Hey guys, newbie here :)

**n89b** · 02-29-2012

My dad recently bought me a stock 96' Grand Prix, I love the car but I'm looking to make it faster than it already is. I've been lurking the forums, reading topics and maybe I'm looking the wrong places but there doesn't seem to be much info on modding the 96 models, just mostly the ones from 97 and up. I'm fairly new at doing any kind of car mods but I'd at least like to be pointed in the right direction as to what to do with the car to increase it's overall performance, or at least hopefully receive some suggestions

Thanks guys and glad to be a part of the forum!

**ctracer** · 02-29-2012

welcome!! there arent too much go fast mods out there for your model, i have a 95 myself. do you know what engine you have? i can help point you in the right direciton depending on what you have.

**n89b** · 02-29-2012

I've got the 3.1L v.6 engine and thanks for your help

. Also I don't mind if the mods are somewhat pricey (I'll save up and get whatever...lol), whether it be a new engine or what not. I was originally thinking of getting a newer car but I don't see many of these cars in my area and I thought it would be pretty cool if I could clean it up and crank about 250-300 hp out of the car if possible.

**Austins01GP** · 02-29-2012

Welcome to the site!

**ctracer** · 02-29-2012

the engine you have now wont make that kind of power unless you go with a turbo set up which can only be custom.
the route i see most people take is a larger intake manifold, bigger throttle body, ported exhaust manifolds and a downpipe. you can even get a cam for it, but those get expensive.
check out the 3.1 engine section for a sticky of a list of parts websites.

**n89b** · 03-01-2012

Originally Posted by Austins01GP

Welcome to the site!

Thanks!

Originally Posted by ctracer

the engine you have now wont make that kind of power unless you go with a turbo set up which can only be custom.
the route i see most people take is a larger intake manifold, bigger throttle body, ported exhaust manifolds and a downpipe. you can even get a cam for it, but those get expensive.
check out the 3.1 engine section for a sticky of a list of parts websites.

Ok thank you. I'll definitely check em' out. Do you have an estimate as to how much hp those mods would add the engine?

**ctracer** · 03-01-2012

i can only guess. from the dyno sheets ive seen with JUST exhaust mods ive seen as much as 13 whp. add a bigger/ported manifold, cold air intake and a bigger throttle body i can see maybe another 10 whp if youre lucky. and a cam will add probably 20-30 hp depending if you get head work or not. a tune is suggested to get the best from these mods.

soo...here are some numbers.... stock dyno we put about 122 at the wheels, plus 13 whp for exhaust work if you do it right tahts 135, 10 for intake work, 145, and a cam which i havent seen a dyno sheet for but i see raw numbers so lets say 20 whp....165 to the wheels with those mods. of course you can go farther with more research and such.

**n89b** · 03-01-2012

Okay thanks once again. I'm not sure if I should take that direction, solely because I probably wont get the hp output I'm looking for. Is it possible to go with a different engine with this car to address that issue? If so what other mods might I have to make to accomodate that hp on the car. To be honest if I can get about 250 at the wheels I'll be happy. Sorry if this seems like too much questions but you're really informative

**ctracer** · 03-01-2012

lol your welcome, and its good to see someone realize the 3100 just doesnt have that potential unless turbo'ed.

as far as engine swaps go, you CAN swap a 3.8 s/c from a newer grand prix. that will require some custom work however. you would need the engine/transmission/pcm/motor mounts/maybe new transmission mounts and some wiring issues need to be worked out. also ive heard things about people having to cut a little into the firewall to make the headers fit.
if you go through with that swap, you will have 240 ish crank, and about 200 to the wheels. to get about 250 to the wheels you can look up research on this site from the 3.8 s/c section.
i believe there is a member who just swapped a 3.8 s/c into his gen 1 lumina.
just an fyi, itll take a bit of time and money to get it right.
check out w-body.com. they have a forum there and have alot more gen 1 grand prix's like us.

**n89b** · 03-01-2012

Originally Posted by ctracer

lol your welcome, and its good to see someone realize the 3100 just doesnt have that potential unless turbo'ed.

as far as engine swaps go, you CAN swap a 3.8 s/c from a newer grand prix. that will require some custom work however. you would need the engine/transmission/pcm/motor mounts/maybe new transmission mounts and some wiring issues need to be worked out. also ive heard things about people having to cut a little into the firewall to make the headers fit.
if you go through with that swap, you will have 240 ish crank, and about 200 to the wheels. to get about 250 to the wheels you can look up research on this site from the 3.8 s/c section.
i believe there is a member who just swapped a 3.8 s/c into his gen 1 lumina.
just an fyi, itll take a bit of time and money to get it right.
check out w-body.com. they have a forum there and have alot more gen 1 grand prix's like us.

Ok, cool I'll look into all of this stuff. Final question. Are there any sites you would recommend if I want to make cosmetic changes to the car, both interior and exterior? I've found some but they're always so limited in their selections.

**ctracer** · 03-01-2012

actually, here is a good site for cosmetic ideas. i found most of my ideas from here. in the spring i will be plastidipping my wheels, and maybe my grille. tints.
on that w-body site itll say how to lower your car but they dont manufacture springs still so youd have to find a used set somewhere.

**Neil98gt** · 03-01-2012

Welcome!

Pics of the car? I've always loved that bodystyle. I am contemplating buying one and doing the 3800 sc'd swap, If I can find one in good condition

**n89b** · 03-02-2012

Originally Posted by ctracer

actually, here is a good site for cosmetic ideas. i found most of my ideas from here. in the spring i will be plastidipping my wheels, and maybe my grille. tints.
on that w-body site itll say how to lower your car but they dont manufacture springs still so youd have to find a used set somewhere.

Sounds good man. I'll definitely be checking them out

Originally Posted by Neil98gt

Welcome!

Pics of the car? I've always loved that bodystyle. I am contemplating buying one and doing the 3800 sc'd swap, If I can find one in good condition

Lol my name is Neil too.. anyway sure. Once I take some I'll definitely upload.