[96gtponyred]

i just bought a 96 gt with 140k miles but the engine is still strong as well as the tranny. it idles rough and i was just looking for some advice on different things i could do to it ? any suggestions would be appreciated thanks

[C MY 4D]

start with a tune-up and get the small things fixxed..... then worry about modding it.

BTW welcome to the site.

[Ryan Paymaster]

One of the most entertaining things you could do is run a can of Seafoam through the PCV. It will really help wake the car up and clean it out. I'd start with this first and foremost. It may just be a miracle worker for you.

Start by replacing the spark plugs and air filter. Make sure your wires and coil packs are in good shape, they may have been neglected or overlooked before. If they are, save the money for now.

Buy a CAI if you feel like you have a couple spare bucks to spend.

It would be a good idea to flush all the fluids and replace them as I bet the transmission fluid has never ever been replaced. People skip that a lot.

Check your belt at that milage.

If you have any Check Engine Lights, get them pulled at Autozone and ask them what it refers to. Alternatively, look them up on your own.

Check the tread wear on the front for signs of a bad alignment. I'm sure you've noticed that.


I could list really obvious things for a long time.

Most importantly always remember this:

If something is broke and your about to throw money at it blindly you should probably try to do some research. However, that fails sometimes and you sort of have to start replacing random parts. Start at the cheapest part first and move your way up in cost from there unless you are damn sure a part will fix your issue. Example: If you need to service your EVAP system, start with the sensor then the solenoid. That is potentially a $20 fix versus a $65 dollar one. (Usually both are replaced at once, just an example. You probably don't even need those parts replaced.)


That car should last you a damn long time if you clean her up. You'll soon be posting, "How do I get low 14's" instead of "Where do I start in making it feel and run like it was showroom day in '96?"

[96gtponyred]

thanks for the help and welcome

[G.T. Rags]

yeah, modualr motors can go up too 200k........past that if u mod it right and take SUper care of her.

[Fryrice]

DONT waste your money on a CAI for a stock 96gt. If you had higher flowing heads ,more aggressive cams. then yeah a CAI MIGHT be a good investment .But as a first modification ? No ,its a waste of money


If the car is idling rough,try replacing the IAC and fuel filter ,maybe run some injector cleaner. The O2 sensors are recommended for replacement at 100k miles. Change the air filter. Tranny filter and fluid if its an auto.

[AnglicoGT98]

Not that this would have anything to do with the idle...but something to keep an eye on is that coolant crossover in the front of the manifold. That thing will crack after so long and it will cause alot of little problems that if you don't know what to look for the can be time consuming and eventually get pricey...so just keep an eye on it. But as for getting it to run right...just spare no cost at getting everything cleaned up and as close to "new" as you can...it will def. make modding it down the road alot easier. Welcome to MM.

[Fryrice]

Oh ,and go out and get yourself a Haynes manual at the auto parts store. Its cheap and will save you tons of cash on labor.

[AnglicoGT98]

+1

[Mystry]

well i guess that im the first to do this for once....