asc turbo grand prix?

[Kyle]

this may be a stupid question but i don't know much about asc apart from the capri/mustang. Is this really an asc mclaren thing or did he put it in the title to get people looking for asc to see it?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1989-Pon ... enameZWDVW

[Sandy]

VERY VERY real !! 2 year car, little over 2,000 made. Very nice car. There's a club for them, too, on line.

[Sandy]

This from a Pontiac Grand Prix Site:--

1989
For 1989, Pontiac added a couple of engines to the GP lineup. As a midyear introduction, a stroked 3.1-liter version of the 2.8 V6 was implemented, but coupled only to an automatic. The larger engine developed 140 hp at 4800 rpm, with 180 lbs.-ft. of torque at 3600.
Also available only with an automatic transmission was the Grand Prix Turbo, which actually was not just an engine option, but a limited-production car that could truly be called the first high-performance Grand Prix since the demise of the 455 SJs. It differed from lesser models in quite a few areas.
The engine was developed by ASC/ McLaren for use exclusively on this car. While the block and bottom end were the same as the normally aspirated versions, they were "hardened selected castings" with more rigid quality-control standards than normal. The turbocharger was the Garrett T25 model. The water-cooled turbo blew into an air-to-air intercooler on its way to the multi-point fuel-injection system.
The modifications were good for a very respectable 205 hp at 5200 rpm, with 225 lbs.-ft. of torque at 2400. Maximum torque was actually governed by the computer to avoid overloading the beefed-up automatic transaxle. ABS was standard—a GP first.
The body received revised front and rear fascia panels, as well as larger side skirts to accommodate the 245/50ZR-16 Goodyear Eagle Gatorback radials, which were mounted on gold cross-lace 16x8-inch wheels.
The exterior revisions definitely gave the GP Turbo an aggressive and distinctive look, which it could back up. Zero-to-60 times were in the low 7-second range, with quarter-mile times in the mid-15s at around 90 mph.

[Tom S.]

My brother had one for awhile back in the early '90's. It was an expensive POS to repair and he dumped it at the dealer for an SVT Lightning. It was a nice car to drive when it didn't have electrical or brake problems.

[TurboSedan]

i just found this site forum while checking out the ASC/McLaren Mustang/Capri. i wish i could find/afford one of these!

i just bought my first ASC/McLaren last week...but it's a '90 Grand Prix STE Turbo....a four door sedan the TGPs were made in '89 & '90. the coupe was available in both '89 and '90, and only available in black or red. no one really knows the production numbers for either year but most figures online will tell you somewhere between 2000-3500 coupes were made each year. in '90 the Grand Prix Turbo STE sedan was offered, which was only offered in white and maroon. the STE is much more rare than the coupe; most people agree that only 1000 Turbo STEs were produced in '90.

i also own an Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme sedan. i turbocharged its 3.1 MPFI Chevrolet 60*V6 using parts from another ASC/McLaren Turbo STE that i found in a salvage yard (!). this car also has a Getrag 5-speed swap and it put down 227whp/325wtq on the dyno last week. they are pretty quick no doubt, but these cars use a very small Garrett T-25 turbocharger. it spools instantly but isn't good for anything over 12psi. they are rather hard to modify ecspecially getting past the low 14-second ET barrier.

this is my ASC/McLaren....and yes it does need paint very badly



this is actually the engine that's in my Cutlass, but the engine in my Turbo STE is the same:


great site btw, the resources section is excellent. i wish ASC/McLaren production # breakdown like that existed for Turbo Grand Prix owners we didn't even get a numbered dash plaque and the VIN numbers are totally out of sequence/all over the place.

[negusm]

Great car!

-Mike

[Sandy]

I think that I have the production numbers for them. Later on today I'll begin the massive search undertaking...

[PetesPonies]

absolutely crap V6, whether it is a 2.8 or a 3.1; terrible oiling system. They are known for crankshaft problems. They will spin a bearing in the blink of an eye. GM made millions of these little engines and most failed ) Adding aTurbo to it can't help the pproblem for sure.

[TurboSedan]

absolutely crap V6, whether it is a 2.8 or a 3.1; terrible oiling system. They are known for crankshaft problems. They will spin a bearing in the blink of an eye. GM made millions of these little engines and most failed ) Adding aTurbo to it can't help the pproblem for sure.

none of that is true the engine in my Cutlass has 230,000 miles, never has been rebuilt, and still mangaed 227whp/325wtq at 10psi last week. there is an ASC/McLaren Turbo Grand Prix on ebay right now with 250,000+ miles. the 2.8/3.1 engines are well known to survive well past 200,000 miles with no problems.

Sandy if you actually have the production numbers that would be great!

[RARE-ASC]

absolutely crap V6, whether it is a 2.8 or a 3.1; terrible oiling system. They are known for crankshaft problems. They will spin a bearing in the blink of an eye. GM made millions of these little engines and most failed ) Adding aTurbo to it can't help the pproblem for sure.

none of that is true the engine in my Cutlass has 230,000 miles, never has been rebuilt, and still mangaed 227whp/325wtq at 10psi last week. there is an ASC/McLaren Turbo Grand Prix on ebay right now with 250,000+ miles. the 2.8/3.1 engines are well known to survive well past 200,000 miles with no problems.

Sandy if you actually have the production numbers that would be great!

I agree the later mutly port fuel injected 3.1 is a very good and fuel efficent eng..... however the earlier carb and throttle body versions of the 3.1 and 2.8 had issues los of valve train clatter. I believe Izusu shared some of these engs.