Workin on the 3000GT

Hey, been thinkin about gettin a nice VR4, and I was just wondering how hard it is to do simple things such as changing the oil or changing the plugs on the 3000GT. I mean, does the engine need to be lifted to get to one of the plugs or anything (like on my buddy's 97 Trans Am)?

Changing the oil and other fluids is pretty straight forward. Changing the rear three plugs and the timing belt is a nightmare. Fortunately those need to be changed after 60K miles.

It's not a major job to remove the rear plugs.. just have to move the intake manifold etc..
Timing belt is also harder than some cars but not the worst. I have changed it at home.

Removing the gearbox isn't even that big a job.
Removing the engine is also easier than it looks.

:D

So you guys think I could pretty much do everything (reasonable, doesn't require ultra high end special tools) from home?

[Edited on] Also, how reliable are 3000GT's? All my friends think I should buy a cheaper/newer car because its unrealiable... but people seem to think all sports cars are unreliable or something. Basically tell me the bad stuff thats happened to your car :-).

Bad stuff
- The 60K tune up. Its a bitch to do yourself and will run up to 1K at a shop to get the whole job done.
- Parts are expensive, but thats true for all high performance cars
- Premium gas, this can be tough when prices are high
- Some people have problems with the transmissions and one of my two cars is now having trouble with the second syncro. Its about a $150 bucks for the part and then its a couple day job to rebuild the tranny. If you have to buy a new one, you are looking at 2500 from Kormax or 5000 new from Gartrag.

Good stuff
- The 94 just passed 100K and the engine and all its parts are running as strong as the day it was new.
- The 95 Spyder is still kicking ass and taking names
- Both bodies are rock solid with no rust or blemishes, but I do take care of my finish

If your friend doesn't or never has owned one of these cars, then he doesnt know shit from shinola. Dont get this car if you cant afford premium gas, higher insurance (but still less then a TA or Camaro will cost) and the occasional high price replacement cost.

Insuring the 3000GT VR4 is really cheaper than the Camaro? Happen to know why?

Gas here is about 96 cents for unleaded, and around 1.18 for Premium, so hopefully thats not going up much in the next year, but who could know.

Oh, and that buddy that says I should buy a practical car just pre-ordered an X-Box and bought a big Wega TV... and he's scolding me on practicality? :-P

It sounds like your friend doesn't practice what he preaches.

My fiance owned a Camero a few years ago. It was 96 model so its a bit newer then my VR4. Neither of us had any tickets and we were both in our upper 20s at the time so it was a pretty fair comparison. My insurance was about 30 bucks a month cheaper. The Spyder is more, but thats to be expected with that car (rare and pricey).

Ah, cool. A different buddy here at work said he thought that was true probably because Camaros are stolen more.

Man, I'm 18, full coverage is gonna be like $350 a month, heh.

get the VR4 you will love it :)

It takes me like 30 minutes to remove all spark plugs.:bandit:
I love these smiles.:sun:

PS - The engine on your friends LT1 Trans Am doesn't have to be lifted to get the rear spark plug....

Oh yeah, and prices for aftermarket stuff on VR4's ARE expensive....
I noticed that when a friend of mine was thinking about doing a few mods. Not all cars are that expensive to mod...

Originally posted by Blackbird01
PS - The engine on your friends LT1 Trans Am doesn't have to be lifted to get the rear spark plug....

Oh yeah, and prices for aftermarket stuff on VR4's ARE expensive....
I noticed that when a friend of mine was thinking about doing a few mods. Not all cars are that expensive to mod...

As with all things, it depends on the mods. A bleeder valve can cost $3 from any K-Mart and can be used to crank up the boost. And there are the free mods like gutting the cats and pre-cats(turbo cars). The open air filter is the same price as any other. Once you get past those however, the boost controller (better then a bleeder valve) downpipe, open exhaust start getting pretty pricey.

Overall the VR4s are getting better aftermarket support these days and prices are starting to creep down, and will probably always remain higher then the more abundant models.

I just got a VR-4 and the insurance on it is $700 a month for six months through esurance (full coverage) and im 19...you should try it.

Gas here is about 96 cents for unleaded, and around 1.18 for Premium, so hopefully thats not going up much in the next year, but who could know.

Well, was just browsing through my OLD posts (mostly seeing how much of an idiot I was, lol), and I found this. BWAAA HAHAHAHA. Remind me not to play the stock market.

To those of you who care, or know me off 3si, I realized I just went from not knowing anything about working on cars to yanking my engine a couple weeks ago, and am getting ready to throw in a used engine (oooh, jpsec :P, due to a cracked block). Its interesting to see what you learn over time like that.

haha, man that would be nice $1.18 for premium...i just payed $1.71 2 days ago :P