Ask GTP About Your Car Problems/General Questions
- Thread starter nd 4 holden spd
- 1,479 comments
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- 7,666
If he has a drag racer I would hope that he knows how the thing works. It's one think having an EDO F430 that you usually just drive around on the roads, and maybe track occasionally. But if you have somebody else build you a dragster, you beat on it accordingly only to be clueless when it breaks down...
- 24,627
- Anoka, MN
Figured I would ask this here. What do you think of this car?
1997 Pontiac Grand Am GT
120,000 miles
$950
http://myfox9.carsoup.com/used/detail.asp?usedvehicleid=7247181&makeid=60&minyear=1995&maxyear=2010&searchid=Q7938&vehicletypeid=1&uvviewid=4&page=1&certified=0
1997 Pontiac Grand Am GT
120,000 miles
$950
http://myfox9.carsoup.com/used/detail.asp?usedvehicleid=7247181&makeid=60&minyear=1995&maxyear=2010&searchid=Q7938&vehicletypeid=1&uvviewid=4&page=1&certified=0
mafia_boy
(Banned)
- 5,570
- GTP_Mafiaboy
I think I lucked out with the Cressy's turbo problem. 
It MIGHT be just a real bad batch of fuel I picked up earlier in the week which was causing it to misfire, blow white smoke and everything because it was totally fine this afternoon when I used most of the last of this 🤬 fuel. No stuttering, backfiring, smoke, nothing! I run her normally on 98 octane but I do know the Cressy runs on 95 octane without any real fuss from the amount of times I did it in Sydney and a couple of times up here already. I'd put 95 in just before this crap started so it was a bit hard to tell.
Tuesday though I'll put in 98 w/ some octane booster to really clear the fuel lines out and hope that the fuel was the only problem.
It MIGHT be just a real bad batch of fuel I picked up earlier in the week which was causing it to misfire, blow white smoke and everything because it was totally fine this afternoon when I used most of the last of this 🤬 fuel. No stuttering, backfiring, smoke, nothing! I run her normally on 98 octane but I do know the Cressy runs on 95 octane without any real fuss from the amount of times I did it in Sydney and a couple of times up here already. I'd put 95 in just before this crap started so it was a bit hard to tell.
Tuesday though I'll put in 98 w/ some octane booster to really clear the fuel lines out and hope that the fuel was the only problem.
- 4,555
- Australia
Yeah, the Ovlov does that aswell. Last time it started missing was after a bad batch, I took it down to the servo and asked them what the deal was. They said nothing was up, but the girl who told me was acting real strange so I asked for the manager. He refused the accusation (more of a suggestion really) that it was bottom of the barrel sedimentary stuff, but he gave me a free tank - so something must've been up. 
mafia_boy
(Banned)
- 5,570
- GTP_Mafiaboy
I love having the standard JDM ECU, it's really supposed to be tuned for 100 Octane.
But it LOVES the 98 from Shell or BP....especially BP!! 
Yeah, the Ovlov does that aswell. Last time it started missing was after a bad batch, I took it down to the servo and asked them what the deal was. They said nothing was up, but the girl who told me was acting real strange so I asked for the manager. He refused the accusation (more of a suggestion really) that it was bottom of the barrel sedimentary stuff, but he gave me a free tank - so something must've been up.
Yeah, I should've done that yesterday but after this mishap I'm NEVER taking my car there again, even though they are 200m from my house. I'll drive (or push!) the car the extra 300m to the Caltex. But for my 98 there's only 2 in town, 1 Shell, 1 Mobil. And it was Mobil's fuel that screwed with my car.
The ladies at the Shell better have my 98 this week though, the dunces doing the tanker accidentally filled the V-Power tank with 91 a fortnight ago, so the whole tank had to be flushed out.
- 9,473
- QLD, Down Under
- GTP_Paulie
- Paulie LDP
I love having the standard JDM ECU, it's really supposed to be tuned for 100 Octane.
Yeah, I should've done that yesterday but after this mishap I'm NEVER taking my car there again, even though they are 200m from my house. I'll drive (or push!) the car the extra 300m to the Caltex. But for my 98 there's only 2 in town, 1 Shell, 1 Mobil. And it was Mobil's fuel that screwed with my car.
The ladies at the Shell better have my 98 this week though, the dunces doing the tanker accidentally filled the V-Power tank with 91 a fortnight ago, so the whole tank had to be flushed out.
Doesn't the JDM market get 120 octane fuel or something? Wouldn't you also stand to gain more from an aftermaket ECU by being allowed to tinker with air:fuel mixes? Or is that possible on your stock ECU? I think LS series V8s are all adjustable on the stock ECU. Plus, some Shells in Australia do have 100 octane fuel, and I've never seen a petrol station that doesn't offer 98 or offer to fill my car for me (not that I'd let them
).*I can see it now, me jumping out of the car grouching "Back away from the Ute lady!"
*
- 4,555
- Australia
Doesn't the JDM market get 120 octane fuel or something? Wouldn't you also stand to gain more from an aftermaket ECU by being allowed to tinker with air:fuel mixes? Or is that possible on your stock ECU? I think LS series V8s are all adjustable on the stock ECU. Plus, some Shells in Australia do have 100 octane fuel, and I've never seen a petrol station that doesn't offer 98 or offer to fill my car for me (not that I'd let them
*I can see it now, me jumping out of the car grouching "Back away from the Ute lady!"
Well that's QLD service. There was once a time when Sydney was like that but those days are gone for me and mafs.
mafia_boy
(Banned)
- 5,570
- GTP_Mafiaboy
Just go a little bit west to the hick towns Paulie. I drove up via New England Hwy (end to end from Sydney to D'Aguilar Hwy) and when I got to towns like Nanango, Ban Ban Springs and places like that it was, "what's 98 octane??" and some of them didn't even have 95!!
As for the ECU, it's 100 RON, not 120, too many years of researching about small cars and reading Fast Fours taught me that.
120 Octane though is more than C16 which is 117 octane. And I'm definitely not running my car on C16 all day!! Apart from the cost per litre, the risk on the engine is huge. 
As for the ECU, it's 100 RON, not 120, too many years of researching about small cars and reading Fast Fours taught me that.
120 Octane though is more than C16 which is 117 octane. And I'm definitely not running my car on C16 all day!! Apart from the cost per litre, the risk on the engine is huge.
- 4,555
- Australia
Just go a little bit west to the hick towns Paulie. I drove up via New England Hwy (end to end from Sydney to D'Aguilar Hwy) and when I got to towns like Nanango, Ban Ban Springs and places like that it was, "what's 98 octane??" and some of them didn't even have 95!!
As for the ECU, it's 100 RON, not 120, too many years of researching about small cars and reading Fast Fours taught me that.
That was the main problem for Ferrari when they pulled that stunt of sending 2 612s through China. They were lucky to get 91.
- 9,473
- QLD, Down Under
- GTP_Paulie
- Paulie LDP
mafia_boy
(Banned)
- 5,570
- GTP_Mafiaboy
I'd say go for it Justin. It's cheap, and hopefully it will be semi-reliable.
Otherwise, save another $1000 and look at a wider range of vehicles. Usually the cars here under $1000 are destined for wrecking yards OR out of rego and need heaps of work to get it back up to a roadworthy state.
Otherwise, save another $1000 and look at a wider range of vehicles. Usually the cars here under $1000 are destined for wrecking yards OR out of rego and need heaps of work to get it back up to a roadworthy state.
ROAD_DOGG33J
Premium
- 14,273
- IL, USA
- holyc0w1
- holyc0w
mafia_boy
(Banned)
- 5,570
- GTP_Mafiaboy
Turns out I didn't luck out with the Cressy. 
Can anyone say BHG??!
Already priced up a spare gasket......$600 + FREIGHT for a Trust one, $350USD for Apexi! I'm in WTF mode at those prices and really feeling the pinch now! It might be a case of me ripping my current 1JZ out and putting a whole fresh motor in....as it's only $500 more to get it up here! But regardless I'm looking at a 4 figure replacement including labour.
*sigh*
Option C is getting it fully insured.....and add a can of gas and a match. Talk me out of that option because I'm already at a wits end with the issue.
Can anyone say BHG??!
Already priced up a spare gasket......$600 + FREIGHT for a Trust one, $350USD for Apexi!
I'm in WTF mode at those prices and really feeling the pinch now! It might be a case of me ripping my current 1JZ out and putting a whole fresh motor in....as it's only $500 more to get it up here! But regardless I'm looking at a 4 figure replacement including labour.*sigh*
Option C is getting it fully insured.....and add a can of gas and a match.
Talk me out of that option because I'm already at a wits end with the issue.
- 4,555
- Australia
You are not burning it. If you are putting two sets of boost through a 1JZ, it's liklely parts will fail - its the life of a tuner.
The only advice I'd give you is (an I know this is radical), opt for a bigger, stronger block. It's more money now, but you can run at lower boost, theoritcally being more economical (I know that's not your primary concern) and the engine won't be straining itself, so less money later.
I could of course be talking nonsense.
The only advice I'd give you is (an I know this is radical), opt for a bigger, stronger block. It's more money now, but you can run at lower boost, theoritcally being more economical (I know that's not your primary concern) and the engine won't be straining itself, so less money later.
I could of course be talking nonsense.
mafia_boy
(Banned)
- 5,570
- GTP_Mafiaboy
The block isn't the issue though 80Y 2C2 (although a 2JZ block WOULD be nice with a 1JZ head!! ). It's the head gasket and only that. And it's a factory twin turbo, it's running factory boost (10psi.), factory ECU, a decent sized front mount intercooler, 3" from both turbos exhaust (with 2.5" tip for stealth 
) and yeah....that's about it.
I think it's just a case of bad luck more than anything. I could've sworn I didn't have any black cats cross my path recently.
). It's the head gasket and only that. And it's a factory twin turbo, it's running factory boost (10psi.), factory ECU, a decent sized front mount intercooler, 3" from both turbos exhaust (with 2.5" tip for stealth ) and yeah....that's about it.I think it's just a case of bad luck more than anything. I could've sworn I didn't have any black cats cross my path recently.
- 24,344
- Midlantic Area
- GTP_Duke
How old is it?
'80s Toyotas with aluminum heads and iron blocks loooove to blow headgaskets. Ask me how I know. If it has overheated at all the head is likely warped or cracked and the headgasket will blow again or will not fix the problem. If you take it apart, have the head checked thoroughly and get it magnafluxed if possible.
After the 3rd time my HG blew on the old Supra I but a junker engine and replaced it entirely rather than tear down the head again. It was actually easier to do.
'80s Toyotas with aluminum heads and iron blocks loooove to blow headgaskets. Ask me how I know. If it has overheated at all the head is likely warped or cracked and the headgasket will blow again or will not fix the problem. If you take it apart, have the head checked thoroughly and get it magnafluxed if possible.
After the 3rd time my HG blew on the old Supra I but a junker engine and replaced it entirely rather than tear down the head again. It was actually easier to do.
mafia_boy
(Banned)
- 5,570
- GTP_Mafiaboy
If it was the 7M motor Duke then I wholeheartedly agree with you. That under torqued head is a disaster, regardless whether it's a GE or GTE version.
However, being a 1JZ, it makes it a whole lot more surprising to me. I should be getting some feedback from the performance workshop here as to how much they can custom make a multi-layered gasket for me tomorrow. Until then, I have to sit and twiddle my thumbs.
However, being a 1JZ, it makes it a whole lot more surprising to me. I should be getting some feedback from the performance workshop here as to how much they can custom make a multi-layered gasket for me tomorrow. Until then, I have to sit and twiddle my thumbs.
Rotary Junkie
Premium
- 9,810
- Canton, MI
- RJs_RX-7
Soo ehh...
My grandmother bought a 2001 Jetta Wolfsburg 5-speed today. The factory BBS wheels have the pitting/dead clearcoat issue something awful and there's some sort of issue with the stock Monsoon radio; no idea about the functionality of the tape deck or CD player but it refuses to pick up anything. Ideas?
Also, how much of a living hell am I in for seeing as I'm going to be doing all the maint. work on it?
My grandmother bought a 2001 Jetta Wolfsburg 5-speed today. The factory BBS wheels have the pitting/dead clearcoat issue something awful and there's some sort of issue with the stock Monsoon radio; no idea about the functionality of the tape deck or CD player but it refuses to pick up anything. Ideas?
Also, how much of a living hell am I in for seeing as I'm going to be doing all the maint. work on it?
///M-Spec
Staff Emeritus
- 4,928
The only issue we had with our Mk IV was debris getting trapped in the sunroof drain lines. Water would then spill into the cabin. This was repaired several times under warranty until the techs figured out a piece of weatherstripping in the firewall was defective, trapping debris and causing the blockage. Scanning the forums showed this was not an uncommon problem in the Mk IV.
The synchos were a little weak. I sometimes out ran them when shifting quickly.
Otherwise, our Jetta 1.8T ran like a top. We traded it in after only 24k miles though.
Is the Monsoon asking for a radio code?
The wheels can be refinished for ~ $100 bucks per wheel. Just make sure the shop does a proper two stage powercoat + clearcoat on it.
M
The synchos were a little weak. I sometimes out ran them when shifting quickly.
Otherwise, our Jetta 1.8T ran like a top. We traded it in after only 24k miles though.
Is the Monsoon asking for a radio code?
The wheels can be refinished for ~ $100 bucks per wheel. Just make sure the shop does a proper two stage powercoat + clearcoat on it.
M
Rotary Junkie
Premium
- 9,810
- Canton, MI
- RJs_RX-7
Nope, it's not asking for a code or anything but it's acting like someone did a rush job putting it back in and didn't hook the antenna back up...
Which, thinking about it, is quite possible.
Which, thinking about it, is quite possible.
- 24,627
- Anoka, MN
