Help my friend decide... GTO or third gen trans am
Senior Member
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 500
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From: greenville, OH
Car: 86 Firebird, 2002 Monte Carlo, 91 v
Engine: 350
Transmission: 700R4
Originally posted by rwdtech
anyone hear about the Ford GT oil leak problems?
anyone hear about the Ford GT oil leak problems?
Supreme Member
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,701
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From: San Diego, CA
Car: 1991 Camaro RS
Engine: LO3
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.42 LS1
Only thing I know about the GT40's is they had the safety recall regarding their control arms, new forging.
Their solution was to run billet blocks through CAD, and have the replacement control arms made this way. Each control arm is worth 1,200 dollars
Get a third genereation car. Modify it your way. Heck you can even have the entire interior made custom, not like one would cut up the interior on a brand new car.
My rule has become, if the car has a distributor get it, if not well think harder.
Their solution was to run billet blocks through CAD, and have the replacement control arms made this way. Each control arm is worth 1,200 dollars
Get a third genereation car. Modify it your way. Heck you can even have the entire interior made custom, not like one would cut up the interior on a brand new car.
My rule has become, if the car has a distributor get it, if not well think harder.
Member
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 386
Likes: 1
From: Temecula, Ca
Car: 89 TA
Engine: 3.8 V6
Transmission: 2004R
Originally posted by zippy
i've done flash programming on obd 1 vehicles using the moates system. this does work well and make programming just as easy as the obd 2 vehicles. you are still stuck with software that is by far outdated and mass air systems that max out if i recall around 330gms. you are also stuck with a pcm which is much slower and has less capability. with the GTO people have installed gen III engines as large as 455 cubes pumping out well over 500rwhp and run the stock pcm with mearly modified programming. if you tried that with the third gen mass air computers you'd have had to convert it to speed density since it isn't capable of reading anywhere near the airflow numbers of an engine putting down some real power. obd2 computers also allows for trans programming including shift points, line pressure adjustments, shift timings, etc. you can program a dry nitrous system to work flawlessly and retard the timing on it's own when the nitrous is used. the transmission programming capabilities alone are enough to make it worth it to me. i've been doing programming for paying customers for quite some time and i've worked with both obd1 and obd2 systems and even the in between versions. without ever pulling the engine 11's are capable from the GTO (not including nitrous or boost) with drivability as good or better than a stock one. that isn't even a thought for a third gen.
i've done flash programming on obd 1 vehicles using the moates system. this does work well and make programming just as easy as the obd 2 vehicles. you are still stuck with software that is by far outdated and mass air systems that max out if i recall around 330gms. you are also stuck with a pcm which is much slower and has less capability. with the GTO people have installed gen III engines as large as 455 cubes pumping out well over 500rwhp and run the stock pcm with mearly modified programming. if you tried that with the third gen mass air computers you'd have had to convert it to speed density since it isn't capable of reading anywhere near the airflow numbers of an engine putting down some real power. obd2 computers also allows for trans programming including shift points, line pressure adjustments, shift timings, etc. you can program a dry nitrous system to work flawlessly and retard the timing on it's own when the nitrous is used. the transmission programming capabilities alone are enough to make it worth it to me. i've been doing programming for paying customers for quite some time and i've worked with both obd1 and obd2 systems and even the in between versions. without ever pulling the engine 11's are capable from the GTO (not including nitrous or boost) with drivability as good or better than a stock one. that isn't even a thought for a third gen.
Plus my car is capable of running mid 11's on slicks (times in sig on DR's) and its a bone stock unopened long block. So both those statements are not entirelly true.
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From: north plainfield, nj
Car: 05' GTO
Engine: 6.0L
Transmission: A4
Well if your friend is really into 3rd gens. tell him to get the 3rd gen. i bought an 05 GTO in late June and its a great car but its nothing like a 3rd gen. sure there easy to work on but parts cost twice as much then any 3rd gen parts. stuff for the LS2 are just coming out, like blowers and tuners.
plus enless he has money he wont be able to mod the GTO for awhile.
i still want to get another 3rd gen over the GTO.
plus enless he has money he wont be able to mod the GTO for awhile.
i still want to get another 3rd gen over the GTO.
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Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 2,361
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From: Savannah, GA
Car: 1997 Jeep Wrangler
Engine: 4.0L
Transmission: 5 speed
Axle/Gears: 8.8 rear, 4.56 gears, 4:1 transfer
Having both a 3rd gen and a GTO myself i would say get the GTO if money is available. The GTO is so much more refined then any 3rd gen.
You don't have spend $30K for a GTO if you are a smart shopper. I didn't. I got an '04 with 400 miles on it for $21K. Just last week an '04 GTO with 19 miles sold on ebay for $21K also I believe. The 2004's came with the LS1 rated at 350HP. A very nice engine indeed.
The 2005's are slightly more, some as low as $26K but you must shop around and be willing to pick it up maybe out of state and drive it home. They got the LS2 which is 400HP but mods are slow at coming.
You don't have spend $30K for a GTO if you are a smart shopper. I didn't. I got an '04 with 400 miles on it for $21K. Just last week an '04 GTO with 19 miles sold on ebay for $21K also I believe. The 2004's came with the LS1 rated at 350HP. A very nice engine indeed.
The 2005's are slightly more, some as low as $26K but you must shop around and be willing to pick it up maybe out of state and drive it home. They got the LS2 which is 400HP but mods are slow at coming.
Last edited by John Millican; Nov 26, 2005 at 08:15 PM.
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From: north plainfield, nj
Car: 05' GTO
Engine: 6.0L
Transmission: A4
thats one hell of a deal you got on yours i paid $30k when they had the gm emplyoee discount. i got mine with 54 miles on it.
trust me if i had the chance id sell the gto for a super clean 91-92 z28 or rs
trust me if i had the chance id sell the gto for a super clean 91-92 z28 or rs
Senior Member
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 500
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From: greenville, OH
Car: 86 Firebird, 2002 Monte Carlo, 91 v
Engine: 350
Transmission: 700R4
damn they're gorgeous cars. I think gm ought to come out with a tempest line and put a 3.8 or something it and price it competively with the mustang v-6. They could then build some sales up with a base car
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Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,818
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Car: ws6
Engine: ls1
Transmission: m6
Axle/Gears: 3.42
The new GTO's just dont do it for me. I would rather have a WS6 or SS. The GTO's just look like regular cars in my opinion,until you see the decals. I have ridden in one and believe me they are quick
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