didn't stick around long. Just for fun, I once drag raced an SS against my 2001 Ford Exploder.The Ford with the 4:10s left the 'line' hard and pulled the SS through the 1/4 or so. Dude never lived it down. But I really think it was driver error (scared) that captured that win. (Disclaimer)-Kids don't street race on public roads you can hurt someone or yourself and possibly get someone killed.😊 Well I'm off to jump on tour (their farwell tour) with Dead&Co, heading down to New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival this weekend 😎. It'll take me about 15-17hrs to get there. The journey can be just as exciting as the destination. 'Anyone who is on course toward a worthy goal is successful. Success does not lie in the achievement of a goal but in its pursuit.' Have a blessed day everyone 🤙🏼 Namaste 🙏🏼
I don't know man, car guys knew this was NOT anything CLOSE to what The Intimidator was driving. Just in name, color, and decals only. True car guys knew this was just a continuation of the 1988-94 Lumina Eurosport, and instead bought the 4th gen Camaro Z28 or SS in black if they were Earnhardt fans and NASCAR enthusiasts. The Monte Carlo was for posers.
@@joe6096 Hi Joe 👋🏼 can't argue with you on what real car guys buy. I can only speak on what sold on the lot. I think Steve pointed out in a very nice way that the SS Carlos of this gen were 'posers' unless you got the 5.3 V8. Those V8 Camaros/Trans-Ams were pretty good rides to have. Like with anything branding ordinary things with celebrities sells. I had a friend that jokingly said you could take a sharpie pen and write Harley-Davidson on a pair of underwear and someone will buy it for $20. 🤣 Thanks for commenting bro🤙🏼 Have a blessed day Namaste 🙏🏼
@@joe6096 I have seen a Monte with an "Intimidator" badge, had some weird graphics down the side
@@tomwesley7884 Oh yes there was a whole "Intimidator" package that had his signature and #3 and everything.
I like the easter egg riviera in the back mr. Steve. Ive got a 1997 riviera myself, with nice cadillac wheels on it. Fighting to keep mine away from the junkyard
I had a Lumina. Bought it completely clapped out for %100 because I needed a ride to work and it ran. On my way home, driving through Birmingham I ran right over a manhole that for whatever reason didn't have the cover on it. It ripped the tire and drive axle off, destroyed the transmission and ruined the engine in the process. The city of Birmingham who had towed the car accepted full blame and responsibility for the accident and did all the repairs in their Municipal garage. New axles, transmission and engine.
So I drove a clapped out Chevy Lumina with all brand new sparkly drive line. 😁
I owned that SS Monte Carlo and I loved it. It is too bad it had that lousy gutless oil burning 3.8 engine or it could have been so much better. I had a 91 Lumina Euro Sport with the 3.1 and it was a better engine. Thanks Steve!
I had a 2001 SS in silver. Sharp looking car and I enjoyed driving it. Not a fan of the junk 3.8. I babied mine and it still self destructed far before the car itself was showing any wear.
I remember I seen a dale Earnhardt jr and Tony Stewart monte Carlo SS edition's in the early 2000!
People can crap all over the new Monte Carlo SS but it was faster than the 80's SS and it most certainly didn't rattle like a box of change like those 80's cars did. Handled better, too. The only thing the 80's version had over the new body style was looks.
Nothing replaced the Monte Carlo really in January of 1988. The Lumina was the replacement for the Celebrity.
There used to be a .84-87 Monte roadster running around Lebanon Ohio. Burgundy with white interior and parade seat. Yes I called it a roadster. It was a full time topless ride, so I don't know else how to classify it
I hope you do a video of the Riviera behind you! That's one of my bucket list cars...
So true......" nobody misses them!"
When the Monte Carlo came back for the '95 model year, I was working for a small-town (pop. 2,000-ish) Kansas Chevrolet dealership.
My main job was being the literal one-and-only "oil & lube" tech, and minor repairs (such as brakes, etc).
But my secondary job was prepping and road testing every new car that the transport dropped off.
When the dealership rec'd it's first Monte, I could hardly wait to inspect everything about it. And of course, take it for a test drive.
And honestly, I really liked the car.
If I could have afforded the monthly payments (assuming that I could have gotten a loan to start with), I would have gladly bought a brand new '95.😁
for a second there i thot u were going to say you wiped one out lol
@@DanKirchner5150 no. I guess I could see where you might have thought that was where the story was going.
@@willhorting5317 cos back in the day i test drove a brand new beretta and thinking it was this great performance car from all the tv ads i took it too fast around a sharp curve and the ass end lifted off the ground putting me into a good spin ,lol luckily there were no trees around
@@DanKirchner5150 🤯
Glad you were ok
I didn't do things like that when I test drove.
My wife had a 98 she bought used while we were dating. Comfortable car , especially on the highway cruising. But a totally forgettable vehicle . My '75 Monte with the worked 350cid and captain's seats, a car that is in my top 5 of vehicles I have ever owned !!
I have always liked the Monte Carlo from day one. They have shown a resemblance to the Eldorado in most generations. The most recent Monte Carlo looks similar to the Eldorado from side and rear views.
Great show Steve ! I always liked the original RWD Chevrolet Monte Carlo not the FWD Lumina series cars , Chevrolet made a big mistake making it FWD .
Those were cool looking cars, until you saw the front end. I swear that car was designed by two different teams 😂
I had a 2001 LS, it wasn't a bad car, at 180k the 3.4v6 decided to develop a bottom end knock.
It had the spoiler so I don't think it was a SS only option.
Had 05 3400 myself drove the balls off it got to 172k and sold it.
This might have been the first time a front wheel drive Chevy was called an SS, but it wasn't the last. My daily car is a 2006 Cobalt SS that I bought new in September of 2005. Its just the 172 h.p., 2.4 L Ecotec twincam, not the 195 h.p. Supercharged version, but that's what I wanted.(172 h.p. is enough to get you in trouble in all 50 stares and Canada!) That's all the performance that I needed in a commuter car, and it handles great! Besides, the EPA combined fuel economy rating on the Supercharged model was only 28 mpg, while they claimed 31 combined for the 3.4 cammer (34 highway). With the price of gas started going through the roof in January 2020, good fuel economy is a real asset. With some simple "Hypermiling" techniques, I regularly see over 40 mpg. on summer grade regular with a high tankful coming in at 44.8 mpg. Winter "oxygenated" gas brings my average down to around 37, but I'm satisfied with that. There was never a Monte Carlo, either front or rear wheel drive, that came anywhere close to 40 mpg!
Chevy also offered a Cobalt-based HHR SS, which is a really odd duck in my book!
Nobody cares about your 4 banger with turbos
The styling on these is so weird, those headlights and the rear section especially. It's melted cheese and odd proportions.
When you got down to brass tacks, the association with Dale was all those cars had going for them. I got to drive one new. Was at all impressed. The G-Body cars were way better.
If I'd ever get stuck in the middle of the desert driving an old school carbureted car, I'm hoping to be accompanied by Steve Magnante and Derek Bieri. UNSTOPPABLE. Steve would know every bolt's history personally and Derek could fix the car blindfolded or just by staring at it. 😂
Wonder if Taz was part of the Warner's brother's edition rights like they had on the minivan
I was working at a GM dealership as a mechanic when the 5th and 6th gen Monte's were being built. The 3.4 DOHC (4 cam) engine was a beast. 7400 rpm redline. The 3.8 might have only been rated at 10hp less but I bet the real numbers were 50hp less or more. Once that 3.4 was wound up it really hauled the groceries. It was just a regular 60 degree 2.8/3.1/3.4 V6 with a much better top end. With that said though, they were horrible for maintenance. You had to almost entirely remove the cradle under the car to replace the alternator. It was literally a 4 hour job and customers just loved paying for that. They had the same oil leak problem around the "oil drive plug" that was essentially the bottom of a distributor housing with a short shaft and a gear inside. This was super common on the F.I. 2.8 and 3.1's as well but it was a simple job on them, it took about 10 minutes to replace the o-ring. On the 3.4 DOHC the intake manifold was built so one corner stopped you from doing that. To fix this super common leak you had to remove the entire intake manifold, both upper and lower. So a $30 repair turned into a $400 repair. Finally the timing belt was a nightmare. There were no timing marks on the cams, no keys on the timing gears. Basically the cam gears could go in virtually any position. There are tools that lock the cams in place and a convoluted procedure that only an engineer, or possibly a room full of engineers, could come up with. And this is the engine I always point when I am explaining why mechanics hate engineers. I still have my cam locking tools setting in my tool box. But I don't think I've seen a Monte or a Grand Prix which also got this engine, actually running and driving in maybe 15 years or longer.
Hello 1967davethewave, Thank You for watching and writing. It's guys like you who were "down in the trenches" servicing these cars who have the best stories - and reviews - of them. Again, THANKS for shedding a bit of light on the "dark side" that each and every car ever made seems to have. As an old boss once said: "EVERY car has an arm pit. Some take a longer time to find...but they all have one". After all, they're "just machines" - and yet so much more too. -Steve Magnante
I currently own a 91 Cutlass Supreme International Series coupe and a 93 Grand Prix STE sedan. Both are undergoing restoration and optioned with the LQ1. I love em! I don't understand what all the hoopla is over these engine and their so called maintenance nightmare. I rather enjoy working on them and find it's no different than any other motor I've wrenched on. Yes, the necessary tools are a must though.
@@jiggity76 Well an alternator on a 3.1 takes about 15 minutes to change and only requires the removal of the alternator and it's surrounding bracketry. The 2.0 Sunbird takes no special tools to replace the timing belt and it can be done in about an hour with minimal disassembly and most other GM engines with timing belts are similar. And I misspoke on the oil drive o-ring, you actually have to pull the rear head as well as the intake manifold where as on the regular engines is can be done in 15 minutes with regular hand tools. So while I love the 3.4 DOHC as it is a great engine and I wish GM would have continued it's production (better than the current 3.6 HF DOHC engine for sure) the hoopla is pretty obvious over maintenance.
@@1967davethewave Understandable. I have lots of patience aside from all of that. With the extra time and patience these LQ1's require...I feel they are still well worth the effort and give the owner so much joy and excitement thru their performance.
@@1967davethewave Just the other day on my 93 GTP parts car, it only took me an hour and a half pulling the generator and cooling duct assembly. I've worked on these motors now for about 8 years and the practice has helped.
I had a 92 Z34 5 speed manual. Was a fun rare car. Always wonder if it still exists today.
I had a 91. What a blast. So unique!
I loved the 78 Monte Carlo I drove in highschool but these were so disappointing. I drove one as a rental and it was truly bad. The giant spokes on the steering wheel left no comfortable long term position for your hands and the one I shared with a co worker ended one long drive with a puddle on the passanger floor from a missing/misrouted a/c drain tube.
I loved these in the Earnhardt Intimidator editions. Saw one at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale in 2018 with only 300 miles on it and only sold for $11,300 (inc buyer fee).
Fast forward only 5.5 years and local private owners are trying to get $20K for non pristine ones and I’ve seen some dealers wanting as much as $35K for a pristine condition version.
Have a neighbour who has a pristine one in his garage with his C6 Corvette. Drives neither and daily drives a KIA.
Great video, this shows how the name followed the times with the generations
A great friend who is retired has her 1993 z34 she bought new and her 2001 monte carlo she purchased almost new. She was a huge Earnhardt fan. Still drives then regularly
I see that cheeky 8th gen Riviera, hope you can make a vid on it, got one myself and think they are kinda under appreciated
So weird to see this rusting in a wrecking yard someplace. Not all that many years ago they were on the road everywhere.
Get well soon ❤
I remember the Monte Carlo commercials with Taz. At 13, I thouhht they were cool. Also, when I was working my first job in 2007 at Home Depot, one of the women I worked with had a Dale Earnhardt edition one.
Never owned one of these but did have w car cousins, same vintage, with that same 3800 and 4 speed auto and they were pretty hassle free. Surprisingly good fuel economy too… I wish the 3800 had carried on longer.
I loved those Monte Carlos, to me they looked like a Nascar, I always wanted either one of those or a grand prix gtp. I've had a few impalas, one an 04 and currently a 2010, they are nice cars and like any gm, can fly if you want them to.
I had prix gtp. Nice car and a running SOB
I remember seeing plenty of these at the oshawa assembly plant where they were made with many other GM products
I had a 96 Z34 Monte Carlo. It was absolute filth.
LOL
These Monte's just did nothing for me, I had a 76 Monte, I restored, for owned 4 years, long hood ,I bought from Dan- ridge motors in Danbury ct, Nice ride, I didn't like the 70 model That much ,
Great video! I had a 1998 LS (3.1 liter V6) and a 2003 SS like in this video. Even back then a 3.8 liter front drive car did not make sense to have the SS name. The supercharged version of 2004 seemed more like an SS.
I've seen a Monte Carlo convertible at my local cars and coffee. Guess I'll have to give it a second look
I grew up in my memas black 2003 monte ss the cheap leather interior smells like nostalgia same with the fwd buick park avenue
Monte car LOW.. your assessment is correct... " desperation and wrong wheel drive"... spot on. Boat load of plastic I'd say. Love the first 4 generations . ALL RWD cars should be outlawed from sports when they are converted into rwd. Good video.
The 2000s Monte Carlos were basically a 2 door Impala, very tough car (Impalas) designed for police car use.
My dad had one of the 5th gen z34 cars and my mom had the the 4door lumina at the same time. Fun fact about that engine with 210hp in the z34. While my dad had his i was riding behind a lumina ltz had no idea what that was till that day. I did notice the 4 pipes sticking out the back and the z34 wheels but didnt think it was anything but my moms lumina with a appearance package, that is till it dusted my pickup. I called my dad and said i just got smoked by a lumina, what the hell is a lumina ltz. He said my z34 with 4doors. 😅 so yes they put that 210hp v6 in a few lumina not sure how many but dont think it was a bunch. Dad sold that z34 for a front drive super charged regal gs. Now that was a fun car think it had the same engine as the 6th gen monte ss but with a super charger on it. During that era buick was throwing super chargers on alot of their cars even some of their 4door luxury cars had them just look for the supercharged badge on the trunk.
my coffe mate!!
Got to love the exclusive wet foot option.
My 02ss burned up in the parking lot at my work . There was an engine fire recall and I was the second owner and didn’t know . Gm told me to kick rocks .
Just wanted to mention, our buddy steve is doing well,all things considered but, he stacked up some medical bills etc while he was ill and recovering so that being said😁 steve has a gofundme page set up to maybe keep him from selling all his treasures cars, house etc. Whatever you can spare would be appreciated im certain. 🙏 we've been in jams in our lives and im guessing most of us had a friend trying to help out. I did 🙂
I was excited when they announced it was coming back. But once I found out it was front wheel drive. I was disappointed.
My 84-year-old Mom use to have a 4 door Malibu. Too hard to get in and out of. She now drives a 08 Solara because the big doors make it easy to get in and out of. If they made a 23 Monte based on the 23 Malibu she would buy it.
Never cared for those years. The Monte SS's from the 80's looked awesome.
Great video Steve! 👍👍💯🇺🇸
Don't forget the limited nascar driver editions such as the jeff gordon dale earnhardt dale jr and tony stewart which all had the supercharged 3.8 engines