Monte Carlo SS FAQ

Monte Carlo SS
Available Options FAQ
Updated May 12th, 2002

FAQ SECTIONS
Basic Info | Production Figures | Options | Engine | Drivetrain | Suspension&Steering | Wheels&Tires | Brakes
Electrical | Ignition | Air/Fuel Induction | Exhaust | Interior | Exterior | Cooling System | Air Conditioning

Q: What color combinations were available in what years? And what are the RPO option codes for each color?

The table below shows the available colors for the 4th Generation SS by year. The codes are RPO codes that were used to order the color from the factory. These codes should be present on the SPID sticker which is located on the inside of the trunk lid. These codes are not the paint codes. See further down in the FAQ for the paint codes for each color.

Available SS Colors / Option Codes
YEAR	White	Blue	Black	Silver	Maroon	Lt Brn
1983	11U	27U
1984	11U	27U
1985	11U		19U	12U	79U
1986	11U		19U	12U	79U
1987	11U		19U	12U	79U	??
1988	11U		19U	12U	79U

Q: What are the Paint Codes for each of the available SS colors?

The table below shows the Paint Codes for each of the available SS colors. This is the code that you would need to match the original paint on an SS. The Paint Code appears on the SPID sticker at the bottom, following the word "Lacquer"
The number has a "WA-" prefix, with either a "U" or "L" proceeding the 4 digit number. The "U" stands for upper paint code, the "L" for lower paint code. This applies to two-tone paint schemes that were available on non-SS Montes. Since SSs did not come with a two-tone paint scheme, you may only see one "U" number without an "L" number.. or you may see one of each.
An example of the Black color paint code as shown on the SPID sticker would be:
Lacquer WA U0848
We have not been able to confirm any background information on the existance or specification of the Light Brown Metallic color supposedly available in 1987.

Paint Codes
Color	RPO Code	Paint Code
White	11U	3967
Lt. French Blue Metallic	27U	7686
Lamp Black	19U	0848
Metallic Silver	12U	8535
Burgundy Metallic	79U	8529
Lt. Sandstone Metallic ??	58U ??	????

Q: What Exterior / Interior / Stripe Color combos were available?

Year	Exterior Color	Stripe Color	Interior Color
Year	Exterior Color	Stripe Color	Dk Blue	Dk Blue White	Blue	Gray	Maroon	Saddle
1983	Dark Blue Metallic	Light Blue	R
1983	White	Dark Blue	R
1984	Dark Blue Metallic	Light Blue		R	R
1984	White	Dark Blue		R	R
1985	Black	Orange Red				A	R
	Dark Maroon Metallic	Orange Red				A	R
	Silver Metallic	Red				R	R
	White	Red				R	R
1986	Black	Orange Red				R	R
	Dark Maroon Metallic	Orange Red				A	R
	Silver Metallic	Red				R	R
	White	Red				A	R
1987	Black	Light Gold						R
	Black	Red				R	R
	Dark Maroon Metallic	Red					R
	Silver Metallic	Gray				R	R
	White	Dark Gold						A
	White	Red				R	R
1988	Black	Light Gold						R
	Black	Red				R	R
	Dark Maroon Metallic	Red					R
	Silver Metallic	Gray				R	R
	White	Dark Gold						A
	White	Red				R	R

R = Recommended Combination
A = Acceptable Combination

Q: What is an Aerocoupe?

The Aerocoupe Option is basically an aerodynamic "bubble" rear window that transitions from the edge of the roof to mid-way back the rear trunk area. It was born out of GM's need to compete with the more aerodynamic Thunderbird in the NASCAR circuit. For the Monte Carlo to have this aerodynamic rear window on the race track, GM had to produce them for the public (minimum 200 production units per NASCAR regulations).
The Aerocoupe Option was first available in 1986. Only 200 Monte Carlo SS Aerocoupes were produced in 1986. In 1987, 6052 Monte Carlo SS Aerocoupes were produced. There were no 1988 Aerocoupes produced.
Refer to the 1986 Monte Carlo SS Aerocoupe Registry page for details of the rare 86 Aerocoupe.
Refer to the Aerocoupe Information section on this site for further links.
Refer to the Aerocoupe Section in the SS Exhibit section of this web site for pictures of some nice Aerocoupes.

Q: Did the SS ever come with a factory 350 engine?

No. The only engine available for the 4th Generation Monte Carlo SS was the L69 HO 305ci V8. There was no option to get a 350 or any other engine from the factory in the United States.
The 8th digit of the VIN number, which indicates engine type (L69, HO 305ci V8), must be a 'G' for 1984 through 1988 SSs, and '7' for 1983 SSs.
Some dealers installed 350 engines after the SS was delivered from the factory. These are considered dealer options and not considered stock. This seems to be the exception rather than the rule. Very very few have been reported.
If someone tries to tell you they have a factory installed 350 in their SS, don't believe them. It just didn't happen. The only possiblity is a dealer installed option engine, which is highly unlikely. Have them provide extensive documentation of its originality. Don't rely on a window sticker as they can be faked very easily. A GM crate engine can look very much like a factory installed, but is still a replacement engine. A more likely scenario is that they, or another previous owner had the engine installed in place of the original L69 305.
The Mexican version of the Monte Carlo SS, available in 1984 only, did have a 350 engine and a 4 speed manual transmission. These were available in Mexico only and do not carry standard VIN numbers like the American version. Go here for details on the Mexican Monte Carlo SS.

Q: Did the SS ever come with a factory moonroof?

No. The 4th Generation Monte Carlo SS did not have a moon roof or sun roof as an option. Period. Some dealers installed moon and sun roofs as options after the SS was delivered from the factory and are considered dealer installed options and not stock. T-Tops were only available factory installed from 1985 through 1988.

Q: Was there ever a factory convertable SS option?

No. The 4th Generation Monte Carlo SS did not have a convertable option available from the factory. Period. There are some convertable SSs around that were aftermarket conversions. In some cases, a dealer contracted this option out. It is not considered a stock option. These are very rare.

Q: What is the fuel tank capacity in the SS?

18.1 Gallons. Confirmed.

Q: What type of wheels and tires were stock on an SS?

1983 through 1985: 15x7" Rally rims with 215/65-15 Goodyear White Letter GT tires.
1986 through 1988: 15x7" Aluminum Alloy rims with 215/65-15. The rims are similar in design, but not identical to early 80s Camaro Z-28 rims.
The Mexican version of the Monte Carlo SS, available in 1984 only, did have the checker-board style wheels available on non-SS Monte Carlos here in the United States. These were available in Mexico only and do not carry standard VIN numbers like the American version. Go here for details on the Mexican Monte Carlo SS.

Q: What type of transmission is stock on an SS?

1983 and 1984 Monte Carlo SSs got the TH-350C 3 speed, non-overdrive transmission.
1985 through 1988 Monte Carlo SSs got the TH-200-4R 4 speed, overdrive transmission.
There were supposedly 3 1984 Monte Carlo SSs at the end of that year production run that that received the TH-200-4R transmission.
There were no other transmission options available in the United States.
The Mexican version of the Monte Carlo SS, available in 1984 only, did have a 350 engine and a 4 speed manual transmission. These were available in Mexico only and do not carry standard VIN numbers like the American version. Go here for details on the Mexican Monte Carlo SS.

Q: How do I know if my SS has a Limited Slip Differential (POSI)?

Look for the RPO code "G80" on your SPID sticker on the inside of the rear trunk.
Look for a metal tag stuck on one of the external bolts of the differential. Sometimes this tag falls off, or is lost during differential maintenance.
Jack the rear of the car up so both rear wheels are off the ground. Rotate one of the rear wheels manually. If the other wheel rotates in the same direction, you have a limited slip differential (Posi). If the other wheel rotates in the opposite direction, you do not have a limited slip differential (Non-Posi)
Look for the rear axle code.
For 1986 Models (and we believe this applies to all SS's 1985 and up): "2TF" indicates a non-limited slip 3.73 differential. "2TH" indicates a limited slip (Posi) 3.73 differential.
Some sources indicate that limited slip differential was not available in 1984, however, some 1984 SSs have shown up with the G80 RPO code.
Limited Slip Differential was not available in 1983.

Q: What was the rear gear ratio for the SS?

For 1983 and 1984 Monte Carlo SS's, the rear differential ratio was 3.42:1
for 1985 through 1988 Monte Carlo SS's, the rear differential ratio was 3.73:1
There were no other gear combination options available.

Q: How many of any particular option were produced each year?

Other than the Aerocoupe option, there is no way to tell the production numbers for any specific option each year. GM has not kept any records that would indicate any of this information. If someone tries to tell you they have "One of X number SSs made with any option or color combination.", they are either misinformed or are trying to pull the wool over your eyes. Nobody has ever been able to produce documented (GM) proof of the rarity or commonality of any option (again, outside of the Aerocoupe). If you ever find someone at GM who has such information, please get in contact with this website's Webmaster.

Q: What type of rear spoilers were available and in what years were they available?

Two types of rear spoilers were available during the 4th Generation production run, Stand-up style and Lay-Down style.
All 1983, 84, 85 and 86 model year notchback SSs got the Stand-Up style spoiler.
All 1988 model year notchback SSs and all 1986 and 1987 Aerocoupes got the Lay-Down style spoiler.
The switch between the Stand-Up and Lay-Down style spoilers for notchbacks occured mid-year in 1987 model year production run. There doesn't appear to be a specific date for the change, or a specific production facility related to the change. According to VIN sequence numbers, there was a time during the 1987 model run that both the Stand-Up and Lay-Down style spoilers were being used.
Check out THIS IMAGE for a good side by side comparison of the two different style spoilers.

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Monte Carlo SS Available Options FAQ Updated May 12th, 2002

Monte Carlo SS
Available Options FAQ
Updated May 12th, 2002