So say I wanted to buy this turbo....

[Zak97GT]

Cartuning Performance 3800 Turbo Kit: 3800 Performance

Basically noob questions, what would I have to do before buying/installing a turbo on my 97 GT to make the mod safe? By the way someone with experience will be helping me install it. Will the stock axle handle the claimed 280 whp? And in a related matter, it seems there's no CAI kits for sale on 97's, I heard this has something to do with some tank being in the way, can I just buy a CAI for a 99-03 from K&N, and bolt the tank further down the frame?

Sorry if any of this sounds stupid, I'm kinda new to these cars, and performance modding in general. I was always an audio guy.

[gtpinsc]

not trying to be a dick... but ur not ready for a turbo.. takes alotta time and money and knowledge to safely run a turbo on these cars.. u can get a coolant tank res from a 98 0r either a 99+ (cant remember which years) and get the CAI u want... or just slap a open cone filter on teh throttle body without messing with coolant tank. ur best bet for more power would be a topswap.. theres a sticky on the info in the N/A section of the forum that will tell u everything u need to know about top swapping.

[MrPoopyButthole]

+1 to everything this man says

Your not ready, the turbo adventure is not a cheap venture...and I'm not mistaken 97's run a 4t60-e Tranny which wouldn't last more than 2 seconds with the power of a turbo.

If you just want 280whp, then top swap is your better bet with some 1.9 roller rockers and pulley drop.

[gtpinsc]

yep on the tranny... i forgot about that.. with that said.. u might be better off finding a totalled GTP and doing a trans and motor swap.

[JoshsGTP]

you have a 97 GT, If you want to mod it sell it, and buy a 97-03 GTP or a 98-03 GT but NOT a 97GT the trans. is weak as hell.

[Zak97GT]

For all you naysayers, my trans is already replaced for that exact reason, lol. Also I was looking into doing a topswap as well but I really would like to do a turbo and im willing to take the dive, and I've got the money to buy it.
Also, link to a 99 coolant reservoir? I'd appreciate it

[gtpinsc]

Even with a replaced trans. The 4t60E sucks. U will need a built 4t65e with a 1 inch chain that is near impossible to find. And if u do find one expect to pay over a grand just for the chain alone. Trans build will cost u over 3K. Then u need a tuner or someone who can tune for a turbo. Its your money. Do what u want. Coolant tank can be found at ur local junkyard.

[VictorSmalls]

Depending on your power level a 1" chain is not mandatory. Some of us make it pretty far on a turbo build on the stock trans. Although you would not make it far on a 4t60-e when compared to a 4t65. Myths being busted everyday, lol.

[matt5112]

+1 to everything this man says

Your not ready, the turbo adventure is not a cheap venture...and I'm not mistaken 97's run a 4t60-e Tranny which wouldn't last more than 2 seconds with the power of a turbo.

If you just want 280whp, then top swap is your better bet with some 1.9 roller rockers and pulley drop.

You'd also need an intercooler to make that kind of power.

[99prixgt]

take a video of your first 0-100 run, i wanna see what the trans does

[boostedcompg]

If all u want is 280hp do the top swap. Very obtainable goal on that setup

[FoSHO99]

The ct kit is awesome if you're buying it used and for cheap, otherwise don't buy that kit brand new. If you're looking for a quality kit that is in that price range a base z3 kit from zzp should work great. Just don't raise the boost and have someone help u install. A base turbo kit will not rape your trans unless u beat th hell out of it.

[matt5112]

Very true.

There was one for 2000 on OQCGP with the intercooler not too long ago.

[gtpinsc]

here ya go homey... heres ur coolant bottle.
http://www.grandprixforums.net/vcs-c...ter-40529.html

[txslow6]

Even with a replaced trans. The 4t60E sucks. U will need a built 4t65e with a 1 inch chain that is near impossible to find. And if u do find one expect to pay over a grand just for the chain alone. Trans build will cost u over 3K. Then u need a tuner or someone who can tune for a turbo. Its your money. Do what u want. Coolant tank can be found at ur local junkyard.

I just bought a built trans from Tim King and it ran a tad over 2 grand. 7/8ths chain 300m input shaft, shift kit, blah, blah. Why are you being so dramatic?

The ct kit is awesome if you're buying it used and for cheap, otherwise don't buy that kit brand new. If you're looking for a quality kit that is in that price range a base z3 kit from zzp should work great. Just don't raise the boost and have someone help u install. A base turbo kit will not rape your trans unless u beat th hell out of it.

Someone who actually is not being a complete dick to the op. Good info.



To the OP- The 97's run into the issue with the ABS module in the way of the upper dp. To resolve this you must remove the ABS all together or have the upper dp modified.

[Zak97GT]

Yeah, thanks to some of you for actually being nice to me, haha. I already ordered a coolant bottle actually and CAI is on the way. Once I get my money situation worked out ill probably be buying a z3 or z7 and my dad's friend who does nothing but work on his cars all day is gonna be helping me install it.
I think my trans should be okay at least for a while because it has less than 1000 on it right now. If it blows I'll replace it with the better one for sure, the only reason im gonna keep this one is because I got it free when I bought the car. Also if I buy the catted downpipe on the z3/7 is that gonna bolt right to my stock exhaust? and how would i modify it per se to get it out of the way of my ABS module?

[txslow6]

Its more or less the chain you really need to be concerned about. As long as you keep boost low and your foot out of it.(like that's gonna happen right? )


Yes both kits should bolt to your existing exhaust except you are going to need the Tog shorty dp IIRC. Basically you remove the whole ABS system and re route your lines. Search on clubgp in the turbo section. There's a few threads on it. Search for ABS.

Or you could just do the easy thing and tell ZZP or whoever you go with to modify their dp to fit for a 97. Problem solved and now you just have to bolt the kit on.

I'm having cartuning do this to my kit and it cost $180 extra. Worth the money IMHO so I don't have to deal with hassle of it.

Removing the ABS can suck if you don't do it right and your brakes lock up doing 60.