Hey fellas,
My dad has a 1996 Bonneville SE */C (one of 3 model years where you could put the */C motor in the base model) which I love to death. I just found this forum and it looks cool so far. Lots of interesting race stories will be posted.

Stick around & you'll learn lots of thicks and advice!

lots of thicks?

now i know our cars are fat, but "thicks"???

I meant tricks! "Fat finger typo"

14.5 for stock Bonnie?? Your Bonneville must be a factory freak!! That'* a hard time for even a stock Grand Prix GTP to hit!

Believe it! I have at least half a dozen timeslips in the 14.5s. Trap speeds up to 94.7 mph (41 deg. F)! Generally 60 deg. F with good cooldown will net about 94 mph. The Bonneville (Pk Ave, Rivieras, Olds 88 LSS */C) all have much less bottle-necked appearing intakes than GTPs and GS. The exhaust is also less restrictive-appearing. Problem is their higher weight compared to GTPs. However, the L67 was available as an option on base SEs if the SLE option pkg was thrown in for 1996-1997. So that'* what I checked off for my dad and no other option. It weighs only 3550 lbs! Only about 50 lbs heavier than a GTP. Given the likely higher output (real world), I don't find this too surprising. Another advantage is the ability to put bolt-on rear airsprings to prop the rear up for drag races (Airlift company). The GTP/GS don't have this ability since their rear springs are coaxial with the damper. One could devise a custom donut around the damper, but I don't think Airlift makes one.

It has beat '96 Stang GT automatic, stock '91 MR2 turbo, and a '97 Eclipse GSX with off-road pipe, intake K&N, and HKS super dragger BADLY. These are friends of mine so they can even back up the story. It has toasted stock Impala SSs. It has even run reasonably close to a 1996 automatic LT1 Camaro (14.2 at 98 vs. 14.5s at 94.x on that run). In fact on the run against the Camaro I could not even see the car within my field of view in the first eighth of the mile.

Ever since it has had a K&N panel drop-in put in and the trans fluid has changed to the Castrol ATF Syntec (awesome fluid, better experience than Mobil Synthetic ATF). It'* got high miles at 125k but it burns only 0.25 quart every 3000 miles and it still feels strong.

That'* great that you have an SE so you have less weight and the L67 engine. But I agree wholeheartedly that no one should use Mobil 1 Synthetic ATF for their transmissions. It just makes the tranny slip.

Nice ride I know alot of people on this board would want it. I know I wouldent pass it up.

I actually have those airlift air bag inserts your talking about. They actually DO work! I got them mainly so the *** end of my bonny wouldnt be dragging when pulling my waverunner (even though I have the automatic load leveling suspension), I just wanted some extra support. When you pump the bags up to 35 psi (max recommended), you can get inside your trunk and JUMP up and down, and I swear to god, the back of the car will not move even 1/8 inch. It'* SOLID! I originally thought it would ride like crap in the back end now, but actually after driving it for 5-6 months with them in, I havent noticed a difference from stock AT ALL. I think they are going to especially come in usefull when I put all my heavy *** audio equipment in the trunk as well. Just keeps the car lookin level

The car has not been run hard for at least 60k miles. It belongs to my 72 yr olddad and it'* babied half of its time on the highway. The tranny and Castrol Syntec ATF shifts like it has a mild shift kit still. I've been synthetically motor oilingthis engine since 500 miles. I hope it'll last a long time. My friend sold his 1989 Olds 98 and it'* driving now with 380,000 miles and still not burning oil. So I hope it'll last at least as long. I keep serious care for the car so hopefully one day it'll be worth something.

Not long ago I was paralyzed from falling asleep behind the wheel [in another car] so there'* some chance that after my dad can't drive anymore that I might have to sell it. It appears this forum has the right type of buyers. I sure would be heartbroken if it was bought and never appreicated.