Grandpa's 2001 Silver Metalic GTP

[BrandonHall10]

This is not my car. Here's the story...

Saw an add on Craigslist for an '01 GTP with a blown trans. Car looked ok and the price was decent. Having recently done a trans swap in my brother in laws Regal, I thought this might be a good candidate for a quick fix and flip.

Once we got there to look at it, we were all surprised by how clean and well kept it was. Truly adult owned, by people that care about their cars. Everything on the interior and body is flawless. Everything works. Rear passenger window switch was out, but PO had a replacement in hand.

When buying a used car, I like to spend just as much time talking to the owner, as I do looking at the car. This guy could not have been any cooler. Super nice and straight forward. I got the impression he was sad to see it go, but just didn't want to invest in a new transmission for a 14 year old car. I think it would be safe to say, he enjoyed the car while it was his. So after a little haggling, we settled on a price and shook hands. No money for deposit. Just a promise to return a week later with cash.

On the drive home, we get to talking about what we want to do with it. Junkyard trans? DIY rebuild? Trans shop build? (Later decided to be out of the question based on budget) When my father in law says he thinks he might want it... Uhhh... Well... I guess. I can't see why not. Cheap and easy to fix. Fairly reliable (when un-modded) and fun to drive. Sure, we can build this one for you.

Because of an upcoming long distance trip he is planning, we opted to go for a fresh built transmission. Due to the cost of a trans shop build, we opted to go the DIY route. Plus, were in no rush to get this thing back together. I still have the core from previously mentioned brothers Regal that I will build while the Grand Prix sits, untouched. Once the core is rebuilt, game on!

So, long story short... Bought a Grand Prix to flip. Father in law wants it. No profit on this one.

I'm okay with that though. It will give me a chance to do a stock 4T65e-hd rebuild, before I put together something stronger for mine. Plus, I can roll the cost of some of the special tools into his build.

Anyhow, here she is:





Seats aren't all broken down and don't have the butt poker spike either!
















Engine needs a thorough clean and detail, but that will get handled after the transmission and oil pan gasket.




Hat tip to Shannon for taking such good care of her.

Time to order some parts!

[Fivefingerdeathpunch]

That would be a mint condition car up here.

****ing hate this state.

[QUICKSILVER462]

What great condition! The only thing better than a car from Florida, is a car from Arizona!

[History Rogue]

Great pics, great narrative, and a great car! I look forward to following your work.

[HighOctaneRacing]

Nice find! That cars condition looks like the PO really loved that car and garaged it as well.

[BrandonHall10]

That would be a mint condition car up here.

****ing hate this state.

I feel your pain. Former Michigan guy myself. Maybe that's why I've always been more concerned with "go" than "show." It's only a matter of time before it rots to the ground or you smash a deer.

What great condition! The only thing better than a car from Florida, is a car from Arizona!

Thanks! There's a good reason they store air force planes out here.

Great pics, great narrative, and a great car! I look forward to following your work.

Thank you! Congrats on your first post!

Nice find! That cars condition looks like the PO really loved that car and garaged it as well.

Thanks! I believe your right. Either garage or ramada since early on for sure.

[BrandonHall10]

Got started on the trans rebuild today.

The junker core from my brothers Regal that was supposed to be for my "built trans." Grandpa's getting this one:


Once I determined the work bench would hold the weight, it was full steam ahead:




Can't really see it clearly, but there is a PILE of powder throughout the entire inside of this thing:


I managed to get the wiring harness off without breaking a single clip. I feel good about that!

We'll see what tomorrow brings.

[Booba5185]

You have a ATSG manual, right?

[BrandonHall10]

Oh yea. And the DVD. No way I'd tear into one of these without a roadmap. What's funny is, even though I have both, my heart still skipped a beat when the check balls fell out!

[Booba5185]

Most guys go through that when their balls drop. Sorry, I had to. You doin' any of the factory upgrades while you are in there? 03+ stuff mainly.

[BrandonHall10]

You doin' any of the factory upgrades while you are in there? 03+ stuff mainly.

Such as???
I know the rebuild kit comes with the hardened 4 clutch hub. That's all I'm aware of.

[Booba5185]

Hardened GXP Chains, and the ratcheting input\3rd sprag (you'll need the input\3rd drum to go with it). That and the $5 Sonnax TCC relief valve. There's a few other small things for the VB\CP too, but they aren't factory upgrades.

[BrandonHall10]

Oh, I see. Probably not for grandpa's car. I don't think he'll be needing any "hard parts" anytime soon.

I'm thinking, just the "mods" shown on the DVD and the Superior valve body kit. Probably do the trans-go kit as well.

The only thing I'm still debating is if I want to replace the solenoids... Before this trans was pulled, it was throwing codes P0742 (Torque converter clutch stuck on) and P0757 (Shift solonoid "B" stuck on). But I'm wondering if that wasn't just from all the crap in the fluid...

Would a throughout cleaning and a fresh rebuild with new fluid fix this issue, or are my solenoids toast? ← looking for any advice there.

[Booba5185]

That Sonnax valve and a new TCC solenoid would fix that problem. If nothing else, do that and the GXP chains. There area a few cheap things to do to these transmission while you are in there that are just (not to sound like a dick) stupid to ignore. Have a link on this superior valve body kit? It might have some of the "must do" stuff in it. I know that you'll want the TCC stuff minimum. Especially since you're using the valve body (worn valve+worn bore=TCC problems).

This is one:
http://www.sonnax.com/parts/2589

[BrandonHall10]

I hear you
http://www.ebay.com/itm/161510177125...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

The ONLY reason that I'm even debating the solenoids, and not doing hard parts is because, this core only has/had 42K on it, and it's going behind a stock (and will always be stock) engine. I will still make sure everything is within spec though. I'm trying to be thoughtful about where I put money. These are not my dollars going into it. I'm sure you understand.

My transmission on the other hand, will get all the goodies.

[Booba5185]

I gotcha, I suppose the chains would be alright, but just make sure you check them for stretching (in the manual). That $5 valve is a MUST. You can use a multimeter to check the solenoids (A&B) but I'd change out the TCC PWM and PCS solenoids for sure. Remember to add an extra steel to the 2nd clutch stack, and use a feeler gauge on the other stacks. I'll have to look it up in my build thread, but there's a gap spec for each friction in the clutch stack. You might end up scrapping off whatever friction material is left off of an old steel and using it as a shim (I did).

0.010" per friction.

[BrandonHall10]

I'll look into that valve. I don't anticipate seeing too much wear in anything. From what I understand, the failure on this unit was caused by a kamikaze torque converter.

Thanks Booba.

[Booba5185]

Here's another good site to help show you what's going on.

http://www.pontiacbonnevilleclub.com...topic1483.html

http://www.grandprixforums.net/threa...ht=trans+links

If possible, you can take the needed steels from the current transmission. That's what I ended up doing. GM didn't have specs for these gaps, they just said "use this many clutches and this many steels" That's why these transmission are so sloppy and (one of the reasons) they are so weak in stock form. The bigger the gap in the stacks, the longer it takes to engage, and the more wear happens during that time before full engagement. Stacking the frictions correctly will give the frictions enough play to "spin" freely when not in use, yet engage in a timely manner.

[Booba5185]

I'm sure Bill will chime in when he see's all this, he's the one that sent me down the right path to learn about these transmissions. He knows more about them than I do, by a long shot.

[BrandonHall10]

I'm hoping some of the trans guru's chime in.

I know Bill has lost the love for the w-body, but hopefully he'll still hop on here on occasion.