I have a regular SE and am impressed but in the quest for more performance I have thought about the SSEI I believe it'* called. How much additional performance is there? How about reliability? Any keys in looking for a used SSEI? Thanks

There are more performance modifications for the supercharged motor vs the naturally aspirated. The limits really depend on what you are trying to achieve. Bignews_1 has pushed some of the NA limits and is raising the bar like 95NASTA did.

I'm not sure where to go with this.. please post your intentions and we can probably give you better directed information.
Do you want to go to the track?
Looking for just a little more?
Gas mileage important?

What year are you looking at?

Motor reliability is stronger on the supercharged motor, but the trans may have a slightly shorter lifespan. Not alot, but some.

In general, my opinion is that the Supercharged engines are less prone to issues, but only because of the L36 EGR/Gasket/UIM issues.

There is a very noticable significant difference in Performance. Seeing that you live in Mobile AL, you should hook up with the SE crowd for the next meet and test-drive a few different cars. Or find an SSEi locally and go for a drive.

You'll notice. I recently had a member (myfirstbonnie) here to look over his second Bonneville. He'd never driven an L67 (supercharged) model before. Quite an eye-opener for him.

the difference is night and day I have a buddy that has a black 03 ssei here and even up here in the mountains wheel spin is possible and his is stock while i have a 02 SLE which is the same motor as the se the other thing you need to consider is the gearing you have is it a 3.05 or is it a 2.84 the 3.05 will seem quicker but get slightly worse mileage.

dude...you live in mobile...i'm in biloxi ms...we should get together one day i'll let you drive my car and see what you think...not much but being Naturally Aspirated...it'll surprise you



James

The supercharger is more power, but if you like modding engines, it has much more headroom for power than an N/A.

Some internals are stronger, but you need premium fuel. The trans life will all depend on how you drive and the maintenance. Supercharged cars are normally Ei'*, but some SE'* have superchargers as well. SSE/Ei'* have more electronic toys, some extra features, but are heavier. They also normally came with better tires originally, and therefore a higher limiter.

When i was car searching for my car, I wanted a car in good condition before i looked at features. I wasn't happy with the Ei'* or SSE'* in my area within my price range.

I think the main thing that makes it quicker is the lower final drive ratio. It would be interesting to know what the lower final drive could do for the L36 car.

I would have to disagree and say that the main thing that makes it quicker is the massive low-end torque curve created by the roots blower.

Actually the L36 has MUCh more headroom than the L67, at least for the average modder. The L36 doesn't become a week link until your in the low 11s/ high 10s.

So with $2k or less, and MANY have done it for less well modded, you can Top swap your L36. Its not as hard or as complicated as most seem to think.

It doesn't sound like the topic Author is looking for modding advice. He'* asking the performance difference between two cars.

The difference is night and day. Go drive an SSEi.