Thread: The $800 GPSE resurrection.

Results 1 to 6 of 6
  1. #1 The $800 GPSE resurrection. 
    SE Level Member EastBayGPSE's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2014
    Posts
    11
    Thanks (Received)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    0
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    How's it going?
    So last week, for $800 I picked up a 1996 Grand Prix SE as a second vehicle for my wife and I, and also as a project I could spend time on over the weekends. The car is in kinda rough shape as would be expected of an 18 year old car with almost 190,000 miles. The engine and trans are both in great shape, and the intake mani gaskets were changed recently, which on a 3.1 is definitely a bonus in my mind.
    When I picked up the car, it was throwing code P0420 (inefficient catalyst...) so I replaced the O2 sensors and checked all the wiring and now that I have eliminated all the variables, I have decided to just go ahead and drop $300+ on a California approved replacement catalytic converter, which should be the fix that takes care of the trouble code. The new problem (created by me) is that one of the bolts from the cat to the manifold snapped and is broken off in the flange on the manifold. So...the next plan of action is to remove the rear manifold and extract the bolt, or just replace with a new part. I've gotten about 3/4 through the removal process and should be able to have the mani off by tonight.
    My main goal of this build is to bring this car back to life, I'm not looking for impressive hp numbers or for this to be a head turning show car, just keeping a log here of what's been done. This may be a good reference point as I move forward with this project and maybe I can help some others through some of the problems I work through.
    This is not my first and will probably not be my last 3.1 GM sedan, but I plan to do a little more than just drive this one to work.
    So stay tuned if this thread doesn't bore the hell out of you, I'll add a few pics here and there when i think they might be useful.



    Thanks,
    Tim


    Sent from my Windows Phone.
    Reply With Quote  
     

  2. #2 Re: The $800 GPSE resurrection. 
    SE Level Member EastBayGPSE's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2014
    Posts
    11
    Thanks (Received)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    0
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    I have already replaced the alternator due to the headlights pulsating at idle, that along with cleaning the MAF and throttle body has made this car run 100% better than it did the day I brought it home.
    I do have a checklist I'm working my way through, and once I have it a bit more organized and concise, I'll post that here too. Once the manifold and cat are finished, I'll be working my way from front to rear and repairing or replacing anything that is in need.

    Thanks,
    Tim


    Sent from my Windows Phone.
    Reply With Quote  
     

  3. #3 Re: The $800 GPSE resurrection. 
    GT Level Member Euro's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    Roselle, IL
    Posts
    277
    Thanks (Received)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    0
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    Nice progress so far. That car looks pretty nice for almost 200k and for $800! A plus for living in CA, if that car spent it's 200k over here in IL, it would have an $800 price tag but be missing all of it's rocker panels and wheel well lips due to rust
    2000 Regal GS - 190k - Black over Storm Gray Metallic - 9" K&N/AL104's/Borla/GP polished tq stars/turd
    2009 Impala LT - 62k - Car Seat Mobile
    2000 Grand Prix GT - 96k - Sold/RIP
    Reply With Quote  
     

  4. #4 Re: The $800 GPSE resurrection. 
    SE Level Member EastBayGPSE's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2014
    Posts
    11
    Thanks (Received)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    0
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    So... I got the rear manifold removed and had no trouble extracting the sheared bolt. I used a method I had heard of previously but never tried; I welded a washer and nut to the broken bolt and backed it out with a rachet and socket (and a liberal application of liquid wrench). After the bolt was removed and the holes all re-tapped, I put everything back together and now, I'm just waiting for payday to order the ~$350 CA legal catalytic converter, then this $800 heap will be roadworthy, and ready for smog.
    I will say, removing the rear manifold was much easier than I had expected after reading all the info online. I was even able to do it all without unbolting the suspension sub frame.
    The longer I have this car, the happier I am with my $800 "investment". It runs better than my '94 Buick Century ever did, and I got that car with only 89,000 miles on it (the Grand Prix just turned over 189,000).
    Once I get the cat and have the car smogged and ready to go, my next plan of action will be to go through the suspension and replace the front struts and all the bushings front and rear and from there this car that was bound for the scrap yard will be my daily driver and I can keep my low mileage Mazda b2300 low mileage.

    Thanks,
    Tim


    Sent from my Windows Phone.
    Reply With Quote  
     

  5. #5 Re: The $800 GPSE resurrection. 
    Killa Bee Scottydoggs's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Location
    new jersey
    Posts
    39,919
    Thanks (Received)
    63
    Likes (Received)
    166
    Dislikes (Received)
    5
    CA and their silly smog laws. keep it up. looking good.

    98 Buick Regal GS, F body brakes, Caddy STS wheels, tinted tails L36 bottom end, lightly ported heads, 1.95 roller rockers, headers, gen 5 N* 3.0 pulley, FSIC, 42 lb injectors, a BrandonHall rebuilt trans, DHP tuned and AEM water/Meth injection https://goo.gl/gpV5kW
    Reply With Quote  
     

  6. #6 Re: The $800 GPSE resurrection. 
    SE Level Member EastBayGPSE's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2014
    Posts
    11
    Thanks (Received)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    0
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    Some good news today.
    So I went ahead and put the exhaust back together so I could drive the car to and from until I have the cash to buy a new catalytic converter. I ran the car with the downstream O2 sensor out until the SES light kicked on so I would know that the ecm was logging data, then I installed the O2 sensor and drove the car to work today (17 miles each way), and just before I got to work the SES light clicked off. And now after about 30 more miles of driving, still no light. I know this is not a guarantee that the problem has been fixed, but several things that could possibly trigger code P0420 (namely replacing the alternator giving a steady flow of voltage to O2 sensors, replacing both O2 sensors, and repairing a cracked PCV tube) were addressed over the last few days and could very well have been the root of the problem after all.
    I never take the word of someone telling me what's wrong with a car, even though they are generally right, but this time my diligence may have saved me from wasting $350 on an unnecessary part. Smog check will happen sometime around the 10th, until then I will just keep cruising in this car and see what happens.

    Thanks,
    Tim

    Sent from my Windows Phone.
    Reply With Quote  
     

Similar Threads

  1. 2003 GP se resurrection build
    By sasquatch094 in forum Members Rides
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 10-28-2011, 07:35 PM
  2. My 97 GPSE
    By GrandPrixSE in forum Members Rides
    Replies: 22
    Last Post: 03-08-2011, 09:30 PM
  3. 91 gpse ,throttle is sticking
    By mbgpse91 in forum 3.1L V6 (LHO/LG8)
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 07-18-2010, 05:18 AM
  4. Newbie Tricked Into 97 GTP Resurrection
    By Smoker324 in forum Introductions/Noob Questions
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 04-27-2010, 02:38 AM
Bookmarks
Bookmarks
Posting Permissions
  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •