Restoring the SSEi: F40 swap, HIDs, and a HY35 turbo.
- yourgrandma
- Certified Bonneville Nut

- Posts: 2425
- Joined: Mon May 26, 2008 6:56 pm
- Year and Trim: '02 SSEi
Re: Restoring the SSEi: F40 swap, HIDs, and a HY35 turbo.
Yeah, you need tuning... A wideband and lots of tuning.
02 SSEi-Turning money into tire smoke, very efficiently.


- MattStrike
- Certified Bonneville Nut

- Posts: 4760
- Joined: Tue Aug 25, 2009 8:32 pm
- Year and Trim: '99 Montana
'04 Dirtymax
'97 Camaro
'92 Trofeo - Location: SE Michigan
Re: Restoring the SSEi: F40 swap, HIDs, and a HY35 turbo.
I will admit to intentionally stressing the parts, I have to know what's going to work and what I'll need to change for next year.
Boost addict

The Fleet:
'93 SSEi - Twincharged + manual Build thread
'97 Camaro - Top swap
'05 STS - V8, AWD, her DD
'92 Trofeo - Fair weather DD
'99 Montana - top swap 3800
'04 Sierra 2500HD - LLY Duramax
Current project:
Something cool, trust me.
Upcoming projects:
'92 Bonneville SSE
'87 LeSabre T-type
'67 LeSabre
Gone to greener pastures:
'84 Sierra Classic - Twin turbo 3800
'97 LeSabre - Top swap
RIP:
'86 LeSabre - pictures
'93 SE - L67

The Fleet:
'93 SSEi - Twincharged + manual Build thread
'97 Camaro - Top swap
'05 STS - V8, AWD, her DD
'92 Trofeo - Fair weather DD
'99 Montana - top swap 3800
'04 Sierra 2500HD - LLY Duramax
Current project:
Something cool, trust me.
Upcoming projects:
'92 Bonneville SSE
'87 LeSabre T-type
'67 LeSabre
Gone to greener pastures:
'84 Sierra Classic - Twin turbo 3800
'97 LeSabre - Top swap
RIP:
'86 LeSabre - pictures
'93 SE - L67
- MattStrike
- Certified Bonneville Nut

- Posts: 4760
- Joined: Tue Aug 25, 2009 8:32 pm
- Year and Trim: '99 Montana
'04 Dirtymax
'97 Camaro
'92 Trofeo - Location: SE Michigan
Re: Restoring the SSEi: F40 swap, HIDs, and a HY35 turbo.
It's developed a bit of a hesitation at WOT at about 4500RPM, and seems not as strong above that, no KR or drop in timing on the scangauge. I found that one of the ignition wires is arcing near the plug, so I'll have to see if it's just a loose crimp or if I need to look at a set of Taylor wires. I had to change the straight ends of the wires to fit with the new headers, I'll be trying to find a 135 degree wire end if I have to redo these. The 135 boots that I was able to get don't actually fit and the 90's I have are too much of a bend.
My gas mileage has gone up significantly now that I'm actually doing some cruising. The hockey puck subframe mounts combined with the stiff polyurethane motor mounts are just too much vibration, at certain RPM ranges it just resonates through the entire body of the car. This should be solved by the poly bushings I ordered. If not I'll have to use a softer PU for the motor mounts.
One of my headlamps has a broken height adjuster, and the other the bulb flickers out whenever I hit bumps, and stays out until I turn them of and back on, sometimes it takes a few cycles to get it to light, and it doesn't seem as bright as the other one.
The only other issue at the moment is that either I have a wheel bearing or outer CV going bad. I have spares for each.
My gas mileage has gone up significantly now that I'm actually doing some cruising. The hockey puck subframe mounts combined with the stiff polyurethane motor mounts are just too much vibration, at certain RPM ranges it just resonates through the entire body of the car. This should be solved by the poly bushings I ordered. If not I'll have to use a softer PU for the motor mounts.
One of my headlamps has a broken height adjuster, and the other the bulb flickers out whenever I hit bumps, and stays out until I turn them of and back on, sometimes it takes a few cycles to get it to light, and it doesn't seem as bright as the other one.
The only other issue at the moment is that either I have a wheel bearing or outer CV going bad. I have spares for each.
Boost addict

The Fleet:
'93 SSEi - Twincharged + manual Build thread
'97 Camaro - Top swap
'05 STS - V8, AWD, her DD
'92 Trofeo - Fair weather DD
'99 Montana - top swap 3800
'04 Sierra 2500HD - LLY Duramax
Current project:
Something cool, trust me.
Upcoming projects:
'92 Bonneville SSE
'87 LeSabre T-type
'67 LeSabre
Gone to greener pastures:
'84 Sierra Classic - Twin turbo 3800
'97 LeSabre - Top swap
RIP:
'86 LeSabre - pictures
'93 SE - L67

The Fleet:
'93 SSEi - Twincharged + manual Build thread
'97 Camaro - Top swap
'05 STS - V8, AWD, her DD
'92 Trofeo - Fair weather DD
'99 Montana - top swap 3800
'04 Sierra 2500HD - LLY Duramax
Current project:
Something cool, trust me.
Upcoming projects:
'92 Bonneville SSE
'87 LeSabre T-type
'67 LeSabre
Gone to greener pastures:
'84 Sierra Classic - Twin turbo 3800
'97 LeSabre - Top swap
RIP:
'86 LeSabre - pictures
'93 SE - L67
- nos4blood70
- Certified Bonneville Nut

- Posts: 9522
- Joined: Mon May 10, 2010 6:11 pm
- Year and Trim: 2003 SLE
- Location: Chicago, IL
Re: Restoring the SSEi: F40 swap, HIDs, and a HY35 turbo.
You don't have a wideband??!
Also, what HID kit did you buy for your retro? Did you just go with TRS stuff? They had a recall on some of their ballasts.
Also, what HID kit did you buy for your retro? Did you just go with TRS stuff? They had a recall on some of their ballasts.
- 95naSTA
- Certified Bonneville Nut

- Posts: 7087
- Joined: Wed May 21, 2008 11:47 pm
- Year and Trim: 95 SLE
- Location: Philadelphia
- Contact:
Re: Restoring the SSEi: F40 swap, HIDs, and a HY35 turbo.
nos4blood70 wrote:You don't have a wideband??!

95 SLE... a keeper. 241k miles. Low and Slow.
97 BMW 528i
98 Infiniti vq35'd i30: 13.3@104mph, 30MPG Hwy (RIP)
02 Jag X-type
03 BMW M5
05 Chevy Cobalt LS
07 Infiniti G35s 6MT (Sold)
07 Ducati Monster S2R 800 with DS1000 swap
83 Yamaha IT175K
72 Yamaha DS7: '74 RD250 swap, JL chambers
Info on dropping a 92-99: Here.
- MattStrike
- Certified Bonneville Nut

- Posts: 4760
- Joined: Tue Aug 25, 2009 8:32 pm
- Year and Trim: '99 Montana
'04 Dirtymax
'97 Camaro
'92 Trofeo - Location: SE Michigan
Re: Restoring the SSEi: F40 swap, HIDs, and a HY35 turbo.
My brother has the wideband, but so far it's only a variation on the open loop NIC tune so yeah it's running a little rich and could use more timing. I was going to do some more work on it this weekend, I wanted to get the SC bypass functional first.
TRS retros, I just have to give them a call.
TRS retros, I just have to give them a call.
Boost addict

The Fleet:
'93 SSEi - Twincharged + manual Build thread
'97 Camaro - Top swap
'05 STS - V8, AWD, her DD
'92 Trofeo - Fair weather DD
'99 Montana - top swap 3800
'04 Sierra 2500HD - LLY Duramax
Current project:
Something cool, trust me.
Upcoming projects:
'92 Bonneville SSE
'87 LeSabre T-type
'67 LeSabre
Gone to greener pastures:
'84 Sierra Classic - Twin turbo 3800
'97 LeSabre - Top swap
RIP:
'86 LeSabre - pictures
'93 SE - L67

The Fleet:
'93 SSEi - Twincharged + manual Build thread
'97 Camaro - Top swap
'05 STS - V8, AWD, her DD
'92 Trofeo - Fair weather DD
'99 Montana - top swap 3800
'04 Sierra 2500HD - LLY Duramax
Current project:
Something cool, trust me.
Upcoming projects:
'92 Bonneville SSE
'87 LeSabre T-type
'67 LeSabre
Gone to greener pastures:
'84 Sierra Classic - Twin turbo 3800
'97 LeSabre - Top swap
RIP:
'86 LeSabre - pictures
'93 SE - L67
- haro1225
- Posts like a Northstar

- Posts: 1935
- Joined: Thu May 22, 2008 11:38 pm
- Year and Trim: 2004 GTO
- Location: Lincoln Park, Mi
- Contact:
Re: Restoring the SSEi: F40 swap, HIDs, and a HY35 turbo.
I might have an extra ballast laying around, I'll check when I get home.

-Ryan
2004 GTO....LS1, LSA supercharged 525whp, 6MT
96 SSEi...September 2010 COTM........GONE
04 GTP comp G.... December 2015 COTM........GONE
2013 Audi Allroad Quattro
yourgrandma wrote:Hi.
- MattStrike
- Certified Bonneville Nut

- Posts: 4760
- Joined: Tue Aug 25, 2009 8:32 pm
- Year and Trim: '99 Montana
'04 Dirtymax
'97 Camaro
'92 Trofeo - Location: SE Michigan
Re: Restoring the SSEi: F40 swap, HIDs, and a HY35 turbo.
Turns out that one of the charge pipe clamps wasn't torqued down all the way and blew off which is why I it felt like I was hitting a wall at 4500rpm.
Problem is now solved and I've also changed to the 7psi spring. Switchover does happen, around 4500rpm. It's an interesting progression, all SC below 3500, compounds between 3500 and 4500, then all turbo after 4500. It could use some dampening on the SC bypass valve so the switchover isn't so abrupt.
Problem is now solved and I've also changed to the 7psi spring. Switchover does happen, around 4500rpm. It's an interesting progression, all SC below 3500, compounds between 3500 and 4500, then all turbo after 4500. It could use some dampening on the SC bypass valve so the switchover isn't so abrupt.
Boost addict

The Fleet:
'93 SSEi - Twincharged + manual Build thread
'97 Camaro - Top swap
'05 STS - V8, AWD, her DD
'92 Trofeo - Fair weather DD
'99 Montana - top swap 3800
'04 Sierra 2500HD - LLY Duramax
Current project:
Something cool, trust me.
Upcoming projects:
'92 Bonneville SSE
'87 LeSabre T-type
'67 LeSabre
Gone to greener pastures:
'84 Sierra Classic - Twin turbo 3800
'97 LeSabre - Top swap
RIP:
'86 LeSabre - pictures
'93 SE - L67

The Fleet:
'93 SSEi - Twincharged + manual Build thread
'97 Camaro - Top swap
'05 STS - V8, AWD, her DD
'92 Trofeo - Fair weather DD
'99 Montana - top swap 3800
'04 Sierra 2500HD - LLY Duramax
Current project:
Something cool, trust me.
Upcoming projects:
'92 Bonneville SSE
'87 LeSabre T-type
'67 LeSabre
Gone to greener pastures:
'84 Sierra Classic - Twin turbo 3800
'97 LeSabre - Top swap
RIP:
'86 LeSabre - pictures
'93 SE - L67
- MattStrike
- Certified Bonneville Nut

- Posts: 4760
- Joined: Tue Aug 25, 2009 8:32 pm
- Year and Trim: '99 Montana
'04 Dirtymax
'97 Camaro
'92 Trofeo - Location: SE Michigan
Re: Restoring the SSEi: F40 swap, HIDs, and a HY35 turbo.
Boost addict

The Fleet:
'93 SSEi - Twincharged + manual Build thread
'97 Camaro - Top swap
'05 STS - V8, AWD, her DD
'92 Trofeo - Fair weather DD
'99 Montana - top swap 3800
'04 Sierra 2500HD - LLY Duramax
Current project:
Something cool, trust me.
Upcoming projects:
'92 Bonneville SSE
'87 LeSabre T-type
'67 LeSabre
Gone to greener pastures:
'84 Sierra Classic - Twin turbo 3800
'97 LeSabre - Top swap
RIP:
'86 LeSabre - pictures
'93 SE - L67

The Fleet:
'93 SSEi - Twincharged + manual Build thread
'97 Camaro - Top swap
'05 STS - V8, AWD, her DD
'92 Trofeo - Fair weather DD
'99 Montana - top swap 3800
'04 Sierra 2500HD - LLY Duramax
Current project:
Something cool, trust me.
Upcoming projects:
'92 Bonneville SSE
'87 LeSabre T-type
'67 LeSabre
Gone to greener pastures:
'84 Sierra Classic - Twin turbo 3800
'97 LeSabre - Top swap
RIP:
'86 LeSabre - pictures
'93 SE - L67
- haro1225
- Posts like a Northstar

- Posts: 1935
- Joined: Thu May 22, 2008 11:38 pm
- Year and Trim: 2004 GTO
- Location: Lincoln Park, Mi
- Contact:
Re: Restoring the SSEi: F40 swap, HIDs, and a HY35 turbo.
I like those.

-Ryan
2004 GTO....LS1, LSA supercharged 525whp, 6MT
96 SSEi...September 2010 COTM........GONE
04 GTP comp G.... December 2015 COTM........GONE
2013 Audi Allroad Quattro
yourgrandma wrote:Hi.
- MattStrike
- Certified Bonneville Nut

- Posts: 4760
- Joined: Tue Aug 25, 2009 8:32 pm
- Year and Trim: '99 Montana
'04 Dirtymax
'97 Camaro
'92 Trofeo - Location: SE Michigan
Re: Restoring the SSEi: F40 swap, HIDs, and a HY35 turbo.
Looks like I need to step up to 300M axles shafts.


Boost addict

The Fleet:
'93 SSEi - Twincharged + manual Build thread
'97 Camaro - Top swap
'05 STS - V8, AWD, her DD
'92 Trofeo - Fair weather DD
'99 Montana - top swap 3800
'04 Sierra 2500HD - LLY Duramax
Current project:
Something cool, trust me.
Upcoming projects:
'92 Bonneville SSE
'87 LeSabre T-type
'67 LeSabre
Gone to greener pastures:
'84 Sierra Classic - Twin turbo 3800
'97 LeSabre - Top swap
RIP:
'86 LeSabre - pictures
'93 SE - L67

The Fleet:
'93 SSEi - Twincharged + manual Build thread
'97 Camaro - Top swap
'05 STS - V8, AWD, her DD
'92 Trofeo - Fair weather DD
'99 Montana - top swap 3800
'04 Sierra 2500HD - LLY Duramax
Current project:
Something cool, trust me.
Upcoming projects:
'92 Bonneville SSE
'87 LeSabre T-type
'67 LeSabre
Gone to greener pastures:
'84 Sierra Classic - Twin turbo 3800
'97 LeSabre - Top swap
RIP:
'86 LeSabre - pictures
'93 SE - L67
-
Zeik75
- Posts like an L36

- Posts: 999
- Joined: Wed May 02, 2012 3:29 pm
- Year and Trim: 1988 LE
2000 SSEi - Location: Lincoln, NE
Re: Restoring the SSEi: F40 swap, HIDs, and a HY35 turbo.
Oh my.......how have you done that

-Austin-
1988 LE, Intercooled L67 loading......
2000 SSEi R.I.P. Dead now :( INTENSE FWI, polished LIM, P&P supercharger, custom radiator, standalone trans cooler, trans-go shift kit (donating to the 88)
2002 2500HD Silverado with the 8.1 Vortec and Alison tranny. Likes to eat GT Mustangs and lots of tires, and all while stock!
yourgrandma wrote:And thats how I got my mom pregnant.
- haro1225
- Posts like a Northstar

- Posts: 1935
- Joined: Thu May 22, 2008 11:38 pm
- Year and Trim: 2004 GTO
- Location: Lincoln Park, Mi
- Contact:
Re: Restoring the SSEi: F40 swap, HIDs, and a HY35 turbo.
I sure hope you can get replacements faster than you got those ones.

-Ryan
2004 GTO....LS1, LSA supercharged 525whp, 6MT
96 SSEi...September 2010 COTM........GONE
04 GTP comp G.... December 2015 COTM........GONE
2013 Audi Allroad Quattro
yourgrandma wrote:Hi.
- nos4blood70
- Certified Bonneville Nut

- Posts: 9522
- Joined: Mon May 10, 2010 6:11 pm
- Year and Trim: 2003 SLE
- Location: Chicago, IL
Re: Restoring the SSEi: F40 swap, HIDs, and a HY35 turbo.
Well that was fast...
The wheels are okay, but I think you can do better. I'd find something more racekar. Of the one's on Tirerack, these are my favorite personally...
http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/MiniWhee ... ue&sw=1280
Not sure of the offsets on the earlier gens, but maybe some wheel spacers could help give a nice meaty functional stance.
The wheels are okay, but I think you can do better. I'd find something more racekar. Of the one's on Tirerack, these are my favorite personally...
http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/MiniWhee ... ue&sw=1280
Not sure of the offsets on the earlier gens, but maybe some wheel spacers could help give a nice meaty functional stance.
- MattStrike
- Certified Bonneville Nut

- Posts: 4760
- Joined: Tue Aug 25, 2009 8:32 pm
- Year and Trim: '99 Montana
'04 Dirtymax
'97 Camaro
'92 Trofeo - Location: SE Michigan
Re: Restoring the SSEi: F40 swap, HIDs, and a HY35 turbo.
Funny thing. I broke the 4T65 input shaft on a 1-2 upshift, and now I've broken a 4140 axle on a 1-2 upshift. It was raining out, and the tires are only 215 wide.. Just, what?...
Boost addict

The Fleet:
'93 SSEi - Twincharged + manual Build thread
'97 Camaro - Top swap
'05 STS - V8, AWD, her DD
'92 Trofeo - Fair weather DD
'99 Montana - top swap 3800
'04 Sierra 2500HD - LLY Duramax
Current project:
Something cool, trust me.
Upcoming projects:
'92 Bonneville SSE
'87 LeSabre T-type
'67 LeSabre
Gone to greener pastures:
'84 Sierra Classic - Twin turbo 3800
'97 LeSabre - Top swap
RIP:
'86 LeSabre - pictures
'93 SE - L67

The Fleet:
'93 SSEi - Twincharged + manual Build thread
'97 Camaro - Top swap
'05 STS - V8, AWD, her DD
'92 Trofeo - Fair weather DD
'99 Montana - top swap 3800
'04 Sierra 2500HD - LLY Duramax
Current project:
Something cool, trust me.
Upcoming projects:
'92 Bonneville SSE
'87 LeSabre T-type
'67 LeSabre
Gone to greener pastures:
'84 Sierra Classic - Twin turbo 3800
'97 LeSabre - Top swap
RIP:
'86 LeSabre - pictures
'93 SE - L67
-
Zeik75
- Posts like an L36

- Posts: 999
- Joined: Wed May 02, 2012 3:29 pm
- Year and Trim: 1988 LE
2000 SSEi - Location: Lincoln, NE
Re: Restoring the SSEi: F40 swap, HIDs, and a HY35 turbo.
Was that the side where you put the notch in the splines?

-Austin-
1988 LE, Intercooled L67 loading......
2000 SSEi R.I.P. Dead now :( INTENSE FWI, polished LIM, P&P supercharger, custom radiator, standalone trans cooler, trans-go shift kit (donating to the 88)
2002 2500HD Silverado with the 8.1 Vortec and Alison tranny. Likes to eat GT Mustangs and lots of tires, and all while stock!
yourgrandma wrote:And thats how I got my mom pregnant.
- MattStrike
- Certified Bonneville Nut

- Posts: 4760
- Joined: Tue Aug 25, 2009 8:32 pm
- Year and Trim: '99 Montana
'04 Dirtymax
'97 Camaro
'92 Trofeo - Location: SE Michigan
Re: Restoring the SSEi: F40 swap, HIDs, and a HY35 turbo.
It looks like it broke at the notch for the boot.
Boost addict

The Fleet:
'93 SSEi - Twincharged + manual Build thread
'97 Camaro - Top swap
'05 STS - V8, AWD, her DD
'92 Trofeo - Fair weather DD
'99 Montana - top swap 3800
'04 Sierra 2500HD - LLY Duramax
Current project:
Something cool, trust me.
Upcoming projects:
'92 Bonneville SSE
'87 LeSabre T-type
'67 LeSabre
Gone to greener pastures:
'84 Sierra Classic - Twin turbo 3800
'97 LeSabre - Top swap
RIP:
'86 LeSabre - pictures
'93 SE - L67

The Fleet:
'93 SSEi - Twincharged + manual Build thread
'97 Camaro - Top swap
'05 STS - V8, AWD, her DD
'92 Trofeo - Fair weather DD
'99 Montana - top swap 3800
'04 Sierra 2500HD - LLY Duramax
Current project:
Something cool, trust me.
Upcoming projects:
'92 Bonneville SSE
'87 LeSabre T-type
'67 LeSabre
Gone to greener pastures:
'84 Sierra Classic - Twin turbo 3800
'97 LeSabre - Top swap
RIP:
'86 LeSabre - pictures
'93 SE - L67
-
Zeik75
- Posts like an L36

- Posts: 999
- Joined: Wed May 02, 2012 3:29 pm
- Year and Trim: 1988 LE
2000 SSEi - Location: Lincoln, NE
Re: Restoring the SSEi: F40 swap, HIDs, and a HY35 turbo.
I wonder how they cut that and if they put a radius on the corners or not?

-Austin-
1988 LE, Intercooled L67 loading......
2000 SSEi R.I.P. Dead now :( INTENSE FWI, polished LIM, P&P supercharger, custom radiator, standalone trans cooler, trans-go shift kit (donating to the 88)
2002 2500HD Silverado with the 8.1 Vortec and Alison tranny. Likes to eat GT Mustangs and lots of tires, and all while stock!
yourgrandma wrote:And thats how I got my mom pregnant.
- MattStrike
- Certified Bonneville Nut

- Posts: 4760
- Joined: Tue Aug 25, 2009 8:32 pm
- Year and Trim: '99 Montana
'04 Dirtymax
'97 Camaro
'92 Trofeo - Location: SE Michigan
Re: Restoring the SSEi: F40 swap, HIDs, and a HY35 turbo.
I think I needed to push for the 4340 that I originally wanted, instead of the easier to machine 4140. The next iteration will not have any grooves for the boots. I'll have to measure the parts, but the boot groove was probably cut too deep even though it was radiused.
Boost addict

The Fleet:
'93 SSEi - Twincharged + manual Build thread
'97 Camaro - Top swap
'05 STS - V8, AWD, her DD
'92 Trofeo - Fair weather DD
'99 Montana - top swap 3800
'04 Sierra 2500HD - LLY Duramax
Current project:
Something cool, trust me.
Upcoming projects:
'92 Bonneville SSE
'87 LeSabre T-type
'67 LeSabre
Gone to greener pastures:
'84 Sierra Classic - Twin turbo 3800
'97 LeSabre - Top swap
RIP:
'86 LeSabre - pictures
'93 SE - L67

The Fleet:
'93 SSEi - Twincharged + manual Build thread
'97 Camaro - Top swap
'05 STS - V8, AWD, her DD
'92 Trofeo - Fair weather DD
'99 Montana - top swap 3800
'04 Sierra 2500HD - LLY Duramax
Current project:
Something cool, trust me.
Upcoming projects:
'92 Bonneville SSE
'87 LeSabre T-type
'67 LeSabre
Gone to greener pastures:
'84 Sierra Classic - Twin turbo 3800
'97 LeSabre - Top swap
RIP:
'86 LeSabre - pictures
'93 SE - L67
-
Zeik75
- Posts like an L36

- Posts: 999
- Joined: Wed May 02, 2012 3:29 pm
- Year and Trim: 1988 LE
2000 SSEi - Location: Lincoln, NE
Re: Restoring the SSEi: F40 swap, HIDs, and a HY35 turbo.
Could probably just zip tie the boots on. Also why did you end up with the 4140 instead?

-Austin-
1988 LE, Intercooled L67 loading......
2000 SSEi R.I.P. Dead now :( INTENSE FWI, polished LIM, P&P supercharger, custom radiator, standalone trans cooler, trans-go shift kit (donating to the 88)
2002 2500HD Silverado with the 8.1 Vortec and Alison tranny. Likes to eat GT Mustangs and lots of tires, and all while stock!
yourgrandma wrote:And thats how I got my mom pregnant.


