Thread: So back in GP land, just picked up sick 04, sick as in broke,,,,

So had an 05 GTP given to me but didnt pick it up quick enough so he let someone else drag it away. So yr+ later an 04 with mysterious engine noise. IE rod know i believe. So now i have to get it home, thinking of driving as old owner drove to buddys home (buddy does work for dealer who took it in on trade) So $300 later and I own it. Now back to more short block research. Since i build engines may just overhaul it. Car has 192k on it so ill start looking for 4t80e maybe 17or 18 in wheels. The car is more to get me into newer car yr wise, mom gave me 94 olds 98 for Christmas.
So after its home I will buff out the headlights for now, look for console lid, and either seats or replacement seat covers.
But hey I paid $300 & it has new cv axle in trunk. And not sure which side its for. And I do have new rear wheel bearings, got them free for my 98 Regal but they are same so I can replace 1/2 the wheel bearings for time only. Odd thing its similar color, the metallic tan/gold color code 929l. By code list has FE2 FE9 AND IS L26 ENGINE. Any other unique code I need to decode?
So I am back scrounging parts, my new boss does have enfine with similar issues from 2000 Impala. May see what i can pick that up for then do some oiling upgrades and freshen and blueprint it.
Time will tell what I will modify.

You'd be money ahead to just get a used engine and drop it in. Not sure how familiar you are with the 3800 but the bottom ends on these take a LOT to make right and live more than 200mi. after a rebuild. I'd just find a used one, regasket everything but the heads, drop it in and go.

Oh I have done tons of research. As I have built many engines in my day including 2.8/3.1/3.4/3.8/4.3 with great success. My plans for a new/used engine have not finalized.
My thoughts have been to do something a little different. While looking for an L32, I may have line on 3800 from 05, if it really is 05 my plans are to pull crank, replace any PM rods that are bad, double check old rods and my plans are to possibly blueprint block. Minimum square, quick hone may even locate torque plate. Figured on getting crank reground, drilling out main galleys, eliminate balance shaft. And I have toyed with making a block to bolt where the oil filter adapter bolts, run a new oil pick up line from pan to oil pump there by fixing some deficiency in oiling.
If I can source a used aluminum grand prix pan I'll make/instal a custom pickup.
Another trick i plan is to pin all my bearings in place to hopefully eliminate bearing issues. As are the oiling mods. My new boss had borrowed some fellows notes on GTP tuning/mods. A lot of info in those books thae guy has quite a bit about tuning GM computer with DHP/AVT setup but of course I am so far worried a out buying AVT box now. May have to breakdown and use HPT tools. Actually after reading up on his notes the direction of tuning described is pretty much how I would have done it. Figured on tuning it up, maybe some exhaust mods. Eventually delving into suspension, 17 in wheels, but attempting to keep it driveable.
It may evwntually get a SC top swap or a turbo. As for trans ill probably just work up an 4t80e for swapping. Time and funds sill tell.

That's really alotta work, and really alotta money for a $300 chassis. Those aren't new tricks. Someone's had to have tried them.

If these were previous plans, it might've been better to start machining all that out beforehand.

There's clear limits on what this engine can produce. It's taken me a year to learn that much. Guess you got a head start, lol.

So far the cheapest L32 I've found was over $1000 and still not even in state. I've built 3300,3800 and so far none blew up. Now I'll also be honest and say that was mid 90s and maybe a first or second year series2. I have also "patched" couple 3800s, most likely series2 with crank kits and swapping couple of rods. I have couple friends who have worked for Jasper Engines and another rebuilder out of Illinois and they seem to have good service out of them. My plans are not concrete, as I am waiting for call back on l26 and couple of n/a series 2. I chatted with fella about 4t80e swap and he has his friend dd on lift scrounging bolt in parts. And also has way to rewire so I don't have to work over pcm but heck since seems like the following is dieing off I guess I can go my own way. He was telling me his race engines he drilled out oil galleys, removed and pinned off balance shaft holes. He also offered me a small cam if I wanted it, stuff that his engine out grew. He said he had one mount to figure out but had axle numbers handy and even sent big list on converters and gear ratios. Don't get me wrong, it's still sitting at my buddies where I found it. And so far my current plans may be sourcing used with zero mods. But I also have a 77 MONZA getting twin turbo SBC, 66 4dr Caprice I'm trying to just get road ready, and my old 78 C10 w/air ride I need back running. And all my around home projects /repairs. And just getting back to work make it all more fun.
Oh and getting Buell back in riding shape! So who knows. I am driving my mom's old 94 Olds 98 and bought parts from that to fix deer damage, maybe be series 2 if I can get cheap slap it in for now. Again not set yet on actually fully building a block and have searched around. But as stated I have built many engines and only engines so far that broke ,broke from abuse. Besides I would rather work on Grand Prix over a Cavalier! And I am a mechanic by trade so it's not like I don't have ability or tools. Time and funds may tell. But then my first cars was odd ball for some 66 Dart GT slant 6 auto, and some said 6s aren't fast, but after her build up, 1/2" strocker, 0.187" over forged pistons and rods, port/polish head, 2x4 bbl, ank headers and she was FAST. She could generally take about 8 out of 10 match races. I really shamed a Hemi Cuda! I bet $100 on 4 phone poles and he couldn't run that short found out! And if actual running parts come my way it should run pretty quick and easy.

By the way anyone seen one if the Dorman replacement tc covers? Curious if they are any good.

If you're going that far, just look for a block. Why care about the internals if they're all being machined or replaced? An anchor's an anchor. Put the money into the plans instead of finding a perfect block. Unless, you're doing what everyone here is saying.

Only saw one Monza project. Turns out the guy bought the V6 chassis with lighter front pieces, so it was abandon before it started. Pics of your stuff would be sweet.

Originally Posted by SaukRapids

If you're going that far, just look for a block. Why care about the internals if they're all being machined or replaced? An anchor's an anchor. Put the money into the plans instead of finding a perfect block. Unless, you're doing what everyone here is saying.

Only saw one Monza project. Turns out the guy bought the V6 chassis with lighter front pieces, so it was abandon before it started. Pics of your stuff would be sweet.

So Monzas only had one front end just springs rated for engine or if equipped with ac. So most people just hate trying to work on cramped cars. After I get home I'll throw some pics or links to car pics. Photobucket link might work better. Currently​ have very few pics of blue Monza project. Haven't finished swapping in S10 rear end from other MONZA I used to have but wrecked. Now waiting on customer who borrowed my carb and adapter for his boys 72 Chevelle for prom. Yeah that's ANOTHER nightmare story!

Originally Posted by WarStryker13

With the car being an 04, you'd need an L26 from another 04+ GP. (or a buick century from the mid-late 2000's, not quite sure on the exact years though)

I think you mean a Lucerne. Century had 3100 in them.