I have found most Bonneville owners are not into spending too much money on their cars, but are willing to spend a bit at a time. I have a suspension kit that is still in the air right now but will be worked out. Any suggestions for the height you would like to see the standard drop? My kit will include all the appropriate adjustment items required to make the kit complete. I also have a company who is ready to do the suspension drop in big #* if I get the right response. I also have a sub frame unit that will be finished soon I am looking for ways to make it lighter. If there is anything you want for a Bonneville I am interested in setting up a “basic” store that brings existing products and new ones together at a reasonable price. I was thinking this way people could bring there worthy home grown products to this fickle market with ease. Any ideas? I know a few people wanting to cash in on the Bonneville market, but the research shows it is still too small to support a big store. Soooo I want to try this less risky plan first. Oh I will also be providing smooth look options for the Bonneville owner looking for that. Still on the drawing board at this time. I don’t want this to be a “me only” project I would rather collaborate to reduce cost and to maintain quality. I know of an intake unit being made by a member, I know of rear sway bars already produced, suspension components, and a lot of odds and ends. I really need some input any ideas or wish lists welcome. I can go ahead without input but I would rather this be a store with attainable units that support the Bonneville community.

TY

The E-mail to reach me at is tynjen@hotmail.com put the subject matter as Bonneville store. Thanks for any input.

According to my source I will be able to provide for any car using the same front struts as my 1995 Bonneville. That should be 1990-99, but correct me if I’m wrong. I was also told that the ability to accommodate other units would not be difficult. Sorry we are still figuring out cost.

Well no matter what the guy who I am talking to is basically going to use blanks from stock rides and modify them much like the gp guys and if the 90-99 years also maintain the same rear end then we are set. It'* the options for the rear that we are currently eliminating. I know of several different ways to lower the rear and we have eliminated using a large axe. lol I will also offer a air bag unit for the lowrider look. I will try to get a better price than others but I dought it will be cheap. Basically the only mark up will be for handling and in some cases the requirement to have larger #'* on hand. Il keeps you posted. I will have a list and structure up soon so you can comment, like I said I am interested in your opinions all the way. Oh and due to my personal dilemma I will be also exploring a way to upgrade the poor old 4t60-E. I know we can swap better hard parts into it, but the issue has more to do with the shifting hydraulics. The sad part is that is where my knowledge stops so I will be getting help from a friend who is knowledgeable. This will take time, many beers, and a few bucks. He’* a busy guy and first I have to get him drunk before hell drop his hourly rate so I can afford his time. LOL

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: speedyguy on 2002-05-01 10:09 ]</font>

Yes, I am making the intakes with a company which will be out during the summer. Secondly sway bars are only made for the earlier bonneville'* not the later one'* like mine. I plan on getting the equipment and making custom way bars for my car and if other people would like I will do it for them also.

Suspension is basically using the Grand Prix'* lowering springs (I am just going to do trial and error to see if they fit or not) but no matter what put some adjustable Koni inserts into my stock struts which will help alot. But if you are going to make springs that will surely fit, get a drop of like 1-1.5 inches. I would prefer 1.5-2 inches to better fit the rubber inside the wheel well.

I am also going to look into subframe connectors also. Alot of this stuff will be debuting in the summer as we (Angry Duck Racing and myself) test it on my car and see how it responds.

Also a engine brace with a new strut tower bar is in the works. So if you want to make the store go for it, since parts will be coming out for the Bonneville since I will be working with Angry Duck Racing to make them.

One other thought was that I could do the Koni adjustable conversion for much less than the $750 the GPStore is asking for. Let me know if you guys are interested in that also and I will talk to Angry Duck Racing about it.

Because of the financial commitment of most Bonneville owners it would have to be a "down" grade. Now if you want lowering capability and to use air there has been many air shock options out there for a while and you are right when you say it could cost up to 2-3k. As for the airbag system and performance, well the bag systems out there, even the best units do not mix with performance needs. I was hoping to offer both. I want these endeavors to actually be purchasable and be reliable. I don't think the Bonneville after market will show the support numbers until there is more attention to the merits of the vehicle and that cannot be done unless there is a large number with good clean mods. What came first chicken or the egg? I was also thinking a site store would be an option, but I want to first see the reaction. LOL so far the number of people actually contacting me regarding the store from two of the biggest Bonneville sites has totaled 5. I know once I create a pretty front and show a finished product that it may change a bit, but the fact is this will be a slow change and Bonneville owners "don’t" spend big money. Over 1000.00 us. So a bolt on sub frame connection kit, anti sway bars, ram air retrofit kit and a few other goodies is what will fly at first. And a very few will buy a lowering kit even if you can buy in stages. To lower a GP is 1200.00-1700.00 and that’* the parts. I think I can do it alot cheaper, but we will see. I am also thinking of other vehicles to pull into the mix so there is more financial support. Any ideas on other H body vehicles that would be suited to the same mods. I don’t plan on getting phat on this endeavor so I will share as much information as possible.

_________________
If you can't ab(use) it you can't afford it!

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: speedyguy on 2002-05-01 21:08 ]</font>

What sort of store function would you like to see? Would it be better to place the store in a different section of the site, or would you rather see it as a forum? I'm always open to adding functions to the site.

I think this site design is perfect and a separate store area would be awesome. It looks like Michael has the 99 covered and I am sure between the two of us we can come up with a suspension that is good and affordable. I will try and have some #'* for next week. As for the undercarriage do you know if there are many differences between the different years of Bonneville’*? Once again, a store on this site would be perfect. I was thinking of something with a basic menu down the left and I was going to make a logo using a picture of all the different looking Bonneville’* from 90-99 from the front in a semi circle or in a row on an angle. Just what I was going to do. See what other ideas come up.

I would be interested in one. Changing the rears is a PITA. How much $$$ though?

I thought an update would be nice. Yes I am still on it but As usual
it always takes longer and is more expensive than anticipated. I have
way too much money invested already so I have to finish what I have
started. I do have the availability of coilovers as we speak but they
are beyond your average buyers pocketbook. I will give you an idea of
prices but they are not firm. May go lower or a bit higher. For drop
springs (currently not enough interest) I can do group purchases for
50 pairs at a time. So that if there is a demand great enough we can
get the drop springs quicker. I will try for 25 pair group purchases.
I will create them (drop springs) regardless but it will be slower
than I had planned. I also sell coilovers for the caddy. The company
name is Domestic Performance and true to the name the purpose is to
provide reasonable priced performance parts and not already produced
performance parts for a reasonable price. Because this is more of a
hobby than an employment all income generated by the company will go
towards creating more goods for the H body and other domestics with
missing performance items that have some demand. So this was my
reason for interest in what people wanted for their h body. I will
also carry filler products and do everything I can to reduce the cost
of each item as low as possible. I will also make room for other
people to post there own products at no cost, once again my goal is
to further the options and growth of the H body and the Domestic
cruiser in general. I am currently working on some goodies that will
make series I owners happy and open some choices. Working on some
tranny options( well see what happens) I have a frenched antenna kit
coming. And finally I have the solution to fill in our grooved
bumpers for those looking for the smooth look but my money ran out so
I have to wait a bit before I can go any further.

Now the cost for the struts for any H body is $375.00 for each front
strut (waiting on a price on the rear struts) I would guess $100.00
cheaper.. For those who want to save money you can purchase a front
pair of struts and our rear drop springs totaling $1000.00-1200.00.
Yes, the drop springs made for the coilover kit are more expensive.
This kit can go as low as you want to go. This system is adjustable
and once you have these struts you will only have to replace the
inserts cartridges when necessary.

Now not to despair if you want four-drop springs for your ride I can
get them made one off for about 450.00-500.00. Obviously this is much
more expensive than the 250-260.oo odd dollars quoted in the past.
But cheaper than the coilover system. Like I said group purchases
will make each set of springs around $250.00 US. This will include my
processing but not delivery cost. I will need to know what
categories you are interested in
A) 87-90 B) 91-99 C) 2000-2003. Also I will have all the springs
set at 1inch drop with the capability to have a section up to another
inch cut off for the crazy people. Our stock style struts can handle
a 1-inch drop with no major damage. Any lower and your testing the
limit.

I can also do group purchases for rear sway bars and a few other
goodies. I will have my site done soon but I have a few other details
on certain vehicles to work out first.
Any questions or suggestions contact me at

domesticperformance@attbi.com


Fresh update..
I can do 25 set runs and the springs are top quality and you can pick your color. Oh just a tid bit on the other companies using this spring company. Lets see Nascar sold me on the company. LOL Springs are powder coated shot-peened to extend the life of the spring more than 200%. You will get a receipt and warranty for quality as well. So if you can get 25 or more people together who want dropsprings I can have them made. This applies for All H bodies. Oh the cost for runs of 25 sets will be $260.00 for each set of 4 and shipping will depend on where you are. I will try to get a deal on shipping. I have some trucker friends. LOL

There are different dates for the Buick and Pontiac spring runs.

Buick_____________Pontiac

A) 86-91____________86-90

B) 92-99____________91-99

C) 2000-2003________2000-2003


I am still looking for someone to make me my own line of Coilovers that will be cheaper. But as it stands no one can outperform the company I have now. I have even searched some of the more popular companies. Ill keep you up to date on the cheaper coilover quest.

TY