86BIRD-MY FIRST CAR

I just started a new job 1 week ago at the US and Patent Agency working for my uncle so finally i will be making real money (Aside from hard labor at Trak Auto for $6.05 hr) I always wanted to buy a brand spakin new car and after good reviews and a test drive i sighned the papers yesterday and now became a proud owner of a Black 2002 GA GT loaded, from the chrome wheels to the Ram Air (I know what ur thinking, if buying new car why not a F-body, one word-INSURANCE and only 19) And might i say HELLLL YEAAAAA this baby can move !! I wanted to have some fun with our fello thirdrgeners and rustangs out in the streets but since its a new car and all i dont wanna push it, gotta break it in first. Once on the highway i could have swear i was goin 65mph but glanced down and was doin 102!. You wont believe how stable this thing is at high speeds, and the pick up! You can actually hear the ram air set up sucking in air at higher speeds when u really gun it. Dont get me wrong i still love my 2.8 bird and its gonna be my primary driving car and for cruizing on the weekends, the GA is gonna be for driving to work and family functions. Fist thing i did was order a K&N Filter and blocked off the extra air passage inlet so the ram air function will work properly and serve its true purpose. Really loving the car i reccomend it to every one. Thinking about getting red badges to replace the white ones, red lettering does look better on a black backround right. Did i mention the exhaust has a real nice sound to it, it came with duals with dual chrome tips. Borla makes a cat back for the GA but its gonna be a while untill i do any serious mods, car is fast as it is. I even think i could give V8's some serious competition. the Car is rated at 175 Hp but you know how GM likes to underate the "HP" issuue, im assuming atleast 200 or even more with the K&N. Any ways love the car and gonna go wipe it down with a baby diaper now...

Joe_L

Good to hear.

Those cars are fast.

And your still keeping the F-body good choice

Project: 85 2.8 bird

congrats! we now know what you would do if handed the keys to a new Pontiac Grand Am
now you gotta make the bird as fast

Mikes86SC

Congrats on the new car dude. I have a 2000 GA SE2 and have loved the car from day one. Mine is still completely stock but I plan to add the ram air setup once the Camaro is done.

A few tips for your new ride. First few times it rains or you wash it, check on the floor at the back of the doors for water. My weatherstripping had a small leak so I got a little water in the car in heavy rain. Dealer fixed it no problem. I think there actually was a TSB for this.

Also, I hope you are not someone who likes to brake as hard as they can at the last minute. GM seems to have used cheapo rotors on these cars and tend to warp a little easier.

One last thing. Whenever you take it somewhere where someone else may drive it, take the remote with you. First time I took mine to the car wash, the morons locked the keys in the car. Or I think you can disable the locking when you shift.

Good luck, have fun and be safe with it.

Mikes86SC

Another shot:

Mikes86SC

I like this one too:

86bird_28v6_5spd_ramair

1 question: what is your speed limiter set at??? car makers can not let a car go faster than the tires are rated for and it really sucks. friends newer dodge hit 105 and then dies, like someone shut off the key.

86BIRD-MY FIRST CAR

Dont know, how can i check?

Brian Felts

Run it up to as fast as you can get it!!!. When it shuts off you hit your speed limiter.

You should consider black emblems. Thats what some other black cars have and I think it looks sweet.

Anyways after the K&N consitder some mufflers. DYnomax sounds good with V6s

Mikes86SC

I hit 105 once with mine, and it showed no signs of quitting.

86BIRD-MY FIRST CAR

Um i dont think im gonna run is as hard as i can and wait till it shuts off just to find my speed limiter, i need to brake the car in first, as with the black emblems, u cant even really see them on a black car, with red u can see quite well.
I think its time to update the bottom profile as well

86BIRD-MY FIRST CAR

Hey is there a advantage of a SFI vs TPI, i know the GN's had SFI too

Brian Felts

well SFI is not batch fired. Basically all 4 injectors on one side of a TPI fire at one time. Where as the SFI fires individually. THough they are both Port fuel injection systems.
They both have plus and minuses. The TPI is tunable SFI is not(as far as air flow goes) SFI has better fuel control.
Both work Great!

SlowCamaro88SC

how do those things handle?? I sure as heck hope they can handle better than their SE counterparts. I never saw so much excessive body roll until I drove my buddies '99 GA GE. The GT's should push low 16's, high 15's stock. the quad-4's (pre '02) are peppy too, 16.8. I had fun racing my buddy last night in the GP. I had fun killing him. they are actually pretty even in a straight line, up to 70, it just depends who reacts first, but in 3rd gear, I fly. last night we both raced to triple digits, and I kept whipping him from 80 to the 109 mph governor.

I still wish I have the 3.4L DOHC motor. I tell ya, it's freakin awesome when you have a V6/V8 that can rev up to 7K+

86BIRD-MY FIRST CAR

Handling is excellent, and i haven't experienced any body roll yet. I just posted on the racing board the other day about how i raced a 2002 Ecotec cavalier on the Hwy, i crushed him. The car is fun to drive,after the K&N mod i plan on buying a AEM 93-97 CAI Honda intake, should fit my car with the K&N attached to the end.

SlowCamaro88SC

sounds like somebody has been surfing grandamgt.com and n-body.net

try to really push it hard around corners above 40 and see what happens. I'm assuming the GT has a better suspension, but how much better?

my GP has B4U and F41, so it flat out kills my buddies '99 GA SE:lala: I have two thing going though, a great suspension and great tires. thanks to carndriver for my 245/45ZR16s on the grand prix.

86bird_28v6_5spd_ramair

any thought of doing a 2.8-3.4 swap? hehehehe you got the parts.

I would check your tires and get all the info off them you can. find out what speed raiting they have and im sure your top speed will be around there abouts. It does kinda suck but you cn only blamer car makers for being cheap and not putting 160z rated tires on everything. when was the last time you saw a stock spedo with a top speed of 100+ [not including hi priced sports car]
most only go up to 85 anymore. I like the old days when even a so called family car said :hail: 120-140.

maverick544

I would of gone witha GRad prix or a GTP.

86BIRD-MY FIRST CAR

I would to maveric but the is a "money" issue involved, plus if i was gonna get a grand prix then i would want the top of the line model, the supercharged GTP, but then again its more $$. With the Grand AM i choose the top of the line model the GT cause i wanna get my money's worth, and pleased with it

TFM4th

lets see some pictures, sounds awsome

maverick544

hey jsut a thought, were all the GTPs equipped with a 3.8L supercharger, or were there smaller ones too.

maverick544

well bud, heres a site that may interest you.http://aed.homeip.net/96ga.php

86camarodriver

Well while in Colorado I drove my grandmothers 97 GTP, ram air, K&N, pulley, dry weather tires, performace shift, and performace muflers along with high flow cats, and plugs, it was enough to to beat a moded subaru WRX
David

86BIRD-MY FIRST CAR

Here she is

86BIRD-MY FIRST CAR

one more

86BIRD-MY FIRST CAR

last one

86BIRD-MY FIRST CAR

Im thinking about putting some mesh white screens in the ram air inlet and below the radiator, also for the tail lights i might get the euro styled, like the new altima's. What do u think

elevario

In my opinion, don't get the euro lights for the grand am. That grand am you have is dope as hell! The looks of it right now are aggressive as crap and putting euros on it would make your car look like all the other cars out there. Has anyone else noticed that everyone has clear tailights on their cars? Personally, I have only seen a few that even look the slightest bit good. Oh, and as for your grand am, that thing is cool man! Dang, I wish I could have one of those for a grocery getter! Hows the gas mileage?

elevario

Oh another Gosh that car is cool!

86BIRD-MY FIRST CAR

thanks elevario, gas milege is pretty good, i get almost 25-30 miles per gallon. Does any know how i can make my emblems red without getting color on the black paint, and what paint to use?

Kj Rockz

He bought ir from a FORD dealer.


Hahahahahhahhahahh

86BIRD-MY FIRST CAR

Does it matter, i even got it cheaper cause it was at a ford dealer ship and its still a brand spankin new car

Akshay

Our first American car was an 1988 Grand Am 4cyl., 4-dr.
They really are fun to drive. Although it wasn't as pretty as the imports, it left'em in the dust.
However, the new ones do look awesome!

Akshay
www.geocities.com/akshay95624/index.html
1989 camaro RS 2.8 v-6

billsfirebird

iTrader: (1)

I just purchased a 2000 SE1.
3400 V6, auto, white, loaded.

MAN THIS CAR IS NICE! It rides real tight and you can be doin 20 over the speed limit and not even notice.

This really puts my 2.5L IRON DUKE 84 Firebird to shame. Im still keeping my F-body!

billsfirebird

86BIRD-MY FIRST CAR

Bill the se(1) option just adds a sunroof and leather right?, i assumed the GT's only had the 3.4?

Mikes86SC

Actually in 2000 there was a SE2, which I have. The sunroof is optional, as is leather. I believe the SE2 got you a 3.4, power windows/locks, tilt, cruise power trunk keyless entry and 16" wheels. At least thats what I have.

Jason E

I sell cars at an Olds/Pontiac dealer part time, so I know all about these cars. They're nice I order almost all the cars for stock (my sales manager trusts my taste!), and every GT I order has the option package with the moonroof and chrome wheels...I almost factory ordered myself a loaded '01 Alero GL2 coupe last spring with the 2.4/5 speed combo (I like sticks, its $1,500 cheaper than a 3.4/auto, and just as quick!)

As for red emblems, why paint? Tear them off and buy new GAGT red ones! BTW, GM may underrate cars, but the 3.4 Ram Air is a true 175hp, and no more Compare its #s to other 175hp, 3100 lb cars out there, and the #s are spot on. They aren't slow though...I have seen 1 guy pull a 15.3 1/4 with his.

I love my GA...with 117k it runs like brand new. Gonna get my IROC one of these days, pay off the Z and run the GA to 200k

billsfirebird

iTrader: (1)

Well, my SE1 doesn't have leather or a sunroof. But it does have the V6.

Here is what my 4 door GA has.
3.4L V6
Auto
Power windows, locks, trunk releas, brakes, stearing. Tilt, cruise, cassette, cloth seating surfaces, 15" 5 star alloy wheels, No spoiler, fog lights, white paint, power seat (vertical adjustment), dual air bags.

I believe the V6 was an available option for the GA in 2000. All of the other GA's I looked at were 4's. I really thank the Lord for blessing me with this car and the deal I got on it!

LOVE IT!

86BIRD-MY FIRST CAR

Hey Jason E where do i get red emblems from and how do i take off the old ones, Also i heard alot form the theoretical street racing board that people claim the 2002 cavalier with the 2.2 and ecotec engine runs high 14's. The GA has an advantage over the cavalier in tourqe and HP, not to mention the induction of ram air. is 15's accurate for the GA? i figured it wil atleast be more than the puny cavalier

Brian K

Paint the plenum to match the car and wow it would stand out when you popped the hood. If it were my car I would look at K&N’s right off the bat and a exhaust, followed by headers.

Crazy Firebird Kid

Well hell, if you get to brag about your new grand am, then I get to brag about mine. Not quite as nice as yours, but I'm loving it so far. I bought a 98 GA SE about 2 weeks ago. Just a 4 cylinder, but that 2.4 twin cam has plenty of pep. Also the 4 cyl/4 door combo keeps the insurance at a bearable level. I too am gonna keep my 3rd gen, but it will be a while before I actually get it up and running. I agree, they are fun cars, although I would like to get some sport suspension for mine, as the stock SE suspension pretty much sux. I think I'll probably just put tons of mods on it, but keep it looking stock on the outside. I've already found a supercharger for it (if I only had the money now). I think I'll just make it into a super sleeper and kill the hell out of some rice.

Jason E

You can get the red emblems from any GM dealer. Just order red logos for a red Grand Am GT...they're all body-color-specific emblems, so its that easy

SLP sells cat backs and strut tower braces...2 cheap and easy mods. A K&N can't hurt either. Beyond that, there ain't much.

No Cavalier can run high 14s without some serious tuning. One guy over at gmpowertalk.com got his '01 GAGT to run a 15.3 with nothing more than a K&N.

And I can verify the 2.4 Twin Cam in a '98 is nice...my sister bought one from me last fall...thing goes along nice!!