Turbo project and more..
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,115
Likes: 0
From: Reading, Pennsylvania
Who's fighting? You guys must have a loose definition of fighting haha. Sharing an opinion isn't fighting. This IS a forum afterall.
The turbo kit for these cars is good for 500+ whp.
The turbo kit for these cars is good for 500+ whp.
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,115
Likes: 0
From: Reading, Pennsylvania
Well, it's not my intention to put down or discourage his idea. Just my opinion that regardless of how different you want to be that to me doesn't seem like a remotely cost effective idea putting $60k into a daily driver when you can either have a better car out of the box for cheaper or a better car modded for a lot cheaper. If his pockets are that deep then go for it.
After all, it is the internet. People aren't always going to see eye to eye on ideas.
After all, it is the internet. People aren't always going to see eye to eye on ideas.
On The Tree
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 127
Likes: 0
From: Sherwood OR
Would an LS9 even fit? I'm all for thinking outside of the box and doing something different but seriously? Sounds like you can do alot of work yourself, but for arguments sake, lets look at having some of it professionally done.
Price of the GXP new(assuming you bought it new): around $30k
Price of a RWD and tranny swap with all the major custom fab work that would be needed to done: probably about $20k
Cost of an LS9 crate motor: $25k-$30k
Right there you have a $75k Grand Prix. Different? Surely. Remotely worth that? No.
You could save $20k and buy a CTS-V that would be a greatly superior car in every single aspect. Sure you didn't built it yourself, but you also said it's your DD. Tearing into a DD that much just seems foolish to me. Hell you could even snag a good deal on a G8 GT and get the APS twin turbo for it and still have an infinitely better vehicle for less than $40k.
Price of the GXP new(assuming you bought it new): around $30k
Price of a RWD and tranny swap with all the major custom fab work that would be needed to done: probably about $20k
Cost of an LS9 crate motor: $25k-$30k
Right there you have a $75k Grand Prix. Different? Surely. Remotely worth that? No.
You could save $20k and buy a CTS-V that would be a greatly superior car in every single aspect. Sure you didn't built it yourself, but you also said it's your DD. Tearing into a DD that much just seems foolish to me. Hell you could even snag a good deal on a G8 GT and get the APS twin turbo for it and still have an infinitely better vehicle for less than $40k.
I only paid $16,200 for my 2008 GXP with 9,200 miles on it so I've got a head start there. I don't have a car payment but I do put money in my "Supercharger Fund" that my wife started for me a few years ago.
I like the looks of my GXP better than the CTS-V. I don't like the G8 as much either but I like RWD better than FWD.
I don't plan on tearing into the GXP until she's at least out of warranty.
What I'll probably do is buy a supercharged LS powered Camaro or Corvette as a donor if I go forward with the conversion.
Modding cars can turn them into money pits quickly. I have 7 modded cars at my house right now. The only stock car I have is my 1st car which is a 65 Mustang Conv but it's in storage for now.
Last edited by Heslekrants; Jun 24, 2009 at 04:33 PM.
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,137
Likes: 0
From: nj
what about doing something like this guy did. you can have the look of the body you want on the frame of a gbody. from there skys the limits.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJKsDAhKusM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJKsDAhKusM
On The Tree
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 127
Likes: 0
From: Sherwood OR
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what about doing something like this guy did. you can have the look of the body you want on the frame of a gbody. from there skys the limits.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJKsDAhKusM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJKsDAhKusM
Staging Lane
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
From: Carmel, IN
Well, it's not my intention to put down or discourage his idea. Just my opinion that regardless of how different you want to be that to me doesn't seem like a remotely cost effective idea putting $60k into a daily driver when you can either have a better car out of the box for cheaper or a better car modded for a lot cheaper. If his pockets are that deep then go for it.
After all, it is the internet. People aren't always going to see eye to eye on ideas.
After all, it is the internet. People aren't always going to see eye to eye on ideas.
On The Tree
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 127
Likes: 0
From: Sherwood OR
Here's a couple of options.
World's First LS9 Powered 2010 Camaro SS
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yv2yFzx9DTk
700 hp Cadillac CTS-V Test Drive
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Ekgw...eature=related
World's First LS9 Powered 2010 Camaro SS
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yv2yFzx9DTk
700 hp Cadillac CTS-V Test Drive
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Ekgw...eature=related
Teching In
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
Good luck on this. Please post some details as you go along. I'm going to go the turbo route for my 08 Impala SS. I'm going to get the transmission rebuilt first. By the way, for your setup, you may need to track down the 1" chain for your transmission. They have been discontinued, but ZZP may have some left. I think they are almost $1000 so be prepared. I intend to stay under 600 hp, so I'll probably go with the 7/8" chain myself. I don't intend to go all out.
As far as cost goes, I still think it's a good investment. I've debated trading my SS in for a G8 GXP or (god forbid) a Taurus SHO. But both are $40,000 cars. I paid $25,000 for my SS and, with $10,000 in modifications, I'm still over $5000 cheaper than the G8 GXP, Taurus SHO, or a Charger SRT8.
Plus, like others said, it's nice to have something no one else does. I can't wait to smoke a few Mustangs, Camaros, and even a base Corvette. Imagine the look on their face.
As far as cost goes, I still think it's a good investment. I've debated trading my SS in for a G8 GXP or (god forbid) a Taurus SHO. But both are $40,000 cars. I paid $25,000 for my SS and, with $10,000 in modifications, I'm still over $5000 cheaper than the G8 GXP, Taurus SHO, or a Charger SRT8.
Plus, like others said, it's nice to have something no one else does. I can't wait to smoke a few Mustangs, Camaros, and even a base Corvette. Imagine the look on their face.
Staging Lane
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
From: Carmel, IN
Keep in mind that right now you can get a G8 GT cheap.
Also, your 40k price tag would come down a bit as these cars are just not selling. So you might beable to get a steal when buying one.
Again, its better to get a car you know you can mod with the correct parts out there vs. something that was thrown together. What I mean by this is having the bigger names out there like SLP, ProCharger, Magnacharger, Kooks, Year One, etc making parts for the car vs. trying to make parts for an LSX fit the LS4.
Just wish we had more options.
Also, your 40k price tag would come down a bit as these cars are just not selling. So you might beable to get a steal when buying one.
Again, its better to get a car you know you can mod with the correct parts out there vs. something that was thrown together. What I mean by this is having the bigger names out there like SLP, ProCharger, Magnacharger, Kooks, Year One, etc making parts for the car vs. trying to make parts for an LSX fit the LS4.
Just wish we had more options.
Teching In
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
I have decided to keep the impy and just completly rebuild everything. I will be purchasing the Cartuning turbo kit, a completly rebuilt transmission (possibly a 6 speed if possible), HP Tuners, a cam, rockers, heads, headers, DR's and plan on having a 4 door car in the 10's **on spray and very low 11's w.o spray. Goal is to have between 600-650 whp w/ spray. Project will begin at the end of the year. If anyone has any suggesstions please feel free to comment.
