Can anyone tell me if the swap for frankenbonnie is in here somewhere. I tried searching for it but to no avail. I'm looking for it because i found a 99 ssei with around 50K on the clock that was broadsided and totaled for like 300 bucks and thought about a swap. I have heard that the front subframe would more or less blot right up without the need for serious mods and seeing as how I need a new tranns I might as well go full-scale, right? If the swap wasn't documented would someone please tell me what I would need from the donor? and i apologize for the long windedness.

heres some links i found, they should help ya out

http://www.bonnevilleclub.com/forum/...=35540&start=0
http://www.bonnevilleclub.com/forum/...c.php?t=37298&
http://www.bonnevilleclub.com/forum/...c.php?t=37744&
http://www.bonnevilleclub.com/forum/...c.php?t=37963&

All I can say is Randman: WOW!!
I had never read the build threds on your car before now. That took some work, man! You have some great documentation for anyone else that wants to tackle a similiar project.

She is a piece of work isnt she

youll need just about every part from that donor car really, and dont forget the wiring, though most of it was covered in the topics listed.


god i love this car

so the whole front subframe, wiring etc and all associated hardware? (plus engine and trans. obviously) another question does the rear suspension fit? cause that would be sweet, what about the steering wheel? I think i'm going to replace the interior also do the rear seats fit (with or without mod.) I want to get as much info on this as possible before i commit. thanks for you time.

You can use the 99 subframe you'll need almost the whole front end. suspension, engine, transmission, and other drivetrain parts.

also, there will be a ton of custom wiring required. it is by no stretch of the imagination "plug and play" you need pretty much everything.

make sure that your subframe and everything that it is connected to is in tip top shape. no rust or anything. if it is, it wouldn't be a bad idea to replace the subframe mounting bolts and rubber bushings. this engine will be putting out a heck of alot more than any LN3 and since the rubber drys out, everything should be replaced. engine mounts, subframe mounts etc.

while you have everything out, it would be a good idea to inspect everything, replace anything that appears worn out. vacuum lines, brake lines, fuel lines, any and all filters, hoses, tie rods, ball joints, bearings, any assorted bushings and such. and make sure your cooling system is in tip top shape.

as far as the suspension from the SSEi. i know you can use the swaybars, and springs. if you're doing that, it would be a good time to install new struts as well all the way around. i do believe that people have mentioned that the ELC has alot to do with the handling of the car, so i will let them take you further on that in particular. but if you want a really nice sport ride with a really nice lowered look, you can always purchase the edelbrock lowering coil set. those with the fe2 swaybars would make the car handle 200% better.

as far as interior goes. they are both h-platform vehicles, so dimensions are for the most part, identical, but the design is completely different. so yes, you can use the steering wheel but it has an airbag so that would be pretty much pointless and would be a hassle to deal with as far as wiring goes. seats, i know the fronts will fit, and i do believe the rears are identical as far as dimensions go. as for as the rest of the interior, as you most likely noticed there are quite a few differences. door panels, accessories. I'm not positive, but I do believe you could actually transplant the whole dash and all of its associated wiring. this would give you airbags as well as all the other accessories if you can wire it all up right. i would recommend you have a 99 model year FSM, as well as one for your vehicle. all the wiring diagrams will be needed.

Thats about all i know. good luck with this swap! sounds great, and it will be cool to have two frankies around!

oh and please put your year and trim in your signature. thanks.

You'll also want the axles up front. Don't overlook that.

You need to start with the FSM'* for BOTH YEARS. The year of your car, and the year for the donor parts.

I'm to assume that FSM means "Factory Service Manual" I know stupid question, and to wjcollier07 i know that the interior trim peices are different, thanks tho. now that i know this is really a possibilty, totally gonna happen!!!!!!!!! no matter if it needs it or not i'm replacing all of the bushings, tie rod ends, and everything of that sort before they go on. i think im gonna have a performance radiator built and what about dex-cool i have heard some bad things about it, what should i do? what kinda life can i expect from those stock wheel/hub bearings?, this car is coming from a friends grandmother who literally only drove it to go to the store and church, who bought it new when time to replace her '85 bonneville brougham.

I know its been awhile but I bought the totalled SSEi and dismanteled it, if i had a digi id have pics sorry, and now the project is delayed, mainly because i cant afford not having a vehicle. I think i want to put in the dash, console, and seats from the ssei in mine, maybe even customize the bumper covers to fit, wouldnt that look awesome!! well till next time, peace out

Holler with qestions. I apparently missed this the first time around.

Custom wiring is actually a minimum. Overall Randman swapped the trans connector, might have changed one other thing on the driverside wiring and then used about 8-12 wires from the passenger side. With a custom connector (every once in a while I have a good idea) and other small differences behind the dash...the project was off and running.