My First Bonneville

[zachbing]

I just bought this 2001 Bonneville with 103020 for 3200 bucks here in Guam SSEI. I have fell in love with this beast in just three short days and have a few questions. First who makes the best muffeler for this car. I dont want a full system just the muffler, also what are some simple mods other than sparks, wires, and filters to add horsepower. Last, can i just go and get eh DEX cooland flushed and replaced with regular green fluid without messing anything up? Thanks for the help and look foward to many years with my new baby!

[JG2000SE]

Welcome to the club, great looking SSEi.

As for the muffler, you will get a lot of differing opinions but most like the Magnaflow's. All a matter of what sound you are looking for. Another member, sorry don't remember who, has a great set up with Hooker Aero Chamber mufflers. Don't know of any companies that make a muffler specifically for the Bonneville but many have had luck buying the Camaro and Firebird F-body mufflers with a single inlet-dual outlet.

For more horsepower, alot of members with SSEi's start with an Intense FWI (fender well intake) or at least a gutted air box, 3" downpipe with high-flow catalytic converter, and go from there. Always the option of a different pulley for the supercharger but first search for 00Beast's maintenance check-list and complete that before modding. Best of luck.

[2002BonnevilleSE]

Welcome to the club.
Changing the dexcool out isn't hard. You won't mess anything up.
http://www.pontiacbonnevilleclub.com/fo ... f=53&t=159
Here's a good way to change it. You don't need to change to a 180 degree thermo if you don't want to. ( you need to have the PCM reprogrammed to take full advantage of the 180)
Just make sure you flush the sysytem completely. I ran water through the system for an hour before I refilled with new coolant. When refilling use "Mixes with any" Coolant. ( it doesn't mix with dexcool)
Take your time and you'll be fine.

[00Beast]

First off, welcome, and more importantly thank you for your service to our country.

Secondly, that's a great car you got there, identical to my first Bonne, a black 00 SSEi with Swoopies (wheels).

Third, you'll want to flush the dex with a "Mixes with Any" Coolant, not "regular" green. The green coolant can create a sludge if mixed with Dex-Cool, the mixes-with-any is designed to have dex in it. This way if there's still dex in your system after a flush you don't do damage.

[zachbing]

thanks for the info...I gutted my filter today....have new spark wires and a k&n coming in the mail. I think i will wait for tax season to buy the FWI. Thanks for all the tips!

[nos4blood70]

She looks great! The tint looks really good with your car.

[LeSabreUltra]

Congrats on the first Bonneville! Looks like you made out really well. Love the color.
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