Thread: New here with my FIRST grand prix!

I will be picking up my first Grand Prix tomorrow. I looked at it last night and the notary was closed, so tomorrow, she'll be coming home.

2002 Grand Prix GTP 40th Anniversary Has the 3800 Supercharged. I must admit, I was quite surprised the power it had.

I don't like beating on cars. But I stomped it once, while going about 35mph. I could not beleive how that car took off. I could here a whining, I guess the supercharger, It was under the hood. WOW!

Now..It does have 180,000 on it. My friend who is a mechanic told me to ignore the mileage that these are good engines??

But it is extremely smooth, and runs perfect. The tranny fluid was very clean, and shifted very smooth. Engine was very quiet. Oil was fuel, and somewhat clean. He said it was time for the oil change in 200 miles.

The only thing I caught was the anti freeze look like orange/brown. I am slightly colored blind. But my buddy was there, and said don't worry. We'll flush it out, and put the green in. no smoke out the tail pipes, just very clean!

Drivers seat had a tear...DAMN! Nice seats too. Bummer!

But I wanted to say hello. I am very excited about this car. I was told sometimes the intake gaskets go, but I will deal with that, if it happens.


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listen to your pal there, he knows what hes talking about. welcome to the club. you can see if th elim gaskets have been changed to the upgraded metal gaskets b looking between the lim and head, if you see silver your good to go, black, lim job time.

gm supercharger oil. buy at the dealer, or on line like ebay. sold in 4 oz bottles, you need two.

The best weight oil is whatever the hell it on sale.

The oil cap says 10w30 which is perfectly fine for summer driving but 5W30 is better for winter starting. I always ran the cheapest crap I could buy at napa and it took it like a champ for nearly 5 years. $20 oil changes FTW.

Of course oil brand is up to you, to me it's all the same unless you want specific oils for euro cars or high performance oils with extra zinc/metals in them.

you change the lim gasket before the time comes because when the time comes your buying a new motor for it.

Originally Posted by Fivefingerdeathpunch

The best weight oil is whatever the hell it on sale.

The oil cap says 10w30 which is perfectly fine for summer driving but 5W30 is better for winter starting. I always ran the cheapest crap I could buy at napa and it took it like a champ for nearly 5 years. $20 oil changes FTW.

Of course oil brand is up to you, to me it's all the same unless you want specific oils for euro cars or high performance oils with extra zinc/metals in them.

Oil is oil at the end of the day. Consumer reports testing on New York City Taxi cabs. I know its old but it is still relevant. http://www.xs11.com/xs11-info/xs11-i...july-1996.html IF you do actual research on this subject and look at actual studies and not forum discusions you will find that information to still hold true. Who are you going to trust, Consumer Reports or a company who's #1 priority is to make money?

Originally Posted by ItHurtz

you change the lim gasket before the time comes because when the time comes your buying a new motor for it.

Oh yeah, I would definitely change it asap if it is the nylon gasket.


And it needs tint get rid of the fish bowl status.

If the coolant is brown I doubt it was ever changed, the gasket change isnt hard at all $100 in misc things, gaskets, coolant elbows, valve cover gaskets w grommets razor blade and some elbow grease. Easy as pie

advance auto should stock everything you need, order it online, use a coupon and save a **** ton of money, then walk in the store and pick it up.

Lim is easy just dont spill a ton of crap (ie liquid or debri) into the valley when popping the manifold off and cleaning the valley surfaces.

Originally Posted by Sleeper64

Thank you very much. I cant belive this anti freeze was never changed to green. After all these miles. The engine sounds very nice. The 3800 must be a decent motor. I will see if I can find an area to view for the metal gasket. I may have to figure out the best place to find the elbows and things your speaking off. I dont want to pass the car up with something this small to do. I am a bit nervous about doing this lim. But hopefully it is something i am capable of. I have done them on small block chevy. This engine just looks a little more intimidating.

The 3800 was an amazing motor, it is just too bad they put it in such blah cars with the ****tiest transmission GM could think to throw in. The trans in the wbodies will grenade under the 170chp of the 3100 v6, and then they had the bright idea to put it behind a 300chp V8..............