Best Value??

**knightmastery** · 05-05-2008

Hi All

I have just started to modify my '02 Grand Prix GT "40th Anniversary" by putting in a performance transmission (HD upgrade, new torque converter, hardened input shaft, single chain 3.29 gears, all new clutches / bands / solenoids / sungears). My next move in about 12 months is to install the zzp z7 turbo kit w/ intercooler. The zzp site claims that this setup w/ intercooler will yield around 400hp. Cost for this is going to be $4500 for zzp to install. I would not characterise myself as a modder/tuner, I just want a better performing car and I really love my Grand Prix (had it sine new)! Which is why I mention that zzp will be installing.

Given that I am looking for performance gains up to 400hp and I can afford to spend $5000... is this the best value option? If it is the best value option, is there anything else I would NEED to do... remember the only thing I have done to this point is installed the perforance transmission.

Perhaps a more important question... I have over 110k miles on the car, I have maintained it well, and I do not overly push it, but on occassion I do. I know that modding is going to shorten engine life, but at 110k should I worry about that first before modding? Meaning should I look at rebuilding current engine components first before modding? Personally I dont think so because the engine seems to be a well built and balanced engine, but please tell me your experiences?

**knightmastery** · 05-05-2008

Anybody??

**Bio248** · 05-05-2008

the z7 kit is for sure the way to go if youre looking for a high hp car. otherwise you have to put a ton of money into cams and heads.

turbo kits for these cars are instant fast. a supercharger build is more streetable, but more expensive.

**knightmastery** · 05-06-2008

Thanks Bio248. What would it take to push 350 to 400hp and stay normally aspirated? The stock GT is rated at 200hp, so to double that or at least add another 75%... what would that take?

**Sabrewings** · 05-06-2008

Originally Posted by knightmastery

Thanks Bio248. What would it take to push 350 to 400hp and stay normally aspirated? The stock GT is rated at 200hp, so to double that or at least add another 75%... what would that take?

I think the record for a naturally aspirated 3800 is held by ZZP and that's ~300 crank HP which means ~240WHP.

Put simply, you're not going to get that kind of power out of a naturally aspirated 3.8L V6 OHV design.

**rodman** · 05-11-2008

turbos add 80?hp is that reasonable with no mods?

**02GT4door** · 05-11-2008

Very much so, and also, best value would be to get the kit and have someone other than ZZP install it, someone who knows these cars will normally do it alot cheaper, and then maybe you can help also

I also wouldn't worry about rebuilding your engine, only worry when something happens, we had a guy here in MN put an XP cam build into a gp with 240k miles on it and it did just fine

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