Pics added, post #25...
I bought a 2001 GTP special edition several weeks ago. 101,000 miles on it and what appeared to be in decent shape given the age and mileage. Or so I thought... Previous owner flushed and filled the trans fluid to make it look good. 400 miles into my ownership, the forward apply band breaks and it starts slipping like a SOB. $1700 later from a reputable trans shop, I had it rebuilt to TEP's basix trans... new torque converter, hardened 4th hub assembly, Trans Go shift kit and a few other upgraded parts. Shifts awesome and feels great. Previous owner, while a scumbag for covering the trans mess, did do alot of other maintenance to it, such as new rotors and pads all around, new axles, new A/C condensor, new oil pan gasket, new valve cover gaskets, new hub bearing at 1 corner, new tires and a couple other odds and ends. He also spent some money on mods... SLP headers with downpipe and SLP catback, Thrasher intake, Thrasher 3.4 pulley, 180* thermostat, Accel plug wires, and an Intense tuned computer.
Today, 1/17/15, is the first time I have had a chance to really get under the car and check stuff out. Pulled a spark plug... PO put autolite double platinum 605's in it. All that money in quality go fast parts and he couldn't put a more appropriate plug in it? After some quick advice from Scottydoggs, went and bought some Autolite 104's, gapped them to .050 and swapped them out. Reused the Accel wires since I didn't butcher any of them taking them off the plugs. Overall everything else engine and trans wise looks good. Struts are going to need to be replaced soon and there was a little bit of play in the LF hub bearing. I will eventually replace all 4 struts, both front hubs and for good measure, just do the tie rods, the sway bars, bushings and links (GMPP) and the lower control arms. I plan to keep this car for the next 3-5 years, longer if it lasts, so I don't mind putting money into it like that. Stereo system flat out sucks because there are 2 blown speakers but I have replacements for them, just need to invest in a good stereo. I also have an amp and wiring. Got 1 burned out instrument cluster bulb so LED's will get in there eventually. Everthing else electrical works as it should, for now... I fully expect a LIM gasket job along with coolant elbows in the future. I have no plans for anymore go fast parts... it rocks as is.
Appearance wise... there are some ugly graphics on it that I am in the process of stripping off. Actually just started today since it is 55* today in January?! There is some clear coat peel and a few dents in it. Game plan here is to get it painted in a couple of years once I have all of the mechanicals done. I am thinking of some 18" mustang wheels unless a set of GXP wheels pop up for future replacement. Other than this, I am keeping it simple. I just want a decent daily driver that looks good, can go when I need it to, and get decent fuel mileage. Right now I am getting over 400 miles to a tank and the best the DIC has shown was 32 plus. The previous owner also installed a hood deflector and headlight covers on it which I kinda like and plan to keep.
I have done a lot of reading on this site and have found it to be packed full of good knowledge and cool people. As soon as I get a chance I will post some pictures when I have the car looking better. The graphics aren't doing it for me so when those are gone I will show it off. Once I recover from this trans rebuild and get going in my new job, I will get more stuff done. I want LED's all around eventually. More to come as time and money permit.
