Thread: 1st GTP

Hello,
I recently took over the 98 GTP my son had. It was originally a mid west car and had the rust to prove it. Because of the rust, I didn't want to put anymore money/time into it other then what I had already. But I really liked the way it drove and decent mileage to boot. As a frequent craigs list scanner, I found the solution: A nice 98 GTP with a few mods and a locked up motor (coolant in the oil) for a reasonable price and best of all, no rust.. none. I set about swapping the rusted cars engine (146k miles) over to the new 98 GTP. The new car was already lowered, with KYB struts/spings, almost new tires / cross drilled slotted rotors.

As these projects go, I quickly turned a cheap swap into a bit more. Here are the details.

Old 146K GTP bottom end cleaned / painted - added new timing chain, tensioner, ARP head studs, stock rebuilt heads from new GTP (that were rebuilt before I got it).
ZZP VS cam (this is a daily driver after all).
Intake from new GTP (already ported for intercooler).
ZZP ported inlet/outlet blower housing (from old GTP) - with new coupler / bearings. Rotors were in great shape.
ZZP SS/IC (would have went with a full I/C, but with the car lowered, the engine has been raised... so wasn't sure there would be enough room w/ stock hood).
42# injectors
ZZP fender well intake
ZZP Headers / 3in cat'd downpipe / 3in exhaust (resonator + mufflers).
ZZP modular pulley system with 3.0 pulley.
ZZP tune
160 deg t-stat.
Rebuilt steering rack (if you're going to have the whole drivetrain cradle down, might as well).

After 1k miles on this setup.. The car runs great and can idle all day in rush hour.. then destroy the front tires if provoked.. and gets 22mpg with my not so gentle driving style. The car is plain and debaged .. which is fine. Other then the exhaust note.. it does not call attention to itself.

Future - Northstar throttle body conversion, 3.4 pulley for the summer heat, rebuild old trans to withstand some drag strip time (new cars trans was a recent rebuild - stock) + a couple of Aeroforce gauges. I have larger Monte SS rotors / caliper mounts for it.. but it may need more brakes then that.

If I get more into this, I'll be looking for some tips .. and share some of the experience I've had tinkering around with it.
Any local meets in the Austin area?
Best regards,
-Frank

Some pics..

super clean nice job

Thanks guys.. I've worked on quite a few cars over the years.. but this is a first at upgrading a fwd car... and did use info I found on this forum and others. I have a few other projects in the garage.. just wanted something reasonably quick / reliable for daily use with 4 doors.
-F

outstanding job. I applaud your attention to detail! Looking to do the same with my GP limited edition here in the near future

Originally Posted by BillBoost37

Frank...if that's a shot of the engine in your garage, you do more than tinker.

Nice job.

Well, you know, I'm just another one of those guys looking for an excuse to buy tools.. and yep.. that was the bottom end of the motor from the rusted car with the studs / cam / timing chain installed. The other motors in the the background are a 427 BBC that I build for a now long gone 75 vette (motor is for sale on Austin C-list if it didn't expire), and a nice 383 solid roller SBC that is going into a 68 chevelle drag car. The 383 was pro built and came with the car.

Since I'm running a 3.0 pulley.. I've noticed the belt is slipping at higher engine speeds.. I like less complex solutions (as long as the expense is not that much more).. is is better to put a larger crank pulley on and go with a larger supercharger pulley, or add another idler pulley like i've seen to get more grip around the existing one? Maybe moot for now, as I'm on the hunt for a zzp 3.4 and/or 3.2 for warmer weather use.
Thanks again,
-frank