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is it even worth moding my '97 GT

thisguy963

thisguy963

New member
I have a 97 Grand prix with 139k miles, and I want to know if it's even worth putting any money into it. I was looking at cat back, cold air intakes, headers, preformance PCM, MSD wires and coils, ect, but I'm not sure if it's even worth it, any advice?
 


Suspension mods a diy intAke and you can change muffs and tips if you want other than that unless you wanna top swap I don't recommend it
 
Tell us what your goals and budget are for your ride. Once we know that then we can suggest some good mods.

Cat-back will do nothing for you. Stock exhaust is good up to around 350hp. Leave it be. And no, don't put Flowmasters or anything on it. It will not sound like a V8, not now, not ever. Headers and tune may net you a bit. Leave the "My Spark Disappeared" coils off and stick with OEM as the OEM are much better. If you must, then paint the stockers red. Run stock IRRIDIUM plugs (not platinums) and the lifetime wires from Autozone. No need to go big here.

Assuming all the suspension is up to date and the LIM gaskets have been replaced you should be good to go. If you really want to make it faster then turbo time. For the time/money invested even a S/C top swap doesn't net more HP. And the fact that you have a 97 makes it a bit more challenging. Either way you would also need a built trans. if you go this route.
 
Speaking from experience, I suggest to go upgrading the handling instead of power. Suspension parts are generally easier to remove later when you move on to a GTP.
 
thisguy963 said:
I have a 97 Grand prix with 139k miles, and I want to know if it's even worth putting any money into it. I was looking at cat back, cold air intakes, headers, preformance PCM, MSD wires and coils, ect, but I'm not sure if it's even worth it, any advice?
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all that stuff is kinda worthless on a n/a engine. but needed if you top swap or turbo it.
 
FordMan77, my budget is max like $650 right now. And my goal is to make my car more fun to drive, and maybe crank out some more powe,r if possible.
 


That 4t60 is your limiting factor on power, I personally would focus on handling like EJOUIE said.That trans will hate you if you start adding power.
 
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EJOUIE said:
Speaking from experience, I suggest to go upgrading the handling instead of power. Suspension parts are generally easier to remove later when you move on to a GTP.
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This is exactly what I've done with my 98 GT. Suspension, appearance, and exhaust. I did an intake just because but that's it really for performance.
 
For fun to drive STB's front and rear. heavier sways front and rear. F-body calipers Digital dic CAI. Junkyard will save you lots of money on those.
 
For the brake upgrade you could also snag the 06+ Impala front rotors and calipers/brackets. Same as the F-bodys, but iron caliper vs/ aluminum, and depending on the JY you get them from they are usually cheaper since most yards want more $$ for a Camaro/Firebird part than an regular old Impala. As long as you get the stock bolts with the brakes then they will bolt right up to your existing knuckle, no adapter or sleeves needed.
 


The vacuum powered super awesomely weak link of a transmission that only the N/A '97 GT's got...sucks.

If you don't plan on tossing at least a decent trans in it, don't bother with modding it.

Find another car or get a built trans.

New solid lower mounts, Poly Uppers mounts, Solid sways with poly bushings, Aftermarket trailing arms, 180* T-stat, get that PCM tuned, have the u-bend deleted and toss a high flow filter in it. Past that, STB's (which really don't make much of a difference), struts/springs/wheel-tire combo will pull everything together.
 
My 60E took some pretty good abuse, would chirp the tires on the 1-2 shift, and break them loose going wot at 50. Granted it never saw anything but street tires at the track, and I kept the fluid fresh in it, but I would romp on it pretty regularly, especially while scanning trying to get the tune dialed in. I don't think anything n/a will break it unless you're trying to, low 15's/high 14's would be fine if that's all you're looking for in it.
 
blueguy said:
The vacuum powered super awesomely weak link of a transmission that only the N/A '97 GT's got...sucks.

If you don't plan on tossing at least a decent trans in it, don't bother with modding it.

Find another car or get a built trans.

New solid lower mounts, Poly Uppers mounts, Solid sways with poly bushings, Aftermarket trailing arms, 180* T-stat, get that PCM tuned, have the u-bend deleted and toss a high flow filter in it. Past that, STB's (which really don't make much of a difference), struts/springs/wheel-tire combo will pull everything together.
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This ^^ Ive had plenty of issues with those stupid vacuum lines in my old 97 gt.
 


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