ASC McLaren Grand Prix; should i get it?

[budget_crx]

A friend of mine is selling a 1990 Pontiac Grand Prix Turbo that was modified by ASC Mclaren. He is selling it for $550, it has trouble starting (possibly bad gas) and needs all new brakes. The body isn't all that great so i was just wondering if this might be a decent investment, even with the work it needs. i know nothing about these cars so any info would help. thanks

[Jbenn911]

Looks like a pretty neat car! Here's a link I came across...Just google "1990 Turbo Grand Prix" or "1990 Grand Prix Turbo"..

Untitled Document

[Pronto]

I'd love to find one in nice shape. Around here I've only seen hi mileage ones in rough shape. The interiors in them look like the TTA's. There's a few sites that follow them and make some performance parts.

[ijames]

A friend had 2 or 3 over the years, and used to have the site tgpgarage.com until he let it go. They are rare and don't seem to have any collector value (at least not if you are selling :-)), handle pretty well, have enough power to be fun, can be hotrodded some but things start to get weak in the mid-13 sec range, and even parting a couple out didn't bring much money. As an investment, I'd say NO. As a project car for yourself, only you can decide but it will probably never be as reliably fast as your TR can be.

[GNTIM]

If you buy it, plan on shelling out $ to fix her up. Those cars had notoriously bad rear brakes. The rear brake caliper pistons sieze and all of the work is done by the front after that. Rear calipers are not cheap because the parking brake is part of the package and getting a good set of rebuilt ones can be tough. The motor is a Chevy v6 with a hairdryer and not a great reliability history, especially with high mileage. Cool history though. I liked the way those cars rode and handled.

[budget_crx]

I am nervous since the w-bodies are not as common or as popular as g-bodies, therefore parts are harder to find and more expensive. But i wonder if in the long run the car might be worth keeping around. Especially since ASC is having financial troubles, as bad as it may be, if they go out of business the value of thier cars may go up. what do you all think?

[chopped39]

For 550.00 get it . those cars are cool. they ride real nice. and i am pretty sure you can find parts for these cars. I know the rear brakes suck on these cars. i wonder if you can use parts off the 94 up rear brakes. way better design sure there are plenty in the junk yard you can parts off of.. you can always upgrade the turbo. maybe get a late model motor with roller rockers. maybe a 3.4. For 550.00 experiment with it. where are you going top get a somewhat performance car for that price. that car is cool looking get it and have fun with it. watch the rear subframe bolts"they rust and break off" one hell of a ride if they do. make sure ball joints are good before driving. check fuel pressure and check pressure regulator. they used to go bad all the time. i worked for chevy when these cars were a few years old. keep us posted and good luck

[turbofish38]

Its a W-body with a 3.1 V-6. How many of those did GM build? A BIZILLION! Parts are cheap and plentifull. Just dont break any of the turbo-specific parts and you'll do okay. If it was me I'd swap the brake and suspension for the 97 and newer parts. I'd find my self a 3.9 out of a new Impala and go from there. Lots of boneyard possibilties with what you have anyway.

[ijames]

The problem is the original transaxle won't take all that much power. They were marginal stock, so it doesn't take much in the way of hotrodding to blow them up.

[GNTIM]

You say ASC modded it. What did they do to it. My guess is a sunroof install.

[garyk1970]

i had a red one two years ago,some simple mods ( fixing the exhaust /header cracks first) and the car was more fun. bought on evil-bay for $2000 played with it for a year,sold it for what i had in it (minus my labor) wish i still had it.if was is worth fixing after a close inspection,GO FOR IT

[turbofish38]

Originally Posted by ijames

The problem is the original transaxle won't take all that much power. They were marginal stock, so it doesn't take much in the way of hotrodding to blow them up.

Most of the more breakage prone parts on the original 4T60(THM 440-T4) can be replaced with the good stuff from a 4T65E from a 3800SC car. The posi case for example. Just like the 200-4R there is a good aftermarket for HD parts on this transaxle.

[ijames]

Originally Posted by turbofish38

Most of the more breakage prone parts on the original 4T60(THM 440-T4) can be replaced with the good stuff from a 4T65E from a 3800SC car. The posi case for example. Just like the 200-4R there is a good aftermarket for HD parts on this transaxle.

That's great to know. 2-4 years ago when my friend was struggling trying to keep a trans in his little brother's tgp it seemed like "buy a stock gm reman and pray" was the only answer. Luckily (?) his brother totaled the car before destroying the third trans :-).