Thread: New GXP Owner

Hi everyone,

I recently sold my old 2003 Grand Am GT with the SC/T kit after landing a new job and found this forum. I was researching cars a lot and am the new owner of a 2008 Grand Prix GXP, 52k for 10g (4 owners).

First impressions...wow is it quick. You definitely can feel the power behind the wheel of this V8. Never floored it from a dead stop, but a slow roll and you punch it (just to see what she's got ) and it pulls you where it wants to go.

Mine is white with tan leather/suede interior. It has the Monsoon sound system, HUD, heated seats, sunroof, dual climate control...pretty much fully loaded. Some extras it has are tinted windows and tail lights. And a SLP Power-Flo cat-back exhaust system in it. Love the deep rumble it makes idling and you can here the good notes when you open it up a bit.

Definitely notice the gas difference between my v6 and this, but this is a lot more fun to drive.

Some things I noticed after researching was to check my transmission temp. It is currently in about the 60's for daytime high here in Michigan and my trans temp is usually in the 180's so far but it's only been about a day since I've owned her. Last night I was able to get into 201 but only for a few. I read that a trans cooler will help the transmission stay cooler and last longer.

One thing I noticed just with this car is when I turn the wheel to the extreme right, I hear a rubbing/grinding noise coming from the driver side front wheel? Atleast that's what it sounds like from the inside of the car. Anyone have any ideas?


Almost a full 24 hours with this car and already in love with it. I hope this will last me for years down the road and love looking at this forum for things people have done to their cars as well as "how to's" on fixing things.

*and yes I will post pictures of her soon, just gotta wash her on my driveway with some TLC first*

Originally Posted by blackflag

I hope you like the car for what it is. Like they said, buy a trans cooler.
If you want to mod this car, its not going to be cheap.

What do you mean "for what it is", I'm not sure if you're saying that in a bad way lol but do you have a link or recommendation for the type of trans cooler? I'm looking online and there seems to be quite a few varieties.

Originally Posted by 91parkave

Op there will be a lot of 3800 guys who say things like for what it is. Don't pay that any attention as you have a great car that performs good out the box...

As mentioned before you'll want to invest in a couple things for longevity of the car.

Trans cooler in a standalone config

Trans filter replacement with new fluid.

Shift kit as well.

Go for a tune. A quality one.

Tune your car up.. Msd plugs are among the best and a set of tr6ix NGK plugs.

Thank you, I saw that "how to" a while ago and was reading up on it. How hard is it to do it yourself or did you get the kit and take it to a shop? And out of TEP, which trans cooler did you get, the 100$ or the 200$? You mentioned a stand alone fig, did you mean to bypass the radiator/trans cooler or run off the new one and that?

I plan on getting a tune down the road, just need to figure out a step by step how to because I literally have never done a custom tune like that or where to even look to hook a HP Tuner up and stuff.

As far as my car right now, I am loving it. It has a lot of power and I'll have to get a video of the exhaust up, it sounds good.

i think i saw you post about this on the facebook grand prix page.. if it wasnt no worries. Looks like a crazy clean car

Here is my SLP exhaust system

View My Video

congrats! My next grand prix going be a GTP! I personally like the grand prix pre 2004, but that a sexy grand prix you have there!

Being that you are in Michigan, it may be worth considering that in winter your transmission would normally depend on heat from the warmed radiator to bring its operating temperature up. If you go standalone it will depend solely on itself to generate heat. I put in a small transmission cooler last year and went "in-series" for this reason. When it was -30F I was happy the transmission was getting some heat help from the radiator.

I'm certainly not an expert but wanted to give you something to consider from the other side.

Congrats on the car!

Originally Posted by Theaceofspades

Just block the cooler with some cardboard in the winter


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