Thread: Cheap little mods for a 99 Prix GT

Hey guys I just joined this forum and I just bought a 99 Prix GT and was just wondering what are some little cheap mods to put on this car for more performance (if possible). All suggestions and opinions are much applied!

Well I went too a shop and got a full car inspection on it and got my radiator coolant flushed (REALLY bad) is what they said, brakefluid topped up replaced my MAF (engine light and reving problems) they told me lower intake gaskets leaking,right axel seal leaking pan gasket leaking and engine oil pan gasket leaking. Those big serious fixes or what :S I am worried about those! and do those kind of problems affect me?

Bill


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The MAF issue was likely because of the K&N filter. The oil can coat the MAF wires and cause issues. Likely cleaning it would have fixed the issue.

LIM gaskets need to be done first and foremost. This WILL cause motor issues sooner or later (as in spun bearings). Changing the LIM gaskets is also a time to change the 2 plastic coolant elbows, both valve cover gaskets and bolt grommets as well. I would also remove the clean the throttle body while everything is apart. Once that is all done you can move on to the rest of the list.

Axle seal leaking- Do they mean one of the CV boots, or the actual seal on the transmission?

Trans pan gasket leaking- Time to drop the pan and change the fluid/filter while you are in there. Would also be an ideal time to install a Trans-go shift kit and a bottle of Lucas stop-slip while refilling. Will help the trans last that much longer.

Oil pan gasket leak- This one is tough to do in-car, but can be done. Not sure how much experience you have so I won't assume anything here. Might be best for a shop on this one if you don't feel comfortable lifting the motor a bit and whatnot to get the pan off.

I would say once the LIM/valve cover gaskets are done to just clean off the entire engine and then start looking for leaks to pinpoint exactly what is leaking still as on a dirty motor you really can't tell. The oil leak could just be the oil pressure sending unit for all you know (wayyyy easier than replacing the pan gasket).

Yah thats what u get for lady driven vehicles but still im only 17 and Ill be working all summer so at times I will go to shops and ask them about these things! But appreciate the comment Fordman77! Much help you were!

http://www.grandprixforums.net/safel...0-a-67580.html

If your mechanically inclined a lot of that you can do yourself in an afternoon the control arm bushings arent that hard. While the control arms are out might as well replace the ball joints. If there the factory ones its a lot easier to grind off the rivets on a bench than underneath the car. The oil pan gasket is another story i'm just assuming you have the 3800. Its a pain in the butt. I just pulled my whole motor and put in on a stand. I did a new upper intake, lower intake gasket oil pan gasket and timing cover gasket and seal. In about a weeks time. Just my two cents worth hope this helps save some money.

Originally Posted by oldgpgt

If your mechanically inclined a lot of that you can do yourself in an afternoon the control arm bushings arent that hard. While the control arms are out might as well replace the ball joints. If there the factory ones its a lot easier to grind off the rivets on a bench than underneath the car. The oil pan gasket is another story i'm just assuming you have the 3800. Its a pain in the butt. I just pulled my whole motor and put in on a stand. I did a new upper intake, lower intake gasket oil pan gasket and timing cover gasket and seal. In about a weeks time. Just my two cents worth hope this helps save some money.

I am no mechanic at all it really sucks:\ Me, my dad or my brother can only do so much but when I go down too see him I will ask him all bout this stuff!

Let me save you some time here on the lower control arms. If you suspect a bad bushing(s) or ball joint, then it is easiest to just replace the entire control arm assembly. Check out RockAuto for them, as the Dorman and Moog control arms come with a brand new ball joint already installed. You just pull the entire thing out, then swap in the new one and done. New bushings and balljoint all at once. Then get your alignment checked/adjusted.

I just did them on my car and it made a huge difference in ride, and it got rid of that god awful clunk I've been chasing down, lol... Went with the Moog arms since the ball joint on those is greaseable. The Dormans are sealed. Your choice. Actually got the best price from Amazon on them.

Don't want to be a total dick, but if you are looking to mod your car and didn't even check the fluids before bringing the car into a shop, you may be in over your head. And isn't $240 for a coolant flush insanely high?

As others have said, if you spend some time on here searching, there is a lot of good information.

Originally Posted by stocker

Don't want to be a total dick, but if you are looking to mod your car and didn't even check the fluids before bringing the car into a shop, you may be in over your head. And isn't $240 for a coolant flush insanely high?

As others have said, if you spend some time on here searching, there is a lot of good information.

Yes insanely I would suggest he try a different shop some of that stuff on that bill may just be bill padding

Idk my dad didnt seem to pissed off about it and we sorta got a lower price then what it was originally but they flushed my coolant again just yesterday a lot of times! no charge so I am happy but its not 100% but he says you can see through it now at least! and well if by fluids u mean just my brake fluid? That wasnt much of a big deal its not like I couldnt break or anything but still! I just got those leaks on the sheet but couple weeks I am taking it down to a performance shop to get those leaks looked at and see if they are as bad as this shop says!