Stock 2001 SSEI w/ <33,000m looking for more performance

[xxdabroxx]

I recently inherited a mostly pristine 2001 Pontiac Bonneville with just under 33,000 miles on it.

I plugged in a bluetooth OBDII reader and found that I have 6 deg of knock retard at WOT. I'm thinking of getting a 3" DP with high flow cat within the next few weeks. For the interim I'd like to gut the airbox but I'm afraid that may increase my knock retard. Any thoughts?

I also plan to instal a 180 deg thermostat, change the supercharger oil and bypass the coolant through the throttle body.

Then I'd like to add a FWI, tune, and a smaller pulley. I don't necessarily want to make a monster, but a little more kick would be nice. I still want to be able to use it as a daily driver.

What do you guys think about my plan? Am I going about it right?

[nos4blood70]

Gorgeous car. Nice quality pictures too.

Skip the downpipe and get headers. Read the sticky in the performance section as well!

[xxdabroxx]

How much of a pain is it to get the rear header off?

[2003 SSEi]

its not any harder than trying to get the downpipe off

[Zeik75]

Hockey puck mount is also fun and cheap.

[SSEiMan01]

Gorgeous car. Nice quality pictures too!

Reminds me how bad I need a good camera. Lol.

I love the car!

[xxdabroxx]

Thanks for the comments guys, the camera is nothing special just an old Samsung Infuse smart phone. I did clean them up a bit in photoshop, levels, curves, and a crop.

Will gutting my airbox increase knock retard without modifying anything else?

[nos4blood70]

It should decrease a little bit if anything. More flow.

The only mod that will increase KR is dropping a pulley, IF you don't have the supporting mods. All other mods serve to diminish KR.

[xxdabroxx]

Cool, I just wanted to make sure letting more air in without letting more out wouldn't increase KR.

[olblueeyesbonne]

That is a sharp car -love the color and with that low of miles it really is a gem no doubt.

Just to help rule out the cause for the KR -are you running 91+ octane fuel?

Also, if they aren't shot already maybe it is time to do a coolant flush at least, or if you are willing update the Lower Intake Manifold gaskets to some GM metal gaskets (I ABSOLUTELY recommend AGAINST FelPro ("Fail-Prone") metal gaskets).
Get either of the GM part #'s 89017816 or 89017825 -one comes with an unnecessary paper gasket for the little cap on the on the drivers side of the lower intake manifold.

[xxdabroxx]

I am running Shell 91 octane fuel, I'm in CA though and we get ethanol in our fuel.