Grand Am Off Topic Thread

[Gir-_-]

Originally Posted by xeroinfinity

Hope everyone had a great and safe Labor day weekend!

I took this girl's shift at work so that she could enjoy her labor day weekend... good thing though. We were packed with customers all wanting to see new movies that came out. I had to help out all the high school kids that were stuck working there too monday. And for some reason I noticed everyone seemed a bit rude or pissy about the day lol

['97ventureowner]

Originally Posted by Gir-_-

And for some reason I noticed everyone seemed a bit rude or pissy about the day lol

Probably because they realized that labor Day signals the unofficial end of summer and now everybody has to go back to the old routine of work/school. Something a lot of people aren't looking forward to.

[Gir-_-]

found this today lookin thru an old magazine...

48500 - Lisle push rod removal tool

Works on GM V6 2.8L, 3.1L and 3.4L Engines.
Quickly removes push rods so you can replace the intake gasket. No need to loosen and retighten the rocker arm. The tool pivots the rocker arm to compress the valve spring and free the push rod for removal.

[xeroinfinity]

Originally Posted by Gir-_-

found this today lookin thru an old magazine...

48500 - Lisle push rod removal tool

Works on GM V6 2.8L, 3.1L and 3.4L Engines.
Quickly removes push rods so you can replace the intake gasket. No need to loosen and retighten the rocker arm. The tool pivots the rocker arm to compress the valve spring and free the push rod for removal.

yeah that tool is handy to have. I have one somewheres but rarlly use it. A lot of times the rockers need adjusting anyways.

OH and thanks for that new link for GA mods !
Already found some stuff I'd been looking for to do the 3500 top end swap.

[Gir-_-]

Originally Posted by xeroinfinity

yeah that tool is handy to have. I have one somewheres but rarlly use it. A lot of times the rockers need adjusting anyways.

OH and thanks for that new link for GA mods !
Already found some stuff I'd been looking for to do the 3500 top end swap.

what would you gain with doing the hybrid? lol

[xeroinfinity]

Originally Posted by Gir-_-

what would you gain with doing the hybrid? lol

Well a few more HP none the less. lol
Im just trying to get the most out of the "money pit" before adding some boost.

Also competition on parts tends to make things cheeper.

Have a great weekend everyone!

[Gir-_-]

Originally Posted by xeroinfinity

Well a few more HP none the less. lol
Im just trying to get the most out of the "money pit" before adding some boost.

Also competition on parts tends to make things cheeper.

Have a great weekend everyone!

I wish MMS had lower prices. or even a sale would be nice.

Ive been talking about adding SOME sorta HP now lol.. n2o and w/e else. I might try to do PnP UIM/LIM. Get that felpro metal gasket for the LIM as well as clean up/replace anything I can see from right there.

Once the LIM is off what can I see XI ? any possible cleaning to be done?

I would really love to see what my pistons look like, look for cracks and w/e else...

[xeroinfinity]

Originally Posted by Gir-_-

I wish MMS had lower prices. or even a sale would be nice.

Ive been talking about adding SOME sorta HP now lol.. n2o and w/e else. I might try to do PnP UIM/LIM. Get that felpro metal gasket for the LIM as well as clean up/replace anything I can see from right there.

Once the LIM is off what can I see XI ? any possible cleaning to be done?

I would really love to see what my pistons look like, look for cracks and w/e else...

Yeah I like MMS cause he's right up my back door. I dont realy know WOT(60degV6) but they have a different batch of parts then most.

Realy for the U/LI mod to get the full potential you need some headers.
But you still would gain a little HP just with stock headers.

Ive been loking into the 3.5 upper swap but seems like a big hassle with the fuel lines. The 3.5 doesnt use a return line.
If I just did the intakes, 3.5 swap, then I have to modify the UI to get the 3.4 FP regulator on or use a bracket?

Oh and with the intakes off you'll just see the lifter valley and the cam thru the oil drain in the middle. Also the rockers and intake valves on th eheads.
Good time to check the cam for wear or damage from crap lifters. Could be a little dirty but should not be if you change you oil as specified.

Here is a pic.......of what you'd see.

[Gir-_-]

ya, headers for our cars must be awesome... I saw somewhere some ported stock manifolds... I liked that option mainly because of the size issue with S&S. How was your experience and did the Tstat housing get super hot? .... for a set of raw headers, I'd rather just prep it to be thermal resistant to keep temps down. Cant play with high heat down here in the summer lol

what sucks about my current setup is I'd rather just do a whole new exhaust if I were to do headers.... Headers, new downpipe. and a GOOD exhaust fabricator who can match the 3-bolt flange with 2.5" and have a gasket after the cat and still use a 80 series flowmaster.

Mine is 'ok', sorta leaky.. and the guy who did mine was rushed by his boss... could of had less bends and stuff but it manages.


I did a driveway coolant flush.. took the main hoses off... started the car and let it suck up water and spit it out... Rad wasnt completly drained but just doing what I did spit out so much gunk. Also flooded the coolant res. tank to get w/e was in there out. Filled it back up with 50/50 dex cool. Runs like a champ on temp lol. Especially since I just did a new oil change. I went 6000 or so on a change but money is tight :/ every 3000 was getting costly... but I think 4500-5000 is ok. Sorta bit my tongue for the 6k lol.

Idle temp after cold start warms up to 180-185F .. and hovers 190-200F on highway. Only gets to about 215 or less when in traffic and the fans kick on. Been using Royal Purple 10w30 lately, runs smooth on my 210,XXX miles lol. Also using K&N HP-2001 oil filter. Same setup, holds more oil ... lets me use about 4.7 / 4.8 qts.

Heres a cell phone pic of my motor, Just keeping it simple lol


I miss my RSM 62mm TB and Dr. Speed CAI

here is how I fixed my mirror that broke off going through the car wash lol
http://i32.tinypic.com/rrqyd0.jpg - drilled a hole straight through the bottom bolt place and ran a bolt that used the existing nut the car used lol, clean and easy, nothing sticking out on the inside either

Edit: WOT-Tech explains 3500 hybrid setup right here... http://wot-tech.com/shop/3400/3400/3...ts/cat_74.html

[xeroinfinity]

Originally Posted by Gir-_-

ya, headers for our cars must be awesome... I saw somewhere some ported stock manifolds... I liked that option mainly because of the size issue with S&S. How was your experience and did the Tstat housing get super hot? .... for a set of raw headers, I'd rather just prep it to be thermal resistant to keep temps down. Cant play with high heat down here in the summer lol

what sucks about my current setup is I'd rather just do a whole new exhaust if I were to do headers.... Headers, new downpipe. and a GOOD exhaust fabricator who can match the 3-bolt flange with 2.5" and have a gasket after the cat and still use a 80 series flowmaster.

Mine is 'ok', sorta leaky.. and the guy who did mine was rushed by his boss... could of had less bends and stuff but it manages.


I did a driveway coolant flush.. took the main hoses off... started the car and let it suck up water and spit it out... Rad wasnt completly drained but just doing what I did spit out so much gunk. Also flooded the coolant res. tank to get w/e was in there out. Filled it back up with 50/50 dex cool. Runs like a champ on temp lol. Especially since I just did a new oil change. I went 6000 or so on a change but money is tight :/ every 3000 was getting costly... but I think 4500-5000 is ok. Sorta bit my tongue for the 6k lol.

Idle temp after cold start warms up to 180-185F .. and hovers 190-200F on highway. Only gets to about 215 or less when in traffic and the fans kick on. Been using Royal Purple 10w30 lately, runs smooth on my 210,XXX miles lol. Also using K&N HP-2001 oil filter. Same setup, holds more oil ... lets me use about 4.7 / 4.8 qts.

Heres a cell phone pic of my motor, Just keeping it simple lol

I miss my RSM 62mm TB and Dr. Speed CAI

here is how I fixed my mirror that broke off going through the car wash lol
http://i32.tinypic.com/rrqyd0.jpg - drilled a hole straight through the bottom bolt place and ran a bolt that used the existing nut the car used lol, clean and easy, nothing sticking out on the inside either

Edit: WOT-Tech explains 3500 hybrid setup right here... http://wot-tech.com/shop/3400/3400/3...ts/cat_74.html

Headers do open it up a little bit more, so it can breath better. lol I had a problem with a weld poppin loose. BNaylor has/had an issue with the donut gasket area.
If I had to do it again, Id get the chrome plating.
It is always tight around the thermo when you have headers on these V6s. I can change them without dropping any exhaust. My SE has RSM headers its made different, 3 pieces. It has a crossover like the factory from the front to rear header.

Those ported manifolds might be something to look into. Pretty cheap and might gain a few HP. I just like the sound more then anything. People always comment on my SE asking if its got a V8 the way it idles.

I was thinking one of those newr sites we've been lookin at has a CAT back for pretty cheap. Even has some nice dual tips. I think it was around $300 for stainless steal?!?

On the coolant flush, it does help keeping it clean. These are tricky to get everything out of the system. I have an air hose fitting I some times use to blow even more crud out. Has to be the Dex thats causing it cause MY SE has had green in it for a long time and it still looks new and no oil crud floatin around.
Those temps are kinda high, should get cooler when youre driving down the highway then heat up when you slow down, stop and go.

If you're using synthetic oil I wouldnt feel bad about running it 6000 miles. Im doin the same thing with the SE, synth and mobil 1 filter I just wait untill the oil change light comes on which is around 6k miles and it runs like a tramp! I didnt know about the KN-2001....

At least your motors clean, I like seeing that!
One of my SE mirrors is like that, bolted on from the outside. LOL But I used a dome head bolt and painted it black. Im such a tighass, Ive go new mirrors but Im afraid someone at the store will just knock them off agian...

Oh and i read all that on the WOT site about the swap. It was confusing but I looked at a 3.5 the other day and seen what the problem areas are. Just more work for me.

[Gir-_-]

ya, just TX weather makin those temps run high lol... it doesnt help when its 90-105F outside WITH clear skies.... just cooks the road and has that heat vape up from the road into the rad when driving... If you ever visit TX July/Aug you'll see blown tire bits all over the road at least once a day lol

I want to switch to green, but I decided to do dex this time since I was doing a simple flush of the motor... I wouldnt mind getting like an aluminum coolant tank with the same fittings instead of using my old OEM plastic one. Its all yellow and faded, and the threading for the cap is off.. Magic touch tho gets it on and sealed lol. Gotta work with it

Im already at 300miles on this oil change, running smoooooth, temps are constant 200F lately.

check this guy out, he swapped a 3500 into a 99 GA GT http://www.cardomain.com/ride/3225078

but still uses the 3400 UIM hahaha

edit: Thought I'd post this cause its a good cross reference

http://www.vulcanturbo.com/coolingacc.html - Vulcan turbo helps with ecotec guys and such... The local GM cavi club guys in my area love their tanks for their cobalts/ions. And they also feature one for cavi which use our same tank.

1995-2005 Cavalier / Sunfire Aluminum Coolant Reservoir - (Black/Gunmetal/Silver/White or Raw)
http://www.vulcanturbo.com/Stuff002.jpg
http://www.vulcanturbo.com/Stuff001.jpg

Also has a 'mini' option
http://www.vulcanturbo.com/DSC00453.JPG

[xeroinfinity]

Yeah Ive been in TX during the summer befor, it gets hot! When I was there in the late 80's early 90s it was 110 in the shade! Lower humidity compared to the south east coast states, Savanna is the worst IMO.

Havnt ever seen any aftermarket reservoirs that were aluminum ??
Yeah the threads do tend to get buggerd up over time.

The reason he is using the 3.4 intakes is because of the fuel rails dont have a return on the 3.5s. So to use it you have to close off a few extra hoses, thats my only guess. I'll go check it out though see how it looks.

WooHoo! Its almost Friday !

[Vipey1337]

ololololol

apparently purdue's automotive club has a Lancer Evo VII... you know, the ones that don't exist in the states. It was imported from Europe. It's pretty sick, and they place high in auto-x competitions

I wants one

Oh yeah... grand am rolled over 200,000 miles! My dad got a pic of it yesterday. He's the one driving it now, and it's 2.5 hours away from me so I can't go play with the grand am anytime I want anymore Probably going to take it back once my dad gets a new car, so I can dyno it and play with it and fix it up a bit :P

I hate wednesdays

[xeroinfinity]

Well after spending all winter and most of the summer repainting the SE, some biotch hit me lastnight!
Just hit the right front end and maybe the wheel. Havnt even had time to look at it today.
I was going straight thru the intersection, I had the green, and she came from the right. Turned right on red @ about 40mph. I caught her outta the corner of my eye at the last second and tried dodging to the left to get away but she nailed my good!
Pushed the SE about 5 ft sideways. The whole front bumper and pass headlight shot, up and over her car completely.
She told the cops she thought she didnt have to stop for a right on red, got herself a ticket for that statement.

So I'm driving the truck, again.

['97ventureowner]

Originally Posted by xeroinfinity

She told the cops she thought she didnt have to stop for a right on red, got herself a ticket for that statement.

Seems to be a lot of that lately :. Maybe they need to go back to the campaign ads from the '70s when they first introduced the option of right on red. I remember the ads emphasized,"Right on Red AFTER stop." meaning you can turn right on red after stooping first.
Some areas, including where I live were talking a couple of years ago about doing away with the right on red option since it has caused so many accidents over the years. I say don't do away with it rather educate these drivers on the proper way to do it as it works when everybody follows the rules.