1998 Chevrolet Monte Carlo Z34 - Zee Rest Is History

 

I've always thought it odd that Chevrolet did away with it's much vaunted "Monte Carlo" nameplate after 1987. If there was so much cache in the nameplate that they brought it back in 1995, why'd they'd ditch it in the first place? Well, regardless, from 1995 through 1999, Chevrolet called the two door version of their updated four door Lumina "Monte Carlo". From from 1990-1994, the spiritual successor to the late, some times great, more often times barely mediocre, Monte Carlo, was simply called Lumina. The top of the line of the Lumina/Monte Carlo from 1991-1999 was the Z34. Our subject is a 1998 Monte Carlo Z34.

 



 

You wouldn't be alone in presuming that the "34" in Z34 was homage to the "LQ1", 3.4 liter, "Dual Twin Cam V-6" that all Z34's had from 1991-1997. However, it appears to be coincidental that the Lumina and Monte Carlo Z34's both originally had a 3.4 liter engine since "Z34" was their "RPO" or Regular Production Order code. Someone in marketing must have thought that "Z34" sounded marketable ala Camaro Z28. Z28 being the original RPO denoting the top-of-the-line Camaro RS/SS.   

 

For 1998, Chevrolet dropped the LQ1 in favor of the L36 or "Series II 3800 V-6". While the L36 made less horsepower than the LQ1, it's similar peak torque rating was made at a lower rpm making the L36 feel more powerful and responsive. Especially at lower rpm. Some say the LQ1 was discontinued because it was problematic, expensive and difficult to work on and was unpopular with buyers. Others say that  GM had a relative glut of six cylinder engines at the time, both on the market and in development, and something had to go.

 



Whether the Monte Carlo Z34 was powered by the 3.4 DOHC V-6 (1995-1997) or the 3800 (1998-1999), checking the "Z" box on the order form also got buyers dual exhaust tips, red bow ties fore, aft and on the wheels (as opposed to chrome), and, most importantly, a "Ride and Handling" package combining Goodyear Eagle RS-A's with four stage strut valving and larger diameter (than stock) anti-roll bars.

I had a 1997 Monte Carlo LS and curiously, it had the same "Ride and Handling" package as the Z34 making me feel quite smart forgoing the Z34's extra cost. That and the fact I found the L82, "3100 SFI V-6" the equal if not better engine compared to the LQ1. The Monte Carlo LS was also available with the same leather thrones the Z34 had available so, again, zee point of the Z34?

Well, the point of the Z34 for 1998 and 1999 meant you also got the glorious, god's green earth, 3800 V-6. Why'd they make the 3.4 DOHC in the first place? Great question. Best I can hypothesize is that GM Powertrain went into a tizzy when Ford rolled out the 220 horsepower, "Super High Output" DOHC V-6 in the 1989 Taurus "SHO". So, they rushed a multivalve, "parts bin" sourced V-6 to production so they could have something similar. You know what happens when you rush things and cut corners. Zee rest is history.

 

When Chevrolet updated the Monte Carlo for 2000, they dropped the RPO code "Z34" designation on their top of the line model replacing it with their venerable "SS" badging. Something they should have done from the get go along with never having dropped "Monte Carlo" from their lineup in the first place.

 

Chevrolet built the Monte Carlo through 2007.