Thread: New 00' GTP owner(: would like some insights from you veterens

Hi all, I'm new to the forum and also a new Grand Prix owner. I have been reading through some of the forums the past few weeks learning lots, but I cannot find all things i need to know. I do have a bit of a hard time navigating my way through all the posts sometimes so I apologize if some of these inquires I have have already been posted about.
1)My car has an oil leak and (small) coolant leak, determined that it is definitely rear valve cover gasket, as well as lower intake. I am a relatively novice mechanic, and I say that meaning I will have no issues getting any work done myself as I have access to a fully supplied shop and lifts on weekends, but i do not know the ins and outs of particular engines and setups necessarily. That being said I am hoping to swap out all gaskets from the lower intake up this weekend and was curious if anyone had any suggestions on anything I should do/replace while I am in there anyway? (Car has 120,XXX miles).
2)The car makes a creaking noise at low speeds when turning, the noise is directly related to how I turn the steering wheel. I am thinking lower control arm after reading a few things on the forum, but when i did my initial once over on the car I didn't notice any unusual wear on either side?
3)My oil smells of gasoline After noticing this in my inspection of the car I immediately changed oil but after less than a week it smells again. Checked PCV valve, functions perfectly. Checked fuel pressure regulator for fuel in vacuum line, nothing. Checked for pressure drop in fuel rail after car had been turned off an there was no noticeable drop so, I'm pretty stumped... this is probably my main worry so if anybody has had this issue any help would be great appreciated.
And last but not least.. MODS In a perfect world I would like to do an XP cam build, 1.9 rockers, new pushrods, ls7 roller lifters, 130# springs, double roller timing chain, the works. But here where I live the car is going to have to pass emissions and I have heard it can be quite a b*tch to get it to pass with this type build. If there is anyone here who has a similar build that HAS passed emissions i would LOVE some insight on how they did it.
Again I'm sorry if these things have all already been answered, and I'm going to do my best to learn the platform better so I can find the things I need in the future

Ahhh, I had forgotten about the plastic coolant elbows I will order aluminum ones right now. And all the radiator hoses have been replaced (somewhat) recently and appear to be in good shape but thanks If it does turn out that i have a leaky injector I will go ahead and order all new, any suggestions? ZZP has a unreal amount of options and I'm unsure if going an bigger would really give me any benefit without upgrading fuel pump as well? And I will do that test tomorrow thanks for the suggestion