Anyone own or has owned a V-8 Chevy Vega???

[johnnyseville]

Always have liked them, small and with a worked small block or big block they ae very quick.  Just wanted to hear back from someone who has been there about their experience.  Don't worry, not converting.

[nascarxx29]

Had a few vegas but never V8 any .Saw a few done Don Hardy made the kits

[The70RT]

I would rather go with a Monza than a Vega. My brother in-law bought a 78 new with a 305 5 speed. He put on a Holley 500 and headers and removed all the emissions and was spanking Vegas's back then. That car was unusually fast. I like the look of a Monza and they came with a small block already so no mods to deal with. Yes I seen a lot of Vega's on the blvd back in the day and raced one with a 350 and spanked him in the Charger.

[johnnyseville]

 I would not mind a Monza either, but seems to be more v-8 Vegas available.  Would like something along these lines to have a bit of fun with.  My other cars are beyond the having fun with level, which is a shame.  I have even seen some blown Vegas, that must be a trip, not very expensive either.  I think overall they are the best bang for the buck. Still would like one done right.

[nascarxx29]

Monza starts with off a small V8

[Chargen69]

I'd be careful getting one of those cars with a v8, we have a 78 monza from new and around 175k miles the unibody around the motor mount developed a crack almost all the way around the motor mount, and that was with a 4 cylinder engine.

[johnnyseville]

Monza starts with off a small V8

Didn't know they had a V8, but that is a good start to build on, though I have seen only a few so far that have been set up to an extreme, mostly Vegas, guess cause they look like mini Camaros. 

[johnnyseville]

I'd be careful getting one of those cars with a v8, we have a 78 monza from new and around 175k miles the unibody around the motor mount developed a crack almost all the way around the motor mount, and that was with a 4 cylinder engine.

Yeah, plenty of chasis work is needed when you drop an eight in them, have seen them just twist the chasis from day one.  Never heard of a 4 doing that, but with that kind of mileage anything can happen.

[nascarxx29]

Monza with V8 was a option standard 4 cyl

http://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z9380/Chevrolet-Monza.aspx

[Ghoste]

Onebadsuperbird has one.  He rarely comes on here anymore though.

[Monziac]

I have had a few of them and they are fun fun fun! Parts are cheap. My suggestion is find a 4 cyl car and convert it to a v8, it generally means it hasnt been abused. My friend has everything to convert it. My favorite was the 77 Monza Mirage. It came with a full IMSA racing package and could only be ordered in red, white and blue! 

Jon "Monziac"

[Cooter]

A buddy has one with a 509 BBC in it. VERY nasty handling car. Interesting to drive. Rode in it a couple times. Runsin the 6's 8th mile, on the motor.
700 HP in A Vega. One thing I did notice was you really don't wanna stab it in ANY kind of turn. Shoves the front wheels hard.

Boss man has 5 of 'em in various stages behind shop. With the "Daytona" croud buying up the hatches of "GT" versions, I see top dollar being had for parts. We sold a solid Door of one in back for over $500.00....

[odcics2]

 

Back in the day, a buddy had one and it was a handful to keep straight!
It had a 8 3/4 with 4.88s & ladder bars. 

[b5blue]

  I had a Vega back in the day....they are crap! (And always will be.) The front end will never hold up to the weight of a V8 for long. You'll be popping lug bolts right off the rotors just when you least expect it. (If the spindles don't crack first.) If ya want a fast Vega get a Cosworth. I saw one go on eBay for 700.00 and it wasn't in to bad of shape.
http://www.cosworthvega.com

[GOTWING]

I never had one, but my best friend did, it was orange with a black interior, he had a 327 from a wrecked Corvette in it with a modified  Mopar 8.75 rear with 3.91's and of course Cragar SS mags with yellow ladder bars! It was pretty quick, low 13's i think.

[TruckDriver]

I got this today from my oldest son.

[ernie]

I had a very nicely done car back in the 80 complete don hardy chassis and install kit built 400 inch small block turbo 350 nine inch ford  heavy duty radiaor and suspension upgrades very fast car handled ok  had a way cool candy red and gold leaf paint, cragers narrowed rear looked bad, was stolen out of my driveway in1982 never saw it again was a high dollar car done right in its day was a 71 hatchback i miss that little rocket sled and have alway wondered where it went?

[surmanajaja]

also Buick Skyhawk and Olds Starfire are the same chassis as monza. vegas rust real easy and if you want to put a real engine in it, start with chassis connectors/cage to not rip it apart. you can actually make them handle but it takes some work, a local fella had a monza stw with c4 vette brakes and home made upper arms and it went around circuits like a 911.

[Tilar]

Try changing the plugs in one of those V8 Monzas. You'll have to pay the preacher good after that little task.

I helped my brother in law build a v8 Vega back in the early 80's. Nothing real radical, a 305 with a cam, a 600 holly and headers.  It was quite a ride until someone ran a stop light and T-boned him. When he woke up he was upside down on the passenger side with a broken left wrist, and the driver side door was sitting about halfway into the driver seat.