Looking to turbo my GA.

[urweak]

I have a 97 GA with the LD9. Anyone have any tips, comments, or anything else about doing this. Thanks

[PACE]

V6 or 4 ? I don't know the LD9.

Either way its gonna be a couple grand and be a custom set-up. At what which point I say.....That is a downpayment on a Z or WRX.......ya know?

If you do a search you will find some good info here. Several members have done/attempted turbos.

[SpyhunteR]

LD9 = 2.4L it's the engine code. You've been schooled.

Tips and comments on turbo charging a 2.4L? Definately go to another forum for 2.4L forced induction. Check out the boosted forums on http://www.j-body.org You'll find a ton of info and there is like 3 guys making manifolds that would be able to accomodate you and your needs.

Tips? Get 310cc or 370cc Injectors. 2.3HO injectors work as well..
upgrade your intank fuel pump. I duno if anybody tried but from what heard the GTP fuel pump would go in and does flow more.
Get an Apex S-AFC if you're turbocharging. One of the easiest and best Air/Fuel tuning comps on the market in my opinion. You'll also be able to find a wiring diagram on how to wire it up on j-body.org.
Your stock headgasket doesn't like pressures above 12-13psi, if you want to run more than 10lbs of boost daily, invest in a copper headgasket, and a bottom end rebuild. 9:1 pistons, Eagle rods, o-ringed block, copper headgasket, and a balanced rotating assembly could mean many a fun day with a boosted setup.

Check out the .org ;)

[Doug]

If your serious about it. I have a downpipe/ manifold/ turbo combo for sale. This would be a huge head start. I know the manifold will fit and so will the turbo. The downpipe is iffy. People with older grand ams like your year says it will fit fine but I can't say for sure. If it doesn't it will probably only need to be slightly modified. This stuff costed me about 1400 bucks to make and buy. The manifold/downpipe have about 3000 miles on them and the turbo has about 100. yes 100 and it isn't a rebuild its brand new. 700 +shipping obo for these three pieces. Which is a steal IMO. I put a lot of time into these pieces and this is kinda like a one off thing. Thats if your serious. Oh and it pulls hard at 6 psi and was a lot of fun but I bought a supra so thats why I took it off.

here are some pics

http://flathat.woodstream.net/ColumbusRacing/Dougs%20pics/turbo.jpg

http://flathat.woodstream.net/ColumbusRacing/Dougs%20pics/turbo2.jpg

http://flathat.woodstream.net/ColumbusRacing/Dougs%20pics/manifold.jpg

http://flathat.woodstream.net/ColumbusRacing/Dougs%20pics/dp1.jpg

http://flathat.woodstream.net/ColumbusRacing/Dougs%20pics/dp2.jpg

[PACE]

Originally posted by SpyhunteR
LD9 = 2.4L it's the engine code. You've been schooled.


Get 310cc or 370cc Injectors.
upgrade your intank fuel pump.
Get an Apex S-AFC if you're turbocharging.
wiring
copper headgasket
bottom end rebuild.
9:1 pistons
Eagle rods
o-ringed block
Copper headgasket
balanced rotating assembly


Do you reaize how much $$$ you just spurted off?? all for what?? a 14.2 E.T. at best?? Anyone that does this is a total asshat. For the price of buying the car new and then doing the above plus probably wheels, tint, good tires, body kit....YOU COULD HAVE JUST BOUGHT YOURSELF A C5 !!!

Please give me ONE reason why a tubro 2.4 Grand Am that runs 14's is better than a real performance car.

Now I'll refer back to your original statement and ask....Who got schooled?

[Doug]

Originally posted by PACE
Do you reaize how much $$$ you just spurted off?? all for what?? a 14.2 E.T. at best?? Anyone that does this is a total asshat. For the price of buying the car new and then doing the above plus probably wheels, tint, good tires, body kit....YOU COULD HAVE JUST BOUGHT YOURSELF A C5 !!!

Please give me ONE reason why a tubro 2.4 Grand Am that runs 14's is better than a real performance car.

Now I'll refer back to your original statement and ask....Who got schooled?

Please keep this on topic. And a ga with all those parts better not run a 14. Thats a recipe for a bullit proof 400+ whp capable motor. I woul at least expect 12s out of it with good tires.

I mean why would anybody mod a grand am period rather then just buying a performance car. Cause its different and whats more impressive. A fast mustang/camaro or a fast turbo Grand Am. With 8 psi and tuning/DRs. I think its possible to break into 13s.

OH and everyone knows. Bottles are for babies ;).

[PACE]

400 hp 2.4?? lol bullit proof?? you didn't even mention the trans.! (or clutch). For that power (which you'll never get out of a 2.4) you're talking about a full drive train rebuild as well.....Pennies though right?? NO SE has ever even runs 13's let alone 12's lol

I used to agree with your post when I was yourger...now I just want to go fast, I don't want to spend 8 hours a week on my back in the floor of my garage wrenching on a POS Grand Am after a 50 hour work week. I'd rather work on my house or spend time with my wife. But that just me getting old. I had lots of fun with grand ams. But when the work spent NEVER equaled the result- it becase obvious I was fighting a losing battle. Do you know how much time I wasted working on my 2000 to get to the 13's?? for what I wasted I could be in a C5 RIGHT NOW. but its too late....I learned the hard way....But when new people ask (as above) I tell them the truth. Grand Ams are not fast and will never be fast for a decent amount of cash. Buy a different car if you want speed.....If you want a great looking car that can compete with the 200 hp cars then the GA is right for you.

Doug, add up the money you have spent on your car and tell me it was worth it...Your still in a Grand Am SE with a 14+ (I'm being generous...you probably run 15's) E.T. How much have you spent? can you honestly tell me it was worth it? You can get C5's right now for 30,000. thats like $250 a month! But Grand Ams are cooler than Corvette's right?:rolleyes:

[Doug]

Originally posted by PACE
[B]400 hp 2.4?? lol bullit proof?? you didn't even mention the trans.! (or clutch). For that power (which you'll never get out of a 2.4) you're talking about a full drive train rebuild as well.....Pennies though right?? NO SE has ever even runs 13's let alone 12's lol

Ok first off you obviously don't know anything about the 2.4L. Have you done the research? You didn't even know the engine code. Their are three or four j-bodies that make that kind of power (yes 400 hp) on the 2.4L. What is so unimaginable about a fully built motor making 400 hp??? And they arn't even pushing it. Oh and when did I ever say it was cheap?


I used to agree with your post when I was yourger...now I just want to go fast, I don't want to spend 8 hours a week on my back in the floor of my garage wrenching on a POS Grand Am after a 50 hour work week. I'd rather work on my house or spend time with my wife. But that just me getting old. I had lots of fun with grand ams. But when the work spent NEVER equaled the result- it becase obvious I was fighting a losing battle. Do you know how much time I wasted working on my 2000 to get to the 13's?? for what I wasted I could be in a C5 RIGHT NOW. but its too late....I learned the hard way....But when new people ask (as above) I tell them the truth. Grand Ams are not fast and will never be fast for a decent amount of cash. Buy a different car if you want speed.....If you want a great looking car that can compete with the 200 hp cars then the GA is right for you.


I agree thats why I own a supra. Time to move on.


Doug, add up the money you have spent on your car and tell me it was worth it...Your still in a Grand Am SE with a 14+ (I'm being generous...you probably run 15's) E.T. How much have you spent? can you honestly tell me it was worth it? You can get C5's right now for 30,000. thats like $250 a month! But Grand Ams are cooler than Corvette's right?:rolleyes:

I spent roughly 2500 on the turbo kit. Probably another 2500 on other things like rims.

Car (12000) + mod (5000) = 17000. Corvette??? Where can I find a C5 for 17000. And I was most likey deep into the 14s. Not bad for the 16.7 I started out as. ;)

You act like you know everything. Seems like you have more growing up to do ;)

[AMRAAM4]

Doug, did you get a Supra TT ? How is Kyle's Skyline coming and do you know where he has any updated pics? He doesn't hang ou ton the boards anymore.

[Doug]

No its just got one turbo :) The Skyline is still in Cali. Cali is incredible slow at pushing paper work through.

[urweak]

Originally posted by PACE
Do you reaize how much $$$ you just spurted off?? all for what?? a 14.2 E.T. at best?? Anyone that does this is a total asshat. For the price of buying the car new and then doing the above plus probably wheels, tint, good tires, body kit....YOU COULD HAVE JUST BOUGHT YOURSELF A C5 !!!

Please give me ONE reason why a tubro 2.4 Grand Am that runs 14's is better than a real performance car.

Now I'll refer back to your original statement and ask....Who got schooled?


Um well considering i got the car for free, throwing 5 grand into it isnt anything. so if i get a rebuilt motor and turbo set up ill have basicly a brand new car for 5+ grand. The only C5 i could buy with that is one of those 1/18 scale cars.

And for the person who said you can get a C5 for 30k and the payment would be 299 a month, let me ask what bank you go to for this type of monthly payment b/c a 30k car is more like 600 a month.

[PACE]

Originally posted by Doug


I spent roughly 2500 on the turbo kit. Probably another 2500 on other things like rims.


.....and you still have a slow ass grand am....Was that $5000 well spent? You should have put that $$ into the Supra and made it a twin.....Why didn't you? wtf Heck with $5000 down in Detroit you can have a BRAND NEW C5 for $299 a month!!!!!!! But tell me again you'd rather have a Grand Am.


However, you guys have some valid arguements. I guess there are just a lot cooler cars out there to build besides a grand am. And to get the 2.4 at 400 whp and running 12's its costs a lot more than $2500. A good engine management system costs that much alone. You'd be looking at, AT LEAST $10,000 to JUST the engine if not more. and how many hours of work on your part? I'm sure there are a few (as in 4 or 5) 2.4's running these numbers but they are sponsored and totally rebuilt from the ground-up. These cars have seen probably $50,000 in work and have huge sponsors like Pontiac or other big corperations. They are not built by kids in their parents garage.

I guess if your parents buy you a daily driver Grand Am and you want to turn it into a turbo "race car" then more power to ya. My point is that the time and money could be better spent building a different car. Heck you can get an 01 Mustang Cobra for $29,000 or a C5 for low $30,000's....heck of a lot nicer inside and out, and faster than a Grand Am SE. Why not sell the GA and use that as a downpayment on a fast car?

And don't forget actions speak louder than wods on the internet. No one has ever build a factory Grand Am SE to be faster than 14's.....I can't think off hand of a 2.4 GA faster than 15's but there might be. But don't feel like I'm talking crap about your car....I'm stuck with a gay-ass grand am too! lol

[mr_eh]

why do you even post here?...

[PACE]

My point is that the grand Am is great daily driver car that looks really cool and can compete with the 200 hp club cars....but it is not a race car and will never be so i discourage people from wasting their hard earned money like I did.....if its mommy's money though I guess its different.

[Doug]

Originally posted by PACE
You guys have some valid arguements. I guess there are just a lot cooler cars out there to build besides a grand am. And to get the 2.4 at 400 whp and running 12's its costs a lot more than $2500. A good engine management system costs that much alone. You'd be looking at, AT LEAST $10,000 to the JUST engine if not more. and how many hours of work on your part? I'm sure there are a few (as in 4 or 5) 2.4's running these numbers but there are sponsored totally rebuilt from the ground-up cars. These cars have seen probably $50,000 in work and have huge sponsors like Pontiac or other big corperations. They are not built by kids in their parents garage. but even if you tried here a break down.

There are no where near 10,000 into these engines. THe most expensive thing they have to run is a stand alone. But its still not cheap. I'll break it down. THis is assuming you do the labor yourself which most of these guys are. And they are not all race cars. A few are daily drivers. Expoilted racing sells a full turbo kit that comes with fully build internals and everything you need to run 400+ whp for 5 grand. Heck with only pistons and rods the motor will take 400 hp. Stock valve train is good for more then that. The block is cast iron. Perfect for boost. I can't think of any that are sponsored. THis is with stock trannies only upgrade is a clutch.


so a Grand Am SE = 17,500
mods ------------------15,000

= $32,000

Boom there's your C5

I guess if your parents buy you a daily driver Grand Am and you want to turn it into a turbo "race car" then more power to ya. My point is that the time and money could be better spent building a different car. Heck you can get an 01 Mustang Cobra for $29,000 or a C5 for low $30,000's....heck of a lot nicer inside and out, and faster than a Grand Am SE. Why not sell the GA and use that as a downpayment on a fast car?

And what is with the age thing. How come everyone has to bring that up. I bought my car. I bought all the parts for it. It would take nowhere near 15,000 to make 400 whp. I say with the right parts and doing the labor your self. $6000 Explioted Kit plus 1 grand for a used haltech E6K.

Oh and you don't think your not gonna want to mod the C5.
C5 (30,000) + LPE TT kit 40000 =70,000 Man you can buy a used 911 turbo for that. And it keeps going and going.

Or you can buy a supra and make a reliable 600+ rwp on good gas and be able to beat almost anything you come across from a roll ;) INcluding a LPE vette.

Oh and some people like not having to make car payments. I finished paying off my car last year and it feels nice to own it 100 percent. Makes a great daily driver too.

[mr_eh]

well its all what you consider a race car, personally i'd like to get high 15s out of my car, then put a supercharger on it

does that make it a `race` car?

no its a fun daily driver with some pep ....

[PACE]

I agree with most of what you said Doug......but if you ask the guys who built those 12 sec 2.4's I bet the have spent more than $5000 in mods.... ya know?

and your right if I bought a C5 I would have to mod it cuz I'm a car addict like that :p

I support anyone who tackles any project. I'm sorry if it didn't come out like that. seriously.

It just seems like a lot of people come here and say that they are going to build a 12 sec turbo Grand Am and have no real knowledge of what it will take. Plus no one has ever done it and right now no one is even close.

And mr_eh, I have been here since the beginning building Grand Ams so don't ever question why I post.

Originally posted by mr_eh
well its all what you consider a race car, personally i'd like to get high 15s out of my car, then put a supercharger on it

does that make it a `race` car?

no its a fun daily driver with some pep ....

But thats not what this thread is about. I agree that is the best way to build a grand am! Just add a few small power adders and have fun....Don't waste your time trying to build it into something its never going to be (a sub 12 sec car.)

[Doug]

ohhh you edited while I was writing my last post.


.....and you still have a slow ass grand am....Was that $5000 well spent? You should have put that $$ into the Supra and made it a twin.....Why didn't you?

I wouldn't call 14s slow ass. I guess 350z are slow ass too. I AM putting that money in my supra. Made it a twin??? Everyone know the twinturbos on the supras suck and if you want to make a power you go single. But I'm sure you knew that already.



My point is that the grand Am is great daily driver car that looks really cool and can compete with the 200 hp club cars....but it is not a race car and will never be so i discourage people from wasting their hard earned money like I did.....if its mommy's money though I guess its different.


Again enough with the parents thing. And so what if his parents bought him his car. Are you jealous of something? When I have kids and if I have the money hell yes I'll buy him his first car. No one ever said its a race car and I don't know of anybody trying to make it one. Modding the grand am makes it a FUN car to drive. You can have plenty fun with a 14 second car. ;)

[PACE]

Originally posted by Doug

I wouldn't call 14s slow ass. I guess 350z are slow ass too. I AM putting that money in my supra. Made it a twin??? Everyone know the twinturbos on the supras suck and if you want to make a power you go single. But I'm sure you knew that already.



I know nothing about Supra's. I know Grand Am's.

[mr_eh]

i asked because you came at him with feirce negativity

granted no ones making a 12 second turbo grand am (any time soon)

but no reason to attack every person that does come here with little to no knowledge of cars... yeah its a stupid post, but relax, you could have nicely explained to him

you made it sound like doing anything to a grand am and going to the race track is not worth the time

i'd rather compete with all those 200hp cars who think they are bad ass ... then with people using "mommies" money to buy a 10,000$ turbo or whatever the fruck you wanna say

[PACE]

and yeah I did some editing to try to express my point better.....I'm trying to make my point with out angering anybody....most people take comments about their cars pretty hard (As do I )

[Doug]

But I generally agree. If you want to have a all out speed machine or even 12s. DOn't mod your grand am. But if you want something fun to drive and can hang with 70 percent of the cars on the road then go for. ONe of the best feelings is pulling in a parking lot full of ricers and building a couple of #s of boost and blowing off. :) Uniqueness can be just as rewarding as speed.

[mr_eh]

/agree with doug

[PACE]

Originally posted by mr_eh
i asked because you came at him with feirce negativity

granted no ones making a 12 second turbo grand am (any time soon)

but no reason to attack every person that does come here with little to no knowledge of cars... yeah its a stupid post, but relax, you could have nicely explained to him




You are correct and for that I appologise.

[PACE]

Originally posted by mr_eh
/agree with doug


me too.:)

[TheShizzy]

hey doug, got pics of your supra? what year is it? what size turbo you got on it? there is a spoiled lil fock head here in my town with a t-88 turbo upgrade, volk 18s, teardrop exhaust, custom cage, and defi gauges (500 bucks each, from what i heard, and hes got about 6 or 7)....saw him run it, first run, 14.7, second 14.3, third, 13.6....LOL! where are all the boosted brothers....i think someone needs to show this kid how to drive. SORRY TO BE OFF TOPIC GUYS

[urweak]

all this stuff about wasting money on a GA was kinda a waste of time. I know im not going to go out and blow the doors of some 11 second cars i just want like 200hp at the wheels. and the reason i got my car is b/c my perants got a new car and they just gave me the grand am. its a 97 with close to 100k on it nothing great really. so to get this tread back on topic does anyone have any tips for me?

[PACE]

Sorry dude, I didn't realize that it was a 1997 Grand Am SE with 100K miles on it....That will be perfect candidate for a high boosting turbo set-up! :rolleyes:

[Doug]

So get a huge head start and buy my set-up. Won't ever see one like it again.

[urweak]

im not ready to buy a turbo set up. still doing research.

[gobraves02002]

sorry to bring this post back up but...
im not interested in getting the trubo charged for the car
but
i want the sound
how do i go about getting the sound
i imagine it is the blower making that noise
im no one for speed, just show
but last year at nopi i fell in love with the noise the turbo's made
can it be done
please dont rag me for this, help only needed

[urweak]

you can get a fake blow off BOV to make the sound of a turbo on ebay for like 100 bucks. But you know your going to hear alot of **** for doing that. And i personaly think people who do that are idiots and ricers.