Why a 180-degree thermostat & extra trans cooler?
#2
Senior Member
Posts like a Turbo
Join Date: Jul 2002
Posts: 417
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Azwed is on a distinguished road](https://www.gmforum.com/images/reputation/reputation_pos.gif)
![Default](https://www.gmforum.com/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Cooler motors make more power, the formula is roughly 1% more HP for ever 10 degree drop in the temp of the Air Intake Charge, and many of the 3800 series II'* have plastic intakes that have a tendancy to crack. The 180 degree thermostat will help with that some.
Heat is the enemy of Auto Trannies and since the trannies in these cars can be rather finicky an extra tranny cooler is a great idea. There is a line graph at my shop that shows the lifespan of tranny fluid in hours compared to temperature. At about 300 degrees F tranny fluid will last less then one hour or so before it is worthless. This is one reason we recomend people who do lots of towing or that own motorhomes should switch to synthetic fluid since it does not heat up as much. I have seen a couple of vehicles that switched to synthetic have 100 degree drops in transmission temp.
Heat is the enemy of Auto Trannies and since the trannies in these cars can be rather finicky an extra tranny cooler is a great idea. There is a line graph at my shop that shows the lifespan of tranny fluid in hours compared to temperature. At about 300 degrees F tranny fluid will last less then one hour or so before it is worthless. This is one reason we recomend people who do lots of towing or that own motorhomes should switch to synthetic fluid since it does not heat up as much. I have seen a couple of vehicles that switched to synthetic have 100 degree drops in transmission temp.
#3
Senior Member
Posts like a Turbo
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Upper Left Coast
Posts: 299
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![BusMaster007 is on a distinguished road](https://www.gmforum.com/images/reputation/reputation_pos.gif)
![Default](https://www.gmforum.com/images/icons/icon1.gif)
OK. I'm new to 'newer' Pontiacs. At almost 47, I'm guessing I'm one of the older guys on this board...and, I don't have any pictures of my audio equipment, either. Yet.
I'm looking into the sections on this board and using the search function to find out what I can.
My '92 with 49,000 miles has the Series I engine.
What type of intake does it have?
Other than a K&N filter for the stock housing, what else can I do to help it breathe just a little bit?
At the low mileage this car has, should I opt for anything in the way of a shift kit; special filter; different than factory type fluid?
I'm also checking out the exhaust options, such as a more free flowing muffler with something on the order of ANSA resonator tips or Hooker resonator tips.
The other idea I was thinking is definetly old school, that being a crossover or "H" pipe up front to equalize the flow ahead of the stock converter.
In conjunction with the K&N and a little bit better muffler, I should pick up some torque and better power without dumping a wad of $$$ or screwing up the computer program (..or, maybe not, I don't know, and that'* why I'm asking).
The answers are appreciated, thanks.
I'm looking into the sections on this board and using the search function to find out what I can.
My '92 with 49,000 miles has the Series I engine.
What type of intake does it have?
Other than a K&N filter for the stock housing, what else can I do to help it breathe just a little bit?
At the low mileage this car has, should I opt for anything in the way of a shift kit; special filter; different than factory type fluid?
I'm also checking out the exhaust options, such as a more free flowing muffler with something on the order of ANSA resonator tips or Hooker resonator tips.
The other idea I was thinking is definetly old school, that being a crossover or "H" pipe up front to equalize the flow ahead of the stock converter.
In conjunction with the K&N and a little bit better muffler, I should pick up some torque and better power without dumping a wad of $$$ or screwing up the computer program (..or, maybe not, I don't know, and that'* why I'm asking).
The answers are appreciated, thanks.
#4
Junior Member
Posts like a Ricer Type-R
![Default](https://www.gmforum.com/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Originally Posted by BusMaster007
OK. I'm new to 'newer' Pontiacs. At almost 47, I'm guessing I'm one of the older guys on this board...and, I don't have any pictures of my audio equipment, either. Yet.
I'm looking into the sections on this board and using the search function to find out what I can.
My '92 with 49,000 miles has the Series I engine.
What type of intake does it have?
Other than a K&N filter for the stock housing, what else can I do to help it breathe just a little bit?
At the low mileage this car has, should I opt for anything in the way of a shift kit; special filter; different than factory type fluid?
I'm also checking out the exhaust options, such as a more free flowing muffler with something on the order of ANSA resonator tips or Hooker resonator tips.
The other idea I was thinking is definetly old school, that being a crossover or "H" pipe up front to equalize the flow ahead of the stock converter.
In conjunction with the K&N and a little bit better muffler, I should pick up some torque and better power without dumping a wad of $$$ or screwing up the computer program (..or, maybe not, I don't know, and that'* why I'm asking).
The answers are appreciated, thanks.
I'm looking into the sections on this board and using the search function to find out what I can.
My '92 with 49,000 miles has the Series I engine.
What type of intake does it have?
Other than a K&N filter for the stock housing, what else can I do to help it breathe just a little bit?
At the low mileage this car has, should I opt for anything in the way of a shift kit; special filter; different than factory type fluid?
I'm also checking out the exhaust options, such as a more free flowing muffler with something on the order of ANSA resonator tips or Hooker resonator tips.
The other idea I was thinking is definetly old school, that being a crossover or "H" pipe up front to equalize the flow ahead of the stock converter.
In conjunction with the K&N and a little bit better muffler, I should pick up some torque and better power without dumping a wad of $$$ or screwing up the computer program (..or, maybe not, I don't know, and that'* why I'm asking).
The answers are appreciated, thanks.
It sounds like your thinking is right on track with the 'big three' for our cars. Intake, exhaust, 180 stat/tranny cooler. From there, it gets more expensive.
#5
Senior Member
Posts like a Turbo
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Upper Left Coast
Posts: 299
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![BusMaster007 is on a distinguished road](https://www.gmforum.com/images/reputation/reputation_pos.gif)
![Default](https://www.gmforum.com/images/icons/icon1.gif)
EGR-less?!
Sounds like homeless. :P
Can't make it EGR-compliant?
With the car at the 50.000 mi. mark, when do burnt exhaust valves start to rear their ugly heads?
Simple modifications to make the car perform better than stock and be ultra-reliable and long-lived are my main objectives.
Sounds like homeless. :P
Can't make it EGR-compliant?
With the car at the 50.000 mi. mark, when do burnt exhaust valves start to rear their ugly heads?
Simple modifications to make the car perform better than stock and be ultra-reliable and long-lived are my main objectives.
#6
Junior Member
Posts like a Ricer Type-R
![Default](https://www.gmforum.com/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Ok, I have a 93 SSEi with an EGR, but it hasn't stopped me from thinking of this. I was thinking of using a vacuum controlled EGR from an earlier 3800 motor, so the PCM doesn't control it (your pcm isn't programmed for an EGR). That way you have the benefit of an EGR, and your PCM doesn't care. I've really been looking for a 92 SE or SSE to 'take one for the team' on this. The 92 SSEi had the same digital EGR as I have.
Is this something you're interested in? With 50k on the motor, you're a prime candidate to gain full benefit of this. If you're interested, let'* talk, and I can get you started in the right direction. Jrs3800 will be a big help on this, too, since he'* intimate with the older and newer drivetrains.
Is this something you're interested in? With 50k on the motor, you're a prime candidate to gain full benefit of this. If you're interested, let'* talk, and I can get you started in the right direction. Jrs3800 will be a big help on this, too, since he'* intimate with the older and newer drivetrains.
#7
Senior Member
Posts like a Turbo
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Upper Left Coast
Posts: 299
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![BusMaster007 is on a distinguished road](https://www.gmforum.com/images/reputation/reputation_pos.gif)
![Default](https://www.gmforum.com/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Originally Posted by willwren
Ok, I have a 93 SSEi with an EGR, but it hasn't stopped me from thinking of this. I was thinking of using a vacuum controlled EGR from an earlier 3800 motor, so the PCM doesn't control it (your pcm isn't programmed for an EGR). That way you have the benefit of an EGR, and your PCM doesn't care. I've really been looking for a 92 SE or SSE to 'take one for the team' on this. The 92 SSEi had the same digital EGR as I have.
Is this something you're interested in? With 50k on the motor, you're a prime candidate to gain full benefit of this. If you're interested, let'* talk, and I can get you started in the right direction. Jrs3800 will be a big help on this, too, since he'* intimate with the older and newer drivetrains.
Is this something you're interested in? With 50k on the motor, you're a prime candidate to gain full benefit of this. If you're interested, let'* talk, and I can get you started in the right direction. Jrs3800 will be a big help on this, too, since he'* intimate with the older and newer drivetrains.
Gimme a while to talk to my buddy, 97BonnSSE, who is much more mechanically inclined than I am. He'll be the likely suspect to assist me in the project.
#8
![Default](https://www.gmforum.com/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Some of you guys are really starting to give good advice. I have studied synthetics for vehicles, done testing, and real road testing with it. Many different brands and claims have been used. They all have much more to offer than regular oil. However, AMSOIL has been the most benificial in the results column. Handles temp. better in the trans department, that is critical. Syn. oil for the engine handles lubricating at all temperatures better than anything else. At $10 per 6 months you can have a distributorship from them and buy it for wholesale. Changing oil once a year in cars you love is a real blessing. Confidence in that claim is another blessing complements of the AMSOIL guarentee. Everybody that gives a hoot about their Bonneville should be running this stuff. The trans fulid is easy to COMPLETELY change out. Write me for instructions if you want.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
parallelcircuits
1992-1999
12
04-21-2003 02:15 AM
2000SilverBullet
Performance, Brainstorming & Tuning
5
02-11-2003 12:48 AM