Questions for experienced mechanics and Bonneville drivers!

[jalby69]

Hey, I'm new to this site and I have a few questions and so on for anyone who's willing to help. Before I start posting random questions that are probably simple for any mech to answer I would like to say a few things. My grandfather was my bestfriend for the last few years of his life. He taught me how to drive in his 2000 Se, he picked me up after every football practice in it, and alot of other memories are in "Bonny". Well he passed away during the fall of 2010 and my grandmother decided to give me the car and I cherish it. I know it's not even an SSEI; but it's my memories of my bestfriend that make me love my car. I have also made many new memories in "Bonny" as well since I got behind the wheel. Very recently I got my first full time job and it pays well, with the money I plan to do a few things to keep bonny going, looking, sounding, and even smelling as good as possible.

I plan to keep bonny with me until she just can't go anymore. With my recent graduation; it feels like it's time to make Bonny mine and move forward with my life while continuing to keep something of great value with me. My dad has been a mech for years and he has connections for me when I need them. I have been thinking, talking to people, and searching online for things to do and so far I have came up with the following ideas.

1. Tinting windows
-Will help keep interior cooler, leather from becoming cracked, and it just looks nice. Professionally done

2.Red L.E.D. lights on the inside
-So they will match the instrument lights but give a little personal touch. Done by a family friend who has been working with my dad since he started as a mech

3. Putting a second exhaust exit/tail pipe in the empty space under the trunk
-Sportier look usually found on SSEI's. Done by my dad's current shop

4. New rims
-The factory rims have break dust stains that i have tried cleaning countless times and no success

5. Replacing speakers and radio
-The radio is starting to not work in the HUD. Tweeters are sounding pretty bad, door speaks are starting to get their and I just want something louder

6. White L.E.D.'s /Neon's outside
-Will match Bonny's silver paint and just for looks done by same guy as #2

7. Getting all scratches buffed out and all scraps painted over
-Better aesthetics

Those are my plans and I have ways to get almost all of them done. My questions are:

Q1: Will putting a second exhaust exit give me any more horse power? Will the sound be affected? (#3)

Q2: Does anyone know where to find black rims with the Pontiac logo?(#4)

Q3: What are some good radios and speakers? I'm looking for name brand but nothing to expensive (#5)

Q4:Any suggestions for better horsepower or upkeep?

Sorry for the sappy story and all this to read; but I'm a young Bonneville fan and I want to keep my car with me for as long as I can. All answers will be appreciated!

[PaulyGXP]

1.) Not really any effect on HP by changing to the dual exhaust style, and barely any change in sound. Put a couple Magnaflow mufflers on when you change to the dual exit, then you'll get a little more noise if thats what you want. Nice deep tone, with very little drone.
2.) You could have a set of Pontiac wheels painted or powdercoated black. Or you could find some black aftermarket wheels you like that would be compatable with stock Pontiac centercaps.
3.) Stay with a better brand like Alpine, Kicker, Rockford Fosgate, JL Audio, Pioneer, and Kenwood. If you do that, just play with some headunits and see which one you like best. Same with speakers, do your research and test several that you like. As long as you stay with a quality brand, you'll be in good shape!
4.) Change your oil! Enough said... It really doesn't matter what oil you use, just make sure you are good about staying on schedule... Some guys run cheap dino oil, and a good oil filter such as K&N, Purolator, Mobil, etc and change every 3000 miles. I personally run Mobil 1 and a K&N filter, change at 4000 miles. It just comes down to how well you maintain your car to how well it will treat you! Fuel filter, spark plugs and ignition, exhuast, tranny, suspension, brakes, tires, and so much more to keep you going!
Your questions 1 through 4 are among the most common threads on the forum. As far as horsepower goes, do some research on the forum. Use the search feature! So many mods have been done to 3800 cars, so it is really easy to find ways to pick up some power! There are also numerous how too's and ideas to make your car "better." Enjoy!

[RogueSSEi]

Go with 1,3,4,5, and 7.
A2Q1: No
A2Q2: You will have to modify any aftermarket wheel center cap for a Pontiac center caps to work or vinyl decal it
A2Q3: I have a Kenwood headunit with Kicker speakers/sub , Can't complain with the set up and got a killer deal on them from eBay. It's really personal pref. some will say "go with Alpine, Pioneer" etc. Best advice go to a local audio shop and sit in one of their audio rooms (if they have one) to get your own opinion.
A2Q4: Maintenance first and foremost, if already upheld, run headers, FWI, tuneable PCM, cam, Port and Polish, head work, upgrade valvetrain, less restrictive exhuast, trans kit or/and trans work.

[nos4blood70]

Good mufflers for louder tone are either the aforementioned Magnaflows or you can also run Flowmasters. Magnaflows are quieter and smoother while Flowmasters are louder and more coarse.

If you want better speakers, I'd suggest either Polk Audio or Pioneer. Those have offered the best bang for your buck in my experience. Adding an amp to your sound system would also be something to consider. If you get either 2 way or 3 way 6.5 inch speakers for your front doors, then you can just unplug the tweeters and leave the housings. That's what I did.

For more performance in your L36, you should get a Fenderwell Intake from Intense, port your lower intake manifold, get a 2.5 inch downpipe with a highflow cat, and a plog in place of your stock front exhaust manifold. Then you can get some ER rockers from ZZP and along with a tune you should keep up with stock SSEi's. You can also look into the HV3 from ZZP but that has mixed reviews among the members of this board. A shift kit and transmission cooler will help your transmission live a long and happy life as well.

Cheers on your new Bonneville and welcome to the club!

[crzydmnd72]

Nothing to add mechanically, I just want to say thats a nice story about your Grandpa!

Oh yeah, don't use Fram filters!

[1oldman]

Nothing to add mechanically, I just want to say thats a nice story about your Grandpa!

Oh yeah, don't use Fram filters!

X2 watch the youtube.com videos. Sure got my attention and I quit using Fram. - BC

[jalby69]

Thanks for all the replies, I am glad to be part of some of the best cars GM has made! I am looking into all options given to me and i'm going to vaulter them as time goes and checks get cashed!

[rustyroger]

Q5; keep up to date with maintenance, worn plugs will negate any power chip mods etc, oil overdue for a change will not take kindly to a heavy right foot.
If you significantly increase the power output of your car and use it you will correspondingly shorten the useful life of the drivetrain.

Nice tale about your grandpa!.

Roger.