3/31/2000 - Finally updated the gallery with all the pics I could find in my Inbox (although I still have 800 more emails to sort out, aaargh). If anyone knows how to automate the gallery to where people could add their own pics and have thumbnails and stuff automatically generated, let me know 'cuz updating the gallery is a pain in the butt.
3/12/2000 - Added a page of some pics of the inside of an ECM/PCM.
3/9/2000 - Added some Turbo Grand Prix info.
2/27/2000 - Didn't have much time for updates, but added Kevin's pics to the brake rotor upgrades and sway bars page.
2/8/2000 - Added the site to the Olds webring in the hopes of generating more traffic. Updated the About page, and also updated the 2.8L engine mods page to include 3.1L conversion.
2/3/2000 - Updated the info on lowering springs again with more products from TWINDUALCAM.com. Fixed the ECM Codes page. New performance struts and a sway bar section added to the Upgrades page.
1/27/2000 - Added some 2.8/3.1L specific engine mods in the Upgrades section. Also added some other items... Accel Super Coil, Crower cams, etc.
1/24/2000 - I've done some updates to the Upgrades section, especially with Engine Mechanical. Still heavily under construction, but I've got a headache working on it so I'm done for now.
1/22/2000 - Minor update to the Lowering Springs info page with part #'s for Eibach springs.
1/20/2000 - There's a new site with some interesting products for us W-body enthusiasts, TWINDUALCAM.com. I've updated the Strut Tower Brace and Lowering Springs info page to reflect the cool new products that this company offers.
1/18/2000 - Hey, over a month and hardly any updates, what's up with that? Okay, I'm just too busy sleeping, eating, farting, and tinkering with my cars to do any real updates. All I've done is I've updated the Service page with more info on door handle replacement, potential head gasket problems, and replacing your power antenna mast. Not very exciting stuff, but expect a big restructuring on the Upgrades Page! I'm also thinking about making the W-Body Page primarily first-gen only (including 95-99 Monte Carlo and Lumina because they're pretty much first-gen cars). That means eliminating any references to mods & stuff for 2nd gen cars. My reasoning for this, is because it already pretty much is just first-gen only right now, and I don't see any reason to talk about mods and stuff for 97+ GTP's and Regal GS's when everything you want to know about 2nd gen W-body cars is already available on Brian Marks' excellent site at GrandPrix.Net. What do you think? Drop me a line if you have an opinion one way or another.
12/13/1999 - I decided to make some changes to the main page. I decided to make a main menu to make it easier to navigate the site and to find the various pages and stuff. I saw a lot of people asking how to read ECM codes and stuff that I already had webpages about, but I guess the old page was just too difficult to navigate. Maybe you'll even find stuff you didn't know was on here! I also added a page about the 1988 Olds Indy 500 Pace Car, of which the replicas are probably the rarest W-body cars ever. Still a lot of construction going on (BIG changes will be made to the Upgrades section), and a lot of people's pics to put online, but I'll try to get it all done.
11/21/1999 - Added some more pics to the gallery. A Turbo Grand Prix Message Board is now open.
11/4/1999 - Thanks to Jamie Anton, we now have a members database again! The shortcut button on the button bar is labeled "The Registry", as that's what it was called before, and rather than make a new button I just recycled the old one.
10/28/1999 - Added some more pics to the gallery. Some grammar correction. Added some cross-drilled rotor info in upgrades.
10/27/1999 - Added some more fixes to common problems on the Service page.
10/18/1999 - Some new pics in the gallery. Supposedly Ram Air Tech has their front STB's out for the first-gen W-body. If anyone has one, please let me know how it fits and send pics along if you can. Not as many other changes or updates as I'd like, but I'm working on it.
9/10/1999 - I added pics of Michael DelRosario's Z34 to the gallery, check it out! Added a link for GMBrakeWBodyClass, thanks to Diggdydas@aol.com for the URL. I've also added info on how to fix the "Check Gauges" light being stuck on. It's a common problem with many 1988-93 Pontiac Grand Prix's.
8/20/1999 - NEW Turbo Grand Prix for me!!! Check out my page about my new (to me) '90 TGP! Added pics to the first-gen People's cars (Kevin's Z34). Wanting the scoop on lowering springs? That page got updated too.
7/22/1999 - Added pics to the first-gen People's cars and Art gallery. I made the Shawn's Ride button point to a page that links to either my car or my girlfriend's car. What do you think of the digital dash power-on animation? I made it with my digital camera. I don't understand why a lot of people don't like digital, I think it's pretty damn bad ass! I removed the Registry section because it just plain didn't work. That's it, for now.
7/06/1999 - I've added a few pics of rare first-gen Grand Prix's to the Rare cars gallery. I've also added pics to the first-gen People's cars gallery. My girlfriend (Penny) wanted pics of her car on the 'net, so here's Penny's Car Page. I also received a bit of info from Steve Cromer on Strut Tower Braces and made the appropriate updates.
6/24/1999 - I added a picture of Kevin Heider's 1990 GP to the Picture Gallery. His GP is parked next to his 1997 Saleen Mustang Cobra #211. I've also added a new link to the Links page.
6/18/1999 - GPTourer's 93 Grand Prix is in now in the Picture Gallery. I've added GM's part # for the strut tower brace to the Upgrades section. By the way, the Registry still doesn't work... also, if you sent me pics of your ride awhile back but they're still not online, then please send 'em again. I lost all pics that I didn't put on the site!
6/12/1999 - See Jeremy Johnston's Oldsmobile Art in the Picture Gallery! I've also added some more articles to the "In The Press" section, be sure to check out the article Jonathan scanned about prototype V8 AWD Luminas that were built before August '87! I also found some old information about the '89-90 Turbo Grand Prix from Jeffrey Middaugh that was not linked. It's now linked from the Grand Prix page.
6/03/1999 - Added some Wheel/Tire info under Upgrades. Made some corrections to other pages.
5/22/1999 - Here's a page on putting 94+ rear calipers into an 88-93 car. Brakes sections in Upgrades has been updated.
5/21/1999 - Added some info on 1988-93 parking brake systems. One page is about fixing them, and another page discusses the reasons why we can't change to 94+ park brake levers.
5/20/1999 - Fixed the layout of the Upgrades section, and added pics of Brad Boegler's Cutlass Supreme. Check it out!
5/13/1999 - The picture gallery had been broken for quite some time. It was left-over from before the site's face lift late last year. I finally got around to fixing it! Check out the new picture gallery, it should be 100% functional.
5/12/1999 - Made some updates to the Brake Pads info in the Upgrades section, but that's about it.
5-9-1999 - Added/updated some links. I also made some preliminary changes to the Upgrades section.
3-14-99 - The Cars section has been updated, I now have info and history on the first-gen Lumina and Grand Prix. Please let me know if you find any inaccuracies. I'm sure there are some.
3-2-99 - I changed the Message Board. I felt the old one was just too confusing to use. I like the new one much better, let me know what you think. The transplant of the new rear calipers/rotors into my Olds was a success!
2-12-99 - Okay, I know I haven't updated the site in a long time and I know lots of stuff doesn't work yet. I've been real busy with classes and hopefully I graduate this May (unless I overlooked some other class I need to take, argh). Anyhow, I've also been working on converting my 1989 Olds Cutlass Supreme's rear braking system to the same as a 94-96 first-gen W-body (probably also the same as the rear disc brakes on the 96-99 Lumina and Monte Carlo). I'll post instructions if I'm successful. Other big news is that Ram Air Tech has rear strut tower bars available upon request (call them). I believe the pricing is $150/each. They tie the strut towers together and will greatly stiffen up the car's body during hard cornering. This is a good deal, strut tower bars usually cost $200 or so for Hondas. They are in a very limited supply (20 or so), and whether they continue to be available after current supply runs out depends on how many people order them.
12-11-98 - I have added a link to the Performance Z34 site. If you're searching for performance upgrades, check out that site. Also, I've added some new pics I found of the Monte Carlo and Impala. Some of you have asked me to put pics of your car online. I will get to this hopefully during winter break. I had planned to totally redo the picture gallery section and will add the pics when the gallery is redone. Lastly, some people have inquired about strut tower bars for first-gen W-body cars (a metal bar that bolts across the front strut towers to increase the car's body stiffness in cornering). Ram Air Tech plans to produce an aftermarket one pretty soon. You can also buy a genuine GM strut tower bar from a GM Parts Dealer, as they were standard equipment on the 1991-95 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme convertibles. It should work fine on any first-generation W-body including the '95+ Monte Carlo, and has the proper shape to clear the 3.4L DOHC motor. The cost from my local dealer is $150, let me know if you find a dealer selling it cheaper.
10-22-98 - Added some info about the Monte Carlo and Impala redesign for 2000.
10-20-98 - I moved the website because Geocities is way too slow, and the popup advertisements were annoying. Unfortunately, the counter is lost and Xoom doesn't support cgi scripts so I am stuck with using Geocities' geobook program for the Registry.
10-12-98 - Check out the new Message Board and Chat.
10-10-98 - I fixed/added some links. W-body problems page has some additional info.
10-5-98 - Instead of studying for tomorrow's test like I should have been doing, I did some updates to the Cutlass Supreme's page and added a page for the Intrigue. You can find them under "The Cars" button. Uh oh, I just remembered I also should have finished a programming assignment due tomorrow. Oops.
10-3-98 - I made some small updates. Unfortunately I haven't had time to track down information on other W-body cars so the first gen Cutlass Supreme is still the only car with its own page of specs. There is now a page of general specs that apply to all cars.
9-28-98 - I had time today to whip up a quick page on Window Tinting under Upgrades. I will keep working on finishing up the page when I don't have so much stinkin homework to do.
9-23-98 - I have completely re-done this web site because it really sucked before, and I hadn't updated it in over a year. The site isn't anywhere close to being finished, I guarantee there are links that don't work and some old stuff still lingering around. I didn't want to put it up until it was completely finished, but I needed to make sure that what I already have, will work on the server. Feel free to let me know how you feel about the new site.
October 15, 1997 - Long time no update! Whew, it was a busy summer and an even busier school year, but the email about my page keeps piling up so I've tried my best to get all the info included in this update. First bit of news... this page may not exist beyond November 1, 1997. This is because this server may be dismantled and used for other things. So... if you know of a good fast and free webserver with approx. 2MB of space, let me know! You may notice I've added a link to the GM-FWD links page. I've also updated or removed some broken links. Thanks to Andrew K Sharicz and Chris Wesner for the updated info on the history of the turbo Grand Prix's. Thanks to Kurt Messner for more 3800 V6 info. Also I have added several pictures of various peoples' cars. Unfortunately the server I've stuck the graphics on is configured incorrectly or something (by the university) so sometimes the pictures load incompletely (at least it does that with Netscape Communicator). Lastly, I've corrected bits and pieces of info here and there... and everywhere. Added some entries to the Members pages too. Well, just check around and see for yourself!
June 25, 1997 - Looks like the Oldsmobile Intrigue has been out for a couple weeks or so. Last Sunday my girlfriend, my friend, and I went to the local Oldsmobile dealer to check out the Intrigue. They had two of them, a black one and white one. These cars are slick, check them out if you haven't already!
June 20, 1997 - Check out the Members page, there's been an addition. Also thanks to Pat Heese for filling in the blanks on the Body Specifications page. I also added a large quantity of pictures to the page about my Olds. Yup, I know, more pictures=more obnoxious, but I like it that way!
May 25, 1997 - I added the pictures that were sent to me into the Photo Album and just updated the info about my Olds (got a new stereo system). That's about it so far!
May 8, 1997 - Removed some broken links, fixed some links to GM sites, added links to the Members pages, and that's about it. Will try to get my alternate server setup some time later so we can get more pictures online!
March 17, 1997 - Added a crappy Transaxle page, but it needs more info! Find it under the Specifications button. Also fixed some info under Generations and added a few more MotorTrend articles to the main page. Updated some info under Specifications/Body and Specifications/Motors. That's about it this time around!
February 27, 1997 - Wow, long time no update. Anyhow, added a couple of general links, one of specific interest is Keyes Motorsports which emphasises GM FWD Performance. Also I've added a members page, some info on Turbo Grand Prix's (under Technical), etc. I'm also planning to add a section on W-body electronics. By the way... anyone know the serial data format generated by the steering wheel radio controls? The output is tapped at PIN J on the ALDL Diagnostic connector. Also, since I don't have much time to research, please email me if you have any late-breaking news or inside information!
December 29, 1996 - Finals are over, Christmas is over, returning stuff is over... time to work on the ol' webpage! I've been sifting through the past two month's email and adding stuff. Sorry if I didn't reply to email personally, but I figure if it's over a month old, you probably forgot what you wrote already anyway! Anyhow, I wish to thank Fred Eyerman for his tips on fixing W-body problems, and ncrowe@netwalk.com for a few entries to put in the Performance page. The Performance page and Problems page have also been slightly remodeled. Also, for what it's worth, I updated the Tribute to my car.
December 5, 1996 - Well, I've been letting my grades suffer playing around on the web, but I added a bit more info here and there about the Regal.
December 4, 1996 - Been having to study for last-minute tests, doing last minute assignments, and preparing for finals, so I haven't had time to do much. I cleaned up some graphics and converted some JPEG graphics to Progressive format that weren't that way to begin with. That's about it! Added a couple new links to my automotive links page.
November 28, 1996 - Thanks to Rikk Streng for pointing out that the '90 Lumina also had available 16" wheels (see the History Page).
Magnecor racing spark plug wires have been added to the Performance page. They will email you a price list!
The Performance page also gets a new title (though it doesn't look as good after JPEG compression).
I put better graphics on the tribute to my Olds.
November 14, 1996 - Fixed some links and thanks to Mike Peace for the additional specs on the 3800 Series II engine.
- Added some links (too many to list, but look around).
- Converted my webpages to use frames, and added some hopefully convenient quick-jump buttons in a permanent frame at the bottom of the screen.
- Added some more stuff to Performance, Common problems, etc.
- I changed the layout of some pages, and fixed some info and added pictures under Generations.
- Added a link to info about my car.
- Stay tuned! Some more major changes coming!
My quota on the webserver is practically maxed out, if you submit any images, I probably can't put them online! Sorry!
September 15, 1996 - Added some more performance items on the Performance page (under TECH INFO). Thanks to Shannon Szczypski for this info! A new solution for poor pad life has been added to the Problems page (also under TECH MENU). A new page has also been added that charts the changes to the W-body line through the model years. You'll find a link to this page in the middle of the home page somewhere. A few changes have been made in various pages to reflect that a NEW 1997 or 1998 Buick Regal will be introduced. It will be a higher-end version of the 1997 Buick Century but will also be available in a more streamlined coupe with a 3.8L Series II V6 as standard equipment but the SuperCharged 240HP 3.8L engine will be available! This is the same kick-ass motor as found in the 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP. Thanks to dml@localnet.com for this info! Also, there is a picture of what the 1997 Regal coupe might look like in the Picture Gallery.
Also, I added some more links to the automotive links page
August 19, 1996 - Obviously, this page was added. Also added is a link to Pontiac's 1997 Grand Prix pages in the SPECIFICATIONS section. I also added some info to the title on the homepage stating that this is an UNOFFICIAL page NOT affiliated with GM... you must request catalogs through the proper GM division or dealership! Possibly the most significant addition is the info under TECH INFO on how to grab trouble codes from your car's computer if it seems to be acting up. A brief description is listed for each code you may encounter, however, you should turn to the appropriate Shop Manual for more specific and detailed troubleshooting info.
By the way, this August, the local Pontiac dealer has started to sell the 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix! I haven't had a chance to test-drive one, but I imagine that they must drive great when outfitted with the torquey and reliable 3.8L Series II V6. The exterior appearance of the GT and GTP, in my opinion, is nothing short of beautiful. You'd have to be crazy to prefer the looks of the ugly Ford Taurus over the stunning Grand Prix sedan. I also hear the supercharged version creates 240HP, but is electronically boost limited to 7.5psi to prevent damage to the 4T65-E transaxle. Without boost limiting, the supercharged version is able to produce in excess of 300HP!!! Only catch with the new Grand Prix: the only photos I had found on the Internet were of GT/GTP versions which are great-looking all the way around and even better looking in person. However, the local dealership had an SE version... it was a shocker to discover the thing has a radically different front fascia (and a slightly toned-down rear fascia). In my opinion, the SE's front fascia is ugly, resembling a vacuum cleaner. I'd definitely spend the extra money on a GT or GTP, but who knows, maybe even the SE will grow on me.
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