Thread: Any Decent Mods for 206k Mile GT?

2003 Grand Prix GT. Exactly what the title says, obviously not looking to turbo a car with 206k miles. Just looking for some mods to help with throttle response and give it a little more pull. Will probably sell the car before next summer to get something with less miles, but as of right now it's running like new with all maintenance caught up on(minus no AC, waiting til it warms up next spring to fix that) so figured I might as well get some work done. I have poly motor mounts and an intake. Next week I plan on ordering a 3" downpipe with the u-bend delete and a high-flow converter. Don't think I want to spend over $600 on a set of headers since it's N/A. Hoping to get some opinions on "cheaper" mods like HV3 insert, HV throttle body, power logs, TB spacer,etc. Not sure what I'm looking for so just want to hear thoughts. Or if someone wants to step in and say "No you idiot, don't touch a car with 206k miles, leave it alone and enjoy", feel free to do that too. Open to all suggestions.

Originally Posted by J57ltr

Leave it alone and get something with less miles.

If I don't get any other suggestions I will likely do this, other than the downpipe simply because it's the original converter which is 12 years and 206k miles old.

Along with my usual income, my college grant refunds are coming in next week, over $1,500. Might set a good chunk of that aside for when I sell this car. Maybe even buy a GTP next.

Originally Posted by blackspike2710

Maintenance. When the old **** breaks, put on slightly better ****.

Oh trust me done plenty of that. Haha A good majority of my car is new parts. Been spending the past 2-3 years focusing on maintenance. Axles, struts, wheel hubs, sway bar, tie rods, water pump, and much more, all new. Looks like I'm going to get that downpipe and keep it where it is. Love driving it as is anyways.

Originally Posted by J57ltr

It probably will run another 70K, but why shorten it's life any more..

Well said. I will likely only put another 5-7k on it, but I wouldn't want to pass it on to someone else with a shortened life span.

Originally Posted by ScottyDoggs

i ran a headers, rockers and a 3.4 on my 228,000 mile l67.

it had some hidden issues and popped im thinking due to a bad fuel pump at this point. but it took them mods like a boss. nice bump in power. still not a race car, but way better then stock.

others have modded cars over 200,000. if its solid now, it will be fine. as long as you got a good tune. iirc dan was up over 200 in his rotted 97.

Hmm interesting. Doubt I'd see very noticeable gains in an L36 though. The main reason for asking about any decent mods is it seems most N/A mods don't give a noticeable performance increase like the supercharged guys get. Guess that's one downside of buying the first car you can get your hands on instead of looking around.

Originally Posted by ScottyDoggs

your na? f it, leave it alone.

Just a sad little GT. I'll put the downpipe in, probably need to replace the passenger side wheel bearing, then ain't touchin it. Sounds unanimous. New car here I come. Haha

Nothing wrong w/ the GT. My 00 GT has been dependable. Sitting at 350K and still runs great. Although I really need to change out the downpipe/cat on it. I just go for appearance mods since I know the only way to make it reasonably fast is a turbo. I have other projects that need the money so I just keep it up in maint. and enjoy it for what it is. Even at 15 years old it still looks decent, and I have a lot of parts accumulated to make it a bit better here soon.

If you're looking at getting another in the future, why not get things that can transfer over? Suspension bits, tuning software, exhaust, stuff like that.