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New to pretty much everything
Posted: Sat Nov 12, 2011 3:34 pm
by ThatGuy
Well I have a 2002 Pontiac Bonneville SSEi, love it so far, even though it has a list of problems needing to be fixed. In one month it will have new tie rods, front sway bar, catalytic converter, and two window regulators (I know window regulators come and go though). That said I was hoping someone could point me in the right direction to beefing this car up for more hp/torque. I've been to plenty of sites and they generally tell you things to fix, but none of them really were helpful if you were new to this kind of stuff. My Dad has fixed and modded vehicles countless times but he's a Ford guy so he said I'd have to do the hard work on finding out what to do and he'd help install whatever needed to be done. Still I'm pretty much stuck which irks me

saw this site and was hoping someone could lead me in the right direction.
Pretty much all I know is to start with things not directly in the engine. Chip, CAI, and adding a NOS kit. That's about all the info I've had and as far as what to do in the engine every website seems to be random on what to do. Hoping someone can guide me in the right direction and help a new guy out

Re: New to pretty much everything
Posted: Sat Nov 12, 2011 3:44 pm
by 2002BonnevilleSE
Welcome to the club.
Don't forget to post pics of your car.
You came to the right site for your Bonneville questions.
Re: New to pretty much everything
Posted: Sat Nov 12, 2011 6:07 pm
by nos4blood70
Welcome to the club!!

Fix everything first. Then begin modding. As for the chip, these cars don't have one. You need to get the PCM tuned.
Re: New to pretty much everything
Posted: Sat Nov 12, 2011 9:13 pm
by wake
Welcome to the club..you sure came to the right place!

Re: New to pretty much everything
Posted: Sun Nov 13, 2011 1:27 am
by ThatGuy
Sorry I don't have many pics of it, but I'm posting the link to the photobucket page it's in the album marked "02 bonneville work in progress." I understand getting everything fixed first then modding, but wanted to get some of it done while it was getting fixed as it will be going to several shops that will install so if I know what I want to get modded there I can get it knocked out all in one.
Any help to how to mod it though would be appreciated where to start etc.
http://s1092.photobucket.com/albums/i41 ... 0progress/
The link above should take you directly to the album.
Re: New to pretty much everything
Posted: Sun Nov 13, 2011 9:12 am
by Bing
Whats your wrenching ability?
Because we can help talk you through doing some of the maintenance and mods yourself. If you have some mechanical ability and knowledge it's not that hard to do the work yourself.
Just my 2 cents.
Re: New to pretty much everything
Posted: Sun Nov 13, 2011 1:56 pm
by wake
looks like its got good potential thats for sure!

Re: New to pretty much everything
Posted: Sun Nov 13, 2011 3:08 pm
by 00Beast
Welcome.
I believe I linked you in your other thread to my post on performance questions.
There are no "chips" on these cars, no are there any aftermarket programmers. You will have to get it TUNED by someone competent with tuning these cars using either HP Tuners or DHP PowrTunr.
NOS should be the last thing on your mind for this car. Even with a wet kit, there are many more ways of making horsepower than spraying it, and the risk of breaking parts is higher, due to it already being boosted. These babies don't need no bottle.

Re: New to pretty much everything
Posted: Sun Nov 13, 2011 3:32 pm
by ThatGuy
00Beast wrote:Welcome.
I believe I linked you in your other thread to my post on performance questions.
There are no "chips" on these cars, no are there any aftermarket programmers. You will have to get it TUNED by someone competent with tuning these cars using either HP Tuners or DHP PowrTunr.
NOS should be the last thing on your mind for this car. Even with a wet kit, there are many more ways of making horsepower than spraying it, and the risk of breaking parts is higher, due to it already being boosted. These babies don't need no bottle.

Appreciate the link!! I think I may message you if I have anymore issues if that is okay with you. NOS would be the last thing I'd put in it as I blew the engine on a '98 LT1 Camaro since I didn't watch what I was doing. I'm just trying to get this baby to run for show, had the LT1 camaro before and loved it but this car has nowhere near what the camaro had which is why I'm trying to beef this baby up.
Bing wrote:Whats your wrenching ability?
Because we can help talk you through doing some of the maintenance and mods yourself. If you have some mechanical ability and knowledge it's not that hard to do the work yourself.
Just my 2 cents.
Well my Dad has rebuilt several trucks, vans, etc. and has 23 years of Navy experience and part of that being a diesel mechanic. I have a friend who's pushing a 780hp GTO right now that is also going to help me. As for being able to take a car apart and install everything that's no problem, but I just need to know what and how to do it before I start taking things apart.