Thread: First Mods

Hey everybody, new to the GP scene. Just bought my first car 1998 grand prix GTP. I have worked on plenty of other cars just no prix's so far. I have been doing some reading on what people had done to their cars and like what I am seeing.


I need input and ideas of what I should do performance wise, I am set for cosmetics but performance comes first. I have read that you need 180*C thermostat for smaller pulleys.

Here is what I think is a good list in order of what I should do so far.

1.180*C therm-easy install 10$ no biggie
2.Haven't decided either a FWI (need suggestions of which) or a ram.-another easy-med install making own is not an option haha
Here's where it gets fuzzy, not entirely sure what to do here..
3. Headers,Downpipe,hi-flow cat,new mufflers, just a big blur...

Advance thanks for all the help and input. I am open to any criticisms and help you can offer don't hold back first time working on one of these and criticism is easiest way to learn

Criticisms? Only that you never bought it sooner

Welcome to the club. You're on the right track with mods though. Getting rid of KR is a good step (even if you might not have any as of now)

My list would say...(btw if you get headers then I'd get them at first b/c you'd buy a DP just to trash it for headers, so money wasted...)

180* T-Stat
Autolite 605's/NGK TR55's
3" DP with cat/u-bend delete
Custom FWI (Making one is cheaper/more effective than a Thrasher/Wizaired/K&N)
DHP/Overkill/Powertuned/HP Tuned PCM
Mufflers for sound (they do nothing BUT that)
Free mods such as flipped mounts and boost bypass mod (can be found on ZZP's tech articles @ ZZPerformance)
At this time I'd say drop pulley sizes (either to a 3.5" or 3.4") But if you do be sure you have a way to scan or it might hurt ya.

PEM's also help too (Ported Exhaust Manifolds), as well as Ported Throttle Body's and Superchargers (which help to get rid of heat quicker )

And I know a guy that does HELLA good work...

www.greenbastardproducts.com

Good luck man, hope this helps ya!

it really depends on how far u wanna mod...if u have plans of droppin alot of money into this car...get headers,downpipe is ok for minimal mods.ur gonna wanna get a PCM theres alot to choose from,overkill is pretty good from what i hear.smaller pully does require colder plugs along with T stat and exhaust opened up.Dont bother with smaller pully until u get the rest of supporting mods to handle that pully.

Thanks for the welcome and the advice blue.

Is there any specific order I should get these in? Or does it really matter with the smaller things IE T-stat, Intake, etc. I should be able to put in the stat and the FWI with no tuning I would think. The plugs+wires I totally forgot and spaced out on haha.

I am currently trying to find somebody to tune my car but have had nooo luck whatsoever So in your opinion headers or a DP? Would I need headers eventually or just stick with a downpipe forever?

And yeah I was narrowing my choice down between three cars a 1993 mustang supercharged ( but dad loves fords) a 1993 toyota mr2 turbo (I love mr2's cousin has 2 don't laugh or poke fun) and this. I made the right choice

The down pipe will be fine for maybe a 3.4 pulley depending on your tune. I have a dp right now and am planning to get headers. I would say go for the headers.

if u plan to go below a 3.4 pulley ur gonna need headers...along with other supporting mods...if i were u,id get intake,thermo and a pcm first....then go from there.

Originally Posted by gtpinsc

ur gonna wanna get a PCM theres alot to choose from,overkill is pretty good from what i hear.

I hear mixed things about the PCM's some people have told me don't bother with it at first it should be on your list of priorities just get the mods done and find someone to tune it. Other people have told me it was one of the smarter things they did at the beginning. So I am confused but it looks like it will be a choice I have to make.

Pros of the PCM-easy install, order part and its here
Cons- Just that its all pre programmed.

Pros of tuning-Can do what I want with everything
Cons- I personally can't and have to pay people to do it

I hope that is the jist of both any suggestions? lol :P

for instance get the basic mods u want for now...when u order pcm,u give them list of mods that u have...they program it according to the mods u have.later on down the line u get more mods...simply send it off to where u got it and get it reprogrammed.As far as tuning,theres alot to it then u have to buy or find a tuner and someone who can tune properly.From what i hear and ive heard it alot....stay away from ZZP pcm's

Originally Posted by gtpinsc

for instance get the basic mods u want for now...when u order pcm,u give them list of mods that u have...they program it according to the mods u have.later on down the line u get more mods...simply send it off to where u got it and get it reprogrammed.As far as tuning,theres alot to it then u have to buy or find a tuner and someone who can tune properly.From what i hear and ive heard it alot....stay away from ZZP pcm's

Yeah I have heard some screwy things about ZZP as of late. I didn't know you could send it back to get it reprogrammed, is it free or do you have to pay again?. And a question about stats is there any real bonus to getting the 160* over the 180*? I only want to go as small as 3.4" and that is a ways off as I deal with supporting mods first.

There alot of mixed reviews on the 160 and 180 T stat,ill let someone else chime in on that.But for a 3.4 you should be ok with a PCM, downpipe,CAI,colder plugs and run the highest octane gas u can get up there in Canada.After u get these mods,you should have it scanned for KR,just to make sure ur safe.I hope im not leaving anything out.If i am,someone jump in and help out.

Originally Posted by gtpinsc

There alot of mixed reviews on the 160 and 180 T stat,ill let someone else chime in on that.But for a 3.4 you should be ok with a PCM, downpipe,CAI,colder plugs and run the highest octane gas u can get up there in Canada.After u get these mods,you should have it scanned for KR,just to make sure ur safe.I hope im not leaving anything out.If i am,someone jump in and help out.

So I am probably going to get the stat as the first not sure 160 or 180 depending on what people say, I think I should be fine with a 180. Next would probably be colder wires and plugs. I am already running highest octane gas Is there any bonus to getting headers over a downpipe? and I MIGHT take a crack at my own intake haha

Headers will open up your exhaust a lot more than the dp. Thus getting rid of a lot more KR. They also do a good job of cleaning out your wallet lol

As for the 160 or 180 tstat i would get the 180. During the winter your car would never warm up with the 160.

Hahaha so I hear 01, well it looks like headers over downpipe is my choice now I just need to figure out what company to go with (probably TOG's from what I hear) and that being said I am definately going with 180 because well I do live in canada haha.

my 160 works for me year round its 70 degrees outside in South Carolina right now TOGS are good,theres some cheaper ones out there but they are a b*tch to install.

TOG's FTL!!

Get the Pacesetter's and save yourself some money. I have them and love them and for $500 bucks I complain!!

All I say is just be sure to seal them up good and use copper gaskets from the local auto parts store like I did

Yeah 70 degrees is a lot warmer than hear right now we are at about 10. I plan to by some ss autochrome headers. They are slp knock offs.

Haha yeah well I live in colder weather :P. And how are they different? Clearance? Size? I am not sure how they could be much different. Sorry for being a pain I am just trying to explore all routes here

I am not sure about the differnces in the headers. I have been trying to find out what is the problem with installing the cheaper ones. I know the obx ebay ones you have to cut and reweld them.

Originally Posted by 1998xGTP

Haha yeah well I live in colder weather :P. And how are they different? Clearance? Size? I am not sure how they could be much different. Sorry for being a pain I am just trying to explore all routes here

youre not being a pain in the ass,were here to help each other.Im not 100% sure of the problems with fitment with different types of headers...im just going by what i have read off of here in the past.I tried to find links but theres so many posts per day i couldnt find it.