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Turbo Help with 2003 Grand Prix Gt

B

Bradh

New member
So i have finally bought another car so i want to use my grand prix as a sort of learning car so i want to turbo it.i only want ot run about 10lbs of boost so i don't want anything crazy but i have been looking around and cant find any standalone parts and the kits seem to be $2,000 or more and i want to spend as little as possible. Is there an Ebay kit out there or am i screwed? Its a 2003 Grand Prix Gt
 


First step would be a built transmission, check out tripleedgeperformance.com for a good one. Dave builds these things all day long. That alone will be in the 2-$3,000 range. Used kits pop up from time to time. Not sure on any standalone parts as you would still have to fab the other parts which in the end may cost more to make work vs. a known kit that will bolt on. Then need a tune to make it all work, so prob. another $300 for that (if not more).
 
It's not easy, nor is it cheap. And it's easy to break the transmission with a stock L36, boost will just make it even easier. Especially if you step on the gas.

If you aren't looking to go fast with a GP, but just learn some of the basics of boost and tuning, I would look into doing just a top-swap.

http://www.grandprixforums.net/threads/7763-Top-Swap-Info-and-Faqs-Also-lots-of-3800-Info

http://www.grandprixforums.net/threads/17482-Safely-Modding-Your-3800-Powered-Car!!

And for the trans, I'd suggest doing this if it hasn't already been done.

http://www.grandprixforums.net/thre...ransGo-Shift-Kit-4T65E-Very-Detailed-Pictures

Even if the trans is healthy, this will keep it that way once you start adding power.

Driving habits are the biggest factor in what you can do with your car, and how well it will handle more power. If you drive like a grandma, you might not need a built trans... but you'll never hear the blower whine, or the turbo spool up, and those kind of noises are addicting.
 
Meh, a stock trans will handle a decent amount of power.

If you watch the classifieds, used turbo kits pop up for $1k or a little more. There is no ebay kit that even remotely bolts up. So, either wait til a cheap one pops up or buy a welder and make your own.
 
You want to be a cheap ass sell the crap gt, buy a gtp put a 3.4 pulley on it and stay home. You want big boy toys you need to open the wallet and play.
 
I Do have a welder so custom fab work is an Option for me and the way i want to go so i can get some experience and save some money.
 


Sadly i have 2 cars and i drop most of my money in my other car so yes im being a cheap ass. But also just buying a Gtp and throwing a smaller pulley on it is not building it and its nothing special considering almost every Gtp owner does it. Luckily though some helpful people have replied with great information and i have found some great posts on here and i have already bought most of the parts for this build along with finding a built Tranny for cheap from a family friend.So thanks for your input but i would like to believe fabbing my own turbo kit makes me one of "The big boys".
ItHurtz said:
You want to be a cheap ass sell the crap gt, buy a gtp put a 3.4 pulley on it and stay home. You want big boy toys you need to open the wallet and play.
Click to expand...
 
Yikes corey don't hold back lol. I'm one of the "never doing anything" crowd but that's bc it's always coming up with a new way to piss me off.
 


Well considering im already $900 in doing nothing isn't really an option and im also buying the supporting mods for E85 saturday once i do a couple details and get the money.I wasnt thinking about going this extreme with the build until my cousin was able to get me a built trans. If you are going to the 3800 meet at Gibraltor Feel free to stop by and tell me everything i did wrong. :)
ItHurtz said:
another dreamer woo hoo!! subbing for 1000 threads of "what do I buy" then never doing nothing
Click to expand...
 
Yer cousin was able to find a GM Racing transmission from the turbo ecotec ProFWD drag racing program?

if it's not a GMR transmission...unicorns are hard to find....then it's not a "built" transmission.....only a rebuilt/mild built.

This is the 11th time we've broken the transmission.

Id be generous to say that in the last 6 years the turbo Regal has only been able to add 1000miles to the odometer....

It's really sad when your transmission costs more than the all the car parts and the car
 


It is a 4T65E-HPS4,He told me it is good for 400Hp which is plenty for me.
Turbocharged400sbc said:
Yer cousin was able to find a GM Racing transmission from the turbo ecotec ProFWD drag racing program?

if it's not a GMR transmission...unicorns are hard to find....then it's not a "built" transmission.....only a rebuilt/mild built.

This is the 11th time we've broken the transmission.

Id be generous to say that in the last 6 years the turbo Regal has only been able to add 1000miles to the odometer....

It's really sad when your transmission costs more than the all the car parts and the car
Click to expand...
 
Your one burnout/slip n grip away from a scrap transmission with a 60mm turbo. Probably best to go with a 54mm and stay under 12 psi.

keep in mind plenty of people have tried to go the cheap route with a turbo setup and end up spending the same as the cost of a full kit in most cases by the time the car is running and drivable.
saving money rarely ever saves you money in the long run. That cheap used Turbo in some cases can be very expensive when it destroys the engine...etc etc.
I just want to make sure you understand what you're getting into with you more likely to spend more time wrenching and sorting out issues... than actually driving
 
Im going to run 10psi and im buying a new turbo(im going with a T4).The only part i wasnt willing to buy was all of the premade pipes which were stupid expensive and i know i can make them alot cheaper with good quality
Turbocharged400sbc said:
Your one burnout/slip n grip away from a scrap transmission with a 60mm turbo. Probably best to go with a 54mm and stay under 12 psi.

keep in mind plenty of people have tried to go the cheap route with a turbo setup and end up spending the same as the cost of a full kit in most cases by the time the car is running and drivable.
saving money rarely ever saves you money in the long run. That cheap used Turbo in some cases can be very expensive when it destroys the engine...etc etc.
I just want to make sure you understand what you're getting into with you more likely to spend more time wrenching and sorting out issues... than actually driving
Click to expand...
 
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