New owner of a GTP!

[JMSpeed]

Hey guys. My parents are looking at getting my brother a 2004 GTP with 140k miles on it. This will be his first car (I know a little too much power for him), but they're all in love with the car so far. I own an 07 Mazdaspeed 3 so I kinda know about performance engines, especially turbos, i'm just new with the whole supercharger aspect. I drove the car around the block and it feels sturdy, and it isn't lacking power. I guess my question is, what should i look for on a car this high of mileage? What're these cars good for as far as mileage goes? 200k? And what can i do as preventative maintenance to make this thing run strong for a long time? I would hate for his first car to break on him lol. Thanks I appreciate the feedback!

[E IN v Y]

Hi! Welcome, 260HP is not a lot IMO.
You might want to check the S/C oil... most ppl don't bother to change it.
Just take care of her and she will take care of you.

[JMSpeed]

260 is a lot more than my first car haha but is there a write up on the s/c oil to change it anywhere that you could link me to? And any other suggestions on what to do for maintenance? Or any problems to look for?

[JMSpeed]

Oh and I'm looking for some new headlight/taillights to get for him, what sites other than pfyc would have the best deals?

[plummer 29]

check the suspsion on it i bought 2005 gtp with 145,000 on it an had to replace alot of suspision parts.

[JMSpeed]

check the suspsion on it i bought 2005 gtp with 145,000 on it an had to replace alot of suspision parts.

So how many miles are on it now? Everything still strong on it? I'm just weary about high mileage cars, although i'm sure most of the 140k were highway.

[Fivefingerdeathpunch]

140k aint too bad.

Normal wear of suspension on these cars are struts and have wheel bearings and ti rods go bad.

If the front end is all tight then I wouldnt worry about anything there.

I'd wonder when plugs and wires were last done. And if the lower intake manifold gaskets have ever been replaced.

As for headlights and tails. Ebay has tail lights, they are LEDs and many people buy them. As for headlights, you will want to keep them the same. You can buy new stock ones if the ones on it are cloudy/hazed over. But any aftermarket headlights for the 04+ group just straight up suck ballz. Unless you go custom and retro fit them.

[JMSpeed]

140k aint too bad.

Normal wear of suspension on these cars are struts and have wheel bearings and ti rods go bad.

If the front end is all tight then I wouldnt worry about anything there.

I'd wonder when plugs and wires were last done. And if the lower intake manifold gaskets have ever been replaced.

As for headlights and tails. Ebay has tail lights, they are LEDs and many people buy them. As for headlights, you will want to keep them the same. You can buy new stock ones if the ones on it are cloudy/hazed over. But any aftermarket headlights for the 04+ group just straight up suck ballz. Unless you go custom and retro fit them.

Nice! Thanks for the info! I'll have to take a look at those things. Like I said I drive a Speed 3 so the suspension feels very loose to me but that's expected lol I'll be changing my plugs to one step colder itv22's and i mind as well look at some plugs for him as well. What kinda plugs do you guys mostly run?
His headlights are hazed over but i'll just search of a how to on cleaning them then i guess thanks for the heads up!

[Fivefingerdeathpunch]

Stock cars want AC delco Iridiums. (factory plug)

Modded cars want copper core. (heat range depends on mods, but I'd assume he wont mod it, via funds and parents)

So I would get new stock replacements for now.

The waste spark system on these cars hate platinum plugs, so never buy those.

[Slick2500]

Here is a vid for how to replace the supercharger coupler.


Even if your not going to mod this thread is still a good read for you as it explains things to look for when you first get a used 3800 powered car. http://www.grandprixforums.net/safel...car-17482.html

Hope this helps bro.

[JMSpeed]

Thanks for the help everyone! He might mod in the future, but I'm just thinking I might get him some stuff for birthday, christmas, etc. cuz he's already in love with the car lol This stuff is a lot cheaper than Mazdaspeed stuff that's for sure so that's good lol keep the comments coming

[GTPSHAWTY]

something that was earlier stated... just wasnt really pushed.. change the lower intake manifold gaskets to the metal ones.. if it wasnt already done... the plastic ones are crap..good way to check... look where the head meats the lower intake under the sc snout... if its black.. change if silver good to go

[JMSpeed]

Ok I'm on campus right now and the car is at home so i'll take a look later tonight when i get out there. any links for an upgraded intake manifold gasket?

[GTPSHAWTY]

GM 3800 Series II Supercharged Intake Manifold Leaks - YouTube o good look and reason to change them

[JMSpeed]

Any links to where I can buy one?

[JesseBranham]

ebay is a great place to get headlight/tailights.

[GTPSHAWTY]

rock auto.com sells them for cheap

[JMSpeed]

rock auto.com sells them for cheap

Which one out of those five choices under intake gaskets is the right one or are they all the same?

[Fivefingerdeathpunch]

ACDELCO Part # 89017825