Pontiac Bonneville Owners: Accessories & Modifications

matt01ssei

I'm the proud owner of a 01 SSEi. I was wondering if anyone could list some web sites for aftermarket accessories. Any info would be helpful.

mlm4

I think the lack of response to this post is indicitative: there aren't any such sites! The aftermarket for the Bonneville is woefully inadequate, I would say almost non-existent. Most of the folks who have found aftermarket products for their Bonnies did so by pestering manufacturers who specialize in Grand Prix parts, of which there are quite a few.

mfahey1

Ditto what Michael said. Go to http://clubgp.com for a few ideas including the pulley. You can also go to Thrasher's site as well as SLP's but these are all exclusively engine modifications. I remember that Scott had replaced his 17" wheels with 18" ones but don't know where he got them.

mfahey1

I don't know if you consider upgrading the handling an accessory but several people, Ken included, have installed rear sway bars on their SEs and have been very happy with the improved performance. Several of us, me included, have upgraded both bars on our SSEis and while I personally am happy with mine, it was a lot of work for the front bar and the handling improvement was not as dramatic as on the SE. Go to http://sanerperffab.com. I don't know if they have the Bonneville bars on their site yet since they seem to concentrate on ricers but they do make them and were very good to work with.

mfahey1

http://goravins.com for performance mufflers and exhaust tips. Hmmm, now how could I sneak those on without my wife knowing about it? I read a great saying the other day that once in awhile might even fit me; "Just remember that you are only young once but you can be immature forever".

mfahey1

This site worked before I posted it because I made sure first. Server must be down or something.

rjs200240

http://www.goravin.com/home.html

You can get them at Midas

mfahey1

You think maybe they dropped the "s" of their address in the hour between when I went to it and when I posted it? Not.
Thanks for correcting me.

ldevine

slp air temp module tricks computer to think its colder advances timing 1-2 degrees adds 5-7 hp i got mine from kal 1-519-768-2986 he will ship.

bommers

I'm looking for info on where to buy replacement bushings for my 2000 SSEI. Brands? Part numbers?
Any help would be appreciated.

Paul

wazooworks

I'm dying to take the plunge and replace my SC pulley. But I'm leary of voiding my powertrain warranty. I might buy the pulley now and wait two and a half years - I suppose that's one good thing about having such a pathetically short warranty
Anyway, my questions to those who have done it are:
What tools besides the pulley puller are required? Is this something Average Joe can do in his garage? What can possibly go wrong during the installation or as the result of the installation? Will the GM Service Department Kommandant beat me profusely with a serpentine belt when he finds out?
I've searched a bit for the answer to these questions but found not much straight dope.
Thanks.

ldevine

www.thrasher-ep.com

loveanddeath

Hi all,

I have acquired a 98 SSE, and while I wish I could have gotten an SSEi, the deal for the SSE was just couldn't be passed up. Anywho, does anyone know of anyplace I get information on mods for it. Everything I find is for the supercharged version.

I wish I could just slap an Eaton on mine, but I doubt it would be quite that simple, and i know some of the internals are differnt....

Maybe I'll just have to find a V8 to stuff under there......

~LaD~

Oh by the way, i don't have the performance shift option, is that actually a different tranny or just some fancy computer programing?

ldevine

i just got this one from a guy at thrasher www.3800performance.com after ordering a cai kit and a performance shift kit he said the cai will not fit but i have pictures of a 2000 ssei with it in it takes some modification will have installed early next month before trip to Maine

cblou

I have a 1995 SSEi with selectable shift options. Does the "Performance Shift" only change the shift points, or does it also change other aspects of engine performance? Would an aftermarket chip help much and would I be able to continue to select between "Performance" and "Normal" with an aftermarket chip?

CBLou

loveanddeath

After studying the schematics, and talking to some people, as best I can figure, is the performance shift just chnges the shift points. BUT not in the way you think, it appears (at least to me) that performance mode has the same points as a car without the option, and "normal" just moves the shift point to a lower rpm, prolly for fuel economy and so they can say its a feature.
I could easily be wrong, if anyone has contrary evidence, let me know and i will gladly retract my above statement.

~Radical Moderate~

mfahey1

Other than a large TORX bit (50?) to release tension on the tensioner so you can get the belt on and off, not much can go wrong, IF YOU TAKE YOUR TIME. I preheated the pulley with a torch around the middle of the pulley to expand it a bit to make it a little easier to get off. Even at that, the old pulley was trashed. I tried heating the new one in the oven to eliminate the press fit but I have to say, don't bother. It is too small a bore for normal oven temperatures to expand it to any degree and even then, unless you are amazingly coordinated, getting the pulley on straight with gloves on just isn't going to happen.
Sorry for the late answer but I've been away.

benjohnson

Anyone know a source for replacement headlight assemblies for the 2000 SSEi.

The pit-throughs are reducing the illumination.

Of course GM wants a fortune even at the wholesale price

Ben

mfahey1

Any of the new headlight covers, for lack of a better term, cost a fortune regardless of brand of the car. I think it has to do with the fact that they are clear acrylic but in any event, you aren't going to find a new one a what any of us consider a reasonable price. You might try various salvage yards although even then, you usually pay 33-50% of new.

enormus

GM Parts Direct (http://www.gmpartsdirect.com) offers considerably better prices than dealer's parts departments.

sonnyb3

Just bought a 96 SE. It has a cassette with Eq. and two speakers in the drivers door. Sounds great but am going to swap for a factory cd. Does anyone know the diff, if any between the Pontiac cd with eq and the Pontiac Cd with just bass and treble. Of course I know that I will have finer adjustment of the sound. Are the two the same radio with just diff adjustments. I heard that the cd with eq has more power than the Cd with just bass and treble. Does anyone have the Cd with bass and treble and how is the sound. ANy input is appreciated

adf1

sonnyb3 - Got my 02 Bonnie about 3 weeks ago (after selling an 02 Accord). Tested at the dealership also a Grand Prix. Since I spend 2-3 hours daily in the car, radio sound IS important. So here it is:
Accord - OEM system - Great sound!
Grand Prix - OEM system - Fantastic sound!
My Bonnie - OEM system w/ EQ - So, So sound. Haven't benn yet able to produce the level of sound the other 2 (without EQ) had. I especially mean the Bass levels.
Hope I helped!

adf1

I wonder if anyone (with a bench seat) noticed that when the shift lever is in the D position, it's hiding the audio system display!!
One must really lean forward to read the time, station, info, etc. Has anyone found a solution? Any Suggestions? Any aftermarket levers with different curves?

theiceman

You're bang on about the sound in the new Bonnie. It's okay but lacks punch - an oversight in a car of this stature. IMHO

ice

adf1

Hey, you got it wrong. I'm saying that with ALL(!) the extra features in the 02 SE radio, its sound is still average, or even less. I tested the reagular system on a Grand Prix and it sounded MUCH better than mine.

theiceman

I'm sorry - what do I have wrong? Pontiac goofed on the stereo in the Bonneville and should improve it to match the price range they're competing in. How it stacks up against lesser cars is less important than how it stacks up against stereos in cars like the Acura TL - IMHO. And there, I'm afraid, it does even worse.

BTW, my wife's '01 Grand Prix GT has the upgraded stereo and it's only marginally better than my '00 Bonneville SLE's system. Whereas the GP GT's system is perhaps appropriate for the price range, the Bonnie's is not. I think the sound quality is okay but that's about it. As for low end, forget about it. That's not acceptable in this price range.

ice

bigdogdude

Going back to the '95 model year, which had the same radio options as '96 with the exception that there was no subwoofer option... the simple bass/treble systems were far inferior to the EQ equipped premium systems. The latter has a significant power increase over the base systems - however I also understand that there is a power amplifier with that system which is the reason for the "can't year yourself think" volume levels it can play at.

If the power amp is outside of the head unit, the base bass/treble unit might still work and sound good - but I doubt if it has the tricks like automatic gain adjustments for the EQ settings and output distortion limiting.

One tip I can add. After 8 years, I finally replaced the factory speakers. On the SE and SLEs (what I have) the two-speaker doors really did have upgraded speakers. But oh did I laugh when I saw the $3 speakers in the rear! They must be the base speakers - as the SSE's did have a tweeter in the rear, and I am betting a real woofer. When you think of it, pathetic for a $26,000 car in 1995 dollars.

The rears are easy as they snap out... the fronts require removal of the door panels and about 837 wires. BUT the rears sounded so much better, I had to do the fronts.

mfahey1

For those thinking of doing a pulley swap but are put off by the press fit issues of removing and reinstalling, Thrasher and ZZP now have modular pulleys that feature a fixed hub mounted on the S/C shaft and a pulley bolted to the hub. Makes swapping different sizes much easier.
I just wish I had known about it when I swapped on the 3.4".
On another note, does anyone know of a CAI that pulls air from outside the engine compartment and that fits the Bonneville?

timfarn

Just bought an '02 SLE that is missing both key fobs. For those of you with an '02, does it look and function the same as older model Bonnevilles? We have a '96 w/4 button. I'm looking to pick up a couple on Ebay...

badsse93

I own a 1993 SSE. Ihave installed a K&N cone style filter,Flow master, 2 chamber muffler.Are there any other mods i can do to this engine?Are there any fiberglass hoods available?Any help would be greatly appreciated,thanx.Please contact,Jim @ NHRA331@AOL.COM

bonnie_ssei

I have a 1993 ssei and I can't find any parts I'd like a new supercharger like a jackson and new pipes runnin from the manafold back please help

gcash

I have an SSE it's a 94. still in mint condition inside and
just had a new paint job last year. I am looking for ways to improve the performance and horsepower. If you
come across any good info please let me know.
Thanks Gene

gcash

I did the drop in on my 94 bonnie was like changing the filter!!!!

prince_val4832

i recently purchased a 96 bonnevile with a v6 series 2 engine that was completely dismantled..trying to put it together myself and was wandering if anyone knew of a web site i could go to , to help me with all these brackets?

brokeass

my 97 sounds like a lawnmower when revving up and it dies evrytime it idles...most say its the fuel injectors but could it also be fuel filter related?...could there be a clog somewhere? or does the engine have a blown head gasket...it drives but dies at any stop sign and definitely wont drive up hills...how do i replace the fuel filter if that is the problem? the fuel gauge also does not work and the lights inside the car stay on all the time and dont turn off 15 minutes even after its off...someone please help...im not a mechanic

superchevy22

i got a bad rear shock in my 1998 SSEi. any advice on what company or even parts #'s would be greatly appreciated. thanks
Nick

jferg

I've got a 1995 bonneville. A while ago it began to not always start right away. You could sit there and turn the key and it would just spin but never fire off. It would do this occasionally, but finally one day it died on me and refused to start again. We checked a few different things, and finally we decided to change the fuel pump.

For about two days the new pump worked great. Now it will always start right away on the first try when its cold and has been sitting for a while. But if you drive around for a while and then shut it off, it wont start on the first try. You have to let is spin for a few seconds. Then hit it again and it will fire right off. It also runs perfectly fine once it is started.

I was wondering if anyone else has had this same problem, or if anyone has any idea what the problem could be. We have done a few other things to try and correct this, but nothing has worked thus far.

Thanks

shakirsahab

I got a 1992 Bonneville, and the entry lights that open when a door is ajar won't shut off. I've checked all the doors and the trunk, but even with everything fine, the lights simply won't shut off. I tried disconnecting the battery and then reconnecting it but they were still on, so right now I just left the battery disconnected. Any way to "reset" the system or any help at all?

ace19

how do you get it to blink is there something you turn on for it to blink

ace19

i just got a 96 ssei bonnivile supercharge and so far i like it it has alarm on it but i have no keyless entery do you know how i can get one. the alarm went off on me today and i could not shut it off i had to wait till it shut it self off

rwaldrop

did you ever get an answer to the light problem. I have a 99 and it is doing the exact same thing

RWaldrop

dadscar2

How much engine noise did this K&N add? Is it effective in boosting power and Miles/gal all year round or only in winter? and what do you do with the air intake sensor?

4lewis

This car has an issue - the alarm / security feature does weird things. Now, it will not let me start the car. The Dealers want anywhere from $500 to $1,000 to fix it. That is not econmomically feasible or possible at this time. I am looking to bypass the security feature, but the dealers say it is not possible. The last dealer told me it was a bad battery and the car works fine now. The battery they replaced was 8 months old... Now, the car is dead in the drive way with the new battery.

What is the sequence to turn off the security ? I bought the car used 4 years ago - never having this issue. The alarm light stays on after it is started for about 1-2 minutes and shuts off, but never any problems.

Please advise. Considering a bulldog by pass module with remote starter. What do u think ? Will the car have to be able to start before doing this surgery ?

Really disgusted as I love these cars. Had my last 88 (with the c motor) for 250,000 miles, gave it to the american heart association to live on ! :-)

bryanfsu2002

Hi all i just bought a 2000 SSEI and i was wondering if a drop in k&n helps the gas milage out. And what type of mileage should i be getting.

smo251

I have a 2003 Bonneville that currently has OnStar and no therometer on the rearview mirror, can I install a rearview mirror with OnStar and a therometer without additional wiring and not a lot of trouble?

Thanks,
Steve

danamark

I have a 1999 Bonneville. The towing capacity is listed
at 1,000 lbs.. My understanding is a towing package was
offered to increase this to 3,500 lbs. Anyone know what
was included in this? Anyone know what should be added,
ex. oil cooler, etc.. Looking to tow a 2,000 lb folding
camper with electric brakes. thanks..

kevakasper

I have a 1992 sse that has a strange problem, the dash is acting very erractically, the gauges will not function 1/2 of the time and the rest of the dash systems monitor, compass, and lights will come on and off with no apparent rhyme nor reason. I thought I had traced it down to a bad ignition switch as wiggling the key made it happen. After changing the ignition switch ( on the top of the column ) now the problem persists, but is less erratic. My thoughts are either a hairline crack in the PC board on the instrument cluster, a bad body computer, or a bad ground somewhere. Anyone out there have had a similar occurance? Any suggestions on where to look next? I acquired a set of factory service manuals but there is nothing in there regarding this situtation. Any pontiac techs out there? :mad:

kevakasper

You need to use common sense. I have a 2002 Camaro z 28 that I needed to use to tow a utility trailer with. I knew it had plenty of power, so that wasn't an issue. The problem is with how and where the hitch mounts to. My Camaro mounted the hitch to the sheetmetal frame rails, which are very thin. I have also put a hitch on an early lumina z-34 which mounted to the trunk floor. Basically you are fastening this load to sheetmetal. I have put well in excess of 4000# on my trailer and towed carefully with the Z. I know this was overloaded, but was for a very short distance. My 95 Chrysler minivan was rated at 3500# so I know that a unibody car is capable, and the Lumina towed a 19' boat with no problem. Make sure you add a trans cooler, as this is the weakest link. Get a hitch from a reputable company. The other problem you may face is with the suspension. Watch the tounge weight. I had tried everything on the Voyager to get it off the ground with my trailer, finally upgraded to an 2000 Astro van ( full frame ) and still had to add air shocks. I am intending to put a hitch on the 92 Bonneville I am fixing for my kid, it already has the oil cooler for trans, and engine, and already has the airshock leveling system. Should make for a good lightweight tow vehicle! And maybe I won't get the strange looks I get while towing with the Z!

daytona2

I have a portable GPS system that is powered via the cigarette lighter in my 1999 Bonneville. I like the idea of a portable GPS that I can move to other vehicles. My problem is that I typically leave the GPS in the Bonneville (and routinely use the Bluetooth cellphone hands-free feature), but when I shut off the engine, the GPS unit remains on. I have to remember to unplug the GPS from the lighter every time. If the lighter was not powered when the ignition is off, the GPS unit would shut off also. Anyone know how to make the lighter only powered when the ignition is on?
Thanks!

jack83

Hey, I don't know if you found the fix to the problems you were having. But if you haven't already come across it check out www.bonnevilleclub.com there are a lot of helpfull people that know a lot about these cars.