When I pulled the engine it ran great and was at 186K.

Reliability doesn't go down with a supercharger. It goes down when premium fuel isn't used, when maintenance isnt' performed etc.

Most of the SC'd cars on this forum are more reliable than the NA'* because they didn't get a plastic UIM that can fail. They get a metal supercharger.

On the trans. It'* the same trans HD or non-HD with a different output shaft, different differential and different differential cover. That'* the differences.

I have to agree with all, Regular maint is the key. I bought my 94 ssei with 372xxxkm on it and the engine bay looks like show room condition. I have put over 6000km on it with regular engine checks and not one single problem. I do not baby this car as a matter of fact I might be a little hard on her. Whatever you decide these guys on the forim will be able to help keep the car in tip top shape.

I would have to say that with over 340000 miles on my stock ssei, with normal maint and care they will last for as long as you want it to. my wife has a 95 se and there isnt too much diff in gas milage between the two. i drive 30 mi one way to work plus other drivin around and use bout a tank in a week

take it from me steve the last three owners of 97 ssei were not mechanically inclined and only knew how to put gas in it and sometimes they did that wrong.I had all sorts of issues in the first thousand miles or so and then it got my maintinence and care and it its good now well except for the flywheel that was my fault

This is an OLD post. LOL

holy **** lol i gotta start checking dates

Mine is my sales car,,,,, 30,000 miles a year,,,, just under 100 k now.

Put a water pump on it,,, thats all.

And I will get slammed for this,,,, but I only run 87 in it,,,, I tried both and noticed no difference in MPG or performance. It is 100% stock though

The premium fuel will keep you engine from going into pre-detonation, which can damage your engine. Our cars are really good a managing the fuel air mixture with fuel, but can get to the point that they can't do anything else. Pinging on acceleration is not good!

Prolonged use of 87 on a supercharged engine can cause this.


With higher compression it'* a good idea to use higher octane. It'* your choice to run 87, but I recommend not doing it.

Yes,,, but I go through 2 tanks a week,,, Im in city traffic mostly and I am pretty easy on it for the most part.

Get into it here and there, but mostly its stop to stop in the city.

I get 24-27 mixed driving around town and 31-32 on the road when I go to my out of state calls.

Never heard a ping, or knock,,,, but again,,,,its 100% stock and I mostly run shell gas in it as it seems to like it the best.

If I ever did a pulley swap,,,exh or any upgrade for that matter,,,, it would absolutly be 91 or better