My '83 Bonneville

[8387sjw]

Hi everyone, new guy here.. here's a pic of my '83, bought it five years ago for $250.. paint was all oxidized, spent a week bringing it back and have about $3k into the car so far. Top surfaces are still dull but at least have a gloss now. I initially bought it as a beater car so I wouldn't have to drive my Caprice in the winter but now this turned out so well I need yet another car! I believe it has 115k on it though it could be 215k, I don't really know. It runs good other than a problem with the ISC not working right. Has the 231 v6 in it and is pretty well equipped, has full gauges which is a plus.
Didn't do much to mod the car other than add a Delco power booster/equalizer, new Delco speakers and an ETR cassette deck. I gave it '78-80 wire wheels instead of the later style. If I found a set of Pontiac rally wheels I'd put them on. Eventually I'll fix the headliner (tried already and destroyed the board)and get the A/C working. More pics to come..

 

[khan0165]

wow,
looking good!

Welcome to the forum!

have any plans for the driveline in that thing? I love the wire wheels, real classy!

 

[8387sjw]

Thanks, one of the ideas I had which would be a long shot would be to find a Grand National for parts and swap in that motor and leave the outside stock making for a real sleeper. With all the wiring under the hood swapping in a 305 or 350 looks like a major pain so I just keep it stock. Plus my Caprice has a tired, boat anchor 305 so it'd go to that first.. I'd mod the 231 if I could, it's not fast but not too bad for what it is.
So far I've just replaced the valve cover gaskets, fuel pump, water pump, fan clutch, belts, radiator, hoses, flushed all the fluids, etc. What I really need to do is drop the oil pan and replace the rear main seal as it leaks constantly. This is my main car so it's more maintenance and replacing stuff right now.

 

[khan0165]

man, these 4dr Gbodies are starting to grow on me... specially when I see a nice clean one like yours.
Something real cool about a family grandpa car that can wooop butt. Badass!

it might be tough to find a turbo motor, but you never know... they pop up on sale every now and then. And I'm sure someone on this site would be happy to help you look.
We have an awesome bunch of folks here.

hey, you know what would be neat? Have you considered a buick 350 swap? Those things can be pretty perky with a 4barrel. And I've seen some mean ones running boost.
how's that for sleeper? lol
just make sure you keep the wire wheels, and mud guards :wink:

 

[shotgun]

Yeah , don't consider putting a PONTIAC in it.

A P350 would be a great driver, 400s are fun and 455s .

I got a bunch of rally rims (PONTIAC) that would look good on that car.

 

[Bonnewagon]

Welcome. Looks like you're upstate? Even a 301 would be better than a 231. But a 400 would give you smile-itis.

 

[455cutlass]

Heres a little insperation for ya.This was my 86 bonne 400 sbc

 

[jatguit]

Here was my 84 Bonnie. 2 tone red. She had medium gray (i painted) 14 inch ralley rims with older (early 70's style) red caps. I loved the look. Interestingly, this is basically similar to a 78-81 lemans and many of the chrome trim is the same along with the front fenders and other sheet metal.

 

[Zone_4_Lanlord]

Thanks, one of the ideas I had which would be a long shot would be to find a Grand National for parts and swap in that motor and leave the outside stock making for a real sleeper. With all the wiring under the hood swapping in a 305 or 350 looks like a major pain so I just keep it stock. Plus my Caprice has a tired, boat anchor 305 so it'd go to that first.. I'd mod the 231 if I could, it's not fast but not too bad for what it is.
So far I've just replaced the valve cover gaskets, fuel pump, water pump, fan clutch, belts, radiator, hoses, flushed all the fluids, etc. What I really need to do is drop the oil pan and replace the rear main seal as it leaks constantly. This is my main car so it's more maintenance and replacing stuff right now.

My 82 had the 231 in it, I dropped in a 383 and 400 trans, It was an easy swap.