2004 Chevy Monte Carlo SS
2004 Chevy Monte Carlo SS
Spring 2011 - Installing Performance Mods
Day 1
I really wanted to start my massive modding plan at around 9-10am, due to different things that quite literally popped up a night before,
I did not begin until 2pm Saturday, April 20th. I really wanted the early start since the weather report for Sunday was
questionable and I really did not want to span this multiple days (it would be nice to spend Sunday trying things out).
Be that as it may, I started at 2pm anyways just so I could get moving on it.
I just dove in on this project. My friend Jeff Lewis arrived later in the day (he too was working on a 3800, changing spark plugs
and wires on a 2000 Bonneville). On the plus side, doing this job does not require any super special tools (good ratchets,
socket set, torque wrenches and some extensions and pretty much, you're off and running). Below you will see my first
objective was to get the upper intake off (removed WITH the throttle body still attached).
After getting the upper intake off, I proceeded to replace the front exhaust manifold with the ZZP PLOG. Pretty easy swap. Before I touched ANYTHING on this car, I soaked the exhaust nuts and bolts with PB Blaster. I found that to remove the stock manifold, I left the heat shield on and had to bend the retaining clips around and the holder for the oil tube. An important note on putting the PLOG in was I had a stud on the left and right that stayed in the head, because of the size of the PLOG, I found at least one of those studs had to come out (in my case, only one stud would come out, the other was stuck, so I left it alone). After that, the PLOG slid right in, just get all the nuts and bolts started before tightening ANYTHING down for the final tighten.
Next, I moved on to the install of the ER Rockers. Originally I was going to re-use the original factory bolts (before anyone chimes in, yes, i know they are "torque to yield" one time use bolts, but I have used one time use bolts on engines a couple of times without fail). I decided for how little the cost was, I ordered a set of the CompCams re-usable rocker bolts. I think this was the ONLY area I needed a "special tool". The re-usable bolts get torqued in using a reverse hex socket (unlike the socket used to remove the factory one). No big deal, I had that in my garage.
After the rockers were in, time to re-install the valve covers, but not the original ones. The 4th Gen v6 F-bodies with the
Series II 3800 to my knowledge are the only American 3800's to offer aluminum valve covers (I've seen some people get aluminum valve
covers from the Australian Holden 3800's). I was fortunate that I had not made the full decision to go this road, as it was an
added cost for something that the car didn't need. A member of the Bonneville forum had a set he already polished and
applied clear coat to. By the time I decided to get them, he had the on eBay, I luckily won them from that auction.
I feel they really add a better look to the car. Please note, the F-body covers don't have the guides to hold original the plug wire guide,
I later got rid of the original plug wire guide (explained on the Misc - Front Plug Wire Separators
page). Some people state the reason the F-Bodies got these was to add a little more engine sound (the aluminum resenates
differently then the plastic one) and the aluminim disipates heat more. Whatever the reason, I just simply like the look!
And now, it was getting a bit dark out and Jeff and I reached a good stopping point. I covered the exposed intake with a trash bag and moved all the tools and blankets back to the garage.
Main Page
-->Day 1
Day 2
Misc - L67 Throttle Body Alignment
Misc - Front Plug Wire Separators
