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Building a Sleeper

gtp20

New member
I’ve owned my car for almost a while now (98 GTP) and have the need for more HP. The car currently has just over 200,000kms, regular oil changes since new (owned since 28,000kms). Current I’m running with CAI, 3.4 pulley, and U-bend delete. I’m looking to build a sleeper, my budget is $3000 - 4000. I’m looking for opinions on what the best way to use this cash is. I was thinking 180 t-stat, 1.9 rockers, downpipe, short stack intercooler, 3.0 pulley and some kind of upgraded PCM. With these mods will I have to beef up the tranny? If so what the best way of going about this, or should I be looking at swapping the entire thing out to support the power? Please fire any suggestions below, including if you think other mods would be better etc.

Thanks for any help in advance.
 


Heres a bunch of pics of my car with rims on it, im planning to run the stock sixteens with the setup this summer. http://www.cardomain.com/ride/3374086/1998-pontiac-grand-prix

I've read around alot and in terms of headers are they really worth it? A downpipe is just under $100 but headers are closer to $500. I'm doing all the work on my own, from what I've read a Cam is a HUGE job compared to rockers...... and I want to stick with the Supercharger, I love the wiiiiiiiiiiiiiiine.
 
haha.

The headers are a must if you plan on dropping your pulley any more than a 3.4.
It's not hard to put headers on, just takes a long time.
It's been said 100times already, but. Get SpeedDaddy headers, get new clamps, and some RTV, and you're set.

A cam is more of a job than rockers, that's for sure, but for the gains, you'll definitely want a cam.

For that price range, you could get a good transmission, headers, a cam with the supporting mods(springs, retainers, timing chain, etc...) and an intercooler, and be happier than hell.
 


I'm in the middle of a very slow total build, however everything I've read you will want to go with the full/tall stack I/C. The shorts stacks aren't really worth it. ie: from what I've read on here. But headers are a must. Best bang for the buck... To start with anyways.
 
Buddy...........


Step one:

Build tranny from someone good like TEP or HARMON.

Step two: full size intercooler and headers.

step three: 1.95 RR's and 105 springs as well as a new chain and tensioner.

step four: a kickass wideband tune.


It will sound stock till you hit the gas and the blower whine gets going.

Also may want to consider a Gen V at the same time as the intercooler.

high 12's from this combo are within grasp if you have the right tires and can drive.
 
With 3-4k to play with.. Go pick your self up a Z3 Turbo set up from zzp and call it a day. Look for a user on the fourms here by the name of VictorSmalls he's a great example. Car trap's 115 mph in full weight and no track prep with a pretty much stock motor. Most high dollar M90 builds are lucky to do that.

M90 = money pit.. Somthing I learned the hard way
 
Smart way to build a strip car is to invest in the transmission first.

which sadly eats up most of the budget.

Tim King has a killer deal on built trannys going right now. 1,500-1,800 will get you a tuff budget built trans to hold up to Z3 power pending on how you set the options.

2,300 dollars will also buy you the base Z3 kit.

Put's the build cost in the ball park of 4,100 dollars not counting your little odds and ends. If your able to do the trans work on your own, you can save your self a lot of money and put that money to other items. But for having a 4,000 dollar cap, you can make some killer power if you go about it the right ways and not run into to many daily driver issues.

http://www.clubgp.com/newforum/tm.asp?m=5475643&p=2&tmode=1&smode=1 < Link for built trans..
 
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I've been doing alot of thinking on this; it looks like I may go the turbo route, seeing as the install would be relatively simple and HP gains substantial. A couple of questions though, would this turn it into a twincharged setup or is the supercharger cut out with this kit? Are headers a must or can they wait? There is also alot of other options that can be added on from the ZZP site, what's your guy's recomendation for that? As for intercooling I won't have enough funds, that will probable be the next step though.

ZZ Performance

Thanks for all the help.
 
you would remove the rotors on the blower and put a blockoff plate on it essentially making it into an upper intake manifold. headers you cannot use on a turbo car.

you might need to do a little more research.
 


just sayin' sounds like the guy is not totally familiar with **** so figure we should make things crystal clear for him
 
There's a couple different directions you can go. I've done both and both have their ups and downs.

A Supercharged setup through a stock exhaust will be painfully quiet until you get on it and then all you'll hear is the supercharger whine which is nice.

A turbo setup is a little more streetable but a lot more expensive if you're buying new. I run 400hp through a stock exhaust on my daily driver. The only tell tale sign that the car is modified is the sound of the turbo but by the time anyone hears that, it's too late.
 
Do you guys not read the previous posts? I'm not a retard, and from what I read from Red Devil he says go with a Z3 turbo kit and a tranny swap. Theres no mention of an intercooler anywhere. I'm just trying to get information, isn't that what a message board is for? Like I said my budget is around $4000 and with an intercooler that brings it closer to $5000.


sportred04Re: Building a Sleeper
so we will post this again.

http://www.grandprixforums.net/safel...car-17482.html

This was posted already and from what I've read:

"Kits range in price from around $2400 to $3600, don't for get to figure in the cost of a intercooler(optional), boost gauges, and if you have a stock tranny plan on replacing it soon."


Anyways from what im getting a better route would be a full stack intercooler THEN the turbo? I don't really want to dick around with small mods if I don't have to. Also the options I was talking about are on the turbo kit; Injectors? Boost controler? DP?

Mike KopstainRe: Building a Sleeper
A turbo setup is a little more streetable but a lot more expensive if you're buying new. I run 400hp through a stock exhaust on my daily driver. The only tell tale sign that the car is modified is the sound of the turbo but by the time anyone hears that, it's too late.

What other mods do you have done to this?

Thanks again
 
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