Beretta vs. Grand Prix? (Page 1/3)
Miss86GT MAY 12, 06:32 AM
Thinking about my next project, after the Fiero is done of course... I'm trying to decide between a 1990-1993 Beretta GTZ with the Olds Quad 4 (180hp) or a 1991-1996 Grand Prix GTP 3.4L V6 (210hp) Just wondering if anyone knows a little about both of these cars. Which one has a potential to build the original motor for big hp gains? Which one is more reliable? I am leaning toward the Grand Prix (I love Pontiac) but there is just something I cant explain that draws me to the 4 cylinder Beretta. What do you think?




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-Jen and Ben

fastblack MAY 12, 10:46 PM
I owned a 92 GTZ Beretta and it was probably one of my favorite cars. A lot of people are going to tell you the Quad 4 is junk and they can be right but usually wrong. If taken care of, it can be a very reliable motor, especially if the head gasket has already been replaced. The little guy just keeps revving and pulling the whole way until you shift and then the ride starts all over. The head gasket went on mine around 130,xxx and I took the opportunity to go through the whole motor. I sold it at 160,xxx and ended up re-buying it at 170,xxx. I ended up selling it again to a forum member here because the frame was terribly rotten and the guy that owned it in between the two times I did just trashed it. When I finally sold it, the motor was still running great.

As far as the Grand Prix, I'm a bit limited on knowledge but a friend of mine had a Z34 Lumina (same thing) in high school and I just remember it being stupid fast for what it was. All I can remember about that car is that he sold it because it developed a knock.

Both motors have been used in Fiero swaps so I'm sure there will be some more knowledgeable folks chiming in.

BTW, the one time me and my friend put our cars up against each other, I won with the Beretta.

Oh, and if you like older Grand Prix's, keep your eyes out for one of these
V8 Vega MAY 13, 12:43 AM
The 180 Hp Quad 4 is about as hopped up as it comes from the factory as you can get. 180 HP from 4 cyl isn't bad. Free revving RPM engines are fun. I just got a del Sol with the rare DOHC VTEC engine with a 8200 redline. It revs so easily you can just let it go rather than upshift as you would in a regular car when you have to stop pretty soon.
The Grand Prix is a much bigger heavier car. Be sure you get a stick shift, don't even consider a automatic. The 180 HP probably never came with a automatic. There are forums for both cars.
Khw MAY 13, 01:07 AM

quote
Originally posted by fastblack:

Oh, and if you like older Grand Prix's, keep your eyes out for one of these



Which has also been swapped into a Fiero at least twice that I can think of.

As far as the 2 cars go, I've never owned one so I can't really say. The Beretta was one of my "wants" cars back when it was new, but after seeing the interior... I don't know if I'd get one now. The Grand Prix wasn't really a "want" car back then, but now I wouldn't mind owning one. Still, I'd rather a Saturn SC1 with the DOHC motor swapped in and rear stabalizer bar added. But I just like the first generation Saturns.

[This message has been edited by Khw (edited 05-13-2013).]

jaskispyder MAY 13, 10:42 AM
Grand Prix can have the DOHC 3.4L, which is quick and reliable. I had one for a while. Fast, roomy and fun. Note, not all GPs had this engine. Mine was a GTP.

[This message has been edited by jaskispyder (edited 05-13-2013).]

Xyster MAY 13, 07:37 PM
From what I recall about the 3.4 (vin X), they can go through alternators because of location causing heat soak. Other than that, they seem to just go and go like the rest of the Chevy 60* V6 family.

The W40 (vin A) found in the Beretta is what my Grand Am had. I loved it and chose to rebuild it after I blew it up. I never had any issues with it except for the ones that I caused.

As for the cars, I would take the GP. In my book even a bad Pontiac is much better than a nice Chevy. $.02.
jaskispyder MAY 14, 09:29 AM
Yup, alternators need their heat shield. I had one go bad, then the replacement went out and the last one worked fine. The second replacement had a shield problem (chain auto shop put it in wrong).

BTW, it is a real pain to replace the alt., from what I was told.
Xyster MAY 14, 09:46 AM
Some other things to consider:
Grand Prix has IRS but weighs ~600lbs more.
The Beretta has the Getrag 282 like the Fieros but the GP (if stick with the TDC 3.4) has a bigger 284.
As mentioned above, the Beretta is the quicker car (in stock form).
If you can only find the GP in auto, you might be able to swap in certain 6T75s.
If you plan on building the motor up, parts for the V6 will be easier to find and cheaper.
Xyster MAY 14, 09:48 AM

quote
Originally posted by jaskispyder:

Yup, alternators need their heat shield. I had one go bad, then the replacement went out and the last one worked fine. The second replacement had a shield problem (chain auto shop put it in wrong).

BTW, it is a real pain to replace the alt., from what I was told.



It comes out thru the passenger's side wheel well and is located behind the strut.

edited to correct an error discovered by jaskispyder.

[This message has been edited by Xyster (edited 05-14-2013).]

jaskispyder MAY 14, 11:12 AM

quote
Originally posted by Xyster:


It comes out thru the driver's side wheel well and is located behind the strut.



I was told that some suspension parts had to be disconnected (at least by the book).

edit....you mean passenger's side?

[This message has been edited by jaskispyder (edited 05-14-2013).]