Power upgrades, need your thoughts

[kevs688]

Hi, I have a 99 grand prix gt. It’s a fun car, but I did buy it off my mom several years ago and it’s over due for some power upgrades. I know the super chargers on the GTP's are great on this car, but it’s only 40 more horsepower stock, and it’s quite a bit of work to get it done. So I am looking for input from anyone who has upgraded the series II 3.8 with anything. All things considered, Time/Cost/Effort/Efficiency.. What is a better power output result a S/C or Turbo, or any other ideas? Also, what kind of work and cost is involved in either case, to give me an idea of what I’m getting myself into...?

[jeepgclwj]

Sell your GT and get a GTP. That way you start out with the extra power....40 more horses is alot....

[kevs688]

well selling isnt really an option at this point... sentimental reasons.. plus i enjoy doing the work myself, theres no fun in buying a car that already has the S/C.

[GTPSPEED]

i disagree there is plenty fun in buying one s/c..i did..lots of fun.

[jeepgclwj]

same here. I disagree. I thought I had a fast ride with my Grand Cherokee but now I know what a fast car is like. I cant wait to start modding.....There is a guy on a local GP forum that has alot of upgrades to his 99 GT. With all the money he has in modding he is only running 14.6 at 96 I'm pretty sure. I ran a 14.8 at 91 mph stock in my GTP. See what my point is now about selling and getting a GTp. I have never owned a car that has that much sentimental value that would just force me to keep it.... Will this be your car FOREVER or will the sentimental feelings that you have for it die off in the future. The reason I ask is why mod something like a 99 GT that you have these feelings for. You should put a cover over it and forget about it.

Oh and b4 I gorget....GO BUCKS

[kevs688]

I don’t know how long ill have the car for, but I can’t just cover it, it’s my everyday driver, and I don’t have the money to just buy a new car and work on it. So im stuck doing small upgrades for the time being. And even if I don’t keep the car forever, I enjoy doing the work myself. Which brings me back to the original question, which is better for the car, a turbo or a S/C, because if its a turbo, then buying a GTP wouldn’t help me. It’s not that im just against buying and selling flat out, I just don’t want to do something that won’t give me max power for my buck. I don’t want to go through the whole process of buying and selling and finding a good GTP that hasn’t been abused, and all the things that can go wrong in that respect, when I can enjoy working on the car and still get a ton of power. See my dilemma? I don’t know, im just looking at all the options right now.

P.S. Go Pats and Sox

[GTPpower]

How far do you want to go? Turbo is great, but can be costly. I'd say that if low 13's is your goal, then stick s/c. Otherwise if you want to go faster, get a turbo.

[justav6]

if you need to keep the car, go with a turbo. very ajustable, sounds great, and with an intercooler, the 3.8 handles plenty of boost. you will need an intercooler and probably larger injectors. more efficcient than supercharging.if you dont need that much power, i agree sell it and get a gtp. the supercharged 3.8 is plenty fast, but wont compare to the turbo 3.8 like in the buick gn or t type. all comes down to what you need, and what your willing to pay. just my input

[kevs688]

Thanks for the input... the sleeper effect has always been an obsession of mine too, no one ever sees a turbo coming on a Grand Prix... My work with turbos and intercoolers is limited. Are there any that you guys recommend? I want enough boost to make it worth the time and money, but I also want as much low end as possible, what’s a good compromise between the small low end turbos, and bigger boost turbos? Cost is an issue, but as with anything there’s no point in buying an inferior product just to save a buck... any good brands that are reasonably priced? Same with intercoolers...? Thoughts on larger injectors?

[grandprix00]

Turbo isnt eveything check out my car it was a gt but i added a supercharger new intake smaller pulley bigger injectos intercooler and i just added 1.95 roller rockers pretty sure i could take out a gtp no problem i raced a gtp with 1.9 roller rockers and mech out intake and supercharger and a borla exh pretty sure i still smoked him easiest $50 ive ever made. http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2267124/1

[jeepgclwj]

Ok..

[bricker82]

Originally Posted by grandprix00

Turbo isnt eveything check out my car it was a gt but i added a supercharger new intake smaller pulley bigger injectos intercooler and i just added 1.95 roller rockers pretty sure i could take out a gtp no problem i raced a gtp with 1.9 roller rockers and mech out intake and supercharger and a borla exh pretty sure i still smoked him easiest $50 ive ever made. http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2267124/1

I understand the mods, but your sentence structure has me confused? You raced a GTP w/1.9 rockers, intake (CAI?), supercharger, Borla exhaust (Catback?) and beat him? It's the "pretty sure" stuff confusing me.