A Bonneville is best when...
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A Bonneville is best when...
...pushed close to it'* limits.
I have noticed since I started driving the Lesabre how much of a different vehicle they are.
The Lesabre is best just idling down the road -no fast corners, no hard accelerating, and no high speeds (over 85 mph as she starts to wander).
All of my Bonnevilles (1992 SE -fully optioned except no leather or steering wheel controls, 1993 SSE, 1994 SLE, 1998 SSE, and 1999 SSEi) were at their best when put through a spirited run. Cruising was okay, but they felt their best when let loose.
Mods so far that have helped the Lesabre feel more like a Bonneville have been STB, CAI, 16" rims with 215/60/16 Goodyear Eagle GT II'*, and 99 L67 coil and ignition module -all have been improvements. The STB has been by far the best improvement, but it'* still no Bonneville. Hopefully my power mods I have planned and the suspension mods do the trick -just have to be patient now since I'm working on two cars at the same time -not too easy on a thin income.
I hope with the swap of the FE2 sway bars with Poly end-links, and fixing the torque steer I have in 1st gear (no it'* not a traction problem -it'* a steering problem) and under hard accelleration at freeway speeds will really help to give the feel of Pontiac 'Excitement'.
Let'* just say there'* no excitment driving this car the way it is, much less the way it was stock, after having driven performance oriented Bonnevilles for the past 5 yrs.
I have noticed since I started driving the Lesabre how much of a different vehicle they are.
The Lesabre is best just idling down the road -no fast corners, no hard accelerating, and no high speeds (over 85 mph as she starts to wander).
All of my Bonnevilles (1992 SE -fully optioned except no leather or steering wheel controls, 1993 SSE, 1994 SLE, 1998 SSE, and 1999 SSEi) were at their best when put through a spirited run. Cruising was okay, but they felt their best when let loose.
Mods so far that have helped the Lesabre feel more like a Bonneville have been STB, CAI, 16" rims with 215/60/16 Goodyear Eagle GT II'*, and 99 L67 coil and ignition module -all have been improvements. The STB has been by far the best improvement, but it'* still no Bonneville. Hopefully my power mods I have planned and the suspension mods do the trick -just have to be patient now since I'm working on two cars at the same time -not too easy on a thin income.
I hope with the swap of the FE2 sway bars with Poly end-links, and fixing the torque steer I have in 1st gear (no it'* not a traction problem -it'* a steering problem) and under hard accelleration at freeway speeds will really help to give the feel of Pontiac 'Excitement'.
Let'* just say there'* no excitment driving this car the way it is, much less the way it was stock, after having driven performance oriented Bonnevilles for the past 5 yrs.
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My car floats too much to be considered sporty - I guess it'* the price I pay for having middle-grade KYB struts up front (they weren't exactly cheap either, I forget the name of it, somebody enlighten me, they cost around couple hundred bucks for both in late 2001. I'd be severely pissed if these were GR2'*) and middle-grade Monroe air shocks in the rear put in last summer.
STB did wonders, but it still ain't a performer.
It'* not so much the grip, but the about of confidence it inspires. Even 80km/h highway ramps can sometimes be a tricky proposition.
edit: I think a good point of improvement is going to be in the shocks/struts...
STB did wonders, but it still ain't a performer.
It'* not so much the grip, but the about of confidence it inspires. Even 80km/h highway ramps can sometimes be a tricky proposition.
edit: I think a good point of improvement is going to be in the shocks/struts...
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No kidding. My car kinda floats when its cruising. But when I push it, it stiffens up and everything feels tighter and in control. I like to take clover leafs at 45 mph vs. 30mph because it actually feels sturdier. Oh yea, the trans shifts a lot smoother when I punch it vs. light throddle cruising.
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ya i think the biggest problem that i have is the Roll in the corners. I have the nice soft FE1 that is GREAT when i have to drive home or to school (500 miles one way) but for taking it in town it needs to be stiffened up a bit.....lowering springs, endlinks and FE2/41 sways will help this alot
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Originally Posted by 1993 SLE
ya i think the biggest problem that i have is the Roll in the corners. I have the nice soft FE1 that is GREAT when i have to drive home or to school (500 miles one way) but for taking it in town it needs to be stiffened up a bit.....lowering springs, endlinks and FE2/41 sways will help this alot
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I was thinking of going to the wrecker in the next couple of days to pick up a STB. What are the main improvements you felt once you installed it?
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Originally Posted by captainmiller
I was thinking of going to the wrecker in the next couple of days to pick up a STB. What are the main improvements you felt once you installed it?
Now lets get into the sway bars..
Some of the older FE1 bonnevilles( 87-91 ) actually came with 14mm rear sway bars and either a 28 or 30 mm front bar... If you had the FE2 or F41 than you had a 32mm front bar and 18 mm rear bar...
Now for the 92-99 bonnevilles things change a little.... Stock for the FE1 was 30mm front bar and 18mm rear bar...
The FE2 and F41 used a 32mm front bar and 21mm rear bar...
I installed the rear 21mm bar on my 95<----- woah what a diffrence... Now I want the 32mm front bar for both cars and another 21mm for the 91...lol
What I ended up doing was installing the 18mm bar from the 95 onto the 91<--- and again, Woah.... What a diffrence.... Now if I could get the funds back up for the struts for the 91... After I fix the 95 ofcourse..
Every little thing I do seems to make them more fun to drive
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Originally Posted by captainmiller
I was thinking of going to the wrecker in the next couple of days to pick up a STB. What are the main improvements you felt once you installed it?
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When I was at the Gm dealer the last week getting part #'* for the stabalizer/anti-sway bar center links they asked if I had a 32 or 34mm front bar. I was like :?: So I gave them the VIN to my old 1998 SSE and 1999 SSEi (yes I still have the old ins cards in my wallet) and they said both of them would have had the 32mm bars. So I that'* what I got part #'* for.
So what would have gotten the 34mm bars?
So what would have gotten the 34mm bars?
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