Hello , I'm new to this forum . I'm looking for any books that might be particular to modifying the Bonneville . I've read elsewhere on this forum , that I could modify the intake man. , exhaust ,and install a different chip , but I could use some guidance. Not a true motorhead yet ! I have a 93 SE , which is actually my aging mother'* car . It has 95,000 miles and runs well .It sits in the driveway most of the time and I feel that I've got a diamond in the rough just waiting for an attitude adjustment. I raced a kid in one of those modified japanese lowriders sometime back ( it had one of those ridiculous mufflers hanging off of the back of it ) and I think he was surprised when I took him off of the line with a bone stock Pontiac! What I really like about this car , besides its acceleration , is how well it runs at the 100 mph mark . You could go all day and night at that speed with no problem. What I've noticed , though , is that at the 115mph mark the front end starts to get light . Would an aftermarket front spoiler solve this problem? Thanks in advance for replies , JD

No books as far as I know but the basic mods are, MAF screen removal, cold air intake, 180* Thermostat, and an aftermarket muffler, oh and some new spark plugs but Im not aware of any books that show modding just fixing things and maintenance. I dont know what to do about that spoiler but maybe you can fab something up yourself.

the SE front bumper is really not sutable for thoes high speed runs. if you look at the SSE/SSEi fornt bumper, that is a better design to keep the front wheels on the ground. BTW your SE is governed at 108, and you should only go that speed if you have the correct speed rated tires.

anyway on to mods

180 thermo (not really necessary for an NA)
intake (CAI, FWI, BWI)
remove MAF (no proven gains)
high flow cat
performance muffler
Spark plugs
New O2
Could benefit from plug wires if yours have bad resistance

that is really it for the Series I without serious modding

I've been past 115 with my se bumper and it worked out ok.

don't mess with a spoiler because
#1. you aren't even going over 120 yet
#2. you have fwd so it really won't do much

but yeah just make your engine breath better and protect your trannie and you will be cruising

Yea forget about the spoiler unless its every day that youre breaking the law but other than that, get them basic mods done and your car will be even more fun to drive. Sadly I may not be getting my exhaust system this Christmas because I have to buy a new intake manifold and I also want this MP3 player for some really long plane trips coming up.

Gentlemen! , thanks for the input on this . Didn't expect so many responses this soon . I guess I should go get the Hayne'* manual - I think they're better than Chilton .Don't know all of the codes that are being used . Is there a better manual to get ? So is taking off the MAF just the removal of a sensor or a whole mass air flow unit ? Sorry , But I don't have any of this on my 94 chevy pick up . I 'm planning on getting a K&N filter for it soon . Is the stock air breather housing ok for this filter or do I need a whole assembly ? Why is a 180 thermostat so important? And it seems that the NGK iridium plugs are the best . Why is this so ? Will a good quality 8mm wire suffice? Unfortunately , there are'nt any real speed shops around my neck of the woods anymore , so I have to go to NAPA or Advance , or even worse , Auto Zone. I see that some people have removed their cat.conv'* and replaced the O2 sensors . Will having no cat. conv. alter the computer readings to the O2 in any way ? I see on another thread that changing the intake manifold is a suggested improvement that should be fairly simple . I've looked around on the internet for 3.8 perf. parts and can't seem to find anything . Thanks again ,JD

There arent many performance parts for a Series I 3.8 but all those little mods should make a slight improvement until better things come out. As for the MAF, well dont remove the MAF itsel as I think its built into the throttle body but inside the throttle body is a little metal screen that you pop out just be careful not to damage it in case you have to put it back if you are having problems. Thats all I have to say about your questions as I dont really know much else, lol.

Spoiler will make it float more.

I don't see how the front end will really do anything for flat wise, It doesn't divert air any differently.

Removing your cat is illegal and can be punished by up to $10,000 fines. If you have inspections in your state you'll be fubar'd.

Cold Air Induction, will help and be your first step.

JD, check out the TechInfo page at the top of the site, there are some good articles in there that will guide you well in your first modifications. Don't be afraid to reference this site for anything and everything. One thing I will say, though, is use the search feature of the website to look for existing threads similar to what you need to know at any given time. Instead of posting a new thread about a problem there could be a huge discussion about a question already in progress. This will cut down on repeated topics in the forums, and also get you an answer to any questions sooner! But when searching fails, never be afraid to post a question. We'll always try to help you the best we can.