Advice on GTP possibilities :D

[Deoxyribonucleicvitriol]

Alright, I've been looking at GTPs now since 3000 GTs seem like verifiable money pits. Everything I've read tells me that unless you're REALLY lucky and a hardcore car guy... you're cursed.

Anyway, I've actually already found 2 GTPs within 30 miles of me.

I found one for 6k (before I haggle :P) like 15 miles from me with 66,000 miles on it... 1995, black, good condition... 210hp.. Dang dude.



It's got a yuck-ugleh front assembly though :-S



There's also a '98 on there that looks reeeally nice ^^^ (240hp/280tq!!!!), but it had 130,000 miles on it... I know those engines are good but what do you guys think? I have a lot of faith in the 3800 II engine... Just wanting opinions :P.

Basically what I'm looking for is a car that will leave my headroom to upgrade it a little.. you know... make it mine. They're asking 6k for the 130,000 mile one, which, after I got the price down, would leave me over $3,000 extra to make it look extra-sexy :D

Another option would be to keep my camaro and take about $6,500 in insurance. I have $2000 of my own money to spend on it. Then I could engine swap my 78,000 mile 3.8 liter into the GTP, which would leave me with about 500 bucks leftover if I'm lucky.

Then I'd have $2,500 left to spend on additions... sound good?... or foolish? I mean I'm not going to go out and buy it today, but I'm considering my possibilities.

[lilchubby]

Re: Advice on GTP possibilities :D

that 98 must have some major mods to have that much hp and torque. they come stock with only 240 hp and and like 280 on torque. so was that jsut typo or if not what mods does it got done.

[bah]

Re: Advice on GTP possibilities :D

there is no point in getting a gtp if you swap your motor into it because the gtp 3.8 has next to nothing in common with the N/A 3.8, intake manifold wont fit, practically nothing will fit, so if you get a gtp you are better off leaving the gtp motor in it, and if that 98 is modded then chances are it was rebuilt and in pretty good shape, but yeah, your whole motor swap thing wont work

[Deoxyribonucleicvitriol]

Re: Advice on GTP possibilities :D

that 98 must have some major mods to have that much hp and torque. they come stock with only 240 hp and and like 280 on torque. so was that jsut typo or if not what mods does it got done.

EDIT: Oh crap... Oh well.. I just thought the engine swap might be a possibility.

woops! Typo :). I hit the 3 instead of the 2. I'll fix it now.

What do you think about the engine swap though?

The engine in my Camaro was reeeally nice. I pretty much never had to put more oil in the car... very tight. I've read some user reviews though and it's been a little disconcerting... Some people have gone through three transmissions! O_O.

I won't drive it that hard though so maybe they're just being foolish with the car. I want an automatic anyway, so it's not like I'll tear it up by mis-shifting.

[Camaro Dom]

Re: Advice on GTP possibilities :D

(340hp/380tq!!!!).

thats a typo. grand prix's make 240hp/280 torque. if they made 340 they'd be almost corvette fast (back then). if i were you i'd definately save that motor if you can. just cuz the body's trash doesnt mean you cant take that motor and any suspension and w/e.
heres a cool idea too. buy back ur old car for like 500. get a new f-body one with a blown motor for like 500-1000. take the motor outta yours and put it in the in the car w/ the blown motor. voila! instant ride. and then you can get rid of your old car and have the dead motor torn apart and built up for boost or whatever and when the time comes to switch it out, you could do it over a weekend.
anythign with a 3800 in it is good for reliability. you may wanna consider a truck too. s10's have a big cult around them making them lowriders if your into customizing. its actually pretty damn cool and alotta fun when done right, a buddy of mine had one with air shocks and a friggin train horn lol. that thing was sweet.

[Deoxyribonucleicvitriol]

Re: Advice on GTP possibilities :D

thats a typo. grand prix's make 240hp/280 torque. if they made 340 they'd be almost corvette fast (back then). if i were you i'd definately save that motor if you can. just cuz the body's trash doesnt mean you cant take that motor and any suspension and w/e.
heres a cool idea too. buy back ur old car for like 500. get a new f-body one with a blown motor for like 500-1000. take the motor outta yours and put it in the in the car w/ the blown motor. voila! instant ride. and then you can get rid of your old car and have the dead motor torn apart and built up for boost or whatever and when the time comes to switch it out, you could do it over a weekend.
anythign with a 3800 in it is good for reliability. you may wanna consider a truck too. s10's have a big cult around them making them lowriders if your into customizing. its actually pretty damn cool and alotta fun when done right, a buddy of mine had one with air shocks and a friggin train horn lol. that thing was sweet.

I'd like to do that... but where in the world do you find a car with a blown engine? I don't even know where to begin looking.

If I could do that though... yeah... I'd have loads of cash leftover to make the car amazing.

[Fireball27]

Re: Advice on GTP possibilities :D

I like that first car... IMO i like that style waaay better than the grand am look-a-like in the second picture... in fact if i'd seen that when i was looking for a car i probably would have bought it (i am NOT saying that i'd buy it over my maro however).

[Camaro Dom]

Re: Advice on GTP possibilities :D

I'd like to do that... but where in the world do you find a car with a blown engine? I don't even know where to begin looking.

If I could do that though... yeah... I'd have loads of cash leftover to make the car amazing.

i find them every now and again in auto trader. you could also call around to boneyards in your area.

speaking of which, where IS your area? like east or west coast or where?

[Deoxyribonucleicvitriol]

Re: Advice on GTP possibilities :D

Tennessee.

I'm currently looking at a camaro that appears to be quite similar to my original, but with less miles, better wheels/tires, a new sterio, and is only 166 miles away... hm... <_<'.

[asdf1234]

Re: Advice on GTP possibilities :D

That first car is so ridiculously ugly. Please stay away from it.

The second car I don't mind as much. I couldn't ever see myself driving it though. I've seen a few GTP's done up to be pretty nice looking car. However, I wouldn't chose it over an F-body.

[3.4 slow to go]

Re: Advice on GTP possibilities :D

I like the pre 97 body style, but that gtp has the 3.4 DOHC, and if you're plannign on engine mods/upgrades, that engien aint it. How much are they offering for the 98? Are you looking to de-throne Zoomer? ;)

[vanbibber]

Re: Advice on GTP possibilities :D

go with the 98. those supercharged 3800s are good motors(but then again all 3.8s are) my wifes 92 park avenue has the older supercharged 3800 and is nearing 300k on the odometer. ive tried to kill the damn thing but it just wont give. too bad i cant say that for the lt1

[Mighty Thor]

Re: Advice on GTP possibilities :D

So you don't want a Buick Regal instead?

Definately 98 body style. They got them curves you know.

[UDLOSE98]

Re: Advice on GTP possibilities :D

excellent my GTP notion was heard in the other post, now heres the thing with 98's my friend with the 00 GTP says they are prone to alot more problems becuase that was the first year of that motor. I dont know how much evidence or proof there is behind that. Anyways GTP's are pretty easy to mod, its basically add a few components, then drop another pulley size, they are pretty impressive, and like I said that S/C whine is solid!

[Camaro Dom]

Re: Advice on GTP possibilities :D

go with the 98. those supercharged 3800s are good motors(but then again all 3.8s are) my wifes 92 park avenue has the older supercharged 3800 and is nearing 300k on the odometer. ive tried to kill the damn thing but it just wont give. too bad i cant say that for the lt1

yeah, my reasoning behind the 3800 lasting for frickin ever is that GM's had the buick v6's around since the 60's. but that reasoning falls apart when i consider the LT1... the damn 350 has been around just as long or even longer and it doesnt have near the reputation the 3800 has for being a glutton for punishment. a kid i know has a 98 bonneville with 250k on the odo. doesnt maintain it for crap and the damn thing just keeps on living...
anyways, look at this link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ward%27s_10_Best_Engines
it's the wards auto 10 best engine list for each year since 94. wards is really respected in the auto community and that might help you with deciding on your new ride.