From the Graveyard..
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SUB ZERO
- LE Member
- Posts: 8
- Joined: Fri Jan 04, 2019 3:01 pm
- Year and Trim: 02 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE SSEI
- Location: Brandon MS
From the Graveyard..
Hello, I am new to the site and I would like to talk about my 2002 Pontiac bonneville ssei and my plans for it. First I am going to tell you about my love for the Bonneville ssei.
I purchased my first one in 2004 ,A 2000 ssei and fell in love. The supercharger and the speed it made just did it for me. I even asked my wife to marry me in the car. That car was the best riding car ever. When we had our first kid the wife made me sell it. In stead I gave it to my father hoping one day to have it returned to me. Well a rock through the sunroof in a rainstorm ,destroyed that plan. So, ever since I have been looking for another one.
I found a 2002 ssei in a salvage yard fixing to be parted out. I bought it.. Now the hard work.. When I finish it I will have somewhere around 600 hp. I know this can be done, and I will have it. Only real worry I have about the whole build is the 4L60. If anyone knows anything about the max hp on this transmission and if there is one that can hold all the power I would love to hear about it.. thanks.
I purchased my first one in 2004 ,A 2000 ssei and fell in love. The supercharger and the speed it made just did it for me. I even asked my wife to marry me in the car. That car was the best riding car ever. When we had our first kid the wife made me sell it. In stead I gave it to my father hoping one day to have it returned to me. Well a rock through the sunroof in a rainstorm ,destroyed that plan. So, ever since I have been looking for another one.
I found a 2002 ssei in a salvage yard fixing to be parted out. I bought it.. Now the hard work.. When I finish it I will have somewhere around 600 hp. I know this can be done, and I will have it. Only real worry I have about the whole build is the 4L60. If anyone knows anything about the max hp on this transmission and if there is one that can hold all the power I would love to hear about it.. thanks.
- 95naSTA
- Certified Bonneville Nut

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Re: From the Graveyard..
So, 600hp is a tall order for the transmission especially since some of the parts are hard to come by these days. You have a 4T65-HD. T stands for transverse, right to left or FWD. The L in 4L60 is lateral, fwd/back or RWD.
Do some searching on 1" chains, hardened input shafts, etc. I don't know what breaks at what hp but that info is only a google search away.
Do some searching on 1" chains, hardened input shafts, etc. I don't know what breaks at what hp but that info is only a google search away.

95 SLE... a keeper. 241k miles. Low and Slow.
97 BMW 528i
98 Infiniti vq35'd i30: 13.3@104mph, 30MPG Hwy (RIP)
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- MattStrike
- Certified Bonneville Nut

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'92 Trofeo - Location: SE Michigan
Re: From the Graveyard..
I've heard of somebody who used the 4t80 out of a northstar car, but even it was having issues at higher power levels.
More reading if that's your fancy:
https://www.thechicagogarage.com/forum/ ... 65-hd.html
The other option for the trans is to go with a manual. There are several swaps to look into, most are fairly well documented, not sure on which is best suited to hold 600hp.
More reading if that's your fancy:
https://www.thechicagogarage.com/forum/ ... 65-hd.html
The other option for the trans is to go with a manual. There are several swaps to look into, most are fairly well documented, not sure on which is best suited to hold 600hp.
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

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- Location: Chicago, IL
Re: From the Graveyard..
The motor can produce the power but the driveline won't hold it unless you dump multiple times the car's value into rare and hard to find parts.
And even then, it'll hardly be drivable with that much power. You won't ever be able to use all of it.
Hate to be a Debbie downer, but this platform just isn't the right choice for massive power builds. Do some mods to the car, bring up the power. You'll find that even 300whp will be plenty to have fun with. Get a different car if you want such high power levels.
And even then, it'll hardly be drivable with that much power. You won't ever be able to use all of it.
Hate to be a Debbie downer, but this platform just isn't the right choice for massive power builds. Do some mods to the car, bring up the power. You'll find that even 300whp will be plenty to have fun with. Get a different car if you want such high power levels.
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SUB ZERO
- LE Member
- Posts: 8
- Joined: Fri Jan 04, 2019 3:01 pm
- Year and Trim: 02 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE SSEI
- Location: Brandon MS
Re: From the Graveyard..
This car will be a track car only and i will build it. Just trying to figure out the transmission .. Money not a problem.
- Archon
- Resident Gearhead

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- Location: Grand Rapids, Michigan
Re: From the Graveyard..
The Spirit of Bonneville accomplished it:
http://www.pontiacpower.net/200bon1.html
It states that the transmission was built by Hydromatic Motorsports. I'm not sure if they're still around.
Years ago, https://intense-racing.com/ built Bad SSEi https://oppositelock.kinja.com/bad-ssei-1705800310 IIRC, they didn't want to put more money into it when the power kept blowing out axles. Todd Allen's 8 Ball was also built by them. https://www.doovi.com/video/8-ball-pont ... k78s93t5vI
It's no longer owned by the original owner, but they could likely provide some information on your build.
https://zzperformance.com/ would also be a good source.
http://www.pontiacpower.net/200bon1.html
It states that the transmission was built by Hydromatic Motorsports. I'm not sure if they're still around.
Years ago, https://intense-racing.com/ built Bad SSEi https://oppositelock.kinja.com/bad-ssei-1705800310 IIRC, they didn't want to put more money into it when the power kept blowing out axles. Todd Allen's 8 Ball was also built by them. https://www.doovi.com/video/8-ball-pont ... k78s93t5vI
It's no longer owned by the original owner, but they could likely provide some information on your build.
https://zzperformance.com/ would also be a good source.
*Gone, but not forgotten* - Black 2000 SSEi, HIR Headlights, Angel Eyes fogs, 3rd brake light overlay, hi-flo cat, 180 degree thermostat, HS 1.9 rockers, LSx yellow springs, Intense FWI, PCM, shift kit, push rods, and 3.4 Pulley. ZZP Power Log.
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SUB ZERO
- LE Member
- Posts: 8
- Joined: Fri Jan 04, 2019 3:01 pm
- Year and Trim: 02 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE SSEI
- Location: Brandon MS
Re: From the Graveyard..
I have talked to Ed Merad with the bad ssei, That guy was awesome to talk with. I have also spoke with the guys at zzperformance not as helpful.. I am going with Intense racing parts. ED was very helpful with all the insight.
Now, going to spend money, THANKS GUYS FOR ALL THE RESOURCES ..
Now, going to spend money, THANKS GUYS FOR ALL THE RESOURCES ..
- Archon
- Resident Gearhead

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- Location: Grand Rapids, Michigan
Re: From the Graveyard..
Many have been less than impressed with ZZP, so you're not alone there. Ed was Intense's driver for Bad SSEi. and I agree...fun to talk to. I don't know if you'd be interested in using used parts, but if so, as he owns Morad Parts Company, he could help there. Good luck, and have fun with your build. It would be great if you report on your build.
*Gone, but not forgotten* - Black 2000 SSEi, HIR Headlights, Angel Eyes fogs, 3rd brake light overlay, hi-flo cat, 180 degree thermostat, HS 1.9 rockers, LSx yellow springs, Intense FWI, PCM, shift kit, push rods, and 3.4 Pulley. ZZP Power Log.
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SUB ZERO
- LE Member
- Posts: 8
- Joined: Fri Jan 04, 2019 3:01 pm
- Year and Trim: 02 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE SSEI
- Location: Brandon MS
Re: From the Graveyard..
Archon wrote:Many have been less than impressed with ZZP, so you're not alone there. Ed was Intense's driver for Bad SSEi. and I agree...fun to talk to. I don't know if you'd be interested in using used parts, but if so, as he owns Morad Parts Company, he could help there. Good luck, and have fun with your build. It would be great if you report on your build.
Yes, I will use used parts . Just purchased rear applique from ANDREW. would love to find a cowl hood ..
- MattStrike
- Certified Bonneville Nut

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'04 Dirtymax
'97 Camaro
'92 Trofeo - Location: SE Michigan
Re: From the Graveyard..
I think intense was the ones who built the 4t80e car as well - I think the 4t80e is going to be your best bet in terms of reliability and cost. From what I can tell the swap is fairly straightforward by my standards.
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
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SUB ZERO
- LE Member
- Posts: 8
- Joined: Fri Jan 04, 2019 3:01 pm
- Year and Trim: 02 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE SSEI
- Location: Brandon MS
Re: From the Graveyard..
SO IT JUST BOLT RIGHT UP ?MattStrike wrote:I think intense was the ones who built the 4t80e car as well - I think the 4t80e is going to be your best bet in terms of reliability and cost. From what I can tell the swap is fairly straightforward by my standards.


