Turbo build advice: GTP and GS mating..

[LowlyfeGTP]

Turbo build, engine/trans swaps DAY 1: 99 GTP and 99 GS-Turbo

I am looking for any advice you guys might be able to offer on my current projects. I have a 99 GTP and a 99 Buick Regal GS-Turbo that I will be swapping drivetrains, selling parts, combining, etc.

This will be the first time pulling the engine/trans. for me in newer cars. Any advice or special tools? Anyone in So. Central WI/Northern IL wanna help? Any experienced/quality tuners in the area?

Anyways, the plan is to take the stock L67 minus any mods from my 99 GTP(26,000 mile) and swap with the Regal's L32 turbo engine (less than 10,000 miles). I will be taking as many mods and parts from both cars and putting them on my GTP, returning the Regal to a low mile, mildly modded GS and selling it and selling all unused mods. Here is a basic list of mods for both cars (pics and info on my cardomain):

I would like to buy a Stage 2 IC and bypass electronics and twin-charge it, but money is short and I'm not sure. I love the M90, but always wanted a turbo. I plan on selling my TOGs and buying ZZP Plogs. I'll also be selling all left over mods from the Regal and any on the GTP that I won't be using anymore. I have done quite a few bolt-ons, but as stated this will be my first newer or FWD engine/trans. pull(s) and swaps. Thanks for any input.

1999 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP

Performance:
L67 (26,800 original miles)
Custom 10-rib pulley system
Interchange 10-rib supercharger pulley
Relocated IAT sensor
Casper fuel regulator
Walbro fuel pump
JMB 4" FWI
High/low fan switch
DHP Custom PCM (by Charles years ago)
Throttle body spacer (with nitrous port)
Throttle body shield
RAT engine supports
Poly motor mounts
O2 Simulator
MSD Digital DIS-4 ignition
MSD 8.5 wires
Performance Plugs
Optima Yellow Top Battery
NOS Custom Nitrous System
NOS Purge Kit
NOS Bottle Heater
Mallory Window Switch
WOT Switch
PCM Tray
New Alternator
TOG Headers
RT 3" off-road DP
RAT 3" exhaust
3 Gauge A-pillar pod
2 1/16" Auto Meter Carbon Fiber Gauges
-Air/Fuel Ratio
-Boost
-Transmission Temperature
2 5/8" Auto Meter Ultra-lite Gauges in Cubby
-Fuel Pressure
-Nitrous Pressure

Transmission:
B&M Transmission cooler
TransGO Shift kit (set to hard)
MSP Transmission Pan

1999 Buick Regal GS-Turbo (Green/Grey two-tone)

Engine:
L32 swap (under 10,000 miles on engine)
ZZP 1.0 Turbo set up PCM (tuned by ZZP)
Z7 upgraded kit with T66 Turbo upgrade
Front mount Air-Air IC upgrade
Gutted Gen 3 blower housing
Tial BOV
Tial Wastegate
#65lb injectors
PRJ fuel rails (BRAND NEW, with in 100 miles)
XP CAM
#105 Springs
Stock front exhaust manifold
Ported rear exhaust manifold
2.5" turbo downpipe
3" full exhaust to 3" y pipe and mufflers
Exhaust cut-out
3 gauge A-Pillar pod
Gauges

Transmission:
Stock 4T65E had 18x,xxx on it (broken input shaft, maybe more)
-Will be rebuilt street/strip Triple Edge Perfomance transmission with extra hard parts (input shaft, chain, etc.)

 

[Reptile]

Jason, it should just be pretty strait forward on the swap. You'll just need lots of room and some extra legs (to push the cars in and out). Pulling an engine isn't a hard thing to do, just get as much out of the way as you can to make room for yourself. make sure all connectors are disconnected (the rear knock sensor and the speed sensor).

 

[LowlyfeGTP]

Thanks. I'm hoping it goes smoothly. Don't plan on moving the cars much. I have 3 bays to work in if necessary to use them all. Got an engine hoist, stand, and manuals now. About time I guess.

I just get so many variations of swaps and builds going through my head that I have trouble deciding. Keep the original L67 in it and just swap the trans and turbo and keep the XP cam L32 in the Regal? Add a turbo cam to my L67? How stock do I want to put the Regal to before trying to sell? Already gotten 3-4 offers from as is to when I'm done with the swap. Both cars will be improved over what they are now.

Do I wanna attempt the twin-charge? I've wanted to for years and this will probably be the best oportunity to do so. I love the M90, want a turbo, wanna keep my 10-rib pulley setup, etc. Probably keep my nitrous setup in the GTP, but not sure what capacity. Have to look into it further, probably just a purge show and maybe front A/A IC sprayer?? Wish I had some heads for it, but I'm tapped out now and gonna be using money I shouldn't as is with this project. Have to see once the Regal is gone.

Another question will be tuning. First need to find a talented tuner within a few hours?? How far can I drive, if at all without a proper tune to get there? It was tuned for up to 18psi with the current setup I believe by ZZP. I'll be changing things up a little at least (PLOGs, built trans.) and maybe alot (T-C). I assume it would be ok for an easy drive to where it needs to go and if necessary even I could remove the SC belt. New to turbos and this level of GP.

Now if I could only find a painter in the Midwest to really hook me up GP life would be good. With GM downsizing, the Real Estate market, and my going back to school it's gonna be sketchy for awhile. Still need to find a cheap replacement for the Comp G this fall as well. It's been an amazing car, but $$. No, I can't keep the Regal. 5 months left with the Comp G and can't be carrying 4 cars counting her G6. If I'm lucky find a cheap GP in November and still hold onto my 99 GTP through everything.

Is BGPM here yet? I need a vacation and car get together.

 

[Reptile]

Heh....I hear ya man. Sometimes it's good to keep things simple. As far as how stock you want to make the Regal...it's all about who you think will buy it. If grandma wants it, then she doesn't want it to be loud....if your cousin wants it, then maybe they want a little bit of thump with it.

I've found that a bone stock car is the best way to market to the masses. But I'm about getting top dollar as fast as possible.

Twin charge would be cool though. I'd love to see something like that.

 

[LowlyfeGTP]

Yeah, I think I'm gonna go pretty much stock on the Regal.

Keep list (Regal):
1. Window tint, tinted tails, headlights.
2. L67 (26,800 original miles), stock snout and 3.8" pulley
3. Pioneer CD, MP3 player and speakers.
4. Stock front manifold, ported rear manifold
5. Fuel pump re-wire.
6. Plug wires.
7. TransGO Shift kit (set to hard)
8. 1.6" drop lowering springs.

Sell list (Regal):
1. 3" custom dual exhaust w/ cutout and replace with stock GTP exhaust.
2. Gutted Gen 3 blower housing with block-off plate.
3. Autometer Cobalt gauges (3) and A-pillar.
4. 255 Drag Radials on the front, Low-pro eagle F-1's on the back for $$$ and stock replacements.

Keep list GTP:
1. L32 swap (under 10,000 miles on engine)
2. ZZP 1.0 Turbo set up PCM (tuned by ZZP)
3. Z7 upgraded kit with T66 Turbo upgrade
4. Front mount Air-Air IC upgrade
5. Tial BOV
6. Tial Wastegate
7. #65lb injectors
8. PRJ fuel rails (BRAND NEW, with in 100 miles)
9. XP CAM
10. #105 Springs
11. 2.5" turbo downpipe
12. M90 Gen 3 with red snout
13. Custom 10-rib pulley system
14. Interchange 10-rib supercharger pulley
15. Relocated IAT sensor
16. Casper fuel regulator
17. Walbro fuel pump
18. High/low fan switch
19. Throttle body spacer (with nitrous port)
20. RAT engine supports
21. Poly motor mounts
22. O2 Simulator
23. MSD Digital DIS-4 ignition
24. MSD 8.5 wires
25. Performance Plugs
26. Optima Yellow Top Battery
27. NOS Custom Nitrous System
28. NOS Purge Kit
29. NOS Bottle Heater
30. Mallory Window Switch
31. WOT Switch
32. PCM Tray
33. New Alternator
34. RT 3" off-road DP (have to see how the turbo DP works)
35. RAT 3" exhaust
36. 3 Gauge A-pillar pod
37. 2 1/16" Auto Meter Carbon Fiber Gauges
-Air/Fuel Ratio
-Boost
-Transmission Temperature
38. 2 5/8" Auto Meter Ultra-lite Gauges in Cubby
-Fuel Pressure
-Nitrous Pressure
Transmission:
39. Triple Edge Performance street/strip transmission
-Input shaft
-Single chain
-Torque converter, stall still TBD?
40. B&M Transmission cooler
41. MSP Transmission Pan

Sell list GTP:
1. JMB 4" FWI and replace with stock.
2. Throttle body heatshield
3. TOG Headers
4. DHP Custom PCM (by Charles years ago)
5. Intense PCM
6. RAT exhaust tips
7. Stock headlights, with clear corners and 5000k HID bulbs

Misc. parts to sell:
1. Stock manifolds and TOG flex
2. 04+ spoiler
3. 04+ exhaust tips
4. 97-03 air baffle
5. (2) early 70s Formula hoods
6. Lumina hood vents
7. Levoc shift knob.
8. Etc.

Parts still needed:
1. Front and rear stainless PLOGs (GTP)
2. Engine cross braces (Regal)
3. Gen 3 M90 (Regal)
4. Spare tire cover, etc. (Regal)
5. 99+ coolant reservoir (Regal)
6. Gen 3 complete IC (GTP)
7. Polish blower casing (GTP, maybe ported as well depending on $$)
8. Paint engine and transmission (GTP)
9. M90 bypass electronics (GTP)
10. Tuning (GTP)

That's my abbreviated list of the plan so far. Started the tear down today. Not alot done, but a decent start for the little time I had.

Day 1

 

[UR LOSN]

Jason- when were you needing help? I'd be willing to swing up there....

 

[LowlyfeGTP]

Jacob,
Not exactly sure on a time frame. I'm trying to work on it a few hours a night. Started last night, but my service manuals haven't arrived yet so just got the front ends off, intercooler, etc. My wife has a week off starting Thursday so gonna try to hit it harder over this weekend.

Concentrating mostly on the Regal right now, so I can get it together, detailed, and up for sale along with parts from both cars. Classes start again on the 9th so gonna try to have the Regal done as far as engine/trans by then.

GTP will take me longer as I have to order/find a few parts. I also wanna clean, paint, polish, etc. some parts while it is apart. GTP really just want done this summer sometime really. Have to see what I have for time and $$$. I need to send Dave some money and get my transmission build started so I can drive down there and exchange them once I get the GS pulled. Have a bunch of parts to swap back and forth as well (pullies, etc.) so taking my time.

Really if you want to help I appreciate the offer. Let me know kind of a loose schedule and I'll see what the wife has in mind for her time off and I'll talk to a buddy of mine as well. See what we can setup. I think I should be ok with the manuals, but alot going on and an extra set of hands or someone with a little more knowledge on it always helps.

Thanks again for the offer. Advice, suggestions, help, etc. is all very appreciated. Gonna get out there and tear into it some more tonight and hopefully my manuals come today.

-Jason