Here I am, new to the board, new to the world. I am 13 [more mature than my age, at least thats what i think], and i am inheriting my mom'* 1989 Bonneville SSE next week Tuesday, upon the arrival of her new car. This car has been in the family since she was 2 years old and 15,000 miles. I love this car dearly and could not let her go. So I get it as my first car, and my money pit. I am going to fully restore this car to showroom shine, and [pimp] this car beyond its "old fart car" status. I just have this incredible passion for Pontiacs ever since I saw the 67 gto, I knew, pontiac was my kind of car company. Well enough about that crap. Onto my car.

She has 150k miles, on the original series I 3800 engine, every single option available unless seat heaters where available in 89. The transmission and engine both are in great shape, but a rebuild will probably occur in the near future. The car'* paint is shot, but there is ZERO rust on the car, being she was a Florida car untill 2000 when we moved up here. Hmm.. what else about my baby, well I think thats all.

I guess the point of this thread is to ask some questions on getting me started in the wonderful world of Bonnevilles. Like Shop Manual, I know I will need a complete breakdown of the car, because i'm going to tear her apart a million times over. A good aftermarket parts retailer that carries a wide varity of performance/asthetic parts for her. and i guess thats it, for now, probably tomorrow morning i'll have more questions..

Glad to have you here. But 13? What'* the legal driving age in MI?

yeah 13? well i got my beetle at the age of 14 and drove for two years illegally

I have the year to work on her [cheaper that way, i don't have to pay for insurance which is 600-800$, and gas which we all know is overprices], then in the summer of next year i can have my permit, i'll be 14 june 4th this year, and i want this car to be the coolest car in the school parking lot, and nobody know about it [a sleeper]

Just a couple of comments. If you plan to do a lot of the work yourself, the first thing to get is the Factory Servicve Manual (and make certain it is a final edition and not a preliminary). Want the paper one (not microfische). Can get a new one from www.helminc.com for about $90 or a "lightly used" one from www.factoryautomanuals.com for $50. May find one on e-Bay for less.

Second unless you know it has been done recently, a medium tune up is probably in order: plugs (I like Rapidfire #14s once you upgrade the ignition at least to a Delco type II), plug wires, o2 sensor, replace all fluids, replace serpentine belt.

Next review what work has been done already (at 150k I would expect at least one water pump and a timing chain set. Perhaps struts (the sqeak of a strut bearing can be very annoying).

The bad news is that there is no one thing you can do to wake up a SI 3800, everything is balanced. Limiting factor on the intake is the throttle body though the stock air filter is pretty bad. On the exhaust side there is usually a terrible restriction where the rear manifold connects to the head pipe. And in the middle you have a cam designed for a torque peak at 2100 rpm. Perfect for Interstate cruising but not-so for acceleration.

So improvements are either going to be small or require reworking just about everything. Now if you can find a 1992-93 Supercharged 3800 and trans with low miles that is the easiest way to gain 40 hp. Be aware that you will have to change the computer as well.

Next, if you have the TEVES ABS you are really going to need the service manual since it is odd and unlike a conventional braking system. It should be flushed every two or three years particularly in the north if not garaged. Can almost promise that the accumulator (about $100 and an easy R&R) needs to be replaced by now.

However you have a very nice starting point and time to learn. Even better, what you learn on the Bonne will be applicable for everything from a Reatta to a GTP Grand Prix. Would make a nice start to a collection.

I beg to differ. If you are doinga rebuild, do some P&P work, get some stuff insider her.. LIke me!!

If the body is good then that'* the hardest part. Treasure those good lower body panels and tail lights, they're plastic gold

Yeah, but when we owned the original beetles you only needed a 10mm and 13mm sockets to take apart the entire car and a matchbook cover to set the points. Timing and adusting the carburator was by ear(sounds good).


Mine was the 64 "Goat"

I hope you started accumulating a few tools for your new project. You might want to try sending the folks that produce "Pimp My Ride" a postcard for some assistance. But if you don't hear from them, you always have us for support.

What I can tell you is that the car has had a lot of broken parts in the past two years, incl, starter, battery, alternator, struts, and brake rotors, and pads. The body is in incredible shape, just one dent on the front quarter panel which will take a small hammer to work out or a stud gun. The engine and transmission are getting a complete rebuild, and since i know the car was taken well care of [mobil 1 since the first day my dad bought it] I am hoping she won't need new pistons and reboring, and that the heads and manifold at still in good shape. As long as they are good, then I can afford some small performance upgrades, like padgett said a higher peak torque rpm cam, upgraded intake system is on the list, along with complete ignition system. My parents are divorced which sucks but i'm going to live with my dad over the summer and he'* the one with all the cool stuff, stuff that i really could use, because i really can't afford tools to put in the stuff i buy for my bonnie, and he has agreed to make room next to his escalade for me to work (we all know which car is better, the bonneville of course!).

The tail lights need to plastic covers [thanks mom for backing into the garage, and backing into the station wagon] and then there is a broken left signal light cover and a scuff on the left front bumper on the black, but that is it as far as damage.

I am hoping to put an air ride suspention in the car, even though its equiped with one now, is there anyway i can use some of the parts from that, and build upon that like use the bags and just put in a better pump and tank? or do i have to replace it all?

also one quick note, i watch pimp my ride every week, and everytime i watch it i say, no person in their right mind, would put that in their car, and i would not want someone doing anything to my car, unless I have say in it.

I visited that factory automanual website, and I found two books applying to my car, the Service Manual and the Chilton manual. My question is a service manual the same as a shop manual. And the chilton is only 10 bucks and the service manual is 50 so for less than the price of a new one (100 plus 15shipping is still cheaper) Guys agree a wise investment, if so I'll pick it up tomorrow.[/url]