my cavalier

[strat81]

here are some pics of my 02 cavalier ls sport sedan. i've had it since it was new and have been modding it ever since.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2005/12/020d62ad-3.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2005/12/9ec385f8-3.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2005/12/06845928-3.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2005/12/92fe9623-3.jpg


mods include... *updated 10/7/10

Performance mods:
~AEM cold air intake
~GMPP M62 supercharger kit (intercooled)
~HPTuners
~RKSport lower motor mount
~RKSport upper motor mount
~B&M short shifter
~Pacesetter header
~custom bent 2.5" exhaust with Magnaflow high flow cat, Borla XR-1 muffler, and 4" Magnaflow tip
~Custom Car Grills lightened crank pulley
~Prothane Urethane tranny mounts

Suspension mods:
~Tein SS coilovers
~RKSport subframe brace
~GM front strut tower brace
~Freedom Design rear strut tower brace
~Addco 25.4mm front sway bar
~Addco 25.4mm rear sway bar
~Misnblu trunk brace
~RKSport poly A-arm bushings
~LZM poly torsion beam bushings
~17x8 5zigen FN01RC's
~245/40/17 Hankook k110 evo's
~Baer front and rear big brake kit

Exterior mods:
~G3 autosport oem carbon fiber hood
~VIS carbon fiber trunk lid
~CF fuel door
~Wings West W-type front lip
~03 base model rear with GM Tuner Xtreme rear lip
~shaved side moldings
~fully retracting rear windows
~modded headlights and corners
~toyota cavalier tail lights
~15% window tint
~rolled and flared fenders

Interior mods:
~Tenzo R fixed back racing seats
~Tenzo R version 5 steering wheel with momo hub adapter
~Weapon-R 4 point harnesses
~silver painted dash and trim pieces
~Autometer CF air/fuel, volts, boost, and oil pressure gauges
~Lotek triple gauge a pillar pod
~Ichibahn brushed aluminum pedals

Lighting
~Nokya 893 xenon bulbs (foglights)
~APC 3156 xenon bulbs (reverse lights)

thanks for looking! comments/criticisms/questions welcome... 8)

[Reason]

I'm not big on American compacts (or most American cars) but you did a pretty good job with it. Makes me wonder how your Legacy will come along. Good job man :)

[Wiscon_Mark]

Yes...you won't hear me say this on DSC, spence, but I really don't like cavaliers....

But what you've done to it, gives me total respect for your cavi. That thing looks hot! And it runs low 15s :D

edit: You should include some interior shots, Spence :)

[EXP1787]

Autocross it! That's a very nice-looking Cavalier.

[shazapple]

Looks good! Any pictures with the tubes on? Looks like you managed to mount them without them showing (looks terrible if its like that!)

[strat81]

i don't have an undercar kit yet (i had an led kit at one point but got rid of it because it didn't really glow as much as it just put a red line on each side of the car)

here's some interior shots.
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/5/web/221000-221999/221006_408_full.jpg
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/5/web/221000-221999/221006_371_full.jpg

and at night
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/5/web/221000-221999/221006_366_full.jpg

p.s. i should mention that the tires that are on it suck and i only bought them because they were cheaper than anything i could find. i don't really care for the red stripes at all.

[Huffer]

"When driving a car, please take note to spend a reasonable portion of money on your tires. Afterall, they are the only part of the car to touch the road, so they are your best friend"

Hot Cavalier though - did you do something about the complete lack of rear fender linings that those cars suffer from?

Thought about a rear disc conversion?

[belladonna]

actually, the tires are expensive, but he bought them off a friend which would be then "cheapness" factor of them...

rear disc conversion/big brake conversion is on his "to do" list, however, since he's getting this legacy, he's already started planning for it as well! :lol:

[strat81]

i actually hope to pick up a new set of tires and wheels (depending on what my tax return looks like) to replace what's on it now. nitto nt555's are what i used to have and i loved them so i will be buying another set.

and as jess said, i plan on upgrading the front and rear with either a baer or ssbc kit (13" rotors up front, 12" out back)

[95legacyl]

nice car, my auto tech teacher is in the process of making what he calls a daily driver, a rwd v6 cavalier, I can't wait till he gets that done to see it in action.

[badbasser98]

I've always had a soft spot for cavi's, since that was my first car...

Looking nice :wink:

-BB98

[MitchGT]

That's a really clean looking Cavi! I'm not a fan of CF on darker blue colors but that doesn't look bad. But for the love of God man, don't do underbody neon :roll:

[strat81]

it's not high on the list... but i do show the car and have attended some nite shows where glow helps with the presentation of the car...

[Reason]

since he's getting this legacy, he's already started planning for it as well! :lol:

So what do you have planned for the Legacy? Curious minds want to know.

[Wiscon_Mark]

well, I heard that he asked Jess about an EJ20tt swap :lol:

[MitchGT]

well, I heard that he asked Jess about an EJ20tt swap :lol:


Ya, have fun with that one ;-)

[strat81]

no ej22tt swap... she'd kill me if i did that... unless i hit the lottery in which case i'd prob just try to import a j-spec wagon that's rhd...

mostly basic mods... some supsension, some performace, and a little apperance. 8)

[badbasser98]

mostly basic mods... some supsension, some performace, and a little apperance. 8)

Can't complain about that

[strat81]

yep... it will be my winter car/daily driver afterall but i'm not much for stock. ;-) :lol:

[Wiscon_Mark]

mostly basic mods... some supsension, some performace, and a little apperance. 8)

This is how the sickness starts...then it possess your brain. We call it JDM fever. There's also the variant on that called Iwantboostnowitis.

:D

[strat81]

i already have the iwantboostitis... but not for the subie... i'm hoping to turbo the cav in 07 :P

[sheepdog]

Nice looking cavy. I usually don't dig them, but I think I've just seen bad examples around my area. Welcome!

Be careful boosting that car, especially if you dont have some plan for the bottom end. I saw a boosted cavy here toss a conrod and bash a big ass whole through the block :shock:

[strat81]

what engine did the cav have in it?

mine is running the 2.2 ecotec. the engine has fairly high compression but i've seen people run as high as 21 psi (boost spike) and around 18 psi daily on stock internals with just some fuel tuning. the eco is a pretty stout motor. there is a version of it (granted it's modified but not as much as you might think) running in the gm drag cars making over 1000 hp. they hold the fwd 4 cylinder records in the nhra sport compact series in both the hot rod and pro fwd classes.

i'm only looking to start out around 8-10 psi. if i go any further, i'd build the bottom end and look into hahn racecrafts port fueler system. 8-10 psi should be enough to hang with, if not beat an sti from a roll.

[belladonna]

8-10 psi should be enough to hang with, if not beat an sti from a roll.

those are fightin' words sparky :smt066

:lol:

[Wiscon_Mark]

probably an unmodded STi, but yeah, AWD does have its drivetrain loss...

Yes, Spencer just covered a little GM history there, bascially the ecotech came from GM feeling threatened by the Japanese compacts, so they made their own motor that could take boost and was really expandable, moddng wise, its supposed to be a pretty good motor.

[sheepdog]

I don't know what engine it had in it, the guy started following us after dinner one night at an ecb meet for our drive to Krispy Kreme and I saw it blow up on the highway. I really don't know anything about them :lol: and I am sure you know your stuff. Should be an SRT killer ;) They can always get us subaru guys on the highway pulls but once we go around a corner it evens out :twisted:

[belladonna]

probably an unmodded STi, but yeah, AWD does have its drivetrain loss...

Yes, Spencer just covered a little GM history there, bascially the ecotech came from GM feeling threatened by the Japanese compacts, so they made their own motor that could take boost and was really expandable, moddng wise, its supposed to be a pretty good motor.

mark - as for sport compacts, you should look around j-body and see all of the different things kids are doing to cavaliers of all generations. it's been going on for years. you seriously should get your head out of your ass when it comes to domestic possiblities.
as for the ecotec, it IS a good motor...

[Wiscon_Mark]

you seriously should get your head out of your ass when it comes to domestic possiblities.

what?! I meant running 8 psi, it would be close to an STi. I didn't say there was no way a cavilier could ever be faster than one, I read that big article on the ecotech, its quite impressive.

[badbasser98]

[Mark] seriously should get [his] head out of [his] ass when it comes to domestic possiblities.


LMAO :-D

I had a '94 RS... may not have been pretty, but the 3100 V6 made it very fun to drive in the summer months... and shit in the winter. :? Not even the modded civics and integras could touch it, bone stock with 136,000mi on it. :wink:

[strat81]

mark... if you'd like to see it, i have a vid of an 04 cavi with the hahn-racecraft kit running an sti. 8)

i just wish i could pick up my legacy... driving in the snow on summer tires is scary :shock:

[Wiscon_Mark]

i just wish i could pick up my legacy... driving in the snow on summer tires is scary :shock:

Even on my legacy, it was :shock:

video? sure, I didn't deny that a cavi couldn't take an STi, but it would take a lot of effort ;)

[strat81]

never said you did... just thought you'd might like to see it. :lol:

he's running at 8psi against the sti...

right click and save as (http://www.ef-hatch.com/jbo/8psiVSsti.wmv)

[badbasser98]

he's running at 8psi against the sti...

huh.... :P

That right there almost makes me want to get another cavi... been wanting one anyway :? Be cheaper to mod than another scoob. UGH, decisions... I think I would be happier with a Leggy SS :-D

-BB98

[Wiscon_Mark]

I think I would be happier with a Leggy SS

You would be, you'd miss the AWD so much...

[strat81]

he's run over 10 psi on stock internals...

when i talked to the kid last, he said he's looking to go forged and pick up the port fueler system from hahn... when all is said and done, he's hoping to push 20 psi...

i'd say if you are in a climate where you get snow either stick with a subaru or make sure you have a winter car... i can't see a boosted fwd car doing well in the snow. :lol:

[Reason]

Rolling starts don't impress me much. If you can't win off the line you need another car or need to put more work into it. Not sure how it is where all of you live but around here the guys with the slow cars ask for rolling starts. Is it that bad to loose off the line? You mind as well ask for a head start. You ever foot race a buddy when you were a kid and asked if you can start with 3-4 steps a second? Didn't think so... props on the cavi for staying with that STi.

[strat81]

you honestly expect a fwd car on street tires to hang with an awd car from a launch?

rolling start takes some of the advantage away from the sti... both cars are turbo and the sti is making 300 hp whereas the cavalier is MAYBE a bit over 200... the race from a standing start would obviously go to the sti (assuming an awd launch)... it's not like the cavalier pulled a bus lenght on the sti from a roll...

i'd say all things considered, that's pretty impressive, rolling start or not.

[Reason]

you honestly expect a fwd car on street tires to hang with an awd car from a launch?


nope


i'd say all things considered, that's pretty impressive, rolling start or not

Yea I guess it's cool, I'm not trying to knock your cavi or anything. My friends old 2nd gen sentra with JDM engine swap, CAI and nitrous can keep up with a stock STi. Rolling start as well, I wasn't impressed with it either. Maybe it's just me, I have a thing against rolling start races. I feel likes it's a handicap for the slower car to save some sort of shot.

[strat81]

well then i guess i'll just have to wait till he gets some vid on 20 psi with slicks... :lol:

[strat81]

the new look for 2006!
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2006/05/e111019f-4.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2006/05/b36337c5-4.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2006/05/8525f7c9-4.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2006/05/699d9445-4.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2006/05/893cf802-4.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2006/05/e36f7d34-4.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2006/05/fff4f5bb-4.jpg

and a few other goodies
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2006/05/ca3fad07-4.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2006/05/4897b2b0-4.jpg

[Wiscon_Mark]

fun fact of the day:

There's JDM parts on that cavalier.

[badbasser98]

fun fact of the day:

There's JDM parts on that cavalier.

Just at a quick look, the tail lights :wink:

[Wiscon_Mark]

we have a WinnAr! :D

[Wiscon_Mark]

OMG, rofl!

I just noticed Spencer's title.

:smt043

[strat81]

^^^ me 2 :lol:

[Reason]

OMG, rofl!

I just noticed Spencer's title.

:smt043

It was a request I couldn't refuse. :D

[AJM]

I used to hate J-bodies, but I've educated myself, and I'd still rather rock one over a honda.

Nice job overall.

The ecotechs are great ,but I still ike the 2.2 Pushrods...;)

[4n70n1n0]

Nice job, I personally don't like domestics, but the cavalier is a exception

I have a friend who has a Z24 of the same year with a Super Charger

It's super quick, but it cuts at 12MPH, but hopefully he'll get the cut defender soon

Nice Cavi

[strat81]

haven't updated this in a bit...

i ditched the koni/goldline setup I had on the car in favor of a set of tein ss coilovers last year. Picked up a pacesetter ceramic coated header and installed a high flow cat, 2.5" piping, and a borla xr1 muffler with magnalfow 4" tip. Switched out the Kenwood deck for a Panasonic flip out lcd screen. Also, switched the front strut tower brace to a gm factory vert bar that has an extra attachment point to the firewall and relocated the ecu into the inteior from the engine bay. Installed a trunk brace and I ditched the sub setup I had in the back of the car in the interest of weight savings.

Hopefully this year will bring Baer big brakes (front and rear... goodbye drums) and a relocation of the autometer gauges into a custom glassed bezel to get them off the a-pillar.

other than that... last year I just autocrossed and showed it...

pics...
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2009/03/DSC_0877-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2009/03/DSC_3475-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2009/03/DSC_3657-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2009/03/DSC_1027conedelete-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2009/03/DSC_0348-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2009/03/DSC_00621-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2009/03/DSC_0183-1.jpg

[deadlydave]

Extremely not bad for a cavalier. Not my cup of tea, but pretty slick nonetheless. It's nice to see a standout such as yourself. There are 3-4 dozen badly done cavaliers rolling around me. :smile:


...Hopefully this year will bring Baer big brakes (front and rear... goodbye drums) and a relocation of the autometer gauges into a custom glassed bezel to get them off the a-pillar....
So, you are doing your brakes...last? :smile:

[strat81]

actually... i've got upgraded rotors and pads currently.

BUT i am getting them done before boost which was my main goal. :smt004

guess this proves with enought money you can even make a gay car look good.. :wink:


really tho, i hate cavaliers but this one is nice, i'll give you that

[strat81]

this winter will see baer brakes, new wheels, and the gm supercharger kit for starters.

not sure what else i'll get accomplished after that (brakes and wheels are already aquired!)

[chaksq]

Dang, this is real nice. I normally dislike Cavalier's but that's because most people treat them like crud. I'm more of an Escort guy myself (see sig) but this is very well done! Props to you man.

[strat81]

thanks!

here's a quick pic of the front baer setup sitting behind the 17's that will be going on. (wheels will be powdercoated bronze before they get tires)
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2009/12/downsized_0316092347-1.jpg

[strat81]

since i'm updating things...

a few pics of the car back together after this past winter...

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2010/10/DSC_1331-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2010/10/DSC_1282-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2010/10/DSC_1287-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2010/10/DSC_1247-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2010/10/DSC_1262-1.jpg

and fn01rc's that will be going on shortly... 17x8 with 245/40/17 hankook's (currently waiting on my last wheel)
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2010/10/DSC_1315-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2010/10/DSC_1308-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2010/10/DSC_1309-1.jpg

[Reason]

I love the rims, the color works good together.

[JunkerXL]

... I'm more of an Escort guy myself (see sig) ... nice looking s/r you have there :smt007 :smt007 i had a friend with one of those, it was a hoot to drive.


anywho, great looking jbody. making good numbers with the s/c on there?? and did you keep the underglow? :wink:




:smt020

[strat81]

underglow is long gone...

car made 186whp on a heartbreaker dyno (dyno dynamics) with a slipping clutch. should be seeing 220-230whp with a good clutch. the car is a blast to drive. it will break'em loose if you romp on it from a roll.

[JunkerXL]

nice! (glad you ditched the underglow :smt023 ) kinda makes me want a cavalier again. if you ever have the chance to get a hold of a square body type 10, specifically the z24, DO IT. the z24 in that body ddnt weigh squat, and had a tourquey v6, and in 87, a one year only, fiberglass, functional cowl induction hood :grin:




:smt020

[strat81]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xv_tr7IuFK4

some footage from today's autox.

[strat81]

few pics from saturday...

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2010/10/IMG_6054-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2010/10/IMG_6031-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2010/10/IMG_6036-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2010/10/IMG_6044-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2010/10/IMG_6052-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2010/10/IMG_6053-1.jpg

still have some more vid from today's event.

[JunkerXL]

looks like a ton o fun :grin: i want to autocross the brighton one of these days, but still gotta work out that clutch shenanigans. what's going on with the silver wheel? :smt017 i know my drift buddies had a few sets with different tires... maybe?

[strat81]

try finding an fn01rc in 17x8/35offset/5x100... there are none in the states and currently no production planned as the factory that was making the wheels for 5zigen closed it's doors.

it was either silver or wait till they find a new source. i plan on having the wheel powdercoated this winter. just wanted to run the car on the new tires for an event or two.

[Dead91silvia]

I gotta say, I'm not a fan of the old Caviler's, but that one is clean...

Also, have you thought about Fusion tires? I had them on my Silvia, they worked great and are fairly cheap... Hooked up when I needed it, and went sideways when I wanted...