First time GP owner

**MoJo** · 11-12-2009

Hey, Everyone. I finally gave up my '99 Trans Am for an '08 GP. So far, my wife and I love the car. A couple of 3,000 mile vacations with an avg. 29 mpg made us happy as well.
We had a '98 Monte Carlo Z34 and this 3800 III comes close to the same performance but there are a few things I'd like to do. So, I joined this forum. I am a retired "Mr. GoodWrench" so I may have some expertise to offer as well.
Looking forward to a good time as I had on the "F-Body" forums with the Trans Am.

**rocafella2032** · 11-12-2009

welcome! what are you planning on doing to your gp?

**Sheepdog** · 11-12-2009

Welcome to the forums. I have an 02 gp as a daily driver and I plan on either getting an early second gen 455 or an 01-02 ws6. T/As are sexy

**Liquifire** · 11-12-2009

If they involve performance modifications, please read the "safely modifying your 3800" thread in the general tech section. This will give you lots of information about your car and its performance. It is a good read even if you are not modding your car.

**DOUGLASMELTER** · 11-12-2009

i vote turbo as long term goal...lol

**MoJo** · 11-13-2009

Hi, and thanks for the welcome.
I'm looking at suspension mods mainly. Considering the GM or the ZZ front & rear sway bars. Hoping someone knows the difference/benefits of each. At least, I plan to use poly bushings for the bars and poly end links up front.
I'd also like to install the BMR tubular trailing arms. Had them on the T/A, but that is a whole different animal. Any benefits to changing from stock?
Finally, looking at the ZZ Perf. cat-back system and maybe a strut tower brace. Are they needed, for daily driving on 2 lane back roads (mostly what we have around here.)? How about the rear strut tower brace?
Thanks again for the welcome!

**MoJo** · 11-13-2009

Originally Posted by Sheepdog

Welcome to the forums. I have an 02 gp as a daily driver and I plan on either getting an early second gen 455 or an 01-02 ws6. T/As are sexy

The 4th Gen T/As are just plain awesome! Hard to beat the LS1 engine. I bought mine new and put 130K on it.
Other than an MTI lid, "cold air" intake mod and a cat-back, that's all I did for performance.
All other mods were chassis mods. I used advice from "Sam Straino" for the mods. He really knows F-bodies and handling!

**01gtspecial** · 11-13-2009

Originally Posted by MoJo

Hi, and thanks for the welcome.
I'm looking at suspension mods mainly. Considering the GM or the ZZ front & rear sway bars. Hoping someone knows the difference/benefits of each. At least, I plan to use poly bushings for the bars and poly end links up front.
I'd also like to install the BMR tubular trailing arms. Had them on the T/A, but that is a whole different animal. Any benefits to changing from stock?
Finally, looking at the ZZ Perf. cat-back system and maybe a strut tower brace. Are they needed, for daily driving on 2 lane back roads (mostly what we have around here.)? How about the rear strut tower brace?
Thanks again for the welcome!

Someone catch me if I'm wrong, but I don't think there is an aftermarket swaybar for an '08. You can definitely get a strut tower bar, I'm not sure if it is necessary but most any of them should fit the 08. I know those BMR bars are supposed to do wonders, I installed the solid tubular trailing arms on my 01 that were a part of the GMPP handling kit, but the BMR bars are bigger and offer adjustability. Poly bushings are the way to go with any bar you plan to get. Enjoy your new GP! sorry you had to give up the T/A

**VictorSmalls** · 11-13-2009

Originally Posted by 01gtspecial

Someone catch me if I'm wrong, but I don't think there is an aftermarket swaybar for an '08. You can definitely get a strut tower bar, I'm not sure if it is necessary but most any of them should fit the 08. I know those BMR bars are supposed to do wonders, I installed the solid tubular trailing arms on my 01 that were a part of the GMPP handling kit, but the BMR bars are bigger and offer adjustability. Poly bushings are the way to go with any bar you plan to get. Enjoy your new GP! sorry you had to give up the T/A

At least on my 04, the front sway bar bolts up to the struts therefore you can't use the aftermarket ones for the 97-03s unless you change over control arms to the 97-03. The CompG rear is an upgrade for the rear sway on the 2004+.

Welcome