So I just bought my Grand Am this weekend...

[Doctor J]

So, I just bought my car this weekend. It's a 1999 four-door GT. "V6 HO", Ram-Air, and all that. I bought the car because I needed to replace my old vehicle, which was a 1996 Toyota Paseo (the largest owner's club for which I administer, if anyone by chance also has a Paseo). First of all, y'all's website is very clean. Second, my new Grand Am is amazing.

But I'm curious as to what my car is really capable of. Having driven a Paseo for the last five years of my life (this Paseo which ran about 17 seconds flat in the quarter) the Grand Am feels powerful and luxurious -- and above these things, respectable. That is to say, I don't feel as though I have to constantly rag on my car just to keep up with people who casually drive at a more brisk pace than most.

And I wonder, just how fast is this new car of mine? I don't plan on racing or modifying it (though I'll not pass up an opportunity at a little stoplight grand prix action, if the conditions are just right), but I don't like sitting stupid with no numbers at all, when my friends who drive things like extremely-mildly-"tuned" Civic EX's are saying "yeah, it's pretty quick... but I could take you."

So what's the good word? Is this car as quick as it feels? What's a top speed, quarter mile time, anything like that? Again, the car's bone stock, four doors, and GT with the "H.O." and "Ram Air (by Pontiac)", etcetra. Thanks for any information you guys happen to be able to drop off-hand!

[92CamaroRS]

well depending on Alt. and other conditions. they usually run between 15.5 and 16 flat. top speed is usually governd. tho im not sure at what speed.

[Themeneea]

i think the gov is at 110 MPH

i know you said you wont mod it, but with minor mods you can get to the low 15's :)

i think theres a guy on here with a 14.9

[AznGA]

Your old Toyota ran 17 sec stock? Was that manual? That's pretty fast considering our car runs 16 stock.

[Doctor J]

Yeah, my 'Yota ran 17 flat, maybe better 'cause I did a little tweaking after my last run at the track (where I scored my 17.0). It was manual, and you know, Toyota under-rates their engines. The little thing romped, hard, through second gear. By third gear it had kind of thinned out, but I'd still be pushing 90 at redline. I dunno. Whatever. That car is sooooooo gone.

And, the numbers might not seem like it, but a second difference in a quarter mile is quite a bit. I mean... if a 16-second car (Grand Am) and a 17-second car (Paseo) run head to head, imagine how far behind the Paseo's gonna be when the Grand Am crosses the finish line. Probably about 120 feet (if you figure one second at an average of eighty miles an hour).

[wiccanferret]

Welcome to the group. I'm sure you'll find that this group is a bit more civil then most.

[Psi]

Look at my time
That's stock ...
There have been faster stock GAGT's as well.
Hope you enjoy the car, they are fun.

[BBT]

Your Civic EX buddies who say they could take you, I say go to the track and let them prove it. Don't argue with them, just say "Let's go. Maybe you can, maybe you can't. Prove it." Then they have to back it up.

[AznGA]

Originally posted by 92CamaroRS
well depending on Alt. and other conditions. they usually run between 15.5 and 16 flat. top speed is usually governd. tho im not sure at what speed.
Hey, how close are you from Ames?

[92CamaroRS]

Originally posted by AznGA
Hey, how close are you from Ames?


about 3 1/2 to 4 hours. up in northeast iowa. clayton county if ya know where that is at.

[AznGA]

Ok, Doctor J, welcome to the site. There is a guy in town that has a Beretta. It originally came with the 3100 engine, but he dumped in our engine into it(3400). Although his car is lighter, our GA GT has taller gear ratios. We raced up to top speed. Although I wasnt able to "smoke" him, I was able to pull away at the end. My car just has intake and exhaust. He says he has seen a stock Grand Am GT that ran 15.3 at the track. I have beat cars like stock Grand Prix GT's, stock old V8 T birds, stock last gen Mustang GT with V8 5-speed. What I am trying to say is our car is faster than average and you can easily make it faster with cheap mods. And don't be afraid to race those Civics. Unless they run with NOS or something like that, they have no chance. Oh ya, I raced this brand new Celica GTS automatic tonight, and we were identical.

[eric99gt]

Originally posted by Themeneea
i think the gov is at 110 MPH

i know you said you wont mod it, but with minor mods you can get to the low 15's :)

i think theres a guy on here with a 14.9

Top Speed is definately govered at 126MPH.

[HondaCivicsSuck]

yea, there pretty quick little cars. thats if you dont have leather sunroof and the hole nine yards. I cant wait to to get to the track to see what kinda times i can pull off this summer. The cheapest thing i would do to your car is CAI its good for at least 10hp :)

by the way what color is your car?? and can we see some pics of it?

[Doctor J]

:D Thanks for the warm welcome, folks. Yeah, I've got some pics coming one of these days. Actually it was my Civic EX buddy (who, by the way, won't race me but swears he would win if we did...) that took a few pics. When I get them... I'll stick 'em here.

It's white -- that's all I know. But it's a very nice pearly white. Any idea what the actual paint name and code is? I wouldn't mind scoring some touch-up just in case.

What thrills me is seeing these figures like, 15.4 and 15.5 for stock numbers down the quarter. I believe it, for sure, this car seriously hauls. Obviously GM made a good engine with this 3.4L.

And, I'm REALLY hoping the aftermarket bug doesn't catch me. Hah. We'll see.

[ccarr8705]

Yeah 99+ Gts are governed at 126 our SEs are goverened at 107.