97 GP GTP - New to Community, Modding, but first some major repairs etc...

[Matt Olsen]

Hello! Excited to jump in the forums and learn from the rest of you. I'm working on a 97 GP GTP 2dr that I... well literally took from my mother... on the basis I didn't think she was taking care of it. We had a game for about a year where we would steal it back and forth, in good spirits. Finally, I just told her I'd buy it and now the gp's mine and I have zero desire to ever part with it.

I looked up the VIN and options package and it was ordered with literally every option excluding a tape and cd combo. It came with the cd equalizer combo. My family are the second owners. The previous owners gave it great service and cataloged everything.

I'm at about 180K miles and the old girl is starting to show her age. I've driven it pretty hard as twenty year olds do with a car with a supercharger; it's given me a lot, so now it's time to return the favor. Major issues I'm looking for advice on...

Caliper and rotor replacement. Suspension and Struts are in poor shape. Tensioner assembly failing, Supercharger coupler rattle, what appears to be a worsening leak from the rear valve cover.

Another issue, when I pull the oil filler cap off the front valve cover I often see a form of smoke or steam coming out. Is this normal or is it blow back or maybe just hot oil mixing with cooler air and causing steam to rise. If this is a sign of a significant problem to come, I just want to be prepared.

Lastly, sometimes when I turn the ignition to the start position but I do not turn the engine over, the tachometer twitches just a little bit about once a second.

Wow, there's more but I think that's probably where I'm starting.

I'm sure a lot of these issues are already being covered, so I'll take a look. Any help or direction people can offer I would appreciate. I will do my best to catalog and take pictures of all my projects and work and post it for the community.

Kindest Regards,

Louie2011-10-26%2B07.30.49[1].jpg

[GTPSHAWTY]

welcome man.. caliper and rotors a easy breezy to change.. two bolts for the caliper to come off then remove the brake line... rotors are held on by the caliper bracket... remove two bolts.. the rotor slides right off.....

a lot of guys upgrade to kyb struts.. or monroe quick struts... which are best imo

ebay coupler 16 bucks i think.. cheeeep....


which tension bracket?

and join the valve cover club.. but seriously.. its a common problem... and not really hard to change... check rockauto.com.. they have em for cheap... and might wanna check ya lower intake manifold gasket.. if not alum.. might want to consider changing it

[gtpeddie]

i think it will be a nice project i have a white 97 i did alot of work to it started off as a $1600 ride and i just went to town on it lol i think it looks pretty good

[Matt Olsen]

which tension bracket?

I believe it's the supercharger tensioner assembly. I've replaced the other one already but I'd like this one to be made here in the U.S. any suggestions on where to look?

[KeithGTP03]

what appears to be a worsening leak from the rear valve cover.

Have your local dealership check your VIN to see if your car has had the valve cover recall done. If it has not, it should be done free of charge.

[Matt Olsen]

Have your local dealership check your VIN to see if your car has had the valve cover recall done. If it has not, it should be done free of charge.

I did call a dealership today. I asked about the recall, he told me the work had already been performed. I asked him when and where it had been and he couldn't tell me. Sounded sketch. I need to follow up and call some other dealerships to see if he is full of it. - Thanks for the tip

[1ATony]

Welcome to the site