My son called me tonight...he has a 2000 Monte Carlo SS...... the engine will barely start and when it does if you press on the accelerator pedal it will continue run very roughly and cough and backfire and spit......before I go over tomorrow to take a look, give me some "ideas" to look at....................

How many miles on it?

Is it due for spark plugs?

Is the air cleaner clogged up?

Does it have any modifications?

Are the belts still on and in good shape?

Are the gauges showing anything unbecoming?

Are there any codes stored?

Does it have fresh clean fuel in it from a reputable fuel station?

You don't have any idea where to start? Looking is not going to help.
What testing tools do you have?

If fuel pump history is unknown, I would verify what your fuel pressure is at the fuel rail. You need a fuel pressure tester. Simply pushing the schrader valve in and seeing fuel squirt out is not the answer.