Engine Ideas

[archerystud]

I have a 81 Monte Carlo that I'm thinking about restoring. It still has a 229 V6. It ran when I parked it.... almost 20 years ago.

I was thinking about trying to find a 3.4L or 3.8L V6 to drop in it, since the current V6 is very under powered I just don't think it's worth over hauling I'm not looking to make it a street rod or anything and would prefer a little better mileage so I actually feel like cruising in it, so I was thinking about staying away from a V8.

I believe the transmission was a 200C. Would it be possible for one of those engines to work decently with my current transmission or would I have to upgrade that as well?

Thanks for any input.

[Macgyver55]

The 229 in 81 was a 3.8 liter. Pretty gutless and not a super mileage maker either, but put a turbocharger on one and they wake right up. (Like a Buick Grand National). A properly set up small block V8 would do just as well mileage-wise as the stock V6 though and should be a bolt in. Swapping to a newer version V6 would get tricky too since I believe they were carbureted and the newer ones are fuel injected. Converting to fuel injection is possible but can also be spendy.

The 200 transmission is not know for its durability so a Turbo 350 would be a better bet for average use and shouldnt be too hard to find.

Is the body in good enough shape to make a good cruiser?

[archerystud]

So I think my 229 was rated for 110hp and it was a dog. In the summer I would shut off the air conditioner just to pull away from a stop light. I put 50K on it and it really didn't give me problems until I parked it. It looks like the turbo charged Grand Nationals were around 175hp. That is more like what I am looking for. I never realized that was the same motor. I knew the Grand National's were pretty nice.

Yeah mine does have a carburetor, that was kind of the other part I was a bit worried about.

The car came up from Arkansas so it was very clean when I first repainted it. It has one very small rust bubble on it and that is all, otherwise the body is very straight.

Thanks for the input!

[Eric Wettschreck]

Just tossing another option out for ya.

If you're thinking about a different motor, as stated, a small block chevy is something that should be considered. If you go a little newer, and do a tad bit of work, the TB fuel injected versions would allow you to install a 700r4 transmission. This tranny would offer you overdrive as compared to the turbo 350, and better your milage for you.

The 700r4 transmission is a love it or hate it tranny. Some guys love em, others hate em.

Just tossin it out there for ya.

[PurpleFloyd]

I agree with Eric. I had a 1985 Trans Am with the tuned port injection and 700r trans and that was a heck of a fun car to drive.Put one of those in that Monty and you will have a much better car and the motor will fit the period.

[archerystud]

I did a little more research. The turboed Grand Nationals were also a 3.8L engine but it was a 231 with a much different engine design than my 229.

I'm kind of starting to like the small block V8 idea. An overdrive would be nice as I'd like to make this thing more of a cruiser than a street rod.

My dad already has a 57 Chevy street rod with 350HP. So if I want a street rod I can drive his whenever I want! Best of both worlds.

I'm open to any more ideas if anyone has them. Thanks in advance!