Thread: I should have never bought a 97...UGH lol

About a month ago I bought a 97 GTP with 133k miles on the vehicle. The person who owned it didn't take too well of care of it. I replaced the front hub assemblies because they were humming worse than your grandma on my nuts. At any rate, there was a few other things that were in dire need of attention and I greatly gave what it deserved...until it back-stabbed me as most 97 do. One day while driving to a friends house I heard a lovely sound of metal on metal swooshing around my engine...and I knew that wasn't good. $800 dollars and 3 hrs later I realized the root of all my problems. Here are some pictures of me putting in a 98 short block with my top end and the problem pictures at the end. Enjoy.

Build courtesy of 03impala9c1 and fueled by Monster

Oh how I love 97's

Glad to hear Jeremy got it fixed for ya.

Yeah, thanks! He's a great mechanic.

As i'm taking offense to this post i want to point out all of your issues are not 97 specific, they are ALL GP's this body style...They all eat hub bearings, pop pistons, and generally just suck to work on. So standing up for my 97 (since my sisters 98 is more of a PITA then my 97) i think this is BS! Dont get all offensive cause i'm just messing with ya man! One perk is atleast these engines come out nice and easy, one thing GM planned on was the engines being yanked way more the normally needed!! Good luck

Originally Posted by Pittman06

As i'm taking offense to this post i want to point out all of your issues are not 97 specific, they are ALL GP's this body style...They all eat hub bearings, pop pistons, and generally just suck to work on. So standing up for my 97 (since my sisters 98 is more of a PITA then my 97) i think this is BS! Dont get all offensive cause i'm just messing with ya man! One perk is atleast these engines come out nice and easy, one thing GM planned on was the engines being yanked way more the normally needed!! Good luck

The OP posted the same thread at CGP and a few there made sure to let him know that nothing about the 97s made them an inferior car. A few of the things are personal preference, but nothing really makes them better or worse, for the most part.

97 GTP DOES NOT HAVE A VACUUM TRANS! All the GTP's have the 4t65HD electronically controlled

Originally Posted by Pittman06

97 GTP DOES NOT HAVE A VACUUM TRANS! All the GTP's have the 4t65HD electronically controlled

Non Series 2 GTP's had vacuum transmissions made by Hoover Vacuum cleaners...lol

I'll put my 97 Bonne against nearly any year car you wanna stop over with.

97 was a good year. That piston rod looks like you need a lesson in how to operate the motor at reasonable rpm levels...lol Or that was a high quality day at the GM plant.

totally a late friday engine there...And a 4t60 or any vacuum GM trans is totally worthless, you would be better off with a clutch drive off a 5 hp briggs

Edit for last post- I ment 97+ GTP trans

I know...just busting yer chops. lol