If ya can't tell by now I'm addicted to Monte Carlo's... 1970-1988 in general, not knocking the newer models I like their looks too, even if it's stuffed with a V-8. I just prefer rear wheel drive over front wheel drive any day.
Rite now I've got two projects, a 1971 and a 1979, probably wind up selling the 79, I pulled the vinyl top off and there's a little bit too much rust on the roof and along the window pillars. Will see what happens, the rest of the 79 is in descent shape. Thankfully I pulled the vinyl before yanken the original v-6 engine out, sooo no time has really been lost yet, Other than the drive I took to pick the car up. If I keep the 79, I'll post my progress on here somewhere. Until then that's about it for it now. :D

The 71...well it sits out in a field until I have room for it at the house, for it's age the body is in pretty good shape, every 1st Gen Monte I've seen with a price tag I can or would want to afford has had a lot of rust near the rear window and the rear quarter panels are beat.
I found this one in the mountains of Virginia for $400.00, towed it to a field and it's been sitting out there for almost two years. Mice have made a home of the car.
I've Ran into some personal problems, ditching my Ex, finding a descent job, and last but not least I had a few surgeries along the way. I'm so far behind... but slowly catching up to where I was :D rite before all the bullshit started. The 71 has no engine, no trans, no carpet, no center console or shifter and no front seat. All of which was gonna be replaced anyways.
In the mean time, I'm just gonna dump my extra money into the 350 I've had for years and years. Its a crate engine, I bought it new back when I had the white 86 SS (R.I.P 86) It was my first real upgrade as far as performance goes. Here are the specs for that engine.

Engine Name: 350 LM1
Horsepower: 249 HP @ 5,000 RPM
Torque: 304 Ft/Lbs @ 3,500 RPM
Compression Ratio: 8.50 to 1
Block: 4 – Bolt, 2 Piece Rear Seal, 4.000” Bore
Crankshaft: Cast Nodular 3.480” Stroke
Heads: Cast Iron, 76cc
Valves: 1.940” / 1.500”
Camshaft lift: 0.390” / 0.410” Hydraulic
Duration @ 0.050”: 195° / 202°

I don't want to crack the lower end open yet, I have another Small Block laying around that's gonna get the works, that should be pushing close to if not more than 500hp on pump gas.
Really all in all...I need a solid engine that can run low 12's or mid 13's down a 1/4 mile track...something dependable to use as a daily driver, and the plans I have should be the ticket for a long lasting engine, that can take abuse.
I'm Guesstimating with a complete overhaul to the upper end of this crate engine when it's completed to be at about 350-400 hp probably 350-400ftlbs of torque too.

As far as the transmission goes, I can't make up my mind, automatic or manual. What makes this decision tough, I like to run wide open on back roads, and I also want to run road courses at a track up in Maryland. That looks like a lot of fun.