3800 2004+ GP: Positives & Negatives

[AjL227]

Positives:
- Gauges. The gauges in the 04+ look great, they're big and I absolutely LOVE the red gauges at night. Much better than the 97-03 gauges and set up.
- Frontend. Personally, I think the front of the 04+ look better than the fronts of the 97-03. The 97-03 gave kind of a hammerhead look, which looks good, but I think the slick diagonal angled headlamps on the 04+ GPs look sick and intimidating. Not to mention the yellow driving lamps on the circular fog lamps right underneath the headlamps. The whole appearance all together looks mean and slick.
- Eaton Gen 5 M90. This one is a no brainer. The Eaton Gen 5 M90 on 04-05 GTP is louder and more powerful than the 97-03's Eaton Gen 3 M90. +20 HP stock.
- 3rd Brake Light. I like the fact that the 3rd brake light is on the spoiler, because I have a pretty nice looking overlay that lights up "GTP" whenever I have my foot on the brake. You couldn't do that in the 97-03s.

Negatives:
- Backend. Personally, I'm not a fan of the backend they choose for the 04+ GPs. The taillights are somewhat plain and much smaller. I don't like the reverse light "bar" that just sits in the middle, it looks somewhat awkward and I hope to get it tinted/blacked out so it looks like it doesn't even exist. I love the 97-03 "honeycomb" tail lights, they look gorgeous in my opinion.
- Almost Full Size?? I think the car is a little too big, and heavy for just a mid size sedan. It might as well be classified as a full size sedan. I think GM should have made an 04+ coupe instead of just sedans. Of course they would work at it to make it look not awkward, as if I saw an 04+ coupe at this point, I would think it would look very strange. But GM would work something out.

Suggestions
- I think they should just combine parts of the 04+ and the 97-03.
- 04+ Frontend
- 97-03 Backend
- 04+ Interior/Gauges

All of these = Perfect Car = My Dream Car.

What do you think? Add in your opinion of the positives and negatives of the 04+ GPs. h34r:

Click to read more...

 

[Sinister Drag Designs]

04's will never be cool....they are 4 doors
i agree with most of what said about mixing the body parts,except i like the 04+ taillights(except those graphics people put over them to make them look half tinited, some company makes them)

 

[Soulonfire11]

I really want the gauges from an 04+ on my car. Im just too afraid to mess with it.

 

[Royalgtp]

Personally I am still not a big fan of how the 04+ look. The front end is ugly. Period.
-Not a big fan of four doors either.



-Gen 5 is good.

 

[got3800.com]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Soulonfire11 @ Apr 17 2008, 08:32 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

I really want the gauges from an 04+ on my car. Im just too afraid to mess with it.[/b]

agreed

 

[horist]

just needs to be lighter ... more hp than previous models, yet slower in the 1/4 lol

If it were lighter, it'd be faster in the 1/4, and get me better than 17mpg lol but still not bad for a daily driver

 

[Wessel]

they are so much better. They are build better, look better, as far as being fast...... i dont know where u get the 04+'s are slower than the 97-03, mod for mod i have never been beat by an older gp.

 

[horist]

1/4 mile for 1/4 mile time stock they're slower, that's where I get it from (at least for the 04s)

 

[horist]

Another negative... still using the 4T65E-HD transmission ... it was the weak link before... yet GM keeps it and adds more power (kinda like taking a 10 bolt from a minivan and putting it in back of 320+ hp lol)

 

[TonzKnock-G]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (RaceMyGTP @ Apr 17 2008, 10:57 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

they are so much better. They are build better, look better, as far as being fast...... i dont know where u get the 04+'s are slower than the 97-03, mod for mod i have never been beat by an older gp.[/b]

Well we are heavier then the 97-03's especially the coupe's. A bone stock coupe beat me at the track with a FWI & DP. I ran 14.6 to his 14.4 but he did take out his back seat and stuff. I was full wieght and no spare. The stock torque management is what kills us the most.

 

[Wessel]

i did 14.3 stock with mine i think i had like a 2.0 60'

 

[horist]

definetly... the stock TM is extremely aggressive (reason GM was able to keep the 4T65E HD despite the power increase) ... I removed 25% of my TM and it was noticable... but I wouldn't dare take out more much ...


Also I wish we had a performance mode button (or in the case of the CompG , when placed into paddle shift, I wish it would use the performance tables in the PCM) ... the tables exist in the PCM (where you could have 0 TM, higher RPM shifting, firmer shifts, etc... in Performance mode) but no way (as far as I know) to activate them

 

[Fish]

The 04 front end needs the SPO grills and the SD lower damn to make it look good. Stock is horrid. SPO grills make it look better, both make it look good. The SLP hood or Inferno hood will make it look fucking sweet.

Rear end needs the SPO spoiler. Otherwise it is way to small to fit the lines of the front end. Especially with that sunfire spoiler bolted on the trunk. It also needs SPO or aftermarket tips. The stock ones are way too horrid to look at. The SE lower facia give it a nice edge as well.

Interior is alot more sold then 97-03, however the seats are just way to hard and harsh IMO. Going from my 99GP to my 97 Regal was a big upgrade IMO. Getting into my room mates 04 GTP feels too firm and a harsh ride. IIRC they also had less head room. That however doesnt affect me. LOL.

The Gen V is tits. However, you are also limited to an electronic TB, and horrible tune straight from GM.

The only stock rims that look good are the thin chrome twisty 5 stars as well.

They also mad cutouts for the brake light in 97-03 GTPs. I however didnt have one cause I really liked my fully tinted back window look alot better. I dont see the reason to advertise anyway. Your car says GTP on the back unless you took it off. I would never get a huge banner to cover the rear brake lights that said "GS" or "Supercharged". Hell, if I wanted it could go all the way across since thats how Regals light up. "Regal GS Supercharged". That would look tits. :lolsign:

 

[TonzKnock-G]

Forgot about the Drive by wire...........FTL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I think fish hit it on the spot for appearance. I liked my car when I brought it but I had to put all the SPO shit on it to make it even better! I just wish I would have gotten the front lip but know I dont care anymore...lol....this mutha is gettn traded in by the end of the year! HOPEFULLY

 

[Bob Kazamakis]

i would be happy with an 04+ coupe.

i also dislike the rearend. to me it looks like they just stretched out the 97-03 rearend at the top corners and then smashed the center in.

everything else is nice!

 

[EmersonHart13]

I didn't like the 04 plus for a long time, but the GXP grew on me...

 

[Sinister Drag Designs]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (RaceMyGTP @ Apr 17 2008, 10:57 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

they are so much better. They are build better, look better, as far as being fast...... i dont know where u get the 04+'s are slower than the 97-03, mod for mod i have never been beat by an older gp.[/b]

By built better, what do you mean? We have torn down a few series III motors and i would say besides the connecting rods, the series II would have a few advantages. The front cover for one, GM dropped the ball big time on those. Its down right dangerous for how badly they flow.
Another thing to remember is 75% of the O4 owners dont have a L32 shortblock. GM didnt run out of stock on the L67s till late in 04. They put L32 heads,LIM,GEN 5,and front cover on L67 blocks. Almost the only way to insure you have a L32 is to get an 05 motor.

 

[AjL227]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (emersonhart13 @ Apr 17 2008, 04:52 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

I didn't like the 04 plus for a long time, but the GXP grew on me...[/b]

I think the GXP front end is a little butchered up from the original 04+
They made it worse looking with the GXP. But thats just my two cents.