As I’ve pawed through the MotorWeek clips on YouTube, I came across one that couldn’t be passed up. Unlike last time, where the IROC-Z vs. Trans Am vs. Mustang GT clip was about bad acting, this clip, which showcases all of the performance GM G-bodies available for 1987. The G-bodies were nearing the end of their life cycle and it was well-known, with the front-wheel-drive W-body replacements just around the corner. While the Monte Carlo, Cutlass and Grand National have strong followings, the Grand Prix has never enjoyed quite the same level of respect, even in it’s Aerocoupe 2+2 form…mostly due it’s corporate placement as a mid-luxury, non-performance item and Pontiac’s absolute lack of enthusiasm about changing the Grand Prix’s “personal luxury car” reputation. It’s amazing to see just how bad the performance actually was when these cars came out…there’s nothing impressive nor breathtaking about the Monte Carlo’s glacier-like quarter mile times. At least the Grand National lives up to it’s reputation, though it seems that John Davis is making apologies for the car’s performance. There are no apologies made for the Pontiac’s review, however…they slam the 2+2’s engine as “anemic” and they don’t even bother with footage of the car being driven. Ouch.
The SS sooo needed an L98 or better. Hey, they did give it 3.73 gears in ’87, or was it in ’86? The apologies I heard from the local GM dezler through my old man was CAFE standards, which is part of the reason why the IROC didn’t have a 350 until ’87.Frozen dogshit slow or not, it looked cool then and 30 years later, it still looks cool, for a Chevy.
I had an ’87 with the 3.73 posi rear, it wasn’t quick but it would haze the tires any opportunity you had.
Resident G-body guy checking in…
MCSS’s got the 2004R o/d trans and 3.73 gears in 1985.
That 442 is a great rear axle donor. 3.73’s in the 8.5 in 10 bolt. I’ve got one in my SS currently.
I had a 1984 SS, and it was not slow. Fed it a holley with a spacer, and the quarters were normal 13s. Tall geared and fast. The 305 finished off at the L30 truck motor (just bought one -1996 vortec), in my own opinon. 230hp without large air fuel. There is a reason 4.8 on one side and 5.3 on the other today. It just took awhile to get the controls in. Emissions and a steel crunch, america did much better than overseas, but it really was all bad compared to what could have been done in the 80s. At least tall gears came around.
I’d still keep the first year SS as a classic. The H.O. cyl heads, and pistons in tact.
sooo many hoses…..
I dont care if they are slow I still wish they were being built. Stupid ass GM.
The underdog Grand Prix’s in V8 form came with the same H/O 305 found in the Monte SS.All G bodys had very solid body on Hydroformed frame,not fast from factory but all can accept infussion of any GM sourced engine,Big blocks included,their biggest weak spot is that stupid weak 10 bolt rear.
actually the Grand Prix only came with the LG4, never the L69 HO. and the frame rails are stamped steel, not hydroformed