Thread: Luke's GTP

What's up everyone. I'm Luke, from Chicago. I became a member back in December of 2015, and find myself browsing this site almost daily. Currently driving a maroon 2000 GTP, and I love this freakin' car. Its big, fast, roomy, gangster, etc. It's been with my family since we bought it in 2000, so you could say its had 1 owner. I'm dead-set on making this car faster and better looking. I want to bring it back to its glory days; definitely in it for the long haul.

Decided to start a thread about my car so I can post more pics, instead of crowding the "Daily" thread.


Picture taken when up in Michigan... Working on a friends old farm house.




Loaded up for vacation.

JANUARY 2016
I was having trouble with my engine constantly overheating. That's what led me to this site, and thanks to all the info here I was able to successfully
do my own LIMs and water pump. Replaced them in dead of winter, under a make-shift canopy. The days I was working on this, just happened to be the coldest days of this past winter, lol.... Anyway, Overheating problem solved.

EARLY SPRING 2016

Then, in the early spring, did a bunch more work to it. Replaced 2 pulleys, installed Trans-Go shift kit, valve cover gaskets, and new (used) injectors.

EARLY SUMMER 2016

Went at it again in the summer. Replaced the s/c coupler, s/c oil, new boost actuator, and new fuel pressure regulator. And purchased OBD reader tool.

September 2016

Currently working on fixing a heating issue. Zero heat in the car and winter is coming. Then I figured, since I'm practically gutting the entire inside anyway, might as well change the carpet. So next on the list is 2 new actuators, new carpet, new HVAC vacuum line, and possibly/maybe a new heater core. We will see.



Some rusty rockers there, Boss:

Gutted. I was reading up on a thread by PurpleGuy where he adhered his entire car with Second Skin Damplifier Pro.

http://www.grandprixforums.net/threa...l=1#post640630

Going to be doing that, before new carpet goes in. Doing the doors as well. All my door panels are coming off and need new clips anyway.

Welcome! where in Chicago are you? and omg that rust! You ever thought about getting one cleaner?

I'm on the north-west side, in Avondale.
Ehh, rust isn't too bad. Rockers and back fender... the usual on these cars. Strut towers have very minimal rust spots. Inside floor is rust free. Undercarriage needs some wire wheel work, but salvageable. Definitely getting the rockers replaced and other rust spots fixed. Keeping this GTP man, there is no other! Ha. Been with my family all its life.

I know the feeling lol. Car looks good besides the rockers. After repairs, what do you have planned?

Originally Posted by CHI2000GTP

I'm on the north-west side, in Avondale.
Ehh, rust isn't too bad. Rockers and back fender... the usual on these cars. Strut towers have very minimal rust spots. Inside floor is rust free. Undercarriage needs some wire wheel work, but salvageable. Definitely getting the rockers replaced and other rust spots fixed. Keeping this GTP man, there is no other! Ha. Been with my family all its life.

Lol theres a few of us near there...we're all in the burbs (carol stream,lombard and elmhurst) I havent been around your area in a while. I went and ate at kumas few months ago.

Originally Posted by atj8

Lol theres a few of us near there...we're all in the burbs (carol stream,lombard and elmhurst) I havent been around your area in a while. I went and ate at kumas few months ago.

I'm in and out of Elmhurst pretty much weekly, never seen any other nice GPs

Originally Posted by PaintChips97

I'm in and out of Elmhurst pretty much weekly, never seen any other nice GPs

LOL!! dude i live in elmhurst! The only other wbody i see is my buddies black gxp...its completely blacked out. Where in elmhurst?

Originally Posted by atj8

Lol theres a few of us near there...we're all in the burbs (carol stream,lombard and elmhurst) I havent been around your area in a while. I went and ate at kumas few months ago.

Kumas is good! Popular spot in this neighborhood. Lot's of good bars and place to eat up here. Relatively safe up here too!

Originally Posted by PaintChips97

I'm in and out of Elmhurst pretty much weekly, never seen any other nice GPs

Yeah man. Very few well kept GP's around here. I've spent a lot of time in Elmhurst, sister lived there for many years. I'm in Chicago now but grew up and lived out in Lombard & Glen Ellyn for 27+ years. Around Chicago-land most GP's are in decrepit shape; completely rusted out, missing fuel doors, no rockers, etc etc. Being driven till they die! And then, very very few GTP's. Seen like 4-5 over the last few years. Almost all are GT's and SE's.
After I make it look good (paint and all), I plan on some very conservative MOD's. I am experiencing very few mechanical problems with the car and plan to keeping it that way. Only 1 engine code and it's for EVAP. Also running at +16.4% LTFT, so got a vac leak, probably the HVAC. So basically nothing. Biggest issue is no heat. I want to throw some headers on it, tranny cooler, rocker arms and springs, maybe an IC. Nothing smaller then a 3.4, or maybe just a 3.6. I know a lot guys on here are dealing with some real gremlins and I just don't want that. To the point, that I'm weary of replacing the stock interior bulbs for LED's, fearing it might awaken some electrical issues. I want them for the look, but I'm a little hesitant. Plans are long term ownership and to keep it running healthy.

Just came across this thread, posted by jshow816. Couldn't have come at a better time. Needed a fix for the door trims. Thanks for the link jshow816

http://www.grandprixforums.net/threa...Door-Trim-Fix?

What color carpet replacement?

Originally Posted by atj8

LOL!! dude i live in elmhurst! The only other wbody i see is my buddies black gxp...its completely blacked out. Where in elmhurst?

College lol, my gf goes there and I visit a lot. I work 5-10 minutes from there every day though, in Northlake

Originally Posted by ItHurtz

What color carpet replacement?

I was going to get the Charcoal, thinking that was a safe bet. Going with stockinteriors.com. I have to be honest with ya that I didn't quite pull the trigger on it yet... Spent damn near $500 just this weekend on the SecondSkin Damplifier, OEM actuator, soldering iron, window trim, other tools/odds and ends. Damplifier is going on first so the carpet isn't that urgent anymore. But, it is getting purchased. I went back and looked at the color palette and now I'm liking the Steel Blue. Even the Sandstone might look good. I'm weary of getting a light colored carpet, but it might give it a more luxurious look... I don't know. What color you thinking? You mentioned in chat about doing carpet as well.

I was going to do charcoal, darker than stock, but not black. Black looks great but shows everything so a happy medium.

stock interiors ultra plush shipped is under $197
rock auto under $176

the carpet is from the same company, there isnt 10 different people making carpets for these cars.

the mass backing is a sound deadener/heat reducer so maybe you can opt out for that option if your already putting other stuff on.....but the more the merrier right?

Originally Posted by ItHurtz

I was going to do charcoal, darker than stock, but not black. Black looks great but shows everything so a happy medium.

stock interiors ultra plush shipped is under $197
rock auto under $176

the carpet is from the same company, there isnt 10 different people making carpets for these cars.

the mass backing is a sound deadener/heat reducer so maybe you can opt out for that option if your already putting other stuff on.....but the more the merrier right?

Definitely! The more the better. The mass-backing on the carpet is no joke though. It doesn't even compare to the damplifier product, which is 1mm thick. The mass-backing on the stock carpet was 1" thick. Both on the car might be overkill. I got 40sq.ft of the damplifier. I will do the doors, firewall, back seat first, and anything left over will go on floor. Likely not much left over.
And, LOL. 10 different carpet manufacturers! Ha. I did think they came from different places, so good to know it's all one and the same! I'm thinking Charcoal as well. I bet it's nothing but charcoal carpets churning outta that factory.

Is the stock carpet plush? Do you recommend going with the plush? I'm afraid it will be too squishy/soft.

I would suggest not going with the mass backing... With the ultra plush and the damplifier, that'll be more than enough.

Just think of what will happen to that mass backing with muddy shoes, kids, and whatnot... Just a thought.