Pontiac Bonneville

skyhawk3

How did you contact AAA Marketplace? Do they have a web site? The reason I know about the front plate fine in RI is a co-worker got a ticket in her 2000 Vette. She was all sweetness and she still got the ticket. I agree with all the comments on the cupholder and the glove box.

ymandj

Thank you Vocus for your suggestion. I had an '88 SE and never had such a problem. What is the deal with these alternators? Why do they go off so often? Can the source of the problem be eliminated in a repair shop? Is it still a problem with 2000 year model?

vocus

I don't know about the 2000 model, but I know my previous 1994 went through 7 of them in 3 years. My 1993 SSE has already knocked off one of them and a battery within 6 months. That's the worst thing about these cars from what I hear.

intense01

Front plates are required in Ohio. I agree with dmckeown - if I can get a ticket for not having a front plate, I got a pretty good deal. The SSEi doesn't have one. Neither does the LS1 Ram Air Trans Am. The '94 Grand Prix has one though, 'cause it's ugly already. (Don't tell my girlfriend I said that). All the brackets are for side mount, so I reconfigured it to fit in the middle. That's where a plate should go in my opinion. I can't stand the side mount plates. They just look silly.

The SSEi cupholders do suck. Every time this bothers me, I switch to a smaller sized supercharger pulley...

intense01

I went through several alternators on my '93 SSE also. Read the last fifty or so posts in the Bonneville Problems topic. An alleged solution was posted a week or two ago...

smfran

Your model Bonnie was basically unchanged from 1987-1991. I had an '88 and '91 with the radio controls on the steering wheel. I can't believe your dealer can't find you a replacement or suggest a place for you to get one.

smfran

An AAA Marketplace brochure, or at least their phone number, is available through your local AAA office. I can not locate my paper work to give the number to you. You can also try toll free information at 1-800-555-1212. The headrest makes a big difference for my wife.
snickle also posted that he saw a similar headrest at Brookstone. You may want to try your local mall.
In Massachusetts, newer issued registrations require a front plate. I am required to have one but my wife isn't. I couldn't believe it when the cop who stopped me for running a red light informed me of the law against plate covers.

smfran

I don't think any of my previous Bonnevilles had the ability of raising the driver's seat higher. What is different though is the independent adjustment of the seat cushion. In my previous models, the entire seat, including the back, would tilt together. Also, the 2000 seat back does not go up and down with the cushion as it did in the previous models.

intense01

I've got one of those strange personalities that makes me get motivated by obstacles in my path... So, I have been working hard on the rocker arm issue since everyone said it couldn't be done...
Anyways, I have two updates on the rocker arm search front:

1) Our rockers are NOT 1.6 to 1. I know that's what the book says, but trust me, if you measure them you'll find that they're almost exactly 1.5 to 1, maybe 1.51 or 1.52 to 1. This means that our actual valve lift is somewhere near .387" intake/.383" exhaust. Bottom line is that this is not much lift - really.

2) I am very close to finding a solution to this opportunity. It's a [non-permissible content removed] for sure! But, if we can get 1.7's on there, we're talking about valve lift numbers in the .439"/.434" range. That's 13% more lift!

Gotta be some gains to be had here! I have trial components on the way. I'll keep you guys posted on my findings.

frog_sc38

Hi All,
I am a fresh 2000 SSEi Bonnie owner. She has just over 4000 miles on her now. I want to increase the performance and my first mod I am pretty sure should be an overdrive pulley. What sizes are available ? How much are they ? What is involved in the installation ? How has it affected your gas mileage ? What kind of mileage do you get ? I average about 14 , does this sound normal to you ? There is even at least 50% highway driving in there. Sorry, but I have so many questions. I also read about blow off valves somewhere and wanted to know if one could be retrofitted to mine. The site I read said it reduces the drag to 1/3 of a HP when the SC is not being utilized. What about a K&N is it worth the $ ? I look forward to your replies.

Thanks

Frog

smfran

Most of the answers to your questions are addressed in the archived discussion, "http://townhalltalk2.edmunds.com/Web?50@@.ee9e611/565", which is the Pontiac Bonneville discussion this one came from. I think the mods talk started around May 2000.

As far as the K+N air filter, it's definitely worth the investment. There are many previous posts about this also. Happy reading!

Stephen

snickle

Re-reading the old discussion about mods will help alot. IF you have any specific question let us know and we will be glad to help. As far as gas mileage, you should probably average around 19-20. I suspect your foot is a little heavy. Happens every time I make a mod.

99gtp1

So you want performance mods? I just happen to own a '99 Pontiac GTP that has the same exact motor as your SSEi. I currently have a smaller supercharger pulley(3.4 vs standard 3.8), open K&N cone filter, 180 degree stat and a Gatorback supercharger belt. The car is a real sleeper. If you like your SSEi, you must visit Clubgp.net and Grandprixnet.com. TONS of excellent info and great enthusiasm for the 3800 s/c V-6! Visit the Grandprixnet.com store section for all your performance upgrades. I guarantee you'll be hooked!

intense01

For anyone who's interested in the rocker arm saga, here's the link to a current forum...

http://newforum.clubgp.com/ubb/clubgp/Forum1/HTML/010852.html

frog_sc38

I tried that link that was supplied and IE reported Host not found. Why hasn't anyone put the 3.0 pulley on ? Anyone with a tool have you ever thought about "loaning" it to some of the people who want to put a pulley on ? Anybody near Dayton Ohio with a tool ? I can't find the old discussion. Is it gone ?

refiner

I live in Canton. I've got a tool I'll let you borrow. Heres My email refiner@webtv.net Let me know where to send it.
Matt

intense01

Frog:

I'm in Westerville OH - only 100 miles away from Dayton. I'll also offer to loan you the tool, or help you do the installation if you supply the beer and pizza required for a job of this magnitude.

The 3.0" pulley is just too much for a relatively stock engine. Too much boost means your engine will see lots of knock, and automatically reduce your timing to create knock retard (KR). This negative effect will outweigh the positive effect.

For a stock or mildly modified motor, you'll probably be happiest with a 3.5", 3.4", or 3.25" pulley.

I have a 3.5" you can have cheap. I'll soon have a 3.25" for sale if anyone wants that one.

Scott

phildo75

I'm curious what are you planning that makes your 3.25 available

smfran

is not gone. The link I posted does not work with the new Edmunds software. To access the old discussion, go to the Town Hall main page and click on Archive discussions. Find "Pontiac Bonneville" and open it. Start your reading around April or May 2000.
Let us know how you make out. Good luck.
Stephen

intense01

Phildo:

I am really getting hooked on trying to make the SSEi fast.

The underdrive pulleys and shift kit should be installed this weekend.

I have ordered the Casper AFPR, as recommended by Snickle.

I found a slightly used supercharger and sent it to Magnuson today to be S-ported. This reduces the outlet charge by ~ 20 degrees, increases the flow slightly, and permits more boost.

Today I ordered a pair of Thrasher's all out heads - ported, polished, 3-angle valve job, and oversized stainless exhaust valves. This should increase flow and decrease boost.

If you read the link listed above, you'll see that we are very close to having the rocker arm dilemma solved. This should increase flow.

I also have the Stage 2 MAF on order from RAT.

With these changes, I believe I can get by with a 3.0" supercharger pulley.

As I've said before, I don't want to die wondering!

Scott

mfahey1

I just came in from the garage after installing the K&N air filter. I'd love to try it out today but it snowed last night (we're near Chicago) and I don't take it out if I can help it. I was also looking at what it would take to remove the pulley on the supercharger and wondered if anyone had tried a regular puller along with applying heat to the shaft? Heating to cause expansion is common in industrial maintenance work because when the pulley or bearing cools down, it then clamps onto the shaft to prevent movement and obviously the reverse is true when trying to remove things from a shaft. I don't mind spending the money for the pulley but to spend $139 for a tool that will probably only be used once is a little hard to swallow.

intense01

G.M. presses the stock pulleys on with 5,000 pounds of pressure, according to the folks at Magnuson Products.

Short of melting everything down, I don't think you'll be able to get the pulley off with heat alone. Another reason you should want the tool is that it isolates the shaft bearings from the stress of removing your pulley.

After you feel the results, you won't mind having spent the money.

zzahh

If you attempt to remove the pulley with a regular puller and heat, heat the pulley, not the shaft. Heating the shaft will make your job even more difficult. I would be careful with too much heat, there must be some type of seal at the shaft. Good luck.

kenbidwell

I looked at the archived posting and ran across a question I have but could never find the answer. Has anyone gotten their 2000 SSEi to work like the TV commercials with the driver name on the DIC display? I have gone to two local dealers and they claim that it can not be done. Has anyone been lucky enough to achieve this and if so who did it for you!

theiceman

Has anybody discovered the point of the display of "Driver 1" and "Driver 2" in the SLE when nothing is recorded or changed as a consequence? The way I see it, it's a carryover from the SSEi where there is a point to this information other than a reminder that you're using your wife's keys. Anybody?

smfran

Driver #1 and #2 can be changed to show your name by the dealer. My dealer was able to do it with no problem. If your dealer has no clue, have them call Rich at Ricky Smith Pontiac (781-337-7060).
As far as the personalization feature of individual drivers is concerned, when you set up your seat position, climate control, radio, outside mirrors, auto door lock operation, perimeter lighting, security system, and power window lockout, and then set it with the driver 1 or driver 2 button on the driver's door, it is all remembered when you open the vehicle with the specific remote, or push the corresponding button on the driver's door. This is how it works on the SSEi. I'm not sure if all this is available on the SLE.
The sales brochure states this as being standard on the SSEi in the verbage, but also lists the keyless entry system with personalization feature as standard in both the SSEi and SLE in the Interior Features section. It is quite possible that the personalization features on the SLE are limited to the automatic door lock/unlock functions.

kenbidwell

Do you have the OnStar system on your SSEi? The last time I talked to the local dealer they said it could only be done on cars equiped with the OnStar system.

Thanks, Ken

theiceman

Thanks for the tip smfran. I took both sets of keys into the Bonnie this afternoon and had both preferences programmed in just a few minutes. The SLE is obviously more limited than the SSEi but there's a fair amount there. Programming the window lockout button to allow the front passenger window to open is a good idea given that this features is normally for the protection of young children - and they should be sitting in the back anyway. Now, on to the dealer to see if WE lowly SLE owners can get our names customized. If it can be done, I have confidence that they'll do it.

My SLE is the Canadian version - pretty much identical but my speedo goes up to 220 (because of that neat conversion button, that's in km/h OR mp/h) vs. the US speedo's 140. Now, I can't see this car hitting 220 mp/h but I can see a modified engine exceeding the 140 mp/h max. on the US speedo - if the Canadian speedo is available in the US, this info could be of use to US Bonnie enthusiasts.

snickle

You be hard pressed to remove the pulley with a standard puley remove. Just about zero chance it will come off intact. Be very carefule not to bend the shaft. Check out www.egroups.com/messages/grandprix. If you post a message there you can probably find someone local with a tool.

If anyone needs a 3.5, I have one available cheap.

snickle

Cool thread of yours over at ClubGP. Now if I just had a spare engine or car to try it on :-)

smfran

Ken - My 2000 SSEi was built before On star was available in it. Your dealer is misinformed. Let us know when he figures out how to program your name in.

Dan - I'm curious as to what features can and can not be programmed in the SLE vs. the SSEi. Do you have the programming and exit buttons on your driver's door?

frog_sc38

As far as I can remember, the package moving from SLE to SSEi includes supercharger, heads up display (HUD), memories, and ON-Star (?) in the standard equipment. That was the reason I could justify the difference in price. I love the HUD. That and I knew I could get way more ponies than 35 from that SC. LOL

theiceman

Thanks again for your advice Stephen - I guess I should assume that more of the items featured in the owners manual MIGHT apply to the SLE. FYI, features that CAN be programmed in the SLE include: driver ID, perimeter lights, window lock-out, remote response, auto door locks, and delayed locks. Programmed features like parallel park mirrors, seat and mirror position are unique to the SSEi. The SLE does not have programming/exit buttons on the door and you have to use your remote to unlock the car to signal which driver you are. Still a neat feature. This is my first GM (I've been an import buyer for over 20 years!) and I continue to be very impressed with the General. This ain't the 80's any more.

smfran

Dan - Let me know when your "Driver 1" is programmed to say "Iceman":)

theiceman

...perhaps would have been a better name but iceman came to mind when I had to pick a handle to sign on to these town halls. Given that I live in Canada (Ottawa - the Nation's Capital - to be precise) and it IS February and I had just come in from flooding the backyard rink....

Anyway, now a big fan of my DIC and thanks for helping me out with it.

On a more serious note, has anybody seen any publication which has posted 1/4 mi. or 0-60mph times for a 2000 SLE? These are obviously in a different league than the SSEi but I suspect that the axle ratio might put it MARGINALLY faster than an SE. A June '98 Car & Driver apparently clocked an SE at 8.10 for 0-60 and 1/4 mi. at 16.20. That seems a tad slow to me but it IS a heavy car. Anybody?

Being new to this townhall, I have only now caught up with reading the older postings. You guys and your mods are making me feel serious regrets for being all rational and opting for the SLE instead of the SSEi. Now I'm thinking of keeping the SLE for the wife's car and maybe getting a 2000 SSEi for myself. I'm not joking - I've seen low kilometres 2000 SSEi's advertised for under $27,000 (converted to US and including taxes). That's way more than I paid for my SLE.

intense01

Now THAT cracks me up!

phildo75

If I put on a 3.25 will I need the CAI or will my K&N filter be enough not to get knock. If I can, I would be interested in your 3.25 when you make your mod

dmckeown

Going to the 3.25 you will want the extra air flow provided by a cone K&N. Go for the Thrasher CAI for cooler air and great looks, just ask intense

dmckeown

Of coarse you got a Bonneville cause you wanted to honor that tough Ottawa war chief Pontiac, now get the one he would a got, get an SSEi . I may have to look up north of the boarder for a replacement SSEi with one of those 220 mph speedo's. Guess I should add a deer whistle to the front of it, or a fricken .50 cal Browning! that will get their attention.

theiceman

Excellent recall of Native American history. The Ottawas originally came from Ontario and some settled in my area - the area around the Ottawa River (which forms most of the border between the provinces of Quebec and Ontario and on which my city is located). Methinks that most of the Ottawas had moved to northern US (Illinois? Ohio?) over a century before Chief Pontiac's famous attack on Detroit and certainly many years before his land-speed record attempts at Bonneville. Still, you are quite correct that my purchase has roots in home town pride and, even further, that an SSEi would have befitted the Chief more than an SLE. I hope he would understand that my purchase choice meant him no disrespect.

dmckeown

In all honesty I figure Scott (intense01) is a descendent of Pontiac's cause he just can't stop adding war horses to that SSEi of his. Eckert wrote some great book's dealing with early North American history and I must admit being fascinated with everything about Pontiac. Seems he would go out naked for day's in the winter to get in touch with the spirit world, I think this was the first application of Cold Air Induction on a Pontiac.

tpken

I bet old the old 'Chieftain' would have Loved the toasty bun warmers!

Ken

gdw3138

From the info that I can find, including Edmond's, the 1995 Bonneville SSEi has a series 2 engine. Is it possible to change the supercharger pulley on this model year? The vendors seem to only list 96 and up. Also, what type and weight of oil should be used in the supercharger? The manual calls for synthetic. Thanks.

snickle

I don't think the 95 used the Eaton M90 supercharger. All the current pullies are for the Supercharger.

snickle

Where in the trunk does the CD-Changer mount? Also where does the wiring harness connect? Basically I am looking to add one to mine and trying to figure out if it is prewired in the trunk. I found an odd connector in the trunk near the driver side rear speaker. Is that for the CD changer?

djohn81641

I am considering offers from 2 different dealers for a SSEi 2000 model.

#1 is for a 2000 SSEI, 4000 miles, with 2 years 6 months left on the warranty for $27,000. It is considered a used car.

#2 is for a 2000 SSEI, 6000 miles and is a dealer demo, so I would get the full 3 years or 36,000 mile warranty. This dealers states even if I do not buy the demo, I should not buy the used car because it could have been a rental. And his deal is better because I get the full warranty. he will not drop the price down to 27,000 because of this, even though his car has more miles, and therefore, is more used.

I am thinking the warranty really doesen't get used all that much,

Does any one have any thoughts as to which is a better deal. Has any one ever seen a rental SSEi? Also have there been a lot of problems where I should be looking to get as much coverage as I can?

Thanks for your help.

tpken

Djohn - I recently bought a 2000 Bonneville SE former rental (See post #571 this forum). No - not an SSEi - and I wonder if rental agencies would even carry such a car. If they did, it is VERY doubtful that it would be turned in with such low mileage. Mine has 18K and even that is considered low for a one year old rental - in fact it was placed in service in June so those miles were accumulated over only 7 months.

I paid $15,995 vs $26K sticker when new, so the savings on a one model year old car can be considerable.

The best thing to do is obtain the VIN and run it through CARFAX. If it was registered as a rental car, that will show up - it did on mine - more importantly, it will tell you whether or not the car had ever been totaled or flooded out and rebuilt - not an unheard of practice, or if it was ever designated a LEMON.

Relative to warranty - the 3800 series II is famous for its reliability and dependability. Naturally, adding the supercharger complicates the engine but the marginally longer warranty is not worth extra bucks in my opinion. The SSEi boys here can address that issue better than I can. Most of them can't wait to be out of warranty so they can feel free to make improvements at will.

Good Luck - hope you end up with a beauty!

Ken

mfahey1

The changer is on the passenger's side of the trunk, to the rear of the hinge. There appears to be a boss in the trunk lining that the changer goes in. Perhaps on a car that doesn't have a changer, the boss is there but it needs to be cut out. I can't tell if all cars are prewired although I would think the bean counters would nix that.
Can anyone recommend a good product for the care and preservation of the leather seats? This is my first car with leather and I'd like to keep them in good shape for as long as I can,

martyb4

I hope this works, this is the first time I am trying this!

Iceman & Others - Just today I had the "Driver 1" & "Driver 2" displays re-programmed by the dealership where I bought my 2000 SLE. At first they questioned as to weather this was possible and then I pointed it out in the owner's manual. (Yes, some of us actually read the owner's manuals.) They did manage to figure out how to do it, but weren't forthcoming with the "how to's".
However, it came out something like this:

HI MARTY ||||||||||
|||||||||||||||||||

with all of the excess |||'s. I didn't go back in to ask them about those (yet). It looks like fully both lines of the DIC could have a "custom" message welcoming us each time to our Bonnies. I have to believe that this can be done by owners with the proper instructions. I e-mailed Pontiac today to request instructions. I asked not to get the standard' "We recommend this service be performed by a qualified technician", but I've got a feeling that's exactly what I am going to get. Hell, if my 70 year old mother could figure out how to program her VCR, I think those of us with little mechanical savvy would be capable of doing this with the proper instructions. I am thinking it's accomplished with a combination of the key in ignition turned to some particular position and/or maybe shorting across wires in the OBD II connector and then using some combination of the buttons next to the DIC.

I'd love to hear some input from someone who works at a Pontiac dealership. Throw us a bone!

theiceman

Thanks Marty. I have a relative who's a Sales Manager at a big Pontiac Buick GMC dealership not far from here. I WILL be bringing this up with him next time we speak. Heck, it might even be tonight.