This sounds like a good logical list of mods to do. The only thing not on that list though is a ECM/PCM upgrade! When all these mods are done the present ECM/PCM will not recognize them as better for the car. You still will have to upgrade the ECM/PCM unit itself. Some companies like Hypertech will custom build a ECM/PCM for you though you to match what mods you've done.

Ok I am going to order the following parts from 3800 performance and have them installed by Scott Cook'* performance shop.

2002 SSEi
Thrasher CAI
Other Guys Exhaust Headers
3.2 inch pulley (down from 3.4)
DHP chip

2001 GTP
Thasher CAI
3.4 inch pulley
DHP Chip
Front and Rear Strut Tower Braces
Front and Rear Stabilizer Bars


I am just waiting to here back from DHP on the chip, and on if Scott and do the install next week or the week after. If he can't do until 2 weeks from now, will probably do the 3.4 inch pulley for GTP myself. I have the part sitting on my desk.

Damn dude, TWO 3800 */C cars to mod?? Just think of what you could do if you sold the GTP and put all that money into mods for the Bonneville You'd have a machine equivalent to Scott Cooks running 12'*, and one HELL of a sleeper

As far as your original question, DEF do the transmission over the intercooler, unless you have alot of other mods already done, and Autotap is showing that your Knock Retard is way high. Ask anyone experienced, adding the intercooler isnt going to give you any type of a noticeable increase in power at all. What is DOES do is allow you to effectively and drastically cool the air after it comes out of the supercharger. This in return will lower your knock retard (KR) drastically, and then allow you to turn up your boost a bit (Ex: By running a smaller pulley) without blowing the motor. The idea is to have 0 KR, no matter what your mods are.

Just throwing the intercooler on alone will do absolutely nothing for you, but it does act as a HUGE KR killer for owners with cars that are already very well moded, however cannot be pushed any further due to harming the motor because of high KR levels.

Hope this helps! Just do your research, and if you REALLY want some real-time answers, and to talk to people who have actually done this to their GTP'* and SSEi'* (where I learned all this info), get on IRC and join the #grandprix and #bonneville rooms. There is quite a group (30+) of owners with very well, some even highly modded cars in there 24/7

If you look back in the thread, you will see that I am now leaning to do some other mods first.

Unless someone convinces me, that I either

really need the trans to handle anything more than a 3.4 pulley

extra torque multiplication will be more than the gains from 3.2 pulley, headers, and CAI.

Anthony

Nah, you should be fine with your stock tranny. It wasnt meant to really handle more than 280 ft/lbs which is what the motor puts out stock, but I know alot of people with GTP'* pushing close to 400 with no problems. Just take it easy on the burnouts and neutral drops

I tell ya one thing though, once you get all your mods done, that car is going to be awesome!! It already is!! You have my envy anyways Is your exhaust stock? If so, you should really think about opening that up. CAI, pulley, and exhaust alone will make a BIG difference, but it sounds like your no beginner, so this is probably repetitive info.

Do you have an Autotap?? Whats your Bonnevilles current KR? I've always been curious if bonnevilles can hold up to mods, with less KR compared to GTP'*. I know they are the same motor, but different computers, etc.. and of course, even every GTP is different, so the SSEi will be as well.

Good Luck with the mods!! Keep us posted, and get some track times!
Until Scott Cook joins the forum, you just might have the fastest bonny

I do not have autotap, yet. I think the "G" body (200+) SSEi have stronger chasis than W body GTPs (97+). I believe they are also freer breathing stock, in terms of both exhaust and intake. The larger engine bay probably keeps the temps down as well. Our engine bay can probably fit a Northstar V8, as it shares the same platform with the Seville and new Deville.

However, their may actually be more stress on the transmission due to the extra weight, increased tendency to spin tires given less of it is over the nose (better weight distribution). The stock bigger wheels/tire/brakes also increase the rotating mass which may increase stress.

The torque peak hits slightly higher (3600RPM in SSEi vs 3200RPM in GTP). I am not sure why its hits higher, and if it has any effect on the trans/engine stress.

The stock SSEi, or better yet one with 18X8.5 and 245/45 rubber, handles much better than the GTP. The chasis and suspension are more advanced. You would probably need to put in aftermarket f/r strut towers and swaybars, to get the same agility out of GTP. The GTP seems to also purposely have more understeer dialed in, which is makes it rock solid stable in high speed moves.

BTW: FYI The "G" body is a full size van! I think you mean "H" body!
as for the NorthStar V8 there is no problem...It will fit in older style "H" bodies from 87 & up with it'* mate (4T80-E Trans). This combo will handle more than enough power that you can shove through it. I think even Ty, couldn't kill this combo! Fiero owners have done this combo for years now. I've heard of this in a 87 LeSabre somewhere, but I've lost the link, sorry.

I haven’t done it yet., I cant wait. LOL v8 is still the best bet in my mind. It is the G body (2000 up) and yes both G & H Bodies can fit the V8 combo. As far as I know the H body is gone. No more. Yes if I haven’t spent so much on this site the v8 kit could be happening. I have a connection so I can offer the kit and it will be street legal and safe. That other v8 is a 5.0 ASG unit with 300hp. I will be offering it too. LOL Actually I will also be looking at setting up a turbo on it so I can squeeze out the 400hp needed to make it a serious contender. It’* a 4.9 Cadillac engine and its actually lighter than the 4.6L. I also have video of it in action. That said I will make a kit for the 4.6 and it will fit the Bonneville all years from 1992 up, same with the Le Sabre and the olds 88. I think the olds (92-99) 88 is a great car to lower. I was thinking of putting coil-overs on a 88 with a ASG5.0 with a turbo and wa la ..Lumpy cam sound dropped and loud tunes. I have to look closer to see if I can do $uicide doors on the 88. Now make it a convertible and its a "low.Ri..der" Also if you look at the newer G body Le Sabre it is a awesome car to drop and put a 4.6 in. Ok Ill stop now.


TY

I can't wait for the conversion kit for the 4.9L.. and turbo... umm.. do I hear twin turbo . Keep me posted TY

P.*.
What about a conversion kit for the Camaro/Corvette LT1 engine and tranny ??

Deathrat:

I am pretty sure the 2000 to current SSEI platform is the "G" body, as in the current Olds Aurora, Buick Park Avenue, and Caddilac Seville/Deville. I believe a couple other posts have confirmed this too. I believe the H body is the previous platform. Maybe the "G" platform van was retired, and the letter re-used for new full size FWD sedans?

Speedguy:

A turbo 4.9L or Northstar with the 4T80 would be awesome. However, you may have to "breath on" the stock Northstar, to run with modded new SSEis. A stock STS is slightly quicker off the line than a stock SSEI, so in the the lighter Bonneville body you probably would be faster than both.

However, I have heard of a few SSEis with just the 3.4 pulley running low 14s, and guy who ran 14.8 stock!!! Their are a few GTPs running low 14s stock, and one running 13.5 with just a 3.4 pulley and CAI!

I am more of highway racer myself, so couldn't tell you what my cars are running in the 1/4. However, I have a beat a lot of cars with my stock GTP that were faster on paper, and the SSEI with just the pulley is now as fast if not faster.

I can't wait to pulley the GTP Sunday, and then take both cars to Scott Cook'* shop in a few weeks.

I am going to a 3.2 pulley, CAI, and exhaust headers for the SSEi, and DHP chip to get rid of those damn limiters and make more use of 1st and 2nd on the highway.