Series I L27 (1992-1994 SE,SLE, SSE) & Series II L36 (1995-1999 SE, SSE, SLE) and common problems for the Series I and II L67 (all supercharged models 92-99) Including Olds 88's, Olds LSS's, Olds 98 91-96, Buick Lesabres and Park Avenue 91-96. Please use General Chat for non-mechanical issues, and Performance and Brainstorming for improvements.
I don't post a whole lot but I like to browse the forums from time to time. I'm looking for some advice on the car I've had for 10 years this week. Below are some stats.
- 1999 Pontiac Bonneville SLE
- Currently has 184,000 Miles
- Average 22+ MPG summer and 19+ MPG winter
- Transmission shifts smoothe
- Work done in 2013:
- New Tires
- Alignment
- New Brakes
- New Brake lines
- New Plugs/Wires
- New Cat
- Work that needs to be done:
- New Intake Manifold
- Anything else???
As you can see I've put quite a bit on money into it in 2013 in hopes of keeping it running for a few more years. But, I'm kind of at a stopping point with the Intake apparently (wife wants me to get rid of it). I'm getting some engine codes and need to pass emissions. What do you guys think I should do?
1. Bring it to the junkyard?
2. See how much I can get on Craigslist? I know I won't get back what I've put into it.
3. Flip the $1100 for intake on top of the few grand I've already put into it?
4. Another option??
Honestly replacing the intake is one of the simpler jobs on these cars. Are you able to do any of your own work? I've done a couple and the parts are usually around $250-$300, depending what all you replace or where you buy them. Seems like you've kept up with having work done to it and it looks to be in good shape.
Does it have the original intake manifold? That's kind of impressive.
Changing the manifold is really not a difficult job. If you do replace it, go the extra few steps/hour and replace the LIM gaskets with the aluminum ones.
If I came across someone wanting to offload a Bonneville just because the manifold needed replaced and hadn't yet dumped coolant into the oil, I would be all over buying it, replacing those parts, and flipping it.
WHITE WHINE - 1992 SSE Supercharged 236.26 ci (.040 Over) 15.090 at 90.2 MPH on old engine w/ slipping trans & melted O2 sensor - Gen 3 M62 and matching TB, Gen 2 Pully, Zillamotorsports Ported LIM, YT 1.72 Roller Rockers, SII FPR & Injectors, Hypertech Thermomaster chip w/ 160 Thermo, TransGo Shift Kit, Infinity/Pioneer Speakers & a 10" Alpine Type R Sub, all the watts, 140 amp Alternator, Ricepipe CAI w/ heatshield, Pilot Angel Eye Foglights, Clear Corners, '02 17" Chrome Bent 5's, Magnaflow F-Body Muffler and Hi-flo Cat, Ceramic Coated Ported Exhaust Manifolds, Fan Override, Monroe Reflex struts, red calipers 2009 G8 GT - Sport Red Metallic, loaded, SOLO Axlebacks, Rotofab Intake, Tuned, autodim mirror, removed intake manifold cover, HSV GTS triple gauge pod, two tone red-hot shifter and HSV SuperSport steering wheel, GXP rear sway bar and diffuser, 3.45 diff and various Camaro suspension bits, LED Taillights
I agree with Mr. Wikoff. I'd be on that car like a duck on a june bug!
I'd say it has about 50-70,000 decent miles left. That's worth, as above, replacing all the gaskets (including the LIMs) and using a sleeved replacement manifold.
This repair is written up in great detail in techinfo. It's about 4-5 hours from hood up to hood down, working carefully, and it's not all that complicated. If you do your own work, it's well worth it.
Yep, original intake manifold. The only major items I've replaced are the cat, one wheel hub, and brake lines. I'm not too handy when it comes to cars unfortunately. But fortunately, the car passed emissions. Somehow, when I left work one day, the check engine light wasn't on, and poof, passed emissions.
I just picked up a new car I'm picking up Saturday but I'm keeping my Bonneville (to a bit of my wife's disliking). I love my Bonneville, I can't part with it. I may have to have the manifold replace professionally when the time comes, but I'll be sure to mention the LIM gasket and other recommendation you mentioned to hit more than one bird with one stone.
