Hey guys, I'm new to the forum and I just had a couple questions about my '92 bonnie se. I got my licence on the 16th of this month and, dam, gas is expensive, especially when you don't have a job. I got my dad'* old car (my website) and put a system in it, but now I'm looking into exhaust and intake. The main purpose of this upgrade would be better gas mileage. I'm interested in what some of you guys have done to your bonnies as far as this goes. Any recomendations on good, cheap, intakes/exhausts that fit a bonneville? Would the upgrade pay for itself in a reasonable time in gas money savings, or is it not really worth it? My friend recommended a half cold-air intake, I don't really know what he means, I'm more of a car audio guy, don't really know anything about other aspects of a car :?. So any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.
-Brian

It'll take a LOT of tanks of gas to get back what you paid for the intake and exhaust. You ususally look at those for performance, with the added benefit of better gas milage.

A few things you can do which won't cost anything.

1. Run the throttle at a constant speed. Don't pulse the gas very much, use your cruse control on the highway as much as you can and accelerate casually.

2. Watch far ahead, when you see a stop light get off the gas right away. First, you'll coast and not be burning as much gas, second you may be able to coast through and you wont need as much gas to get going again.

3. Try not to turn the car on and off all the time. It uses a lot of gas plus the most wear an engine will recieve is at start up. Your car will be happier in the long run.

4. Make sure the plugs are clean and your airfilter is clean as well. Your computer can more accurately add fuel and set the timing.

5. Inflate your tires up a little more ( BUT DON'T OVER INFLATE!) Just a lbs or two. The car will roll easier and take less gas to move.

6. If you don't need to drive the car when it'* deathly cold outside, don't. Cold weather burns more fuel (you get more power though)

That'* all I know of. If any of the rest of the guys know anything you can throw in some ideas. Those are all the things i know off hand.

You don't get performance for nothing. I have the Supercharged bonneville and man, in the cold weather she eats a ton of gas. But she runs so hard and fast!

Generally, a simple K&N filter with holes punched in your airbox will pay for itself in 60-90 days. That'* possible, but if it'* money savings you want, stay away from the custom stuff or mandrel bent intakes with cones. They start pretty spendy.

You have a 92.....you're EGR-less. That'* bad for the valves. 92'* burn valves bad. Do a 180 thermostat and add a tranny cooler. It'll help a little.

the one thing that you have to keep in mind is that putting in an intake or exhaust doesn't always help you save gas. i know that when i did my intake, it caused me to speed around town. just to hear the sound of my engine roar. so if you drive normal and get these mods, it helps. but keep in mind that it might cause you to get worse gas mileage. just a thought.

Run synthetic oil if you think you can and it will increase the MPG by a few percent.

Check the O2 sensor out and see if it needs to be replaced. They are pretty cheap, around 20-30 bucks i think, and will help out MPG a lot.