Improving Longevity..To hell with power!
02-04-2004, 01:39 AM
#1
Member
Posts like a V-Tak
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Little Rock, Arkansas
Posts: 99
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Improving Longevity..To hell with power!
Looking for the best ways to improve the longevity of my '99 Bonneville SLE. All I have going for me so far is Mobil1 Full Synthetic and a 180 thermostat. EVERYONE list suggestions, please! I don't mind if I lose a little HP..so long as gas mileage doesn't suffer.
02-04-2004, 02:21 AM
#2
Junior Member
Posts like a Ricer Type-R
Toxic, where the hell have you been? Missed seing that beauty in your sig. Full synthetic oil is great, but don't bother changing at 3000. Change at 5k. That'* MORE than often enough. SC oil once a year with the regular tuneup items. The right octane fuel to prevent knock. A K&N drop in filter to improve efficiency. Other than that, just baby the sucker. You're on the right track.
In an extreme case, a transmission flush once a year would make that car happy. Coolant flush every two years.
In an extreme case, a transmission flush once a year would make that car happy. Coolant flush every two years.
02-04-2004, 02:25 AM
#3
Member
Posts like a V-Tak
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Little Rock, Arkansas
Posts: 99
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Well, if my car weren't NA, I'd do the SC fluid change 
I need to replace my air intake box..seeing as I gutted it and it makes a very loud sucking noise for about a minute and 1/2 after starting up the car. Also..is it normal for my car to run 2500 RPM at 75 mph? o.O
I need to replace my air intake box..seeing as I gutted it and it makes a very loud sucking noise for about a minute and 1/2 after starting up the car. Also..is it normal for my car to run 2500 RPM at 75 mph? o.O
02-04-2004, 02:50 AM
#5
Junior Member
Posts like a Ricer Type-R
toxictelevision: Will that same sucking noise be produced if I put a short ram intake on it?
wrens67: Short Ram will kill performance and efficiency. You need a long intake to produce laminar flow. More critical on the L36 than the L67.
toxictelevision: Mmkay then. Got any photo examples?
wrens67: My sig.
toxictelevision: Gotcha. I know a guy that builds motors for stock cars..he could prolly fabricate one for me.
wrens67: Stock cars? Way to go. Real gearhead. That'* why I have the best damn exhaust on the club. My exhaust guy races Nascar NW division.
wrens67: So with the right (got a critical error while registering on that software)
toxictelevision: Only thing is it'* going to cost me a couple arms an' legs..
wrens67: Ok. So with the right intake....you're running more efficiently. The engine has to work LESS hard to produce the same power. Assuming you don't lead-foot, your efficiency increases, engine load (and wear) decreases, and longevity increases.
wrens67: The sucking is an engine coming to life.
toxictelevision: Yeah..Why'* it only do it for a few minutes, though? I start it up..leave it idling..and it stops after a while.
wrens67: My intake would have cost hundreds, but I made the best of the situation.
toxictelevision: Also, I get the feeling my RPM'* are a bit high for 75 ;p
wrens67: The reason it'* loud at cold idle is that the throttle plate is open fully. Same thing as a choke on an older carbureted car. The sound can come out now, because you removed the baffles that mute the noise (and also restrict airflow).
wrens67: The stock intake is a compromise. They give up efficiency and performance to keep it quiet for grannies.
wrens67: Short Ram will kill performance and efficiency. You need a long intake to produce laminar flow. More critical on the L36 than the L67.
toxictelevision: Mmkay then. Got any photo examples?
wrens67: My sig.
toxictelevision: Gotcha. I know a guy that builds motors for stock cars..he could prolly fabricate one for me.
wrens67: Stock cars? Way to go. Real gearhead. That'* why I have the best damn exhaust on the club. My exhaust guy races Nascar NW division.
wrens67: So with the right (got a critical error while registering on that software)
toxictelevision: Only thing is it'* going to cost me a couple arms an' legs..
wrens67: Ok. So with the right intake....you're running more efficiently. The engine has to work LESS hard to produce the same power. Assuming you don't lead-foot, your efficiency increases, engine load (and wear) decreases, and longevity increases.
wrens67: The sucking is an engine coming to life.
toxictelevision: Yeah..Why'* it only do it for a few minutes, though? I start it up..leave it idling..and it stops after a while.
wrens67: My intake would have cost hundreds, but I made the best of the situation.
toxictelevision: Also, I get the feeling my RPM'* are a bit high for 75 ;p
wrens67: The reason it'* loud at cold idle is that the throttle plate is open fully. Same thing as a choke on an older carbureted car. The sound can come out now, because you removed the baffles that mute the noise (and also restrict airflow).
wrens67: The stock intake is a compromise. They give up efficiency and performance to keep it quiet for grannies.
02-05-2004, 01:01 AM
#8
Senior Member
Certified Car Nut
Join Date: Oct 2002
Posts: 11,308
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I love the sucking noise in the 10* winter mornings 
I missed it when I put my stock airbox back in, in November. So I put the intake back in. With the hood closed and the windows up, it'* still LOUD. 
I missed it when I put my stock airbox back in, in November. So I put the intake back in. With the hood closed and the windows up, it'* still LOUD.
02-06-2004, 02:26 AM
#9
Senior Member
Certified GM nut
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Georgia
Posts: 2,095
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I just read the topic, I think I'm going to be sick. heh but ok...Like I think its already been said, synthetic everything; Trans-oil-power steering fluid and baby it. Use good gas and do regular maintenance. If you could afford it changing your oil every 20miles would probably add 50,000miles to it 
. But really something people don't always think about, don't start your car more than you need to. Sounds funny but think about all the times you shut it down for a 1minute dash into the gas station. There are systems out there where you can lock your doors and leave the car running.
. But really something people don't always think about, don't start your car more than you need to. Sounds funny but think about all the times you shut it down for a 1minute dash into the gas station. There are systems out there where you can lock your doors and leave the car running.
02-06-2004, 01:28 PM
#10
Senior Member
Posts like a 4 Banger
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Morris, Illinois
Posts: 100
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Since GM still hasn't solved the leaking intake problem, you might want to either keep a close eye on the coolant level or do the repair as a preventative measure. You would also be about due for new hoses and coolant if you haven't already done so.
I do mostly highway driving and when I changed oil last week, the oil life monitor was still at 25% even after 6,000 miles.
Finally, I change my transmission fluid way more than the schedule in the manual. It can't hurt and it might prevent a big ticket repair.
I do mostly highway driving and when I changed oil last week, the oil life monitor was still at 25% even after 6,000 miles.
Finally, I change my transmission fluid way more than the schedule in the manual. It can't hurt and it might prevent a big ticket repair.