Research on cavalier.
junelb85
06-04-2009, 07:30 PM
I've been looking to purchasing a Chevrolet Cavalier as a project car and I need some information about possible and affordable upgrades to this car. I did some research and right now I'm leaning towards a third gen cavalier z24 w/ a 2.4L. How are the later cavaliers with the 2.2 ecotec? Would it be better to get one of those? Anything about these cars (cosmetic or mechanically) would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
J-Ri
06-06-2009, 07:11 PM
I would go with the Ecotec personally. In stock form, the 2.4 "Quad-4" has 150HP and the 2.2 Ecotec has 145HP. The Quad-4 block is cast iron while the Ecotec is aluminum. The weight difference is enough to make the Ecotec quicker than the Quad-4. The Quad-4 had problems with bearings due to an insufficient oiling system. The Ecotec has been out since 2002, and so far there are no common mechanical problems with it, and I have seen a couple very close to 200k miles. Both engines have "above average" failures of the ignition module and coils. The Ecotec is what I have in mine, and it is great. Check my signature below for the mods it has so far. I heard last week that the supercharger is still available from Summitt.com, I didnt' check into it myself. GM discontinued production since sales slowed, and I couldn't tell you how many are left. For other performance upgrades, you can get almost anything for it. I can't think of a single performance upgrade that doesn't exist for the Ecotec Cavaliers. As far as mechanical problems with the Cavalier... It's got "hub assembly" wheel bearings that don't last very long, 60-70k for the factory ones is about all you can expect. The aftermarket ones will go a bit longer. Water pumps were common on the 2.4. So far I haven't seen one leak on the Ecotecs. A lot of people here have had problems with the strut mounts, I've got 85k miles on mine and still no problems there. Just a creak or pop on big bumps/angle changes from time to time. I also haven't seen any customer's cars with bad strut mounts. As with all economy cars, you get some squeaks from the plastic trim on rough roads. A lot of people complain about the handling with factory struts. I recently adjusted the camber to -1.5 degrees and it made a huge difference in handling. With performance struts it gets even better, from what I hear. The Getrag F23 (manual) has problems with the shift forks and 3/4 synchros. I've had to double clutch mine for a few months now. Replacements are cheap. Not really any problems with the automatics, but they won't hold up to increased horsepower for long.
mexiNAMEDsqueak
06-07-2009, 12:40 AM
I have a 03 cavalier that has a 2.2l ecotec and I love it. It's easy as hell to work on and it's not very crowded with unnecessary wires everywhere.(I'm talking about the spark plug wires since it's all tied together into one valve cover on the top so there's no wires going from a distributor to the block.)
I've raced 93,2004, and another year I can't remember eclipse and I beat them all. I've raced a Mustang GT with a ram air induction and catback exhaust and was bumper to bumper the whole time with my ecotec. I'm proud of it :).
The handling is a bitch though and I would really like to fix those, I'ma do it soon.
The things that aren't that common for the car would be body kits. I haven't seen too many for them, not as much as a ricey civic anyway.
I've raced 93,2004, and another year I can't remember eclipse and I beat them all. I've raced a Mustang GT with a ram air induction and catback exhaust and was bumper to bumper the whole time with my ecotec. I'm proud of it :).
The handling is a bitch though and I would really like to fix those, I'ma do it soon.
The things that aren't that common for the car would be body kits. I haven't seen too many for them, not as much as a ricey civic anyway.
Shelby<3'scavvy
06-07-2009, 01:19 AM
i think they are great projects because they are so common. there so common i have two! i havnt had too much trouble going to junkyards and finding what i need, and parts are common and easy to find, and inexpensive. ive seen some sweet body mods, too. i love the body style. i see alot of body kits on ebay, but i dont know if that is the best way to go or what. im still working on that aspect. just watch the rust underneath the car, including the frame and subframe. maybe its just from being in michigan. i wish i had an ecotec!! i would love to have more interior mods avail.
junelb85
06-07-2009, 03:12 AM
Thanks for the feedback.
J-Ri
Good stuff. This makes me want to get a ecotec instead. However, a friend of mine might sell me his 96 z24 w/ 2.4 for $1000. The body is a little beat up, but overall ok. It runs alright with only 70000 miles. This seems like a steal to me, so I might get it, or do you think and should look for a newer model w/ ecotec? This is a car that I want to work on as a project and will be my first take at one.
mexi
Honestly, I like the stock look. Just drop it and add some rims. That'll do it for me.
shelby
Awesome. That's one of the reasons why I want to get it. I can't wait to get a cavalier so I can start working on it.
J-Ri
Good stuff. This makes me want to get a ecotec instead. However, a friend of mine might sell me his 96 z24 w/ 2.4 for $1000. The body is a little beat up, but overall ok. It runs alright with only 70000 miles. This seems like a steal to me, so I might get it, or do you think and should look for a newer model w/ ecotec? This is a car that I want to work on as a project and will be my first take at one.
mexi
Honestly, I like the stock look. Just drop it and add some rims. That'll do it for me.
shelby
Awesome. That's one of the reasons why I want to get it. I can't wait to get a cavalier so I can start working on it.
J-Ri
06-08-2009, 07:29 PM
If you can get a 2.4 significantly cheaper than an Ecotec, then go for it. The Quad-4 was the predecessor to the Ecotec. Aside from the block material, they are very, very similar. Not saying that any parts are interchangable, but the similarities are there. The 2.4 does have lots of aftermarket performance upgrades. One thing to warn you about on the '96 is that if you ever plan to tune it, HPTuners (the most popular tuning software/hardware for J-bodies) doesn't work on '96. I have heard that a '97 PCM can be swapped in and then it will work. www.j-body.org will have some better info on that. They tend to gang up and attack "newbies", so be warned... it's nothing personal :)
mexiNAMEDsqueak
06-08-2009, 10:05 PM
I totally agree with you on that. If the 96 is a better buy then go for it. I really like the ecotec but I've seen some pretty sweet 96 cavalier mods.
junelb85
06-21-2009, 03:12 AM
I just got myself a 98 cavalier z24 today and I am so in love with this car. I have a question about engine swapping... how hard is it to swap a 2.2 ecotec into my cav? Is it a direct bolt on?
Also, can anyone direct me to a site where someone has done a turbocharged 2.4?
Oh, and where do you guys shop for cavalier parts besides ebay? There's not much cav owners where I live (mostly imports), and it's pretty hard to find used parts for my car. Where can I get some rare Toyota Cav parts?
Also, can anyone direct me to a site where someone has done a turbocharged 2.4?
Oh, and where do you guys shop for cavalier parts besides ebay? There's not much cav owners where I live (mostly imports), and it's pretty hard to find used parts for my car. Where can I get some rare Toyota Cav parts?
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