I'm thinking about getting a Bonneville next year. I have a question. I'm looking at probably getting a 2000-2001. I was wondering about the SSEi. Are there any issues/concerns with getting a supercharged engine? Have there been any problems with them / do they last as long as a regular engine? What are the performance differences?
Thanks for your time!

i would consider them more reliable then the N/A K motor, because you won't have to worry about the "upper intake failure" or "plenum failure".

But with anything, more components = more maintenance (i.e. changing the supercharger oil, etc)

I've never heard of any major problems with these engines. They will easily last WAY over 100,000 miles. Most people here at BC and at ClubGP have started modifying these engines that came with over 80,000 miles on them, and they give no problems.

One thing I would check carefully though is the supercharger. Make sure that the bearing is in good shape, and no strange noises are coming from it. When the bearing goes, you have problems. Otherwise, the supercharger should outlast the engine if taken care of.

I agree completely. Even after pulley upgrades causing them to spin at ungodly rates, most SC'* will outlast the motors they're bolted to. And you CAN rebuild them yourself for under $200 even if you need every bearing and seal in them (which you usually don't).

The low-end off the line grunt is where the SC is really obvious.

They are bombproof, but I think they shine in mid-upper RPM range.

Some L67'* in GP'* have seemed to catch fire out of nowhere... The 3.1/3.4 guys like to use that to attack them.... I think 4 or 5 have caught fire?

Thanks for all the replies! I appreciate it!
What kind of difference is there in 0-60 times?
Is there any other sources of info i could check out on-line?
Thanks again guys!

That is correct. And nobody has really said why this has happened too. Kinda scary. Never happened in a Bonnie though.

You have now... mine did. The upper intake exploded on my '98 Bonneville SLE and the engine caught fire, due to fuel leaking past a faulty Fuel Pressure Regulator. What happened to mine was exactly why GM is still recalling thousands of vehicles with the 3800-II engine. However, I had an N/A engine and those intake issues are not problems in supercharged Bonnies.

TOD Bonny, keep in mind that 2000 was the first year for a new body style of Bonneville. Historically 'first year' vehicles sometimes have bugs that are worked out in future model years, so you might want to look more for a 2001 if you have a choice. That being said, I know that most owners of 2000 Bonnies on this board have not reported any extraordinary issues with their engines. Good luck!

i can't vouch for the reliability, since i'm only 3 days into my 1st supercharged vehicle, and my '96 ssei'* supercharger was previously replaced with a slightly younger one. but i sure can rave about the feel of that supercharger.

I've owned a turbo volvo, talon, and shelby lancer and an 88 with a series l 3.8, and this SC makes all the difference. the immediate torque is intoxicating; no lag, no let down due to a lack of power. the car just flys!! and after i drop it a couple inches and replace the shocks, she'* gonna rock

superchargersuperchargersuperchargersuperchargersu perchargersuperchargersuperchargersuperchargersupe rchargersuperchargersuperchargersuperchargersuperc hargersuperchargersuperchargersuperchargersupercha rgersuperchargersupercharger..... need i say more?