Just a quick question about this Grand prix I'm thinking of buying.
07-13-2009, 02:51 PM
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Just a quick question about this Grand prix I'm thinking of buying. My gfs sunfire just took a **** on her and needs a new engine. It's gonna cost me 2400 dollars after taxes. I am looking at buying her a 2000 grand prix GT (I know I know it's not an LS4-I just figured you's would know about these cars a little). I can get this car for 3000 dollars certified with all new brakes and tires with no rust. It's a 3800 series II engine with 190,000km (so about 110,000miles or so? Are these engines decent with that amount of miles with proper maintenance?
**********SO my real question is this:
1) is this worth it instead of replacing the engine in the 2002 sunfire (100,000miles) with one with 60,000 miles for close to 2500 dollars OR
Just buy this 2000 Grand Prix GT 3800 series II with 110,000 miles certified for 500 dollars more. I know the seller well so that end is covered.
**********SO my real question is this:
1) is this worth it instead of replacing the engine in the 2002 sunfire (100,000miles) with one with 60,000 miles for close to 2500 dollars OR
Just buy this 2000 Grand Prix GT 3800 series II with 110,000 miles certified for 500 dollars more. I know the seller well so that end is covered.
07-13-2009, 07:51 PM
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no timing belt on a 3800 lol. These cars usually run great for a long time, check the trans, intake gasket and valve cover gasket because that is the weak link in a GP. I had a 99 GT that had 165,000 miles when I sold the car and it ran great.
07-13-2009, 11:40 PM
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3800's are pretty good.
Check the Lower Intake manifold for seepage, check the tranny fluid and make sure it looks fresh, open up the rad and see how dirty it is and make sure there's no oil in there.
The only problems with those GT's is the lower intake manifold gasket leaking and speeking coolant into the oil and the plastic UIM can have the odd problem. I had one for a couple of years before getting a GTP as a DD and it never gave me a problem!
Check the struts and all the brakes on the car, Grand Prix's tend to eat brakes and a car at that milage may still have factory struts and need new ones.
Check the Lower Intake manifold for seepage, check the tranny fluid and make sure it looks fresh, open up the rad and see how dirty it is and make sure there's no oil in there.
The only problems with those GT's is the lower intake manifold gasket leaking and speeking coolant into the oil and the plastic UIM can have the odd problem. I had one for a couple of years before getting a GTP as a DD and it never gave me a problem!
Check the struts and all the brakes on the car, Grand Prix's tend to eat brakes and a car at that milage may still have factory struts and need new ones.
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07-13-2009, 11:59 PM
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Well really I can't go wrong here guys since it's for my gf and the seller is her brother. He said if there were any problems with it he and his friends would take care of fixing it. He has told me that he has recently done many of the things you's have just listed. Maninfold gasket, new brakes all around, new rubber, and a few other things too. I just wanted to be sure that these engines are ok after 110000 miles, and from what I'm reading they seem fairly reliable. Incidently, what do these cars run in the quarter. I think they're like 205 crank hp or something. Any good cheap mods to do first. *Look at me already looking to mod LOL.
07-14-2009, 07:34 PM
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In my old 01 GT 2Dr. which was stock I ran a 15.2 with a 2.2 or 2.3 60' time. With the right launch they are capable of high 14's in the 1/4 mile. There is a ton of mods you can do to those cars. I had every single mod on mine except the high velocity intake insert. This mod alone adds almost 20 - 25 hp on the engine. If you want an extensive list just PM me as there is way too much to list here.
-Mike
-Mike
07-16-2009, 10:18 AM
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What chokes these cars up the most? What are some good first mods and what do they run in the quarter stock and bolt on? Anyone know?
edit: mgpeagles reply helped a lot but I'm not sure what this "insert" is he's talking about. Any other opinions and ideas. Thanks MPGeagle, I missed your post when I wrote this.
edit: mgpeagles reply helped a lot but I'm not sure what this "insert" is he's talking about. Any other opinions and ideas. Thanks MPGeagle, I missed your post when I wrote this.
07-16-2009, 10:22 AM
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In my old 01 GT 2Dr. which was stock I ran a 15.2 with a 2.2 or 2.3 60' time. With the right launch they are capable of high 14's in the 1/4 mile. There is a ton of mods you can do to those cars. I had every single mod on mine except the high velocity intake insert. This mod alone adds almost 20 - 25 hp on the engine. If you want an extensive list just PM me as there is way too much to list here.
-Mike
-Mike
07-17-2009, 04:38 PM
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Dude you are from north bay.. i never figured someone else from here would be on this site.. I see a black firebird going up airport hill all the time, is that you? i don't drive my gxp daily, i'm usually in a crappy cavalier
07-17-2009, 05:16 PM
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07-18-2009, 02:12 PM
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Make sure the trans is in good working order. They are the first big thing to go out and have to be replaced long before the motor. They respond very well to a CAI and intake.
Also watch out for the recall. I know it was just for the L67s at first (GTP motors) but I believe it's been extended to GTs also. I don't remember the extent of it all, but leaking oil or coolant or something gets on to the brake lines while they're hot and the car will burst into flames. There are many posts about it on gpona.com and clubgp.
Also watch out for the recall. I know it was just for the L67s at first (GTP motors) but I believe it's been extended to GTs also. I don't remember the extent of it all, but leaking oil or coolant or something gets on to the brake lines while they're hot and the car will burst into flames. There are many posts about it on gpona.com and clubgp.
07-18-2009, 02:31 PM
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The re-call was because the valve cover gaskets would leak dripping oil on the heads and exh. manifolds so after awhile may cause a fire. I have a re-call notice for this at home. No big deal, just change the gaskets. 16 bucks and you are done with the worries. BTW-I had 110,000 miles on mine with the stock transmission before she was totalled. Some dumb-a$$ hit the car from behind while he was doing 45mph and I was stopped waiting for someone to take a left. He squished the car between him and a F-250. That was a very sad day for me since I put about 7 grand into it with engine mods and appearance mods. I really miss that car... 
-Mike
-Mike
