Originally Posted by
brettstoner
I have an 04 GP Base daily driver, 90K. Summer, winter, snow, etc. Did a top swap and trans swap last year with a cam, headers, pulley drop, etc. That was fun for 6 months until I went smaller pulley, injectors, pump, and E85. Car still runs like stock, idles like stock, starts right up.... no problems at all. Only downfall is drop in MPG which is to be expected.
100% stop and go city traffic
Stock GP-20 mpg
Top Swap and gear reduction- 18 mpg
E85- 13 mpg (about 40-45% cheaper than premium at my local station)
I don't do any highway driving so I don't know highway MPG. I only drive couple hundred miles a month and I don't try for fuel economy.
My trans was doing the slip then engage from take-off that so many do. If I wouldn't have done the trans last year I wouldn't have top swapped. Kept everything stock and saved my money. But since I had the motor/trans out I decided to do the upgrade. Stock GP power is fine to get you to point A to point B. But it is nice to finally have enough power when people try to cut you off you can just floor it and pass them. I really surprise people. It is a sleeper.
Personally I don't see the benefit of investing in a GP knowing you are making a slow car a little faster and you will need to budget for a new trans. I recommend either spending the money to go turbo or top swap and cam/intercooler/E85. Otherwise keep it stock, keep up on maintenance, and enjoy it. Otherwise how often will you be searching for the next mod to gain the next couple hp when you are not satisfied. You either want the car to haul ass or go from A to B.
these cars have their place, and they rock the sh!t out of it.
