Thread: Grand Prix Tear Down Has Begun

Well as most of you probably know, my tranny needs to be rebuilt after a differential failure that took out my ring gear and dumped the shredded contents of the differential into my pan. So I thought I would start a thread that shows the progress, slow as it may be.

My philosophy is simple. Make as best as I possibly can financially and knowledgeably can. The simple fact is that I have some goals in mind with regards to fuel economy, durability and performance and I hope to get most of that done through this process.

So with that, here are some pictures of the tear down. Im going to sticky this so I can track the progress here for all to see. I dont know how long it will take to be honest. I still need to find a cherry picker and a couple of engine stands. Once I get those I can put stuff out.






Here you can see just how anal I am. Ive labeled just about everything. But the harness more so that I can hopefully re-wire things to be more neat. We'll see how that works out.















I need to drain the fluids out then I can pull the LIM and radiator. I guess Im going to have to discharge the AC system. Not really wanting to do that, but it has to come off.

Thats it for now. I'll post more as I get stuff done.

Good idea to label the wires but just so you know (incase you didn't) they all can only plug into the spots that they are intended to. In other words no plugin is the same, or I have not found any yet. I will be sure to follow this because next winter I plan to replace my tranny (if it makes it that long). Can I ask though, why did you pull the blower, and why are you pulling the rad?

Yeah, I figured it was unique connectors, but I got to satisfy my organization bug or I would have tossed around in bed for a bit about it.

I pulled the blower because I will be putting a ported one on. I have one ready to go, but my blower is much cleaner and nicer looking (thought it doesnt matter cause Im going to paint it) so I may just port it as well and stick it back on there. Im going to pull the radiator because if I can Im going to have the engine bay shot with paint and I will probably upgrade to the oversized radiator if its not a huge hassle and I want to touch everything in that bay with either the purpose of cleaning it up while I can or painting/powder coating it so that its easier to keep clean and looks better.

Yeah, I know, probably over the top, but I may not have an opportunity like this for a long time so Im going to go a little crazy with it probably.

For instance, I got the fender well liners pulled so I can clean them real good and paint them. Im going to try and do something with the rough textured coating in the fender well area too to make it so its either easier to keep clean or doesnt dirty up as easily. And Im probably going to order new lower splash shields, facia supports and so on to paint them and so on. Told ya I was going over the top.

If you don't want to discharge the ac system, Unbolt the compressor and hang it on the rad support just like you do brake calipers, If you take the motor from the top and the trans from the bottom, or both through the bottom there should be enough room


Edit: I wish I had the patience to do work that clean and organized

Okay, cool, I did not realize I would be able to pull the motor with it still intact, just unbolted from the motor. Its never been serviced since I owned it cause I just hardly ever use it, but at least this will keep it from being a forced situation for now.

Looks like a Bonzai tree.

Originally Posted by Abrasive

Looks like a Bonzai tree.

Thats a good one, LOL. What can I say, I like to make sure, extra sure even, that things will go back together smoothly.

Ive probably spent as much time labeling stuff as I have actually pulling stuff off the car.

This is interesting. I will definitely be following this thread since I hope to do something similar in the next couple years. Good to see what's ahead.

Good luck.

It is much better to take your time when taking things apart, thay way you pay better attention to how things go. I work at a shop where we do shift work, so if you pull something apart you might not be putting it back together. It might the a guy on the following shift. There are certain people at work that just "Rip and tear" and don't label where hoses go and stuff. They just let the next crew worry about it.

Originally Posted by Andrew_99GTP

It is much better to take your time when taking things apart, thay way you pay better attention to how things go. I work at a shop where we do shift work, so if you pull something apart you might not be putting it back together. It might the a guy on the following shift. There are certain people at work that just "Rip and tear" and don't label where hoses go and stuff. They just let the next crew worry about it.

I have a very intense dislike for people like that. For crying out loud, take pride in your work or find something else to do.

Sounds like you got a plan man!

I have to hand it to GM, they were nice enough to use a different connector for each plug in item. All you have to worry about is routing the wiring right, and everything will fall into place on where it needs to be connected.

How far are you stripping it down?

~F~

I still have quite a bit left. I have to pull the alternator, power steering pump, water pump, radiator and God knows what else. Im actually having fun doing all this, its been quite interesting.

Im going to drain the coolant this weekend and get the items above off. In speaking to Reptile, it seems it is going to be easier to pull the engine out with the hood off, so I'll have to do that as well, but I gotta find room for it to keep it safe somewhere. And if its coming off I might as well find out what it would cost to get it painted to get rid of the rock chips in it.

Ive never pulled a motor before so Im not sure what all has to be undone and where it needs to be undone at, but I'll either figure it out or find out.

Oh, while Im here, Im open to any ideas on where to route that harness so that its all neat and tidy. Nothing jumped out at me in looking at it last night as to where to route it and still be able to get to all the connections it needs to make.

Update 04.11.2008

I went out yesterday after getting home and disconnected some more wiring. I think all I have left is the starter wiring and the entire harness that runs along the top will be free. At that point I can look and see what opportunities there will be to either reroute or rewire things for a neater look.

I did get the front exhaust manifold and cross over off and I even did so without snapping or stripping a single bolt. So all I have left are the accessories and the rear manifold and the engine should be ready to be pulled.

While Im at it, can anyone tell me what threads are on the exhaust bolts? I can find out but I thought I would ask just in case someone knew off the top of their heads. Are there ARP manifold bolts available for our engines? If so, anyone have part numbers or anything I can use to get a set?

Today's goal is to pull the accessories and get the radiator drained and the hoses pulled. I dont think the weather is going to cooperate much with me though. It supposed to be cooler here this weekend and with the winds out as they are now, its not warm even now. Where the heck is spring?

I wish I had some tips for you, but I don't... Good work so far! I'm curious how you managed to get all of the manifold bolts out without stripping/breaking them. That's mostly what's holding me back from putting my front PEM on. Lots and lots of PB blaster??