PontiacBonnevilleClub.com

I might be into the market to make some performance mods to my 1995 SE bonneville. Is there a "chip" I can buy for it? What are some good basic mods for the 3800 Series II non supercharged?

Superchips used to make a memcal wayy back when but it didn't really do much.

A tune isn't going to help much without mods. Post mods gmtuners.com would be worth it for a custom eprom.

Basic mods would be an intake and high flow cat. Beyond that, ER rockers, headers then the HV3 in that order. (ZZP)
Most W-body headers will fit without too much trouble. TOG style need the p/s heat shield removed and the O2 relocated to the passenger side. SLP style need an older 92-93 front trans mount without the strut or the stock mount modified. Both need a W-body dipstick tube.

What about something I heard that will change the way the car shifts? When you really hammer the throttle to make it go into first gear instead of second? So no performance chips exists for things like that?

You really don't want to mess with the shift settings on a 4t60-e. They are ultimately designed to be behind a lower rpm engine. The 4t65 was redesigned with that in mind.

You can get an adjustable shift modulator since the line pressure is vacuum controlled. Most auto parts stores will sell them.

Will I notice anything from simple intake and exhaust mods?

I'd spend the money on an L67 swap.

That's what I've heard... Id rather just buy an unmolested SSEI for a few hundred more.

4T60 has a shift improver kit from transgo (cleans up shifts not really a performance thing). you can adjust shift vac pressure with a new vac modulator available at Rock auto or parts store.. has a 2 red stripes on it and a small set screw inside the vac nipple. if you want the ability to tune it would be easy to swap the harness from a 1996-97 car with a 3800 4T60 combo and do a OBDII conversion. the 1995's were a goofy year where its hard to find a "chip" that will do anything worth while.

^^ Also the last year where the term chip applies since there are no removeable memcals 96+.

I am back at it and want to add about 20-25hp to the bonneville just to get that extra bit of oomph and acceleration under load in higher gears. Can you guys send me in the direction of where I can find a good performance intake for my 1995 se non supercharged Bonneville?

Also, where I could find a good high flow cat and headers and exhaust?

How hard would it be to convert to a dual exhaust from the ssei or sse?

I saw someone mentioned a shift improver kit above but is that something that would work on my particular transmission?

20-25 HP would probably require an intake, headers, rockers, ported lower, and HV3 on the L36.

Speed Daddy headers off of eBay will do the trick. Dual exhaust is just a different muffler out back for the 92-99 I think.

The 4T60 in your 95 will not accept a shift kit.

Sorry this is a learning experience for me as I'm much more familiar with corvettes and even then I've been out of the corvette scene for the last two years lol

What is a ported lower
What is an HV3?

If I do these mods, how much extra wear will it out on the rest of the drivetrain?

Also if I go dual exhaust, would I need to do a bumper swap? My 95 has no slot for even the single exhaust tip

The lower intake manifold on the L36 is not a great design. A little home brewed porting goes a long way, I felt a noticeable difference after installing mine. The HV3 goes inside the upper intake in place of the normal air diverters, and makes the car pull a little harder in the upper RPMs.

If you do duals, you probably don't have to do anything. Just have them stick out under the bumper.

You can shim the accumulators on the 60-e like the 65 do in their shift kits. But there's nothing off the self. There's also the trans-go kit that requires a teardown.

For your transmission, you're better off:
Using an adjustable vacuum modulator pictured above that could be had at most auto parts stores
Do a pan drop, replace the filter, do not flush the fluid
Replace fluid as necessary for a 50/50 mix of standard trans fluid and CAT 8t9572-30w
Install this differential lube retainer: http://www.sonnax.com/parts/2534 <$20
Install a trans cooler

The modulator will add pressure. The cat fluid is more viscous adding pressure and has a higher temp rating so it will not break down as easy.. especially at the diff. The lube tube retainer will make sure the diff lube tube is seated and pumping fresh fluid to the diff.

If you decided to do the HV3, only do it with rockers or a cam. People do this mod all the time w/out drivetrain mods and it's a waste.

Never seen an SSEI exhaust on a SE/SLE. Most go the F-body route. I'd say leave it stock and get a high flow cat. The cat will add a little bit of power unlike the muffler and it'll be noticeably louder.

For your goals though. ZZP ER rockers, HV3, headers, intake, cat, and you're pretty much there.

95naSTA wrote: Replace fluid as necessary for a 50/50 mix of standard trans fluid and CAT 8t9572-30w

Where can we find more details on this mix?

This is the first I have heard of it, and have understood for a while that Dexron VI is the way to go.

I've done it by suggestion from Ryan at GM Tuners when I was winding my 60-e out to 6800. And dont quote me but I think Trannyman over on GPF told him about it.

Googling it yeilds at least one thread on fiero.nl. I've seen it on a few forums Ryan is on.