1988 Monte Carlo SS w/ 1987 Grand National Drive Line

[Elmo]

Hey Folks -

I just bought a 1988 Monte Carlo with 1987 Grand National driveline and transmission in it.

I know next to nothing about cars but this changing rapidly!
I needed a hobbie...!

I'd like to discuss some items with you if your still interested in talking.

With this Frankenstein beast I need some advice.

The car looks brand new.
55K on it. Do I mention it's Fast!?

1) The linkage arm from tranny to MC dash gear indicator is missing or never created? Do you know of a part for this?

2) just curious, Is there a governor on the GN Engine?

3) I am told I may want a smoother "shift kit" for it.. Who installs them and where can I find one - or should I just learn to love the whiplash?!?
;-)) ;-))

4) Would I be shunned at a Grand National Show? If no, When are they held? 2016 sounds good.

Thanks in advance..!

Elmo

 

[87GNT]

Hey Folks -

I just bought a 1988 Monte Carlo with 1987 Grand National driveline and transmission in it.

I know next to nothing about cars but this changing rapidly!
I needed a hobbie...!

I'd like to discuss some items with you if your still interested in talking.

With this Frankenstein beast I need some advice.

The car looks brand new.
55K on it. Do I mention it's Fast!?

1) The linkage arm from tranny to MC dash gear indicator is missing or never created? Do you know of a part for this?

2) just curious, Is there a governor on the GN Engine?

3) I am told I may want a smoother "shift kit" for it.. Who installs them and where can I find one - or should I just learn to love the whiplash?!?
;-)) ;-))

4) Would I be shunned at a Grand National Show? If no, When are they held? 2016 sounds good.

Thanks in advance..!

Elmo

Pictures of the Monte?

 

[Elmo]

My profile image

 

[Elmo]

Pictures of the Monte?

Just posted album.. More to follow later.

 

[Elmo]

Just posted album.. More to follow later.

Does anyone know how the GN '87 links to the gear indicator on the dash is it a cable or other connector?

 

[SPOOLFOOL2]

Elmo,
Having 6 bangers under the hood, we are all the red headed step children of the muscle car community here. We are social outcasts of the hot rodding world.
We don't have their love. We don't have their acceptance, and we rarely get put in their magazines.
However, none of them seem to want to line up next to us at a red light. And they do have our RESPECT!!!

I don't know about you, but I'm OK with that.

Welcome to the site. You're family.

Let us know what you need and we'll try to answer your questions.

Happy spooling...

Mike Barnard

 

[SPOOLFOOL2]

Oh yea!

Not sure about the shift linkage on your car. The RPM / MPH "governor" is controlled by the chip in the ECU. What chip do you have?
The way a trans shifts is more than just the shift kit. Do you know who did the trans?
Lots of good Turbo Buick get to gethers across the nation. What state do you live in?

Mike B.

 

[mikes86ttop]

There would be a small cable that goes from the collar on the column to the dash indicator. Its got a small clip on one end that snaps onto the collar

 

[larrym]

This like the 442 hybrid I have seen is how GM should have sold these cars still can't figure out how they got away with the HO V8 tag....
Welcome to the darkside!

 

[Elmo2015]

Thanks all for the warm invitation to the dark side - I accept! I'm loving this new beast (to me).
Grand Carlo SS or Monte National
I'd like to give a great big shout out to Richard Clark and Clint for giving me some help with my transmission questions today at his shop.

That place is amazing!
Thanks Guys!

Elmo

 

[Elmo2015]

Oh yea!

Not sure about the shift linkage on your car. The RPM / MPH "governor" is controlled by the chip in the ECU. What chip do you have?
The way a trans shifts is more than just the shift kit. Do you know who did the trans?
Lots of good Turbo Buick get to gethers across the nation. What state do you live in?

Mike B.

Where would I find the chip (exactly) and how do I tell which one I have? NJ, I'd love to go to an event. They used to have one in Carlisle PA I think..

 

[SPOOLFOOL2]

Grand Carlo SS or Monte National. LMAO.
The long running joke here is that most everyone of us has been complemented on their "Nice Monte".
If you've got that thing running good, you should be able to make some money with that sled. Cuz, everyone knows that Monty's are slow.

On our cars, the chip is located in the ECU, tucked inside the passengers right side kick panel. The chip may say something like Turbo Tweak, (if you're lucky) Kenne Belle, Red Armstong, ETC. If in doubt, Take a picture of it and post it here.

 

[GNVAIR]

I guess the guy in Texas who last had that car lost interest in it. That car belonged to my father for a long time. We bought that off the original owners about 15 years ago. I did the swap. Eric Schertz of Dynotech did the transmission which shifted beautifully. When we sold the car it had a Turbotweak chip for 30lb injectors as we took all of the performance items off except the down pipe and big neck intercooler and the 3" exhaust system. I see someone changed the tail pipes.

 

[GNVAIR]

Here is what the engine compartment used to look like

 

[moparkid]

That's how those cars should've came off the line. I had two of those.... I liked everything about them except the pathetic 305.

 

[Elmo2015]

I guess the guy in Texas who last had that car lost interest in it. That car belonged to my father for a long time. We bought that off the original owners about 15 years ago. I did the swap. Eric Schertz of Dynotech did the transmission which shifted beautifully. When we sold the car it had a Turbotweak chip for 30lb injectors as we took all of the performance items off except the down pipe and big neck intercooler and the 3" exhaust system. I see someone changed the tail pipes.

I was hoping to find you on this site.
Yes the previous Texan chopped the exhaust pipes and tells me It shifts perfectly. My car guy says the same thing!

I'm new to the car hobby and wanted to pick your brain on some points - if I ever located you. The Car is Gorgeous!
I still can't believe I found this car and amazed it's so unique!

Are you near the Philly area?

I was just took a vacation to Burlington NC, and visited Richard Clark's Shop of (I'm guessing 50..) grand nationals and he was very helpful with the gear shift indicator question.

I just ordered a power logger interface for the car yesterday and was wondering which chip is in the car.

Elmo

 

[GNVAIR]

I am in the Philly area. When the car was sold it had a Turbo Tweak chip that eliminated the EGR and allowed the use of the 30lb injectors I put in it.
The transmission was built by Eric Schertz of Dynotech. It shifted about the same as any other 2004r with a mild shift improver. If you ever drive a stocker you will find that many of them will slide on the 1-2 shift; especially when the power is increased.

 

[Tonyrodz]

Where in NJ are you? I'm in NJ too!

 

[Dialtone76]

So the big question on my wondering mind, is when you are getting gas will you hear 'nice Grand National' from people instead of the traditional 'Nice Monte Carlo' that Turbo Regal owners get? Hehe.

 

[Elmo2015]

I am in the Philly area. When the car was sold it had a Turbo Tweak chip that eliminated the EGR and allowed the use of the 30lb injectors I put in it.
The transmission was built by Eric Schertz of Dynotech. It shifted about the same as any other 2004r with a mild shift improver. If you ever drive a stocker you will find that many of them will slide on the 1-2 shift; especially when the power is increased.

So the big question on my wondering mind, is when you are getting gas will you hear 'nice Grand National' from people instead of the traditional 'Nice Monte Carlo' that Turbo Regal owners get? Hehe.

I'm sure they'll say nice Monte!
But they won't get to see the Full Monte!