I am looking for direction on a few questions I have concerning customizing my 2004 Bonneville. I bought it from an old retired teacher who let it sit in his garage since he bought it brand new so the car is basically brand new. Its the SLE package so its got all the nice to have Sh'tuff in it - but I want it to have some more aggressive attitude! I was looking for ways to do the following:

1. Lower the suspension approximately 1-2 inches all around. Unfortunately I cannot find any manufacturer of suspension parts that has anything for this car. Has anyone lowered their suspension in any way? If so, HOW? Yes it has rear air, so I was thinking just unplug the compressor and bleed off the pressure and either compress the springs (kinda redneck) or cut them down (even more redneck) but what the hell, I want the aggressive stance! On the front I was going to do the same, either compress the springs or cut them down. I know I'll lose ride quality and all that crap - don't care, I want it lowered; however, I want to maintain as much dependability as I can.

2. Replace wheels with something that has a little larger diameter and wider. I want to get wheels with a nice fat lip and a little larger diameter than the stock 17". I also want to put wheels on that are as wide as I can get on the front and rear. Has anyone added larger wider wheels? What sizes did you go with on the front and rear. I know you can't get much wider on the front because of the spring plate on the shock - any way around this. Any other issues?

3. Add a front lower valance, side skirts, and rear valance to improve aerodynamics. I'm not looking for any "tuner" style kits that are way out there, just something to complement the cars lines that looks like it could be stock is more my style.

4. Add an exhaust that doesn't sound like a pissed off bumblebee! I like a nice deep exhaust note but I also understand the physical limitations of a 6 banger. Has anyone replaced their muffler & Air intake with one(s) that produced a nice deep throaty growl? Let me know what you got if you did.

I've searched the forums on this site repeatedly trying to find answers already so if I missed something please feel free to point me in the right direction. If I can get answers to some of my questions I'll be sure to take lots of photo's and post directions once I do the work.


Thanks!

I'm not sure anyone makes springs specifically, though I think drop springs for an STS fit...? There is a company that makes springs for about anything by request for a decent price, can't think of the name though. For the rear, you'd just need to adjust the level sensor. Just unplugging it will leave you lower in the rear than you want.

Have you looked at the wheels/specs Tirerack has for it? They usually test a lot of combos.

There aren't any body kits or valances available that I know of.

Whatever you do, don't get rid of the resonator(s). Maybe get an aftermarket one. There's lotsa rasp hiding in there waiting to assault your ears if you ditch the resonators.

There are some intakes available. The Intense Racing FWI usually comes up.

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1.) Don't cut your coils. www.coilsprings.com can make you whatever you want. There were some DTS drop springs from Eibach that fit, but there weren't many made, and there are even fewer on shelves...

2.) It all depends on the backspacing and offset. There have been a lot of combinations on these cars, find what you like and go with it.

3.) You'd be on your own. No one makes anything. You're really not gonna be able to improve the aerodynamics unless you pay $500 an hour for a wind tunnel...

4.) Add a 2.5" downpipe and high-flow cat and change the muffler, or you could change to an SLE/SSEi style setup where it Y's at the rear axle with 2 mufflers. There isn't an off-the-shelf exhaust, you'll have to piece it together with parts and have it welded in by someone.

There's really only 1 intake for these cars, the Intense Racing Fenderwell Intake. http://intense-racing.com/Merchant2/mer ... _Induction

This should be taken care of before you start any mods, it's a known flaw and can cost you an engine if not repaired: http://www.pontiacbonnevilleclub.com/fo ... =53&t=1061

Some more modding info: viewtopic.php?f=12&t=25655&p=261046

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RIP sandrock

Sweet, thanks for the responses.

I just sent my request for a quote from "Coil Spring Specialties" and I think I'll go for the 2" drop and see what issues I will need to work out. I'm hoping the stock shocks will be able handle the additional 2" of squeeze as a normal ride height. If not I'll try to source some aftermarket ones. I'm pretty confident I will be able to adjust the rear air shocks down by manipulating the sensor linkage length; however, 2" inches may be pushing it. I'll document the whole process when I get it together and post it for others who may want to do the same. I anticipate breaking into it December-January sometime.

I'm going to stop by a few local custom wheel shops to get exact wheel & tire sizes that will work on the front and back after I get the car lowered. I am going for maximum offset with a sensible diameter. I really want is a nice deep lip on the wheel. Of course I also need the wheel and tire to tuck into the wheel well so I may need to bust out the heat gun and reshape some plastic. I also see that the lip of the upper fender is just folded sheet metal and that is relatively easy to modify to get a little more clearance. I am thinking the largest diameter I will go with is 20". The huge wheeled "baller" look really isn't my thing...

I have the SLE so the exhaust splits out the back and with a muffler on each side. Have you seen or heard of anyone swapping out different mufflers for a better exhaust tone on this model? I did a lot of exhaust work on all of my old vehicles and I went through several mufflers before I found the one I liked on each. I'm just trying to avoid that situation again. I see that the exhaust pipes on the mufflers are 2" center in/out with a short pipe to the exhaust tips. I was going to keep the same diameter inlet/outlet and try to maintain the stock tips. Any idea's?

I'll definately look into the intake kit - thanks for the tip...

Thanks again!