The Grand Sport. Part 2: The experience.

[alienviking]

Overall vehicle quality (build quality and fit and finish not reliability) I'd take a 3S over a C5, but for what I want a sporty car to do anymore I'd take the C5.

I wouldn't want the hassle of keeping a 3S going these days either to be honest.

[Chris GTO TT]

I generally agree Frode, some parts are impossible to find.

[DCIV]

Like what? I can’t think of much. If left stock they are also very solid as long as you maintain and don’t drive like a 16yr old all the time.

Even then, there is no comparison to Jeff’s vette.


Coop

[aaronatstate]

As far as basic maintenance items, getting those for a 3S isn't that challenging still. Some things are tough, and can't be had new OE anymore like oil pumps, but there are good aftermarket ones available now.

I mean I can't go to Oreilly and get a lot of parts, but I can get most of them online. I wouldn't drive a 3S as my ONLY car anymore, but having it as a fun second car when you can wait for parts, it's not that bad, yet.

I have my Stealth basically exactly where I want it, except for the paint. But I think I'm going to wrap it, and be done. With a good ceramic coat, and keeping it in the garage, the vinyl should last a good long while. But I do know at somepoint, it's basically going to be mechanically totalled, and at that point, I'll be looking to get something else then.

[vr4]

As far as basic maintenance items, getting those for a 3S isn't that challenging still. Some things are tough, and can't be had new OE anymore like oil pumps, but there are good aftermarket ones available now.

I mean I can't go to Oreilly and get a lot of parts, but I can get most of them online. I wouldn't drive a 3S as my ONLY car anymore, but having it as a fun second car when you can wait for parts, it's not that bad, yet.

I have my Stealth basically exactly where I want it, except for the paint. But I think I'm going to wrap it, and be done. With a good ceramic coat, and keeping it in the garage, the vinyl should last a good long while. But I do know at somepoint, it's basically going to be mechanically totalled, and at that point, I'll be looking to get something else then.

easier than finding a timing belt for my montero.

[Jeff V.]

I should have followed Aaron's lead instead of trying that TD05 nonsense. I probably would have enjoyed my car a lot more.

[vr4]

I should have followed Aaron's lead instead of trying that TD05 nonsense. I probably would have enjoyed my car a lot more.

i really did enjoy the dr650s. never got a good run with the td05s but you could tell at 15 psi they were just starting to wake up. wouldnt mind getting them to 25psi. luckily i still have them and am stupid enough to put them in something.

[DCIV]

I wish this huge wave of lightweight bigger td04’s were an option. I wouldn’t have gone tdo5 either. Lots more work. Lots of stuff doesn’t fit right now. Just a huge annoyance for what some of these tdo4 turbos do just as well. Now maybe some race gas mine would really shine.


Coop

[aaronatstate]

Having had both 13Ts and DR650s on my car now, I can say confidently, the DR650 turbo is the best aftermarket turbo in my opinion for a 3S. I do have the billet compressor version, though I have 11 blade turbine wheels (clipped) instead of the 9 blade option. I keep them set at 20psi, and I would say the car has around 425-450whp, based on what other peopel have dynoed (I am on E85 too). I can turn it up to 25psi, and probably add 50hp, and I do have my boost controller set for that, but honestly 20psi is plenty 99.99% of the time. But the DR650 spools crazy fast, and can hold 25psi or so to redline. Having 500whp at 25psi is way more than you need for the street, so I keep mine down, to increase the reliability.

Having driven Jeff's Grand Sport, I can say my Stealth does accelarate faster, but that's the only thing it's better at (and it's not by much). I can also say that when it does come time to get rid of my Stealth for whatever reason (I'm not going to willingly sell it), I'll be replacing it with either a C7 Grand Sport, or a S550 Mach 1.

[ChargerX3]

The biggest challenge for me keeping a 3S is they are starting to age and parts availability is getting worse. Its only going to keep trending that way. Also i dont fit in it as well as newer cars. Also new cars are finally caught up tech wise and then some.

[aaronatstate]

My biggest concern at this point is any sort of accident and the car will be totaled due to parts availability. But then I’d get a check for like $29k so

[alienviking]

My worst concern on top of parts would be finding somebody to work on it since I wouldn't do it myself hah.

[DCIV]

My worst concern on top of parts would be finding somebody to work on it since I wouldn't do it myself hah.

Locals are your best bet on this.


Coop

[DCIV]

My biggest concern at this point is any sort of accident and the car will be totaled due to parts availability. But then I’d get a check for like $29k so

Who do you use? I need to redo my insurance so I get the amount it’s worth.


Coop

[aaronatstate]

My biggest concern at this point is any sort of accident and the car will be totaled due to parts availability. But then I’d get a check for like $29k so

Who do you use? I need to redo my insurance so I get the amount it’s worth.


Coop

Hagerty.

[aaronatstate]

Why the fuck did I talk about it.

AC is not working now after work. Good thing the heat index is only 107…

[Chris GTO TT]

It knows

[ChargerX3]

You done messed up A-aron!

[aaronatstate]

Small leak at he high pressure R12 to R134a adapter swivel fitting. Can get that to stop if I twist it right. But the major leak is at the lines going into the firewall. Must of jarred them when I was messing around trying to put the pit road m strut bar in Jeff let me take home. Had to lift the line up, like when you do the clutch master (which I also recently did).

So time to order a new adapter fitting and some o-rings.

[Jeff V.]

My black car had cursed AC. Maybe it followed the strut bar