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L36/L67 Bonneville Build (H-Body) (These Forums are better than the Bonneville Forum)

K

kcirrab

New member
OK So I have a Bonneville Build started and my original goal was just a top swap and tranny swap. However I have decided I want to build this thing to be a little bit of a beast. I currently have the K-Frame dropped along with everything attached to it. I have the motor tore down to the block and the suspension stuff detached from the K-Frame. I plan on lowering the car 2-3 inches so I am working on that, However I am wanting to put about 350-400 to the wheels. 350 is really the goal but 400 is def a dream at this point. I am basically looking for suggestions at this point. I would like to do this right and make this a reliable build. The car will be getting supercharged. At this Time I dont know if I want to build a top swapped motor (Higher compression) or just go supercharged bottom end. I plan on building the top and bottom end. So Ill be replacing rod and main bearings along with piston rings etc. So any upgrade suggestions to make this reliable are appriciated. I am also going to be upgrading the Diff with an LSD unit and a HD upgrade kit.


1996 Pontiac Bonneville
Series II 3800 L36
4T60E (YES ITS A 60, Only year for the Series II with a 4T60e with OBDII and the updated body style)

Modular pulley Size?
Rockers?
Cams?
Porting?
Intercooler?

Suggestions??

Ill post progress Pictures as I go

Thanks, Will post some pictures of my current progress in a few
 


Hi there Bonnie guy..

First let's straighten up some facts. 95, 96 and 97 had the 4T60E in S2 NA 3800 Bonnevilles/PA's/Rivs/Olds, 96 was the only S2 SC 3800 HD 4T60E.

If you'd like my suggestions.. head back over to the Bonne forum and check out my 97 build. (S1X cam, S3 Heads, N* TB, Gen V (I'd suggest TVS these days), LQ4 Maf (take a look at Overkills post about LS maf today), braided fuel lines, 00-05 Bville aluminum oil pan, 00-05 Bville oil filter adapter, EWP, 8 rib pullies, 00+ alt, 00+ alt bracket, ported LIM, VC breather, slp headers, WB 02, post charger temp sender, monster WBS IC with meziere 20 gpm pump and VW radiator plus extra large surge tank, oversized radiator (93 caddy eldorado), 4" FWI, 00+ ps bracket, PRJ wires, Titanium retainers, arp rocker bolts, 1.8 HS rockers, blocked, L32 map, basically.. one of nearly everything SC. Trans was a fully built 7/8" 3.29 4T65E. Poly everything suspension wise SSEi suspension/bars.(I'd suggest sourcing FE5), add drag bags as well. that was one of the best investments I ever made. Kept the weight transfer to a minimum, custom front trans mount (to clear headers and stop motor from moving. Fuel pump, I changed and never needed to upgrade the wiring.

Now..you want to go low? Hop back over to the Bonne forum and look up 95NASTA's build where he dropped his car on GP knuckles, springs etc and upgraded the brakes. Because once you go fast.. you need to stop and a 92-99 Bonneville is going to plow past nearly everything when trying to stop fast.

You can fit serious slicks 26x10x15 if you kept stock breaks, got a spacer and did longer wheel studs, I did.

Transmission wise, again, check out 95NASTA's 4T60 build where he worked in a 4T65E pump to stop the cavitating issue. The 60 is not necessarily stronger than the 65. As well there are more aftermarket parts and beefed up things for the 65. Merely stating facts, to try and help you along your journey of breaking stuff.

Movement with custom motor mount












You can add fuses and relays easy


Pull the fogs for airflow


Switches etc should look factory


No IC is complete without a flow detect


Traction:



I could go on for days with pics and suggestions. Overall though.. keep in mind the Bonne is a good platform for a build with a few exceptions: weight, braking ability and turning ability. It's not a light or nimble car.

I did a ton of other custom stuff around the car as well. LMK if you'd like to see more.
 
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Some call it the sunflower mod. Cause Sunfires/sunflowers had a light up pontiac. It's one of those things that when you hit the track with GP buddies and they see that..then you air up your own tires with the onboard compressor..... they really get jealous.
 


Seams to me link I found the right guy for information haha. Very Very few people have any love for these older body style Bonnevilles. Ill post a few pictures in a second
 
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And here is a photoshopped picture of what I want the car to look like when it is done. maybe not so low tho.

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My car was actually 67th off the line for the 96 year and was actually built in 95. Not overly notable but still cool. I am very very very impressed with your build. looks very clean. My original goal was using series III parts (Gen V Supercharger, Heads, LIM etc.) but I have found them hard to find. Do you possibly have a Link to your build? I am having problems finding it.

I am very interested in the custom trans mount!
 
Sent you a ton of links to PB, ask any questions, post things.. I'm fine with putting everything out there. It's all about sharing what we've learned.

Trans mount (for the GP folks, all the bonne mounts are down low, this is front of trans)


Clears headers nicely


I took the ear off, removed the little strut thing and redid it with a grade 8 or 10 bolt












Then had it welded top/bottom/inside and out. Never ... ever had an issue with it. Although the subframe could be seen flexing since the mount wouldn't give. Also.. there was no vibration or drone from doing it this way. I think that's because I left the rubber block intact
 
Horsepower wise just go turbo... bolt on 400whp and save the "motor build" for us drag racers trying to make 800whp. If you insist on a cam get a st2 with 140lb springs and a double roller. Stock rockers and a stock l36 intake with the injector holes plugged.
 


FWIW, Dark has a great point about power. Turbo is faster, easier and overall... less costly. In the H body chassis, there is tons of room as well.

On the hud pod, yes.. it was my first time glassing...ever
 
Why mess with the bottom end at all? All the money/time required to have a machine shop properly rebuild a 3800 and have it last could be spent on a turbo/assoc. parts and a new trans to hold said power. I'd get a low mile bottom end and go from there w/ cam, heads, etc... There are plenty of guys pushing decent HP through the stock bottom end. As long as it's tuned properly you shouldn't have any issues.
 
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