question about GTPs

NeXuS1 · March 21, 2002

When was the first year they were made? I kind of want one for a commuter car (or a bonneville SSEi) but all I can find are 15,000 dollar 99 models. thats just crazy. Kind of hope there are older ones for cheaper.

chevy4x4trucks · March 21, 2002

That sounds like a question for:

GM-Cars.com

But, I do believe they had them before 99, I think they were not always turbocharged though. If I remember correctly (which I'm usually not) they had turbocharged ones back in 96 or 97.

CMNTMXR81 · March 21, 2002

Are you referring to the current design GTP utilizing the 3.8L Supercharged V6? That would've been '97.

If you are referring to the GTP or top of the line Grand Prix in general, they've had a high performance version since '91. One was a McLaren turbocharged 3.1L V6 which was then replaced by the "Twin Dual Cam" V6 (3.4L DOHC V6), that was then replaced by the current day GTP.

I've also talked the G/F into trading her Malibu in on a GTP. She's tired of getting beat by people and she doesn't want a Camaro or Trans Am.

Likarok · March 21, 2002

1992 was the first year, my wife had one. To be honest, it was the worst car we ever owned. The best way I ever herd these cars discribed was on Car and Driver TV, They said this car had "Lots of Flash and No Dash". It had double overhead cam 3.4 liter. It looked like you could run it at Indy, with the gatorback ties and all, but man was it gutless. It was rated at 225 hp but at 6000rpm. How often do you go pick-up groceries or go to the mall with the engine reving at 6000.

This car was one reason why I think V6's are a joke.Plus it had all the Pontiac gadgets. The HUD was the only thing I liked about this car.

CMNTMXR81 · March 21, 2002

Now see, I've had three of those 3.4L DOHC V6's albeit later year models (95's and 96's) and have had nary a problem with the engine's. Transmissions on the other hand, don't get me started.

As to the power, I never had any problem extracting any at low rpm's! and that high rpm powerband was awesome on the highway when some punk in a Mustang GT thought he'd try to pass.

GM cancelled the "X" motor as it was known due to high warranty costs on it, but in all due defense, it was GM's first all aluminum, multi-cam motor that they did on their own. You'll probably say that the LT5 (in the ZR1) is also an all aluminum, multi-cam motor, but GM had assistance in it's design from Lotus and the engine itself was assembled by Mercury Marine in Missouri. Mercury has had years of extensive experience in aluminum engine construction so they knew many tricks of the trade.

GM learned from the "X" motor and incorporated what they learned between it and the LT5 into the LS1.

If the engine operated flawlessly (as mine did) it's a great engine. If you had one with a problem it was generally plauged with other problems unfortunately.

Likarok · March 21, 2002

Yeah, I guess it wasn't that bad......remember though I grew up in the 60's and 70's driving 400hp Camaros so a V6 will never cut it for me. I think thats why I have so much fun with my Silverado's...they are the closest thing to that 60's power (without spending 70,000 on a Vette or a Viper) that is on the road. Those were the days when you could go to your dealer and buy a Hemi Roadrunner or Cuda....and smoke it off the showroom floor.

NeXuS1 · March 21, 2002

my mom's oldsmobile LSS has the supercharged 3.8L and it certainly does not lack balls. only way i would get a small non v8 car is if it had some kind of forced induction. specialy at this alt, need something to make up for it.

CMNTMXR81 · March 21, 2002

Yea Lik, I hear ya. I noticed that "torquey" lack down low especially when I drove one of my trucks before hand even though they were rated with less HP.

Nexus, The 3.4L DOHC V6 that he and I are talking about is a completely different V6 than is used in the LSS and in the GTP.

The 3.4L V6 was a 60 degree design based off the 3.1L base. Add to that a 4 cam, 24 valve setup in place of the pushrod actuated 3.1's and you had the "Twin Dual Cam" V6. 60 degree V6's were not known for their down low "grunt" or torque, but rather a pretty well balanced and responsive engine.

The Buick 90 degree 3.8L V6 traces it's lineage back to the 50's as an engine for a farm tractor. In general 90 degree "V" design engines develop more torque in comparitive displacement than their 60 degree counterparts. Hence the reason why the LSS (and GTP) feels like it does when accelerating.

NeXuS1 · March 21, 2002

i know, i misread what he said, thought the year of the guy's car was different. oh well, just got up not to long ago and everything was kind of blury.