Hey All, not sure if anyone here is a member of POCI and gets their monthly magazine. But, Don Keefe, whom I'm sure many know or recognize the name, is the Editor-In Cheif. Don is also a writer for HPP and a big Grand Prix Enthusiast. In this months edition of Smoke Signals, he had an article talking about the 97-03 GTPs and I thought I'd post it up here for everyone to enjoy. Also, the GTX he is referring to from HPP IIRC was Chris White's old GTX.

"In particular, I want to focus on one particular car that captured my imagination a decade ago and still holds it today. That is the Wbody
Grand Prix, particularly the supercharged GTPs from 1997-
2003.
I personally believe that they are an exciting, affordable and practical
platform for an all-around performance car. If your situation dictates
that your hobby car and your daily driver be the same vehicle,
the GTP really is the one sensible choice. It offers the interior and
trunk volume of a family car with the all-weather advantages of front
wheel drive. Best of all, it boasts the handling and acceleration of a
pony car and the torque they make will remind you of a strong running
389.
As far as the styling goes, they still look great- certainly one of
Pontiac’s best looking cars from that era. Sure, some people may
find the styling a little bit dated, but by 1966, even the ‘61 Ventura
was a little long in the tooth. No one complains about that now.
With the earlier versions of the GTP falling into the $5,000 and
under range, they represent a lot of bang for the buck. You might
have to search for that perfect combination of options, condition
and price but there are great deals to be had out there.
The other aspect of the latemodel GTP that makes them so
appealing is the strong aftermarket support for them. While some
parts manufacturers have come and gone in the decade since their
introduction, it seems like the companies out there have stabilized as
of late and they have also come to market with a wide range of performance
enhancers for the engine, transaxle and the suspension-
even turbo kits.
If you’re into drag racing, the front-drive layout isn’t nearly as bad
as you might think. A set of drag radials on a 300+ horsepower
GTP can provide 60-foot times in the 1.80s. A handful of GTPs are
running 9-second quarter-miles with front-wheel drive, so it’s definitely
doable.
Back in the late ‘90s, I was involved in the building of a 1998
Grand Prix GTX, built with the help of Pontiac-GMC, SLP Engineering,
Thrasher, Baer Racing and others. It was built for the 1998 and ‘99
SEMA Conventions and later went on to be a project car for HPP. It
remains my favorite magazine car ever. It made over 350 horsepower
before the 75-horse shot of nitrous, would run 13s at 106 on
street tires and would get 31 mpg on the highway. I think it’s the perfect
street performance car in this era of $3.25 a gallon gas. Maybe
it’s time for me to build another one!"

If anyone is interested in signing up for POCI (Pontiac-Oakland Club International), you can do so at their website Welcome - Pontiac-Oakland Club International, Inc.

__________________
MACGP President
3.25"/P&P Gen III/ZZP Stg II TB/Thasher CAI/ZZP VS Cam/TOG Xtremes/AL 104s/180*/Full 3" Exhaust/SD Package/GMPP Sways & Arms/DuBob'd

thats a very well written article

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2001 GTP street car- GT45 turbo,Stage 4 Intense turbo cam,FMIC,150 wet, double roller timing chain, Diamond forged coated pistons 8:0:1, Diamond piston rings, cryoed L32 connecting rods, Cryoed crank, Clevite77 main bearings, Clevite77 cam bearings, Clevite77 L32 rod bearings, ARP Everything, Intense/meizere true billet Flexplate, Custom UIM, Intense oil pressure kit, Cometic 4 layer head gaskets, OE-R lifters, Cryoed L67 block, ATI turbo dampner, MUCH MORE, 6 more to choose from ASE Certified

How can I get a copy of this magazine? I like collecting this stuff...

__________________
Shawn W. Larsen


'99 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP ___ '00 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP ___ '07 Chevy Trailblazer SS

very good read

__________________
Steve
'97 GTP VS cam, ZZP PCM, and not much else yet

You might be able to get a copy from Pontiac-Oakland Club International. When you become a member of POCI, you get a subscription to Smoke Signals, which is their monthly magazine. I signed up after a recommendation from a guy I met at Carlisle GM Nationals. Don Keefe is their Editor in Chief and is also involved with High Performance Pontiac magazine.

Don actually just wrote a 128 page book not too long ago about the Grand Prix entitled: "Grand Prix: Pontiac's Luxury Performance Car"

Don has over 18 years of research done with the Grand Prix and has included from design sketches from the 1950's all the was through it's rebirth as what we know it today. Also covered are experimental, showcar, and specialty versions of the Grand Prix.

If you would like a copy of the book, you can order if straight from Don at Grand Prix Book Webhome

__________________
MACGP President
3.25"/P&P Gen III/ZZP Stg II TB/Thasher CAI/ZZP VS Cam/TOG Xtremes/AL 104s/180*/Full 3" Exhaust/SD Package/GMPP Sways & Arms/DuBob'd