While I don’t think I am necessarily getting any wiser as I advance through the years, I do believe that my ability to make rational and informed decisions is getting better. This 1980s Monza stands as a perfect case. Someone is selling this car for less than $2500 bucks. It runs, it has a hot rodded Iron Duke four banger with a 4bbl carb that makes about 150hp, it has a four speed, and it looks really freaking clean for one of the last Monzas that has not been turned into a racer of some sort. As a kid I (and I bet most of you) would have had that little ‘banger ripped out before anyone knew it was there in favor of a small block of some sort. Now I look at it and actually consider the four cylinder engine a value adder! I would not leave it as is, because boost is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy but I would leave that engine as the prime mover for the car.
From the factory, this thing was powered by a 90hp four cylinder so one with 150hp must be really fun and it has to be economical. We bet a single turbo, EFI, and as much headwork as we could afford would get this thing to the 300-350hp level for less than crazy money. The suspension would be ungraded and we’d seriously look hard to find some period fender flares to give this thing a killer IMSA look. Putting all those elements together would get you one heck of an awesome little Monza corner carver with enough suds and capability to hang with modern stuff.
See the ad at the link below!
Thanks for the tip Elky Guy!
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE CL LISTING FOR THIS 1980 MONZA
How about putting in a Iron Duke Midget engine? Now that sounds like fun!
disagree – the first step on that car is a full cage – the unibody on those things are crap… to the point where I wonder if that 150 hp motor bends the chassis.
once you put a cage in, then you have to fix that terrible front (vega) suspension…
all quite doable, but it’s not close to corner-carving or hanging with today’s dogs.
I’m sorry but that car is U-G-L-Y!!
I’m with you. The hatch version doesn’t look so bad.
I had an ’80 with a 231 Buick / 4 speed. Surprise, they weigh a ton more than a Vega. I’d still trash the engine if I had one now – especially the 2.3!!
A modern V6 with a 5 speed would probably be a hoot after putting the car on a diet. GM’s crate version 3.4 cam in block and S10 T5 is a dinky little package, it would probably move that car okay and get stellar economy plus being lightweight. 2700 pounds is HUGE for a car that won’t hold a 60 quart cooler or anything bigger than 75 pounds or 4’6″ tall in the back seat.
I wiped out an h-bodies and had one hit by somebody else when I was a kid. The unit body is stronger than you might think and it didn’t flex all that bad either. The K-member, however, was a very bad joke. Getting some weight out of it would do wonders for the chassis I think. The Vega GT drove and handled a lot better than the Monza.
okay, if there’s a car needing an aluminum LS whatever – this is it.
I must be in “that guy” mood this morning. 150hp would be reasonable estimate from a ported and cammed up 3.0 liter four cylinder from a boat, which I think would be a drop-in. I’m not buying it from the 2.5… but it’s okay…. even if every single crappy hybrid on the market today would kick it’s ass in the quarter…
cuz in all honesty, if I have to drive something that sad, I’m putting a Kubota in it. 🙂 🙂
when I say that sad – I mean “AGAIN” – been down this road before. lol.
IMSA style flares would look extra dorky on a notchback Monza, especially one without the 4 lamp nose.
Dang, my ’80 was gold with gold interior and gold rubber hubcaps, bought in ’92 for $500, met its demise in the desert outside of Phoenix in ’95
231-auto, clean little machine.
A friend of mine has an 80’s Monza with a 350, 4barrel and headers, and an air bag on the passenger side rear axle. The thing cranks 12.5 ET’s all day long on pump gas and street tires. Good fun doesn’t get any cheaper.