Norse396

I got into it with a new Monte Carlo SS this afternoon, not that I would bother with them normally (heavy and only 200hp) but damned if his car got a good jump on me, VSA (it is called VSA right?) kicked in and then forced second early, anyway I pulled past him and then he seemed to keep up, I then backed off at about 70, I thought I made my point with him and I wasn't going to push it. This guy was very pissed off that my 4 door sedan beat him, I could tell because he was saying the "F" word over and over when we got to the next light where he turned left.

Anyway, I honestly thought I'd pull away much harder, I know weather played a huge part. This is bad, I have no races for years and now I've been in two small ones in a week!

6spdzoomzoom

Everybody wants to race it seems like.

LED Master

Was it the new supercharged SS monte?

Formula 350

My other car is a Monte Carlo Z34. It is surprisingly quick for 215 HP. However, it is not close to the 6MT TL. I do know that it could keep up with and old 5 liter Monte SS (withing two or so car lengths up to about 100) as I have "tested" it.

The new supercharged ones might be a bit closer...

silveraccord

The new Monte Carlo, the SS, has the 3800 Series II with the supercharger, I thought. If so its 240 hp. I don't know the torque rating.

Norse396

Hmmmm ok, I forgot about the supercharged SS, does it mention this on the car? I don't think it was an 04 now that I look back in my minds eye, but the roads made everybodies car dirty so it was too hard to tell. The supercharger is optional, per Chevy.

If it was supercharged, ok, but if it wasn't, damn.

As for the old 5 liter Monte SS, those were 16 second cars, not even worth bothering with, even when they first came out.

MR-REV-HI

That is kind of discouraging. I used to work at a Chevy dealer and once raced a 00' Civic Si (i/e) with an 02' Monte SS. Needless to say, the Si was about two lengths ahead and gaining at 80mph. I was driving the Monte and started with Trac off. My friend (who is a good driver) was driving the Si. Had a worse driver been in the Si, I still think at speed, the Si would have pulled. I think you forgot to mention the brick under your gas pedal

brahtw8

Actually, GM is getting 260 hp/280 ft lbs. from the supercharged 3.8, IIRC.

avs007

The 260/280 figure is only for the blown 3800 Series-III, which is only in the Pontiac Grand Prix GTP. The Chevy has the older blown Series-II engine, which gets 240/280.

Monte TLS,MAX

Also those 3800 powered cars have excellent low end grunt and they jump of the line and hold it until they run out of steam soon after.

silveraccord

The 3800 series engines, both supercharged and non supercharged, are tremendous. My second favorite engine next to the Vtec. It applies a whole heck of a lot of torque early instead of waiting until it needs to shift. IT also, supposedly is very fuel efficient, and my experience with a series I in a 16 year old Oldsmobile definitely supports that conclusion.

Too Bad GM can't put it together with a suspension and a solid ride like the Accord or TL.

I did drive a Grand PRix GTP and it was the most uncomfortable driving experience of my life, but it was fun for 10 minutes. Highs were the accelleratin from the Series III 3800, and the brakes. The brakes were amazing, very little pressure needed, no grab, good consistent pressure feeling. But after I got out I felt like I had finsihed a boxing match I was so beat up by the rough ride.

Darn shame, maybe the GM competition would make the TL even better (dare I say it).

Norse396

The 3.8 in the Grand National was the turning point for GM regarding this engine. GM turned a relatively mundane engine into one of the 80's best competitors.

GM has a tendancy to build something great and when people buy it in droves, they drop it from their line-up.

Ford is enjoying zero competition with the Mustang right now, and the 2005 looks to be something I would love to own and after it matures I probably will buy one. GM is missing out while Ford takes up the slack and laughs all the way to the bank. Although now that I think on it the new Mustang rides a different chassis so Ford is taking a gamble with fresh tooling. The Fox platform paid for itself many times over.

The Monte SS was never competition for much of anything so it's about time they did something with it.

Majorhouse

Uh oh, you mentioned the Fox platform! Get ready for some Ford Fairmont comments from the peanut gallery.

bigman

yup, you probably raced a new monte withe the supercharged 3800 series II motor. It puts down 240 hp and 260 lb ft of torque. Also those motors can be easily modded. I have a cousin with a 12.8 second GTP, and its been running great since 98 when it was hooked up to run high 12's low 13's. Did you race him off a light or off a roll. even the 200 hp one will scare you till like 40, those cars have a magnifcant flat torque curve. The supercharged one makes amazing torque so good kill. but him hanging with you is expected.

Norse396

Yes, it was from a light, but heavily salted road conditions caused his tires to spin although I believe he had his traction control on, my VSA was having fun trying to keep my tires from spinning so since his did a better job he got the jump, but after we got going and I pulled ahead I just didn't seem to pull away much, since we backed off at just about 70mph I don't know what would have happened if we pushed further.

I would have liked to talk to him but he didn't seem too happy losing (his mouth uttering the F word hinted at this) and he took a left turn at the next light.