Intense vs ZZP anything and everything

[YoungBonne12]

i've seen multiple posts about these topics but i need some input. i'm looking at starting mods on my bonne. the 4 things i had in mind were a cam (VS from ZZP or stage 1 intense), intense FWI (cheaper than cold air from ZZP), DP from zzp (stock cat or zzp cat, unsure of. need input on that also) and a PCM of which brand i am unsure of. i was thinking if i went with a VS cam, why not just get the zzp PCM in order to match the tune with it, but i do not know what mods to start first and where to go from there. i was also thinking about gutting the airbox. if that is sufficient enough, i'd rather save my money on an intake. sorry for the confusion, but thanks for the help ahead of time

[PLAGUE PHANTOM]

A good portion of the modded bonnevilles use cams, pcm, and FWI from intense. Idk about the down pipe though so someone should chime in on what brand they use for exhaust systems.

[YoungBonne12]

a question about the down pipe. would i have to get an o2 emulator? or is there an option on the pipe that would take care of that rear o2 sensor?

[00Beast]

You can have an 02 Bung welded on, but if you run sans cat or with an aftermarket cat, odds are you'll still throw a code. Your best bet is to get a tune that eliminates it from seeing it and throwing a code.

[01bonneSC]

Your best bet on a tune is for a custom tune. It's a process to get a good tune, canned tunes are just kind so-so compared to one for YOUR car(every engine is different).

Kinda looks like this:
Drive/scan>tune...drive again/scan>tune/tweak....drive again/scan>tweak........drive again/scan>tweak...etc etc.

It's a process to get a tune nice and tight.

[01bonneSC]

Also are all your maintenance items taken care of?

Have you changed your LIM gaskets and flushed the Dex?

Have you read this?
viewtopic.php?f=12&t=25655&p=261005&hil ... ds#p261005

[yourgrandma]

Zzp has more of the stuff to make bigger power. Intercoolers, n* stuff, etc. If you're going with a cam, id get headers for sure.

[redzmonte]

Both are great companies. i have all ZZP stuff on my car Plog, DP w/ Cat and Tune. I have a custom intake that i made. I like ZZP but its your choice on what you want to do. I price and compaire product from both and decide what would work best for me, ZZP has allways done well by me.

S

[00Beast]

ZZP is fine if you just need parts, but don't expect good service from them, at all.

Intense has a smaller selection of stuff, but is much more willing to work with you to make sure you're happy.

[yourgrandma]

Funny you mention that, Ed. You should see the emails I exchanged with zzp today.

[00Beast]

Oh? Does it confirm what I said, or go against it?

[yourgrandma]

Well I asked if they knew if there was a wiring adapter for a n* maf. Naturally they gave me a list of all the parts id need for a gen v swap with n* tb and lq4 maf. I said I'm using the n* tb and maf and asked why the lq4 was the standard part to use. The answer was "I don't knw, its just easier that way".

[00Beast]

lulz.

[YoungBonne12]

01 bonne sc, the only maintenence issues i have are tire sensors gone bad and the evap cannister. i believe its just a sensor gone bad also

[00Beast]

Neither of those are maintenance, but more of broken parts.

This is your maintenance:

• 1987-2005 Bonneville / Buick 3800 Maintenance List
  
  Grease: Ball Joints, Tie Rods Every 8-10k ( Green Grease or Amsoil Grease recommended)
  Air Filter Every 15k (Amsoil EaA, Purolator PureONE)
  PCV Valve Every 30k
  MAF Sensor Element Cleaning/TB Cleaning Every 50k viewtopic.php?f=48&t=1661
  Fuel Filter Every 15-25k (Purolator, AC Delco, WIX) http://www.pontiacbonnevilleclub.com/fo ... 45&t=23215
  Spark Plugs Every 30-50k (NGK TR55, AC Delco 41-101 or Autolite 605) (Never Bosch)
  Ignition Wires Every 30-50k (Napa Belden, AC Delco, Autolite Pro, NGK) (Never Taylor or Bosch)
  Oil & Filter Every 5-6k or Every 6 months (Valvoline SYNPower, Pennzoil Platinum, or Amsoil )(Mobil1, Purolator PureONE, Amsoil EaO, K&N or WIX) (Never Fram) viewtopic.php?f=45&t=214
  *Conventional Oil Every 3k/3 months(API SM/SN rating) (WIX (Napa), Delco or Purolator filter)
  Tires: Check Inflation Pressure & Visually Inspect Monthly Rotate Every 6-8,000 Miles
  Transmission Flush or Pan Drop Every 15-20k (Always make sure filter is changed when flushed) viewtopic.php?f=45&t=10193
  Cooling System Flush Every 25-50k or 3-5 Years (Peak or Prestone Mixes-With-Any Coolant Only) (Never Dexcool)
  Oxygen Sensor Every 80-100k (30k for non-heated) (AC Delco or Denso) (Absolutely never Bosch) viewtopic.php?f=48&t=794
  Accessory Belt Inspect every 15k, replace every 100k, or as needed
  Cabin Air Filter Inspect and Replace every 15k, or as needed in dusty conditions. (Note: 00+ Only) viewtopic.php?f=45&t=13626
  Evap Core Cleaning Whenever Needed (Note: 99 and older only) viewtopic.php?f=45&t=2432
  Brake Fluid Flush 3yr/50k
  Power Steering Fluid Replacement/Flush Every 100k or 5 years
  
  *Special Considerations*
  All Series II/III 3800's RPO's: L36, L26, L67 & L32, especially important on vehicles factory installed with orange Havoline Dexcool Antifreeze/Coolant: http://www.dex-cool.net/
  Lower Intake Manifold Gasket Replacement, every 80-100k (ignorance of this can allow coolant to enter your engine oil, this happening can cause irreversible lower engine damage, requiring replacement of subject engine)
  
  Series II, Naturally Aspirated, RPO:L36:
  Upper Intake Manifold Plenum Replacement, Every 80-100k (ignorance of this can allow coolant to enter your intake manifold, possible damage to occur can be hydrolock, irreversible damage to emissions devices, misfires, etc. Most times, engine replacement is required if ignored long enough.) viewtopic.php?f=53&t=1061
  
  Series I, II, III RPO Code L67 & L32:
  Change Supercharger Oil; Every 30-50k. (Intense Racing or GM Dealer) viewtopic.php?f=56&t=1690
  Supercharger Belt; Inspect Every 15k, Replace Every 100k or as needed.

8/14/2012 by 00Beast

[Speedin Demon77]

Just my 2¢ I've been dealing with Intense fir a while now and their customer service is excellent!

[deano55]

Just my 2¢ I've been dealing with Intense fir a while now and their customer service is excellent!

plus one

[freneticburn]

Both vendors are great. I've bought a VS cam, valve springs, used fuel injectors, and a few other odds and ends from ZZP and I have bought the FWI, gaskets, and a few other things from Intense and everything went great and I'm still rocking all the goodies on my Bonne today. So far it's only topswapped with a VS cam and FWI but I eventually want to go headers and put on a smaller pulley but I'll probably go cheapo ebay speed daddy headers and get a pulley system made locally (I think someone in the local grand prix club here makes them)

[00Beast]

Yeah, Nate Herbst out of the Metro is Smoothflow Pullies. I have one on my car.

[yourgrandma]

Ive spent a lot of time on the phone with Chris and John at Intense. Granted, a lot of it is just *shoot* but its nice that theyll actually take time to just talk to people. On the other hand, I get stuff from ZZP a few days faster.