Thread: 1998 Grand PRix GT engine swap

Ok so i was reading around the other day and from what i found that since i bought My Grand Prix GT for 2k with 150k miles I wanted to find a GTP engine with way less miles that i could drop in, in place of the GT one. But after doing some research i was getting from some people that it was either a good idea or a bad idea for value of the car. As in some said it would cut the re-sale value to half of the original, but some said the opposite that if the engine had few enough miles it could double the re-sale value of my car...so yea I'm really at a loss of which would be better..mainly because 150k miles is quiet a lot, but if i chop the value in half then...>.< idk what to do..Help? (btw wasn't sure where to post this)

its modified. either way the resale value goes down.

What could i do then to help the value stay up or possibly increase?

A cars value will rarely increase.. Unless it becomes a classic high demand car

Modded cars usually drop in value because buyers don't know what they're getting into. If you meet the right person it could increase in some cases...but the only way to usually increase the value or your car is to sell it in better shape than you bought it, which means spending money, leaving you little if any profit

^^ aka completely torn down and rebuilt motor, done prefessionally, with all receipts and paperwork

est. Amount on the re-build? Also what could i do to the car itself visually to make it seem more appealing, when i wax it there's very few spots that are scratched etc, Both headlights are new now and working on a new front bumper...but besides engine what could be done to the interrior to make it at least nicer, like more as if it just rolled out of the factory clean (not as in this is dirty kinda thing, but where everything is in good shape etc..)

well if you do go for the swap good luck with it

Originally Posted by 98 Grand Prix Gt

est. Amount on the re-build? Also what could i do to the car itself visually to make it seem more appealing, when i wax it there's very few spots that are scratched etc, Both headlights are new now and working on a new front bumper...but besides engine what could be done to the interrior to make it at least nicer, like more as if it just rolled out of the factory clean (not as in this is dirty kinda thing, but where everything is in good shape etc..)

hm. well vacuum/shampoo carpets. and do a thorough clean. i use meguiars natural shine protectant. it's good stuff it's like a cream spray kinda thing and it restored the color of my dash and stuff.
other than that just detail the inside as the rest u should know just basic cleaning u know.
and then you could claybar, polish, and wax it.

Originally Posted by 98 Grand Prix Gt

est. Amount on the re-build? Also what could i do to the car itself visually to make it seem more appealing, when i wax it there's very few spots that are scratched etc, Both headlights are new now and working on a new front bumper...but besides engine what could be done to the interrior to make it at least nicer, like more as if it just rolled out of the factory clean (not as in this is dirty kinda thing, but where everything is in good shape etc..)

morad sells complete engines. http://stores.ebay.com/MORAD-PARTS-COMPANY

you could try to piece together parts and have them professionally cleaned and rebuilt (click link in my sig for bottom end/rotating assembly parts ) for just replacement factory parts and labor... i might say 1200-1400 on the low end depending on how hard you look.

150K miles isnt alot of miles for these engines. Dont fix what isnt broke

But wouldn't from that same logic mean an engine with like 60k miles isn't a lot either... =/ btw thanks for the link! Also would you recommend a transmission as well? The one in there is FANTASTIC i mean i can floor it, and it shifts perfectly and is so smooth...so i need a new on still?

btw that site is fantastic thx i know this is probably getting annoying but does anyone know where some good rims/ for good value?

the gt's came with the 4t-65e trans, the gtp's came with the 4t-65eHD trans. the latter has a 2.93 final drive ratio, while the first comes with a 3.29 ratio. the HD model also has a stronger internal part, the name of which i forget at the moment. if i were doing a swap for speed, i'd keep the 3.29. if i were doing it for dependability, go with the fresher one.

for what it's worth, my engine has 148k miles and runs stronger than a lot of other cars ive driven. you gotta think, if your car is worth 2k, and you put a 2700 motor/trans in it, you're asking 5k for it to make any money. there aren't many people that would pay 5k for a grand prix anymore. i'd clean it up really nice, replace anything that's worn out, and throw a $2700 sign on it and let somebody talk you down lol