Picked up an 04 Torrid Red
08-13-2016, 01:56 PM
#1
Picked up an 04 Torrid Red Bone stock right down to the paper filter... She's a high miler, one owner, just getting to know her.. replacing all 4 wheels bearings tomorrow, rear passenger side is howling like a coyote.... Other than that suspension is nice, car is very solid for a soon to be 13 y/o car. Other than seat belts not retracting, bulb being out in shifter (A4), that's about all I can find wrong. Interior is perfect, no leaks, drips, funny smells... shifts nice and smooth.
picked it up as a DD, putting way too many miles on my Fsport IS350... Just got the windows tinted yesterday. Also gonna throw some new tires all around. this thing actually got 375 mi out of a tank of fuel!!! Crazy!!!
Suggestions on things to look for are greatly appreciated. I know Fbod,s Vette's backwards and forwards... Not so much w GTO's...
picked it up as a DD, putting way too many miles on my Fsport IS350... Just got the windows tinted yesterday. Also gonna throw some new tires all around. this thing actually got 375 mi out of a tank of fuel!!! Crazy!!!
Suggestions on things to look for are greatly appreciated. I know Fbod,s Vette's backwards and forwards... Not so much w GTO's...
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08-19-2016, 08:58 AM
#8
I to picked up a 04 as my daily few months back. After 6 months im still in love with as my dd. Rides grwat and is peppy enough to have fun. Adding some sound to it really mafe me enjoy rowing through the gears even more.
08-20-2016, 06:59 AM
#9
TECH Enthusiast
Check exposed BCM wire beneath the glove compartment. Frayed fuel line behind the driver side engine cover.
Looks nice. Pontiac V emblems faded from red to orange? If no, then it was garaged a great deal.
Looks nice. Pontiac V emblems faded from red to orange? If no, then it was garaged a great deal.
08-22-2016, 02:07 PM
#10
Nice D.D.!
Things to look for:
- The bushings tend to go bad in these car's-especially for '04's. You can pick up a complete set of Energy Suspension bushings for under $200.
- There is also a problem with rear suspension sag. If the car didn't have them replaced, you might want to swap the rear springs/struts with a new set. After 40K mi. the rear springs are scrap (this goes for pretty much every year 'New GTO).
*** If you don't do these 2 things, you'll notice you wear the inner aspect of the rear tires and will have to replace them often ***
- These cars have a 2-piece drive shaft...which I thought was pretty dumb for a 350 - 400 h.p. car. The center bearing rubbe boot is always bad and I'm not 100% sure if it's worth replacing. You can pick up a 1-piece D/S on the various forums or eBay between $450 and $550.
- Rear seats tend to split at the upper seams (by the headrest). Not really a problem, but somthing which is VERY common.
- The '04's had different brakes. The '05 and '06 had PBR alum. calipers, whereas the '04's had smaller and less effective brakes. I believe in 2004 the rear brake rotors were solid, and the later years were vented. It's an easy upgrade and I managed to find a set of front and rear calipers / caliper carriers for $200 shipped on eBay. I thought this was a good deal, then I decided to start accumulating parts to swap the OEM brakes with CTS-s Brembo's. (If you need a set of 05 - 06 brake calipers, I know where you could find a set pretty reasonable.
Things to look for:
- The bushings tend to go bad in these car's-especially for '04's. You can pick up a complete set of Energy Suspension bushings for under $200.
- There is also a problem with rear suspension sag. If the car didn't have them replaced, you might want to swap the rear springs/struts with a new set. After 40K mi. the rear springs are scrap (this goes for pretty much every year 'New GTO).
*** If you don't do these 2 things, you'll notice you wear the inner aspect of the rear tires and will have to replace them often ***
- These cars have a 2-piece drive shaft...which I thought was pretty dumb for a 350 - 400 h.p. car. The center bearing rubbe boot is always bad and I'm not 100% sure if it's worth replacing. You can pick up a 1-piece D/S on the various forums or eBay between $450 and $550.
- Rear seats tend to split at the upper seams (by the headrest). Not really a problem, but somthing which is VERY common.
- The '04's had different brakes. The '05 and '06 had PBR alum. calipers, whereas the '04's had smaller and less effective brakes. I believe in 2004 the rear brake rotors were solid, and the later years were vented. It's an easy upgrade and I managed to find a set of front and rear calipers / caliper carriers for $200 shipped on eBay. I thought this was a good deal, then I decided to start accumulating parts to swap the OEM brakes with CTS-s Brembo's. (If you need a set of 05 - 06 brake calipers, I know where you could find a set pretty reasonable.
08-23-2016, 08:52 AM
#12
Great feedback! thank you all for your input.
I am looking at picking up the 1pc alum driveshaft from DSS.. As I have a "hum" in the drivetrain. Initially I thought it was the wheel bearings. Replaced all 4 and still have it.
Purchased for new tires Friday and am having the car aligned this Friday.
I am thinking that perhaps the carrier bearing is causing the "wow wow wow" when cruising? I will be changing the diff oil as well on Friday. At that time I will check the carrier bearing. If that looks to be the culprit I will pick one up.
the front and rear shocks/struts are KYB and ride very nicely... I doubt the rear springs have been changed. would the worn springs sagging cause pinion angles to change adding vibrations in the drivetrain? How do I tell if the rear springs are shot?
Thanks again for the feedback. It's a great car!
I am looking at picking up the 1pc alum driveshaft from DSS.. As I have a "hum" in the drivetrain. Initially I thought it was the wheel bearings. Replaced all 4 and still have it.
Purchased for new tires Friday and am having the car aligned this Friday.
I am thinking that perhaps the carrier bearing is causing the "wow wow wow" when cruising? I will be changing the diff oil as well on Friday. At that time I will check the carrier bearing. If that looks to be the culprit I will pick one up.
the front and rear shocks/struts are KYB and ride very nicely... I doubt the rear springs have been changed. would the worn springs sagging cause pinion angles to change adding vibrations in the drivetrain? How do I tell if the rear springs are shot?
Thanks again for the feedback. It's a great car!
Nice D.D.!
Things to look for:
- The bushings tend to go bad in these car's-especially for '04's. You can pick up a complete set of Energy Suspension bushings for under $200.
- There is also a problem with rear suspension sag. If the car didn't have them replaced, you might want to swap the rear springs/struts with a new set. After 40K mi. the rear springs are scrap (this goes for pretty much every year 'New GTO).
*** If you don't do these 2 things, you'll notice you wear the inner aspect of the rear tires and will have to replace them often ***
- These cars have a 2-piece drive shaft...which I thought was pretty dumb for a 350 - 400 h.p. car. The center bearing rubbe boot is always bad and I'm not 100% sure if it's worth replacing. You can pick up a 1-piece D/S on the various forums or eBay between $450 and $550.
- Rear seats tend to split at the upper seams (by the headrest). Not really a problem, but somthing which is VERY common.
- The '04's had different brakes. The '05 and '06 had PBR alum. calipers, whereas the '04's had smaller and less effective brakes. I believe in 2004 the rear brake rotors were solid, and the later years were vented. It's an easy upgrade and I managed to find a set of front and rear calipers / caliper carriers for $200 shipped on eBay. I thought this was a good deal, then I decided to start accumulating parts to swap the OEM brakes with CTS-s Brembo's. (If you need a set of 05 - 06 brake calipers, I know where you could find a set pretty reasonable.
Things to look for:
- The bushings tend to go bad in these car's-especially for '04's. You can pick up a complete set of Energy Suspension bushings for under $200.
- There is also a problem with rear suspension sag. If the car didn't have them replaced, you might want to swap the rear springs/struts with a new set. After 40K mi. the rear springs are scrap (this goes for pretty much every year 'New GTO).
*** If you don't do these 2 things, you'll notice you wear the inner aspect of the rear tires and will have to replace them often ***
- These cars have a 2-piece drive shaft...which I thought was pretty dumb for a 350 - 400 h.p. car. The center bearing rubbe boot is always bad and I'm not 100% sure if it's worth replacing. You can pick up a 1-piece D/S on the various forums or eBay between $450 and $550.
- Rear seats tend to split at the upper seams (by the headrest). Not really a problem, but somthing which is VERY common.
- The '04's had different brakes. The '05 and '06 had PBR alum. calipers, whereas the '04's had smaller and less effective brakes. I believe in 2004 the rear brake rotors were solid, and the later years were vented. It's an easy upgrade and I managed to find a set of front and rear calipers / caliper carriers for $200 shipped on eBay. I thought this was a good deal, then I decided to start accumulating parts to swap the OEM brakes with CTS-s Brembo's. (If you need a set of 05 - 06 brake calipers, I know where you could find a set pretty reasonable.
08-23-2016, 01:29 PM
#14
would the worn springs sagging cause pinion angles to change adding vibrations in the drivetrain?
No, pinion angle is fixed. Diff is bolted to the crossmember. However, that does not mean that the angle is correct. It is close enough for a 2 piece driveshaft. If you get on it hard, the nose of the pinion will lift a bit due to the rubber donuts holding the crossmember. During regular cruising it doesn't really move.
No, pinion angle is fixed. Diff is bolted to the crossmember. However, that does not mean that the angle is correct. It is close enough for a 2 piece driveshaft. If you get on it hard, the nose of the pinion will lift a bit due to the rubber donuts holding the crossmember. During regular cruising it doesn't really move.
08-23-2016, 01:37 PM
#15
Makes sense... thank you!
would the worn springs sagging cause pinion angles to change adding vibrations in the drivetrain?
No, pinion angle is fixed. Diff is bolted to the crossmember. However, that does not mean that the angle is correct. It is close enough for a 2 piece driveshaft. If you get on it hard, the nose of the pinion will lift a bit due to the rubber donuts holding the crossmember. During regular cruising it doesn't really move.
No, pinion angle is fixed. Diff is bolted to the crossmember. However, that does not mean that the angle is correct. It is close enough for a 2 piece driveshaft. If you get on it hard, the nose of the pinion will lift a bit due to the rubber donuts holding the crossmember. During regular cruising it doesn't really move.