So since I picked up the "new" 04 GPGT2,,plans,

So had a spare older Series 2 gave to me, it was supposed to have spun rod bearing, turns out the balance shaft was broke.
So found a kit that deleted the balance shaft, put in new TC set and resealed it. and guy comes up and offers me a reasonable amount as he needs to fix his daily driver. He is happy.
So another Series 2 comes my way and it lost babbitt on one main but never spun any bearings so we pull it down, ordered a crank kit, and decided to go through it. Local shop had a kit but bought bearings back. We drilled out main galleys, installed opened up cam bearings. Found some rebuilt heads and swapped for them. Dropped it back together, did install new connecting rod bolts, main stud kit I got cheap but lightly rusted. Cylinders ball honed up ok. Slapped it back together and guy dropped that one in and headed for California. So far he has three family members coming by for engine work and that engine made it all the way to Cali and passed emissions! He was worried about converter being bad but as he drove out he picked up Cataclean and ran that through then drove rest of the way to Burbank.
So now I am back looking for another 3800, had hoped for a score of a 05 GTP SC motor but it was full of water,,,,as in under a flood. May try to scavenge the top end after water goes down.

SO Subject: Make it run/drive/perform
1)New short/long block of any kind be it N/A or S/C to get me rolling.
1a) Replace battery
2)Car has two good tires two fair tires(16in), and I found set of 17" GTP with Blizzaks I can trade some Chevy parts for.
2a)Also need to go through lights, wipers, etc.
3)Fully inspect, slap on the two new rear wheel bearings I already have, check brakes and possibly install Goodridge stainless brake lines if guy will sell them.
4)Replace Console lid, clean filthy door panels, look around for better front seats or locate/have made front seat covers.
5)Keep looking around for pieces etc to start learning how to tune these cars, as my boss gave me a couple of folders he had/borrowed with lots of info and even how to tune.
6)Have a gift cert for a Comp Cams cam so trying to decide which I go with, plan for blower/turbo down the road or just add cam for N/A fun?
6a)Looking at Snow Performance (.net) water/methanol injection
7)Options I should look for, someone said HUD, another mentioned looking for paddle shifters, assorted option not readily installed right now.
8)Thinking of AGX adjustable struts, I can source many different spring rates from local coil over company so maybe whip up some easy mounts to use these coil over type springs? Or see if they could help me whip up some aftermarket struts maybe?
9)
10)

So help me with plans, info, etc. Now a 4T80E is in future plans for strength. But unless trans is bad thats way in future plans.
 

10sec

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So you have a car that you've gotten 2 motors to potentially put in, but you sold them, and now you're looking for another motor to finish your car? Cliffs next time?

Everything sounds like a good plan, don't worry about tuning if you're just going to go N/A. That's a waste of time and it'll be slow as balls.

As for the 4T80, I don't think anyone is having very good luck with trying to put power to those yet. Even Dave at Triple Edge is having trouble with it, and he's pretty much the most knowledgeable GM FWD trans guy there is.

What is the overall plan for this? Daily? Road race car...:dunno:? Drag race car?
 
Well, so far,,,

I have talked to three people who have used 4t80e but they are using aftermarket controllers . I have found several. My plan had me figuring I might be able to zero out the trans tables for most part and run an aftermarket controller. I have found 2 dhp based boxes supposedly registered just depends on cash flow. My plan had been to work with tuning and learn how ro before moving up to S/C. Did find one Monte SS that may have S/C engine or it or parts may be gone. Kind of sucks we had 99 Caddy came in for starter and flywheel replacement and it has lown head gasket and is a Deville, which is supposed to be one of the versions of axles needed. And then did find another couple of engines. Big thing is distance and cost.
Also may have found a set of headers. Guy is pulling them out. He thinks they are one of two different brands so i sent pics of both, he says they are coated but Im not holding my breath.
 
Well here was what my land were,,,

And I was asking if I should change or do something in a different order to fix this car up for fun and performance;

SO Subject: Make it run/drive/perform
1)New short/long block of any kind be it N/A or S/C to get me rolling.
1a) Replace battery
2)Car has two good tires two fair tires(16in), and I found set of 17" GTP with Blizzaks I can trade some Chevy parts for.
2a)Also need to go through lights, wipers, etc.
3)Fully inspect, slap on the two new rear wheel bearings I already have, check brakes and possibly install Goodridge stainless brake lines if guy will sell them.
4)Replace Console lid, clean filthy door panels, look around for better front seats or locate/have made front seat covers.
5)Keep looking around for pieces etc to start learning how to tune these cars, as my boss gave me a couple of folders he had/borrowed with lots of info and even how to tune.
6)Have a gift cert for a Comp Cams cam so trying to decide which I go with, plan for blower/turbo down the road or just add cam for N/A fun?
6a)Looking at Snow Performance (.net) water/methanol injection
7)Options I should look for, someone said HUD, another mentioned looking for paddle shifters, assorted option not readily installed right now.
8)Thinking of AGX adjustable struts, I can source many different spring rates from local coil over company so maybe whip up some easy mounts to use these coil over type springs? Or see if they could help me whip up some aftermarket struts maybe?
9)
10)
 

10sec

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Well... I mean, fix whatever is wrong (clearly needs a motor) and make it a driving car. You can do that in whatever order you want, but all of the things preventing it from being a normal driving car would need to get fixed. All of that extra shit is extra shit, you do not need it. Especially a meth injection kit, the hell you need that for N/A or supercharged application? It's extremely hard to tune and the benefits are marginal at best. Easier and better to switch to e85, but all of that is moot if you're keeping it N/A, which IMO is what you should do and just leave it be a normal driving car. It is so pointless to mod those cars, costs way to much to keep a transmission in it.

Also, keep in mind tossing in a cam (seems like you're trying to do this all "cheaply") requires other things to be upgraded as well, and those things cost extra money.
 
Uhm

So the Snow kit idea is for if/when I find S/C parts. And they do work on fixing knock. Headers,DP, maybe CAI. Yes running would help. Basic maintenance of course.
Just trying to get some ideas, heck someone may have a different opinion on order of execution. See I had my 98 Regal, was trying to do some mods but time, need for car and working farther away from home kept me from modding it more, then I wrecked it. And most tow service/yards are now thieves. Ridiculous charges, high fees. I just let them keep it. Kept looking for another fixer upper but then got given a GTP w bad engine. But failed to pick it up fast enough so he gave to someone else. BUT got me interested in GP's. So now I have 04
 
Hmm

So the Snow kit idea is for if/when I find S/C parts. And they do work on fixing knock. Headers,DP, maybe CAI. Yes running would help. Basic maintenance of course.
Just trying to get some ideas, heck someone may have a different opinion on order of execution. See I had my 98 Regal, was trying to do some mods but time, need for car and working farther away from home kept me from modding it more, then I wrecked it. And most tow service/yards are now thieves. Ridiculous charges, high fees. I just let them keep it. Kept looking for another fixer upper but then got given a GTP w bad engine. But failed to pick it up fast enough so he gave to someone else. BUT got me interested in GP's. So now I have 04 as replacement. Did just did ad on Craigslist for 3 rebuilt 3800 super chargers but have heard back. $125 for all was good deal to me. And had a S/C intake found, aftermarket fuel rail , all I would need would be is way to adapt DBW throttle body.
My reason was asking people with more mod time which mods make most sense FIRST. If guy takes deal on header and down pipe that can go in when engine goes in. Also found affordable aluminum oil pan and had idea on fixing oiling restrictions on this car possibly. Got a guy who says we can either external line or even hard line to the filter adapter and relieve some restrictions for better oiling. Anyway half the fun is gathering parts and getting it together! Then taking first cruise!
 

10sec

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Jul 26, 2008
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So the Snow kit idea is for if/when I find S/C parts. And they do work on fixing knock. Headers,DP, maybe CAI. Yes running would help. Basic maintenance of course.
Just trying to get some ideas, heck someone may have a different opinion on order of execution. See I had my 98 Regal, was trying to do some mods but time, need for car and working farther away from home kept me from modding it more, then I wrecked it. And most tow service/yards are now thieves. Ridiculous charges, high fees. I just let them keep it. Kept looking for another fixer upper but then got given a GTP w bad engine. But failed to pick it up fast enough so he gave to someone else. BUT got me interested in GP's. So now I have 04 as replacement. Did just did ad on Craigslist for 3 rebuilt 3800 super chargers but have heard back. $125 for all was good deal to me. And had a S/C intake found, aftermarket fuel rail , all I would need would be is way to adapt DBW throttle body.
My reason was asking people with more mod time which mods make most sense FIRST. If guy takes deal on header and down pipe that can go in when engine goes in. Also found affordable aluminum oil pan and had idea on fixing oiling restrictions on this car possibly. Got a guy who says we can either external line or even hard line to the filter adapter and relieve some restrictions for better oiling. Anyway half the fun is gathering parts and getting it together! Then taking first cruise!

The Meth/Ice kits do very little unless they're sprayed UNDER the supercharger. I assure you, from actual experience, it's extremely hard to tune for, especially if you're spraying it through the blower. Ditch that idea, convert the car to E85 with a simple bigger injector installation and call it a day. Or put a used intercooler on it.

I just don't understand why you wouldn't just get the car running/driving and worry about the headers and all that crap later down the road when you run into a good deal? Big deals pop up here and there when someone is demodding their car, when you finally see one, jump on it.
 
Only local E85 is almost 100 miles round trip now. So that's a bust. I have used water/meth kits before. My best system was a Goodman system but it was stolen but I ran a 12.5 to 1 454 on 87 octane with zero knock. I have added similar kits to high compression​ na engines and even medium compression ones and gained mpg. But I figured someone would come back "oh headers first, then other exhaust, etc. If I can source a S/C engine or top end great. Got offer on my Cavalier so kind of depends on if it sells and can find engine(s) .
 

boostedguy05

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DONT DO A WATER / METH KIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

on other cars sure they may work great, not so much on these. we know our 3800's everyone ends up switching to an intercooled setup because it is soooo much more relieable.

stock cat back will not hold you back at all. down pipe to get rid of the "u bend' will net you the best. if you get headers for cheap do those. if its 04+ you will need to block the egr or the car will run like shit. if you can find a cheap set of headers jsut stick to a downpipe change. you will need a longer rear 02 cord for either.

all that is for S/C setus. if its N/A leave it the fuck alone and drive the piss out of it.
 
Well just found a possible replacement. Seller thinks its around 144k miles but possible head gasket issue. But supposedly they will drop engine and trans and sell for $100. Waiting on call back or email back to solidify deal.
If this deal is as it seems, I may get lower miles(car has 192k ) driveline.
My back up theory is it will give me good crank and spare rods/pistons.
Never heard back from the guy with 3 Gen 3 superchargers. Did find older ad on a 05 S/C top end, nut never heard back yet.
Have a lead on some stainless headers a guy had. They supposedly came from Australia and fit FWD w body perfectly. Guy said he had to custom build down pipe but misplaced it.
Just trying to get my ducks in a row being off work this week.
 

10sec

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I certainly would never worry about mileage. If I had a GP (I wouldn't) that had 250k miles on it and for some reason a built transmission, I wouldn't hesitate putting a turbo kit on it and gunning for 500whp. The motor would take that all day, WGAF about how many miles are on it. I'd rather have 150k+ mile l67/l32 than a lower mile one.
 
Dont get me wrong,

I would like a S/C engine or top end. Dang thing is everything I find is out of my price range. They want $1000 for high miles and only 30 day warranty. Not even sure I could get it in in 30 days.
Dont get me wrong, I really do want to build it a little. But If I can fix this engine easy I will also have a spare trans, maybe more parts.
I am hoping to have low $$ in this car and enjoy it.
I mean $300 car, $100 engine/trans, headset maybe. Do some services while out.
I did talk to machinist friend, he thinks we can do a cool external oil pickup from an 05 oil pan to the filter adapter area. And gain some flow. WE even think it might cut some oil restriction power loss. Nothing dramatic but better flow and gain 1 or 2 hp would be cool and it may even be able to be a near bolt on deal!
see we figured we could use some sort of aftermarket pick up and make it bolt into bottom or back side of pan, then bend a line or make a regular braided line up to the filter adapter. We also had plan of remote mounting filter at same time.
We dreamed this up after seeing an engine on here I believe with just such set up, albeit with I think a steel pan. We had thought of possibly using drain plug hole and a banjo fitting but we checked flow restriction of them and decided a bolt on pick up plate.
We thought of modding the 05 GP pan, make the pick up and plate sandwich pan side.
We figured we could at least get pick up in similar place as stock but block the stock port. Bolt pick up to pan with hole/port and through bolts then attach the pipe/hose outside with block that oringed, then hold it on with lock nuts.
Ill post up pics once I find an oil pan and front cover.
But IF I get an 04 engine/trans for $100 thats way cool and if its on stock subframe I can also use THAT for mock up of 4T80E mod later IF I decide to do it!
 
Blower moter

Honestly I have searched for either series 2 or series 3 style blower motors. The lowest I have found around my area or within about 300-500 drive have been ,at lowest, a 245k engine complete for $750 with blower noise. And lower mileage goes over $1000.
Dont get me wrong if I could find around 150k series 3 (mainly for the hardware and newer supercharger)I would buy it, then find someone to send computers to and have the 04 remapped/tuned for the supercharger. I have been searching for N/A motor at a reasonable price. I am hoping this one with possible headgasket issue is a go as the fact in the deal I can get a spare trans too with lower miles.
If something is messed up inside the engine, as long as it has good crank I good as I can mix and match parts into my current engine as it just has rod knock.
I really never figured it would take me a year to find a car I could afford, was in good shape relatively, and didnt need full on rebuild.
Last year while searching there were dozens, under $500 needing work of some sort, a fender, a bumper a door some glass. Even had a real low miles GXP come my way with theft damage. but funds never came my way.
I am figuring all the lower priced examples have been used up.
As for me, part of the fun in hot rodding is the build and part of that is finding and assembling the parts. I used to use 60s, 70s, 80s cars and parts, now I use 80s,90s,2000s, parts. My car is discontinued so no new generations of upgrades. Kind of like my Buell Blast motorcycle.
 
Dont get me wrong,

In my area its just a lack of S/C engine in my area right now. Honestly cheap GP were like hens teeth last year, then late summer, fall, winter they dried up. I find this current 04 for $300 and now cheap GP show up for less than $1500. Still out of my price range as I just got back to work but hey $3000-$4000 vs $1500 was unreal.
I could drive long distance to get cheap engines, but then borrowing/renting truck to get what ever home parts wise. I just kept my feelers out.
Bad thig was my yard started growing after rain quit so Saturday I had to drop $175 on a used DR trimmer/mower at pawn shop.
This cuts into cash reserves. But hopefully Ill get paid for Cavalier Im selling Thursday which is extra $280 to the kitty.
It was bought to get me back into my own car. Back right before Christmas 2015 I wrecked my 98 Regal and I had to give it to tow company.
My buddy gave me a previously mentioned GTP but lost it. So I was bit by GP bug and now I have a decent one that just needs a short block. If engine/trans deal goes through I will get something cheap.
If this deal works out and I can get engine in and running Im good.
Then Ill start sourcing blower top end parts!
 
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