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Buying my first Prix

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Omegis

New member
Whats up guys, this is my first post on these forums. Im currently somewhat on the market for a new car, I currently own a 98 Monte Carlo Z34 (3.8 v6) and i must say its been a hell of a first car to me, reliability and it has some power. Bought it with about 100k miles on it with my graduation money, I have now had the car for a year and it has about 110k on it, have had 0 issues, all i had to do was some (a lot) of body repairs....Anyways back to topic.


Im currently looking at the 00-04 grand prix's. I want either a GT or GTP. Of course, the GTP is more appealing because of the supercharger. But one of my buddies told me that super chargers can die/go bad. Is this true? Im sure it is, but after doing a little digging/research a lot of people have stated a super charger can last the life of the car. So guys, Im looking to buy one with anywhere from 70-close to 100k miles on it. Should i just stick to the GT or is the GTP a safe bet? Also how are these cars in terms of reliability, everyone says Pontiac makes a great car, would like some feedback from those who own one. And finally, is there anything special i need to if i own a car with a supercharger? I know you have to change the oil on them, so when i am looking at a used GTP i will make sure that the maintenance in the past shows it has been done. Also another thing i plan on making sure is done, is that either in the past the Transmission fluid has been changed (full pan drop and filter change also) if this hasnt been in the vehicles history should i make the dealer do it before hand ? Or just not risk buying the car in general? Any/All help is greatly appreciated
 


1.) go with GTP. Better MPG than GT, and its quicker

2.) A supercharger CAN go bad, just like any other part on a car. However, depends on how the car was driven. I've seen superchargers with 130k that are fine. The thing that usually goes bad on them is the rotors, but its just the coating on the rotors. They can flake off and you may need to get them recoated, or find a spare set on here. You have it made being on grand prix forums, i can't tell you how much money i have saved buying stuff from ppl on here.

3.) Reliability, hell yeah. I mean, there is certain things that need attending to just like any other car, but grand prixs hold up great if taken care of. I've seen some with 225k-250k miles and still going. The 3800 engine was one of the best engines GM ever made. Hell, i've seen a guy drive over one with a tractor and it was still running.

4.) You don't have to do anything special with GTP as far as maintenance. Certain parts around/on the engine are a little different compared to the GT, so they may need to be assembled/disassembled differently, but nothing drastic. You need to use Premium 91 or 93 octane gas at all times on a GTP, otherwise, u will get Knock Retard. (you can read up on that later)

5.) A dealer most likely will not replace tranny fluid and filter for you, because it doesnt affect saftety/inspections; however, they may do it just to get the sale. I had mine replaced at around 85k miles. Just don't get it flushed.

What year and mileage is this GTP u are looking at?

And, i would just look around here on the forums so you get a better idea about stuff. Use the search tool and you can find threads on KR, supercharger oil, and all kinds of stuff you may want to know.

hope this helps
 
your just a nice guy beav i mean seriously i just didnt have it in me to type all that out
On a side note gtp parts are every where and reasonably priced
 
Thanks for the reply Beaver. Im planning on purchasing a gtp from 2000-2004, with anything up to 80k miles on it. As for the tranny fluid, was that the first it was ever changed? (at 85k) Ive heard so much of a mixed reception on tranny fluid, like if it hasnt been changed in a very long time you can burn your tranny out from changing fluid. Im looking forward to reading stuff on these forums and learning about the Prix gtp
 
Oh and another thing. Say theoretically the super charger does go bad down the road....Can i just take it out or no?
 


the thing with tranny flushes is this: If you have a car with 70k or more with no record of it every having its fluid flushed, do not flush it. Just drop the pan, and replace the filter. This replaces a good amount of fluid (but not all) and it mixes the old with the new. Sometimes if you do a fluid flush when the car has not regularly had it done, the gears can slip. They get conditioned to the grit in the fluid so putting in all new fluid is like a shock to the system.

If the car has had the fluid flushed every 25k miles or so, then its ok to keep flushing it.


your just a nice guy beav i mean seriously i just didnt have it in me to type all that out
Click to expand...

haha thanks. I'm just bored at work, and when you start typing, it all just flows lol

Say theoretically the super charger does go bad down the road....Can i just take it out or no?
Click to expand...

You can't just take a supercharger off and not put one back on. You would need a new supercharger. They arent that expensive buying them from someone on here. You wouldn't be able to take it off and put on a GT intake manifold, it would be like doing a reverse top swap (installing a supercharger on a GT). If you were to take off the supercharger to replace with a UIM, u would need different heads, fuel rails, valve covers, lower intake manifold, wiring, pcm, pulleys and some other stuff. It would be ALOT cheaper to replace a supercharger. a stock M90 supercharger can be anywhere from $100-$250 on here.
 
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Thanks Beaver, the info is much much appreciated. Finally, with the supercharger on the GTP, can i still install a aftermarket air intake? Also can i get anyone that matches model or are there ones to stay away from? When i get my GTP i plan on doing the following.

Air Intake(if possible)
Exhaust
Spark Plugs
Anything else anyone recommends?
 
stay clear of a 97 they have weak trans but since your lokking 00-04 not an issue

you can spend 200+ on a nice looking intake or make your own for 60 bucks

exhaust wise many debate this but you will want a 3" down pipe and ubend delete
and then if you want diff sound get mufflers and call it a day no need for cat backs

then its up to you how far you want to go mild and cost efficiant 3.4 set up or more aggressive and costly rockers or can set up
 
TorqueAutoMotiv said:
stay clear of a 97 they have weak trans but since your lokking 00-04 not an issue

you can spend 200+ on a nice looking intake or make your own for 60 bucks

exhaust wise many debate this but you will want a 3" down pipe and ubend delete
and then if you want diff sound get mufflers and call it a day no need for cat backs

then its up to you how far you want to go mild and cost efficiant 3.4 set up or more aggressive and costly rockers or can set up
Click to expand...


Is this essentially what you are recommending?

ZZ Performance
 


Kinda, but never do a package. You can buy the parts yourself for cheaper. for a 3.4 setup, you will need. Plogs or Headers, intake, tune, plugs, tstat and a 3.4 pulley.
 
Thanks punch, now im going to be honest. Im not a huge car guy i.e I really dont what you guys are refering to when you guys say 3.4 pulley (the size of thepulley on the supercharger?) Also "cat backs" etc. Is there any website where i can read up on this info? All i essentially want to do is get my GTP to around 300 HP
 
this has everything u want to know about modding a grand prix
http://www.grandprixforums.net/f81/safely-modding-your-3800-powered-car-17482.html

some parts you may want to buy new, but i'd keep a long in the for sale section for parts. OR you can mane threds in the want to buy section for things you want.

Intakes: I have had a home depot made one for $40, a Wizair CAI for $130, and a stock gutted airbox with a k&n drop in filter for almost nothing. all pretty much same results just different looks.

dont get this one, hot air intakes suck. this was from my noob days
100_2352.jpg


home depot intake later
PIC_1974.jpg


Wizair
100_4382.jpg


stock, gutted airbox after demod
100_4746.jpg
 
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Torque/Beaver/Anyone,

What about hydro-locking? Does the Wizair system include something to prevent this from happening?
 
...........

no hydrolocking. For one, the wizair and other CAIs dont suck in water. People with fenderwells down far in the fender, you would almost have to submerge the filter to suck in water. The oil and fibers in the filter keep water out.
 
Omegis said:
Whats up guys, this is my first post on these forums. Im currently somewhat on the market for a new car, I currently own a 98 Monte Carlo Z34 (3.8 v6) and i must say its been a hell of a first car to me, reliability and it has some power. Bought it with about 100k miles on it with my graduation money, I have now had the car for a year and it has about 110k on it, have had 0 issues, all i had to do was some (a lot) of body repairs....Anyways back to topic.


Im currently looking at the 00-04 grand prix's. I want either a GT or GTP. Of course, the GTP is more appealing because of the supercharger. But one of my buddies told me that super chargers can die/go bad. Is this true? Im sure it is, but after doing a little digging/research a lot of people have stated a super charger can last the life of the car. So guys, Im looking to buy one with anywhere from 70-close to 100k miles on it. Should i just stick to the GT or is the GTP a safe bet? Also how are these cars in terms of reliability, everyone says Pontiac makes a great car, would like some feedback from those who own one. And finally, is there anything special i need to if i own a car with a supercharger? I know you have to change the oil on them, so when i am looking at a used GTP i will make sure that the maintenance in the past shows it has been done. Also another thing i plan on making sure is done, is that either in the past the Transmission fluid has been changed (full pan drop and filter change also) if this hasnt been in the vehicles history should i make the dealer do it before hand ? Or just not risk buying the car in general? Any/All help is greatly appreciated
Click to expand...
pm sent
 
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