My 2000 Grand Prix GTP has had an interesting journey. It started out as an everyday driver in the Chicago, Illinois area. Was then wrecked and labled a "lemon" with a salvage title. It was auctioned off to a dealer in Hazelton, IA where my father purchased up front, in August 2008. I made the 550+ mile journey to Iowa from my home in Flint, MI and picked up my project.
My car was in a front end crash, the hood was demolished, flew back and the impact made a huge dent in the roof. The bumper was crushed and the front fender was a little banged up. With a new hood and a little elbow grease it turned out great!
SPECIFICATIONS
Base Price $ 23,910
Price As Tested $ 26,445
Engine Type supercharged 12-valve ohv V6
Engine Size 3.8 liters / 231 cu. in.
Horsepower 240 @ 5200 rpm
Torque (lb-ft) 280 @ 3200 rpm
Transmission 4-speed electronically-controlled
automatic
Wheelbase / Length 110.5 in. / 196.5 in.
Curb Weight 3,440 lbs.
Pounds Per Horsepower 14.3
Fuel Capacity 18 gal.
Fuel Requirement premium unleaded, 92 octane
Tires P225/60 HR16 Goodyear Eagle RS-A
Brakes, front/rear vented disc / solid disc
Suspension, front/rear independent MacPherson strut /
independent tri-link
Drivetrain front engine, front-wheel drive
PERFORMANCE
EPA Fuel Economy - miles per gallon
city / highway / observed 18 / 28 / 22
0 to 60 mph 6.6 sec
1/4 mile (E.T.) 14.9 sec
Option Package 1SC - includes:
power glass sunroof, power 4-way driver's seat (heated),
"Eyecue" head-up display, leather seating surfaces,
premium interior
lighting package $ 1,650
16-inch 5-spoke "Torque Star"
aluminum alloy wheels $ 325
Destination charge $ 560
It's come a long way from the stock family sedan it used to be. Suprisingly enough, I still get about 27mpg highway. I always run my 3.3 pulley; I have never bolted on the 3.25 pulley it is from my previous car. With another psi of boost I probably could hit faster times but I am reluctant to try. My greatest accomplishments are:
Being a Kick Ass Sleeper
5.8 second 0-60
151 Top Speed
It spools 13-15 lbs of boost!
I've Beaten:
On November 1, 2008 I went to the drag strip and hit my best time ever. A 13.8 at nearly 102 mph! Since I got my car tuned it pulls even harder, I know I could run a faster time. I didn't realized the power that can be generated by a custom tune! Some guys at the track were impressed with my times for just bolt ons. But with a tune and a reduction of knock it is a whole different beast! I should have done the burn out to get a better 0 to 60 foot. Just purchased new tires so I couldn't bring myself to burn'em.
If you are looking to customize your car: $ ave yourself the Hassle .
I used to be a committed ZZP follower, but their customer service has gotten so terrible I can't stand them anymore. They Charged my card twice; then sent me the wrong parts and expect me to pay to ship it back to them so they can try to get it right the second time around. Management and I went back and forth on the shipping blunder and proceeded to tell me "Your business dosn't matter." I also got hit with a 20% restocking fee! It is unexceptable to treat your customers this way. The funny thing is ZZP thinks they have grand prix people by the balls. Many of their "horse power grains" claimed such as the TB heat shield(is made of metal and conducts heat very well!) and many other products do absolutely nothing!!! The 1.9 rockers give upto 20 horsepower but how much low end torque do you lose?? Funny they didn't choose to include that in their statistics. The blower spacer for the Gen 3 is $100 dollars and they have no information as to if it even works! They will try to sell you anytihing under the sun. Don't believe me... take a look for yourself.Companies I have had good experiences with are 3800 performance; JC Whitney; PFYC; Thrashercharged.com; Jegs.
http://www.3800performance.com/
http://www.jegs.com/
http://www.thrashercharged.com/
http://www.pfyc.com/mm5/merchant.mvc
http://www.jcwhitney.com/Auto-Parts/10101.jcw
WATER INJECTON REVIEW!
I just installed water injection on my car by Snow Performance. I love it! It took a bit to fine tune, but I have a little over $275 dollars into it vs. nearly $700 w/ injector spacers for the short stack from zzp. In addition, water injection can cool up to 80 degrees f same as the ssic. It also cleans out carbon deposits in the cylinder and heads and lowers emissions for smog tests.
Notes: One thing I have figured out through tedious trial and error was the uptake tubing on from the pump to the resivor was tempermental. I couldn't have any excess and routing design was critical.
I actually just tapped the cap of my existing washer fluid and I already have a sensor to tell me when I am low.
I am using the 175ml nozzel. I didnt have to worry about trying to tap the TB spacer eventhough the instructions said I should. It actually worked out great I used a regular drill bit then the metal threads screwed right into the hole flush and locked in place.
Other than that, it was relatively easy to install once I got all of the right parts installation only took about 2 hours.
I give water/methanol/alcohol/ injection 4 out of 5 stars
TEMPERATEURE! With a reduction of 30 degrees f my grand prix went from 130mph to 144mph before the performance tune and water/methanol injection. I gained 14mph top speed just in colder weather! I was told temperature is a killer of these non intercooled 3.8L's and am a firm believer. I have my methanol injection hooked up to a togle switch and I manually control power and function of my pump. I have it mounted under my dash for ease. It is great and works excellent.
December 12, 2008
I am currently working on doing a fuel pump rewire to replace the pathetic 18 gauge wire, I bought 12 gauge wire to replace it.
December 15, 2008
I just replaced my intake. I was very dissapointed in my intake system and realized that it was even smaller than factory! It is the cold air intake for a little 4 banger. It was only 2 3/4 in inside diameter. I replaced it with some PVC and a new coupling to achieve a "ram air" effect into the supercharger. I should be able to pick up some extra horsepower in the upper RPM bands.
December 16, 2008
I finally decided to buy a check valve from coolingmist performance. I realized how much fluid was being siphoned and I needed to do something about it. $60.
January 30, 2009
Heat Wrapping the Cross over Pipe. Only $20 dollars at autozone! I didn't realize how effective the wrap really was. By wrapping our exhaust we allow the exhaust to flow better reducing knock (like warm oil) and we Keep the throttle body cooler for cooler AIT's. Well worth it!
April 3, 2009
I am so glad I broke down and got a tuner for my gtp. The $500 was expensive but worth it! I no longer have to deal with arrogant tuners who think they can carge what ever they want and I now I can tune MY way... HOORAY!
My timing table tuned by a random guy at the strip. I had 0 KR but I was losing valuable timing in my RPM and Torque bands take a look!
After 
Huge low end torque increase followed by my best time! a 13.58@104.8!
Just converted to E85. I picked up more upper RPM power because I was able to advance timing even more! E85 is great stuff but the tuning for it is somewhat difficult.
