hey

[3100sfi]

New guy here. Taking "delivery" of a new-to-me 1996 Grand Prix SE coupe tomorrow or the next day. It's white. Mostly. Has a hood and fender from a red parts car, which will soon be painted to match body color. The car is going to be a daily driver for the next two years, no plans for performance mods since a 3100 really isn't the best place to start...and I've got my Ford to tinker with and drive on the weekends.


The GP seems to have 4 wheel disc ABS, AC, power everything, and a stock cd player (I don't think it'll last long since I need a 1/8" input)....I don't know if I'm sold on the "body kit" yet but it'll grow on me, I'm sure.


Somewhat high miles but it's been well maintained and no signs of leaking. Runs strong. I'm probably going to do the LIM and maybe head gaskets sometime this summer just as preventative maintenance - I don't want a gasket to pop on me halfway through the winter when I don't have the time or place to change it.

I'm going to give it the usual lube, fuel/oil/air filter change and run some Lucas in the fuel tank. Likely some manner of spray cleaner through the tb/intake as well (I'm partial to seafoam.) Any other suggestions? I don't want to touch the ignition system until it gives me guff...those firewall side plugs are *****es..

 

[dpzelenak]

HI....
again

 

[ctracer]

yup the LIM is a good thing to do before it gets out of hand.

other than that, welcome! post some pics!

 

[3100sfi]

dig it!

paint in the next couple of weeks!

 

[91gpse]

just so you know the fender isnt a correct fender(letting you know before you paint it) the correct fender has a widened lip thats why theres a gap on the front bumper and on the side skirt. its off an older model like mine lol. but other than that nice find its in pretty good condition.

 

[3100sfi]

I have the big wheel well molding in the trunk! took it off of the old fender. can't put it on until i install some clips in the fender.

 

[MizzBecca]

welcome, looks good. i used to have a 3100 sfi aswell.

 

[iroc2]

I have the big wheel well molding in the trunk! took it off of the old fender. can't put it on until i install some clips in the fender.

welcome!
looks clean

let me know once you find the clips. im in a similair situation...

if you ever need some extra info, w-body.com has a lot of firstgen w-bodies like ours

 

[91gpse]

I have the big wheel well molding in the trunk! took it off of the old fender. can't put it on until i install some clips in the fender.

Ah ok lol. Clips are pretty easy if you know how to square out a hole. They sell them at just about any auto parts store in the hardware section. Double check your measurements.... I ruined a fender for my old 95 before by putting the hole in the wrong spot....

 

[blueguy]

Welcome!

 

[3100sfi]

thanks for the welcomes, guys.


I will definitely have someone else mount the clips for the molding. I don't want to mess it up!

 

[RareGMFan]

Welcome!

The GP seems to have 4 wheel disc ABS, AC, power everything, and a stock cd player (I don't think it'll last long since I need a 1/8" input)

It's a stock CD player.....just not for your car. That's a mid-'90s Chevy radio. Don't know off hand if it'll work with your steering wheel controls, but I'd venture to say yes since the Gen 1.5 Monte Carols came with that same stereo and a black version of the same steering wheel controls. Unfortunately, the lights will be the Chevy white.

I don't know if I'm sold on the "body kit" yet but it'll grow on me, I'm sure.

WHAT?!? That's the best part of Gen I w-body GPs!! I'm partial to the '89 - '93 style body kit, but I love the '94 - '96 as well.

I'm probably going to do the LIM and maybe head gaskets sometime this summer just as preventative maintenance

I'm glad you know enough to do that. The LIM gasket is really the only weak link in these motors, and is the cause of the early demise for most of them. Other than that, the 31/400 is bulletproof.

no plans for performance mods since a 3100 really isn't the best place to start

Yes and no. If you're going to dive deep enough to do the LIM, and especially the head gasket, I'd swap the top end out with a 2000 & up 3100 or 3400. They flow much better, and will net you around another 15hp/10ftlb of torque. Yeah, it's not much, but if you've already got the top end out of the way...

just so you know the fender isnt a correct fender(letting you know before you paint it) the correct fender has a widened lip thats why theres a gap on the front bumper and on the side skirt. its off an older model like mine lol. but other than that nice find its in pretty good condition.

The body kits have been available since '89 (with the TGPs), so year is irrelevant. The B4U (the body kit's RPO code) package is just added on to the same body as yours with the exception of different front and rear fascias. However, it's MUCH easier to get parts off a car that already came with a B4U package so you don't have to worry about drilling holes in them for the clips that are needed to install the body kit.

 

[Slowpoke]

The ford you tinker with, is it that Vic in the back?

 

[3100sfi]

Is the newer top end a direct bolt on? The 3.4 you speak of, is it the Impala/Montana/etc motor? Seems like they would be a dime a dozen. Thanks for the great info.


Yep, the 90 Crown Vic is my weekend boat. 302 with the HO top end from a 93 Mustang.. It is currently enjoying retirement. I've got bigger injectors and cam from a 95 Cobra R that I've been waiting to put int - Couldn't do it because it was my daily driver and couldn't have much downtime.

 

[ctracer]

yep the 3400 is a pretty common engine. im pretty sure its a direct bolt on...someone correct me if im wrong

 

[iroc2]

i may have a GM part number for the clips, ill let you know once i know forsure

 

[3100sfi]

awesome!


on the 3400 topic - would an entire motor be nearly a direct bolt in operation? i'm thinking that if i ever have trouble with the motor that's in it, i'll just drop an entirely new one in since they're that damn plentiful.

 

[boostedcompg]

I love first gens. I'm currently lookin for one to dd. That looks pretty legit. Once you get here painted up it'll be even better.