 This is the area of the hood...  This is the area of the hood hinge that caused our hood to sit up too high. We only needed to clearance grind that area of the hinge to enable the hood to sit level with the fenders. |
 Here's the hoodscoop grille...  Here's the hoodscoop grille and its two fasteners. It can prevent leaves or debris from entering the hood's air track and clogging the air cleaner. Chad painted the grille to match the hood. |
 We set the grille in place...  We set the grille in place and scribed the holes for the fasteners. Yes, we should have done this before paint and body work. Next time we'll read the instructions. |
 Before tediously drilling...  Before tediously drilling the 11/48-inch holes for the hoodscoop grille, we laid down some tape and a towel to prevent possible scratches to the fresh paint. |
 Looking at the underside of...  Looking at the underside of the hood, you can see the air tract leading to the hole for the airbox. We placed an air chuck at the scoop and felt the rush of air come through the hole for the air box entrance. |
 We like the look of our new...  We like the look of our new Cyclops hood and the compliments we receive about it. |
This left us to try one of the oldest tricks in the dragstrip book-reduce weight. Right away we went into the trunk and removed the spare tire and jack. This brought our race weight down to 3,480 pounds from the previous 3,530 pounds. We crossed our fingers and pulled up to the line. After the holeshot, the scoreboard lit up a 2.18 60-foot with some light tire hazing. Looking at the lights as we crossed the stripe, we observed the magical 14. Yes, you can believe we were stoked! Halfway back on the return road, we read the whole score-a 14.98 at 90.65 mph.
Conclusion
We were pleased to run 14s by adding SLP's bolt-ons and Performance Distributors' ignition parts to a naturally aspirated V-6. I remember bone-stock GTOs and T/As running similar e.t.'s back in the '70s. Today's technology enabled us to get yesteryear's V-8 performance and four-cylinder-like gas mileage. We now have an inexpensive (less than $10,000 with bolt-ons) four-door sedan that can run with or beat the new and more expensive (less than $30,000) sedans.
| Strip Specs |
| Year and Model | '00 Grand Prix GT |
| Race Weight | 3,530 lbs, 3,480 lbs without spare |
| Engine | 3800 V-6, Stock w/over 70,000 miles |
| Exhaust | SLP 151/48 headers, 3-in high-flow cat, 211/42-in exhaust |
| Rocker Arms | SLP 1.8:1 roller rockers |
| Air Box & Hood | SLP cold-air induction |
| Throttle Body/ MAF | Stock 68mm with screen removed |
| Ignition | Stock GM crank-triggered with Performance
Distributors Screamin' Demon coils and LiveWires |
| Trans & Converter | Stock w/fresh fluid and filter |
| Wheels/Tires | Stock Torque Star 16x6.5 with 225/60R-16
35 psi front/45 psi rear |
| Strip Test Results |
| Run | Mods | Temp | 60-Ft | 1/8-Mile ET/MPH | 1/4-Mile ET/MPH |
| 1. | With all SLP parts
and Performance Distributors ignition parts | 68-deg | 2.20 | 9.69/72.29 | 15.12/89.72 |
| 2. | Ram Air | 70-deg | 2.19 | 9.65/72.57 | 15.06/90.26 |
| 3. | Remove MAF screen | 71-deg | 2.16 | 9.63/72.47 | 15.05/90.01 |
| 4. | Remove spare and jack | 72-deg | 2.18 | 9.61/73.00 | 14.98/90.65 |
| Parts And Prices |
| Part | Part No. | Price |
| 1. SLP rocker arm package | 51116 | $549.95 |
| 2. SLP cold air induction package | 21039 | $199.99 |
| 3. SLP stainless steel catalyst-back exhaust | 31015AM | $549.95 |
| 4. SLP 151/48-in headers | 30070 | $749.95 |
| 5. SLP headers installation kit | 30071 | $ 89.95 |
| 6. SLP high-flow catalytic converter | 30073 | $179.95 |
| 7. Perf. Dist. LiveWires | C9043 | $ 89.00 |
| 8. Perf. Dist. Screamin' Demon coils | 31735 | $ 99.00 |
| 9. SLP 180-deg thermostat | 100180 | $ 17.95 |
| 10. SLP fan control switch | 63013 | $ 69.95 |
| 11. SLP Ram Air H.O. hood | 100190 | $749.95 |
Fuel Mileage Results
180-mile test loop, three passengers, 70 degrees, A/C on
| Vehicle Configuration | Mileage |
| Baseline, no mods | 25.4 |
| With SLP parts 1, 2, 3, from "Parts and Prices" chart | 28.2 |
| With all SLP parts and Performance Distributors parts installed | 29.1 |