I've been trying to chase down the problems with my car but I'm at a loss. I've replaced the gas tank as the one that was in there eventually cracked and failed, and along with that everything fuel pump related since it was already out. I've replaced wires, plugs, ICM, thermostat (twice I might add), thermostat housing (cause I snapped BOTH bolts and I was "attempting" to take it off), the sensor that'* underneath the throttle body (sorry, it'* been so long since I replaced that I can't remember it'* name), I haven't gotten around to the coils yet but I will soon, oil like I'm supposed too and there'* no coolant in there at all. I thought it was the catalytic convertor but I removed it and even though it did help a little bit, it still didn't help that much.

I had been throwing money at this thing but now short of replacing the engine, what else can I do? I'll be looking for a new transmission or getting the one in there rebuilt as it'* starting to slip from second gear down shift to first. Oh, it already has a rebuilt supercharger, it had it when I bought the car. Could it be that the supercharger is failing? The check engine light doesn't really come on in that car but when it did, it was just throwing a misfire code but it didn't tell me which cylinder. Any clues? It'll start up but you can immediately hear it misfiring, and before it started out as if I was into it, it would pop then the ignition would retard. It'* just been getting worse and worse, and now it'* to the point where I can't drive it. I have my Saturn that I've been driving but I'd really like to get my SSEi back up and going again! Suggestions? I know I'm not the only one that'* had this problem!!

take the belt off the supercharger, and run it see if it goes away. you know if the manifold gaskets were replaced?

I don't know if they were replaced. I don't feel comfortable taking off the belt as the series I uses that belt for the alternator, water pump and also the supercharger.

Popping in the exhaust can be caused by unburnt fuel exploding in the exhaust manifold. Could be one cylinder not firing properly, or a burned exhaust valve. I would start with a leak down test to verify percentage of cylinder sealing.

Not sure it will tell you anything, but you can run without the belt for a minute or two and not damage anything.

just let it idle dont rev it or drive it

Sounds like a cracked flex plate to me, my 95 SSEi had the same issue....

That was over 2 months ago.......wonder if the original poster ever solved his problem?

From the side it is coming from it could be the flex plate.