What do you guys know about pregen Grand Prix's?
04-25-2005, 07:49 PM
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What do you guys know about pregen Grand Prix'*?
My roommate'* dad is looking to get him a '94 GP but I'm not sure which motor it has. Can someone give me some info on reliability and maintenance issues on the pregen GPs? I already put a post up on clubgp, but I thought I'd see what I could find from you guys. Thanks.
04-25-2005, 07:53 PM
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Stay away from the 3100'* with over 60,000 miles -headgaskets, heads, trannies, pistons -they all go at about 100k.
The 3.4 is a total PITA -timing chains have been known to break less than 10k after being newly installed. Over-all the 1994-1996 GP'* aren't the greatest. If you can find a nice 1990-1993 with a 3.1 that runs good you have a good one. The 3.1 GP'* from 1990-93 were probably the most reliable GP'* between 1988 and 1997 when the 3800 became available.
The 3.4 is a total PITA -timing chains have been known to break less than 10k after being newly installed. Over-all the 1994-1996 GP'* aren't the greatest. If you can find a nice 1990-1993 with a 3.1 that runs good you have a good one. The 3.1 GP'* from 1990-93 were probably the most reliable GP'* between 1988 and 1997 when the 3800 became available.
04-26-2005, 03:53 PM
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Originally Posted by OLBlueEyesBonne
Stay away from the 3100'* with over 60,000 miles -headgaskets, heads, trannies, pistons -they all go at about 100k.
The 3.4 is a total PITA -timing chains have been known to break less than 10k after being newly installed. Over-all the 1994-1996 GP'* aren't the greatest. If you can find a nice 1990-1993 with a 3.1 that runs good you have a good one. The 3.1 GP'* from 1990-93 were probably the most reliable GP'* between 1988 and 1997 when the 3800 became available.
The 3.4 is a total PITA -timing chains have been known to break less than 10k after being newly installed. Over-all the 1994-1996 GP'* aren't the greatest. If you can find a nice 1990-1993 with a 3.1 that runs good you have a good one. The 3.1 GP'* from 1990-93 were probably the most reliable GP'* between 1988 and 1997 when the 3800 became available.
04-26-2005, 04:57 PM
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Originally Posted by OLBlueEyesBonne
Stay away from the 3100'* with over 60,000 miles -headgaskets, heads, trannies, pistons -they all go at about 100k.
The 3.4 is a total PITA -timing chains have been known to break less than 10k after being newly installed. Over-all the 1994-1996 GP'* aren't the greatest. If you can find a nice 1990-1993 with a 3.1 that runs good you have a good one. The 3.1 GP'* from 1990-93 were probably the most reliable GP'* between 1988 and 1997 when the 3800 became available.
The 3.4 is a total PITA -timing chains have been known to break less than 10k after being newly installed. Over-all the 1994-1996 GP'* aren't the greatest. If you can find a nice 1990-1993 with a 3.1 that runs good you have a good one. The 3.1 GP'* from 1990-93 were probably the most reliable GP'* between 1988 and 1997 when the 3800 became available.
04-26-2005, 05:06 PM
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There are some diffrences between the motors....
The 3.1 was an MPFI, and it didn't have the roller lifters, it was still a conventinal lifter design... And was good for roughly 140 Hp, Torque was good at 185 Ft Lbs tho...
The MPFI system fired the injectors in multiples or 2 at a time if memory serves... But all of them I have seen did well on fuel, and were happy to scream when called on... Problems with the motors were few and far between with the exception of motor mounts and an oil leak that was very easy to cure...
The 3100 was a redesign of the 3.1... The 3100 made its appearance in 94 In the Grans Prix, Olds Cutlass cierra, Cutlass supreme, well most all of the A bodies, W bodies, and N bodies as well...
There were a few problems with this motor, One was piston scuffing, and some had lifter chatter on cold start... A few blew up, some burned too much oil.... Bla Bla Bla...
GM added pistons with teflon coated skirts later and I think in 96 all of the pistons for it were coated...
I don't feel that the 3100 was that bad of an engine as I have seen so many past the 100,000 miles mark with few issues... But remember that the intake gaskets will fail during the lifetime of the car, the engine will develop a decent oil leak which will usually be the oil pump drive shaft seal.... I have seen many with bad intake gaskets, and a few with bad head gaskets... I know people with 150,000 miles plus on that 3100 motor...
But again I will agree that those old 3.1'* were good motors for sure...
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The 3.1 was an MPFI, and it didn't have the roller lifters, it was still a conventinal lifter design... And was good for roughly 140 Hp, Torque was good at 185 Ft Lbs tho...
The MPFI system fired the injectors in multiples or 2 at a time if memory serves... But all of them I have seen did well on fuel, and were happy to scream when called on... Problems with the motors were few and far between with the exception of motor mounts and an oil leak that was very easy to cure...
The 3100 was a redesign of the 3.1... The 3100 made its appearance in 94 In the Grans Prix, Olds Cutlass cierra, Cutlass supreme, well most all of the A bodies, W bodies, and N bodies as well...
There were a few problems with this motor, One was piston scuffing, and some had lifter chatter on cold start... A few blew up, some burned too much oil.... Bla Bla Bla...
GM added pistons with teflon coated skirts later and I think in 96 all of the pistons for it were coated...
I don't feel that the 3100 was that bad of an engine as I have seen so many past the 100,000 miles mark with few issues... But remember that the intake gaskets will fail during the lifetime of the car, the engine will develop a decent oil leak which will usually be the oil pump drive shaft seal.... I have seen many with bad intake gaskets, and a few with bad head gaskets... I know people with 150,000 miles plus on that 3100 motor...
But again I will agree that those old 3.1'* were good motors for sure...
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04-26-2005, 05:17 PM
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Originally Posted by harofreak00
ill agree that the 90-93 3.1 was a strong motor, i got rid of mine at 203k when it had a bad knock...
whats different about the 94 thou?
whats different about the 94 thou?
04-26-2005, 05:19 PM
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My friend has a 94 Grand Am with the 3100. We beat the freaking crap out of that car, and it still runs. It has electrical problems. It'* on it'* 2nd transmission. The first one died at about 180,000 miles or so. The car is slowly falling apart, but the engine keeps running strong. It doesn't overheat, and it actually runs well on long trips.
Just look at this pic, and it will answer your questions:
I'm not saying they will all last this long, but for the most part, they are durable motors.
Just look at this pic, and it will answer your questions:
I'm not saying they will all last this long, but for the most part, they are durable motors.