theoldshedsquad Posted September 6, 2008 Report Share Posted September 6, 2008 Hi, I'm a newbie to this forum and live in merrie olde England (which ain't that merry - it's the European FIA Drag Racing finals here this weekend and it's done nothing but rain for a week). Anyway, I have a 1990 Pontiac Grand Prix 3.1 LE. Was sold new in the UK by the one and only official North American GM importer. It's a real beater now, but due to the lack of a "proper" race car at the moment I am racing it in the National Street Car Challenge (see www.hotrodgazette.com if you're interested!). The finals are coming up next month ... This GP is never going to pass its next MoT (annual roadworthiness certificate/test) in January so I've stripped it out and it's going to race in our finals next month ... and it doesn't really matter if I kill it. Best time so far has been a 17.5 ... not good enough. It's going to get nitroused. I've borrowed a fogger nozzle, I already have an old Sniper kit (with a plate). Does anyone know of an easy way to retard the timing on one of these motors? Please note: A) I intend to spend NO money on this car if I can help it. I live probably 3000 miles from the nearest junkyard with another Grand Prix in it. C) the motor is all but standard Love the site, would appreciate any help you can offer! And yes, I've asked the same question on the 60degreeV6 forum ... need all the help/advice I can get! Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazy K Posted September 6, 2008 Report Share Posted September 6, 2008 You could artificially retard the timing by unhooking the knock sensor... the computer will retard the timing to protect the motor. the knock sensor will be on the rear of the motor, below the alternator. it has one green wire and the sensor is looks like a wide short cylinder, maybe 3/4 inch high by 2 inches in diameter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meltboy1 Posted September 6, 2008 Report Share Posted September 6, 2008 I'd like to see this, I've always wanted to see someone blow up one of these motors with No2... have fun with it!! Make sure to post some vids. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1990lumina Posted September 6, 2008 Report Share Posted September 6, 2008 I'd like to see this, I've always wanted to see someone blow up one of these motors with No2... have fun with it!! Make sure to post some vids. You've never seen that video wit hthe 3.1 in the Sunbird when those kids put a 100 shot through it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meltboy1 Posted September 6, 2008 Report Share Posted September 6, 2008 No I haven't... youtube here I come! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kwk39018 Posted September 6, 2008 Report Share Posted September 6, 2008 I'd like to see this, I've always wanted to see someone blow up one of these motors with No2... have fun with it!! Make sure to post some vids. You've never seen that video with the 3.1 in the Sunbird when those kids put a 100 shot through it? No, post a link Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meltboy1 Posted September 6, 2008 Report Share Posted September 6, 2008 ya, I just did a quick search and aint found it yet, I'll look again when I get out of the shower... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ManicMechanic Posted September 6, 2008 Report Share Posted September 6, 2008 I'll post it later. I will need to find it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GP1138 Posted September 6, 2008 Report Share Posted September 6, 2008 I'll post it later. I will need to find it. I have it on my computer at home. I will post it if you can't find it. It is hilarious to see, and the thing just does not quit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LuminaPower92 Posted September 6, 2008 Report Share Posted September 6, 2008 From what i understand and what ive been told the 3.1 is an incrediably strong engine and one of gms good engines. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ManicMechanic Posted September 6, 2008 Report Share Posted September 6, 2008 2.8/3.1 is like the 283/327 of the V6s... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kwk39018 Posted September 6, 2008 Report Share Posted September 6, 2008 Yep, mine has 155,000 miles and still going strong. No leaks or abnormal noises.Great motor,no power but great motor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BXX Posted September 6, 2008 Report Share Posted September 6, 2008 They may be strong, but ANY hint of detonation/knock under nitrous WILL destroy the engine in a split seconds. Thats the bad thing about the 2.8L/3.1Ls and nitrous. They arent as forgiving as other engines. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theoldshedsquad Posted September 7, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 7, 2008 Cool, thanks for the info. Now to find the knock sensor! I hope the nitrous won't QUITE kill it ... it's still my daily driver until January! Also, does anyone know what the black box on the rear parcel shelf is and what it does? (I don't have a shop manual - all I have is the Haynes manual that came with my girlfriend's old Grand Am) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldscsc Posted September 7, 2008 Report Share Posted September 7, 2008 Cool, thanks for the info. Now to find the knock sensor! I hope the nitrous won't QUITE kill it ... it's still my daily driver until January! Also, does anyone know what the black box on the rear parcel shelf is and what it does? (I don't have a shop manual - all I have is the Haynes manual that came with my girlfriend's old Grand Am) Unless you're doing a 50 shot or something little like that, I would seriously rethink putting NOS on a daily driver 3.1. Don't do it until ~ a week before you don't need it. If something happens, you're screwed and without a car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AWeb80 Posted September 7, 2008 Report Share Posted September 7, 2008 ya, I can't find that 3.1 nitros vid either... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theoldshedsquad Posted September 7, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 7, 2008 PS - here's the old shed in action: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timm Posted September 7, 2008 Report Share Posted September 7, 2008 Also, does anyone know what the black box on the rear parcel shelf is and what it does? (I don't have a shop manual - all I have is the Haynes manual that came with my girlfriend's old Grand Am) Pretty Sure it's the keyless entry module. Didn't know they had keyless entry in 1990! Also, this view is from the bottom of the trunk, looking up towards the right of the rear shelf. (ALLDATA images really lack quality.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ManicMechanic Posted September 7, 2008 Report Share Posted September 7, 2008 First year for it as I recall. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldscsc Posted September 7, 2008 Report Share Posted September 7, 2008 First year for it as I recall. I distinctly recall Reattas having it in '88. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ManicMechanic Posted September 7, 2008 Report Share Posted September 7, 2008 First year for it as I recall. I distinctly recall Reattas having it in '88. On W bodies. I don't remember seeing anything in my 1989 CS owner's manual about RKE. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theoldshedsquad Posted September 7, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 7, 2008 I don't think the car has keyless entry ... it certainly never came with a keyfob remote or anything, and it's a base LE model. In the spirit of "if it ain't broke don't fix it" I think I'll leave it alone ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ManicMechanic Posted September 7, 2008 Report Share Posted September 7, 2008 Perhaps...But I've seen some strange things with GMs... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meltboy1 Posted September 8, 2008 Report Share Posted September 8, 2008 my 89 GP has factory keyless Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timm Posted September 8, 2008 Report Share Posted September 8, 2008 Uhh, lol, this got off topic fast! But kinda back on topic, any update on that video? (And HORRAH for my 100th post! I feel less like a newb now!) Crap, that's probably gonna get off topic... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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