I may be jumping the gun a little since I dont even have a Bonnie yet, but I would like to know a couple things about the intense stage 2 for the */c cars.

How do most of you change the valve springs? use compressed air to hold the valve up and compress the spring?

Second, while no so much related to stage 2... How much does the stock trans in a 00-03 hold up too? does any extra 50fwhp cause reliability problems or seriously shorten the life span?

Third, with a stage 2, what are the avg E.T.* and mph in the 1/4? I would like to be in the high 13s.

Im just trying to figure it out. Bonnies and */c 3800s are all pretty new to me. I have never really looked into them all that much.

How do most of you change the valve springs? use compressed air to hold the valve up and compress the spring?

I believe compressed air is the most popular method.

Second, while no so much related to stage 2... How much does the stock trans in a 00-03 hold up too? does any extra 50fwhp cause reliability problems or seriously shorten the life span?

You're gonna want at least a shift kit, but be prepared for more trans work. As soon as you start modifying the engine, the risk to the trans goes up. They're one of the weaker points to the car.

Third, with a stage 2, what are the avg E.T.* and mph in the 1/4? I would like to be in the high 13s.

To be honest, you'll probably need the stage 3 to get to 13'* for a Bonneville. It'* a little harder than the GTP'* mod for mod...

Rule #1 though, get a scantool before you start dropping pulley sizes. The Aeroforce is great for in-car monitoring.

On the transmission...

It depends on how hard you drive it and how much programming of the transmission you change. In the programming is something called "torque management". TM does exactly that..it'* a torque managing program that in basic terms removes timing from the engine parameters as you begin to spin tires to reduces the stresses on the transmission. If you reprogram the transmission parameters to have more fun and shift faster/firmer..you will be increasing the amount of torque allowed through the transmission to the ground. More torque than the transmission was engineered to accept day in and day out.

ARGGGGG! I hate TM. The Lightning had it at one time. I have it turned off in all of my tunes. But then again, I am just shy of the max rwtq the 4r100 can handle.

So I am guessing GM decided to keep it cheap and use a trans thats barely strong enough to hold the power the car makes stock. then people like us come along add a cold air intake and smoke the trans. This is kind of depressing. Atleast I know this ahead of time. IT helps bring things into perspective on what can be done to the car and still hold its reliability. I was hoping to not have to crack a trans apart and im pretty sure I dont want to. guess TM will have to stay if I go this route.

Chris

Chris..

I picked up my car with 133K on the clock. Around 140 it got a smaller pulley and gutted air box. Basically a CAI. Added PEM'* and a few other little goodies.

I like to think I drive well and fix my cars as they need it. Well...at 175K I drove to Ohio and had the transmission rebuilt. That'* right..no problem getting there or issues..only some slop and the trans nicely telling me it was time to consider it.

You can add power..there are certain things to consider. If you plan to race it at the track every weekend..the trans will need work.

the car would be a daily driver. however, I drive my vehicles like they are stolen on a daily basis. The car would only see track time 1-2 times a year (The Lightning is my main go fast project). I need a dependable long lasting car, but its going to get beat reguardless of how its modded.

Chris