M12 GT03 - what to look for / buying guide

[dealmaster]

No doubt this thread has been covered countless times before but I cannot find anything.
I can see a few GTO 2.5 buying tips but nothing for the GTO 3.

I am looking at a 2003 GT03 with 5 speed box and I am really keen to find out what I need to look at to make sure I don't end up with a money pit.

Thanks in advance

Nick

[ThatPhilBrettGuy]

If it's got an open diff and not an LSD it'll have a broken diff/gearbox any time soon.

[andygtt]

There are a couple of flaws that bestow the GT03 and GT0 (2,5 one):

5 speed box is often not fitted with an LSD, this is a weak point and often fails and wears badly... not cheap to replace as its an engine out job.
The fuel pump wiring is not adequate (very cheap fix)
Track day sump, dont go on track without one.

Saying all that I did over 30k miles in mine without any of these so its not a disaster without... just dont venture on track.

[mgbond]

The only thing that was not sorted on the GTO3 was the box as above, all other mods are quite simple and are generally upgrades.

Martin

[TuxMan]

2 options , buy cheap do all work yourself and make a weapon or . spend extra get a sorted car !!! then spend money to make a weapon :-) joking apart 3 litre is pretty sorted but needs some bits upgraded most bits are covered well on this forum , 5 speed its the diff 6 speed its 5th gear .

[dealmaster]

Thanks for info.

Issue is the chap I am speaking to is in France and his grasp of the english written word (although much better than my French!) is difficult to interpret.

He has confirmed ECU upgrade and that it has the tunnel heat shield mod, but he does not know if it has an LSD or not. What can he look for that would let him determine this? Or is it difficult to establish LSD over non LSD?

Thanks

Nick

[TuxMan]

Hi Nick , are you sure it's not a 2.5 ?? As far as I know the 3 litre car did not need a ECU upgrade ??? Sounds a bit fishy !!!

[dealmaster]

Hi TuxMan it's the French GTO 3 in the classifieds section.

[The devil]

03 reg GT03
make me an offer

[TuxMan]

Ok Nick , looks ok , with the re-mapp I would be concerned about the diff as they are not the best with STD power and check to see if it has track day sump . But it's not bad money worse case you have to have box and dff upgaded cost about 2k ish but on the upside when that is done it will cope with a shed load more power !!! Also find out who did the remapp . Tux

[dealmaster]

It has the track day sump apparently. But what obvious signs are there that it might have a LSD? How do you tell?

Thanks

N

[slipstream 1985]

dealmaster, mine is up for sale soon, just waiting on getting a wheel back from a refurb. diff has been done quaife lsd in place with a new clutch at the same time. pm me if you want some more info.

[TuxMan]

LSD and TDS where not STD fit so you could check with factory , supply them with build number they should be able to tell you , they are both exspensive upgrade's so I'm supprised that if it has them the details are not in the service history !!! Of there is no paperwork I'd be supprised if it has either !!

[D_G]

My GTO3 has 30k miles on it still with the standard diff, power was capped to prevent damage to the diff though. The diff issue depends on what you are looking at doing with the car, if you are looking to do hard track work then a LSD is the way to go, aswell if you are going big power. For a road car the standard diff is OK IMO. As previously said, budget for £2K for a car without the LSD just in case.

Dave


I bet mine goes now!

[hoyin]

Mine actually has LSD written on the gear box housing with a marker!!!

[dealmaster]

Thanks Guys, I would rather buy one with an LSD as most sellers seem tricky to haggle down in price if they have a standard diff.

[andygtt]

D_G said:

My GTO3 has 30k miles on it still with the standard diff, power was capped to prevent damage to the diff though. The diff issue depends on what you are looking at doing with the car, if you are looking to do hard track work then a LSD is the way to go, aswell if you are going big power. For a road car the standard diff is OK IMO. As previously said, budget for £2K for a car without the LSD just in case.

Dave


I bet mine goes now!

I did 40k on the road and felt same as you, I decided to fit one to allow me to search for more power and the open diff in my box was very badly worn and going to expire pretty soon.

[TuxMan]

Car has had a remapp for more power stands to reason it's had a bit of stick !!! If it's got a open diff stands to reason it could be a bit suspect , all imo of course :-)

[D_G]

Hi Andy,

After my visit to yellowshed I've looked at putting one in after seeing what can be achieved! Just need to bite the bullet...

Cheers

Dave

[BLUETHUNDER]

dealmaster said:

Thanks for info.

Issue is the chap I am speaking to is in France and his grasp of the english written word (although much better than my French!) is difficult to interpret.

He has confirmed ECU upgrade and that it has the tunnel heat shield mod, but he does not know if it has an LSD or not. What can he look for that would let him determine this? Or is it difficult to establish LSD over non LSD?

Thanks

Nick

I wish someone would buy his car. He,s waiting to buy my Cerbera.