pontiac grand prix

[1990LTD]

my new multi colored baby.

1996 Pontiac Grand Prix SE coupe
3100 SFI V6
4 speed auto w/ OD and a 2nd gear start for winter/ice/crap
power windows, manual seats
a/c
cd player (which is getting replaced with a deck that will accept 1/8" jacks), stock stereo w/ a sub of some manner..it's REALLY bassy for a stock stereo.
4 wheel disc ABS, alloys
purple dice



It's getting paint as soon as I either care enough or get bored.











It's a pretty solid car. Comfortable, but the interior plastics are typical 90s GM quality (garbage)

It's not a very fast car but that's not what I bought it for. It's my new runabout daily driver and so far it's been great - good MPG (no highway trips yet though) and comfy.


plans:

new deck so I can listen to my iPhone etc
lower intake manifold gasket kit
flush cooling system
regular maintenance and drive til it won't drive no more

[1990LTD]

and yes I still have the molding for the front fender. it'll go back on after it's all one color.

[79lincolnlover]

Go tu-tone! Red on top/white along the bottom.

[1990LTD]

A few of my friends have told me that I should leave it exactly the way it is, just install the clips for the wheel well molding. I don't really care what it looks like so I might


Got a new Sony Xplod head unit for it yesterday, looks really similar to the one I've had in the LTD for a couple of years. Gonna install it when my mother gets back with the car!

[1990LTD]

Whoever changed the oil last is a fucking caveman. I like the little thing under the oil filter on these motors to direct flow of the oil that comes out of the filter. Kinda neat. The same caveman that changed the oil probably saw the blackened air filter and said it was fine.


Went on a road trip and got 24.14 MPG with a few WOT pulls up steep hills but mostly HWY. Changed the oil/fuel/air filters and PCV valve, cleaned the shit out of the intake manifold and throttle body. Did a Seafoam smoke show and with mostly aggressive stop-and-go driving, got 26mpg. Woohoo!

[pantera77]

I've always liked those body style Grand Prix's. One of the last few Pontiac's I thought looked good.

[1990LTD]

I bought sandpaper, paint, and clear. I got plenty but I think I should probably do it one panel at a time in case I start to run out of something. I just need to wait for a good day.

[1990LTD]

also: thanks! I don't like many Pontiacs that aren't GTOs or 2+2s but these little ones are decent looking cars. I can't wait until it's all one fuckin' color and the wheel well flare is on. I need to find clips for it somewhere, and get someone to drill them in for me - I don't want to fuck up the fender.

[79lincolnlover]

Does it have a mini-spare or full-size?

[1990LTD]

Full size! Looks to be anyway. Bolt pattern is close to the Ford I think so I could throw one of my spares from that if it's not full size.

[Andypot1985]

how many miles on it and has it ever had its intake gaskets changed?

[1990LTD]

234k kilometers. no idea what that is in miles. 130 or 140k or something.


don't know if the gaskets have ever been done, but it's not leaking, smoking, or losing coolant. i plan to do them at some point, and will probably stick a 3400 top end on it while I'm at it because why not?

[1990LTD]

actually yeah, I just checked and it's 234,970. 146,003.6 miles.

[Andypot1985]

The best way to tell is if there is any coolant stains from leaking down the side of the block. If you are unsure i would just change them. They arent that expensive to do and will help that motor run forever. In the 3 I had, I found that running high octane and keeping up on the oil changes also helps with that motor. Mine lasted to a happy 212k miles until the trans gave out. Its sorta sad, that motor leaked less oil than my much newer maxima today. Btw, I might get shot for this, but i think that is one of the best styled 90s cars out there.

[1990LTD]

I'm gonna spray it with engine brite, hit it with a hose, and call it a day