First $1000

I've had my '02 Cav for a little over a year now, and I've finally managed to save up a few dollars. I really want to improve the overall performance of the car, not just the 1/4 mile.

My overall budget right now is 1000-1200. I'm not looking to build a super-car or anything, just put the fun back into driving. I was hoping you guys could help me out, since you all seem to have lots of time to think about these things.

My car is a 2002 Cav Coupe 2.2L w/ Auto trans

I'm looking for something that's not too difficult for a couple guys to complete if given a weekend or two. Oh, and NO NITRUS.

Intake, exhaust, and headers is always a good start.

hey maybe try to put different exhaust like a down pipe or try cold air intake things like that

http://img368.imageshack.us/img368/6155/gregandcar23fl.th.jpg (http://img368.imageshack.us/my.php?image=gregandcar23fl.jpg)

downpipe? If he isn't boosted he isn't going to have one of those....:p

I would say to figure out what you want to do w/ your car and how long you plan to keep it...then decide how much money you want to invest in it and what you want out of it. I figured that out when i bought my Integra and i decided to save and boost.....

Yeah, I guess I'll go a little more in depth.

The car currently has 40k miles on it, so it's in real good shape yet. I'm currently looking at the long term, and what I can do now to get some benefit.

I'm hoping to eventually get a nice turbo/intercooler, but I really want something simpler for now. Something that will give me a decent power boost for the time being, but will really help out once I get a turbo.

Boost it.

Boost? haha...not for $1k

Full exhaust/intake will probably use up your alotted funds.

Boost? haha...not for $1k

Im getting my car boosted come may for around $1000 and Im sure Im not the only one on the planet that has the connection to make that happen.

bolt ons will be the biggest waste of money ever. If you want to feel like you didnt waste a bunch of money on your cavalier boost it, otherwise dont even bother trying to make it faster. It just not worth it. Despite what most ricers tell you, cavaliers dont respond that well to basic bolt ons. Mainly because for one the computers are very stubborn and 2 there is no way of tunning the engine as of yet. hopefully that will change soon. But either way, i high recomend that you dont buy bolt ons, save a few more bucks and get a turbo kit, you will be much happier.

You could get a $1000 turbo kit, but it will suck. It is going to be all used parts and honestly i value reliability pretty highly so i would spend the money and do it right. For a good DIY set up, you could spend less than $3000 for an EMS, turbo set up, tuning and a clutch. I'm on pace right now to get all my stuff for my GSR...including new RC550s, new Tial BOV, new HP Racing IM, new IC, new mani, dp, dump, charge piping, exhaust and clutch for less than $2500.....

You can make a lot of power reliably if you're smart about it and know what you're looking for. You can buy a kit that's ready to bolt on, but you aren't going to learn nearly as much and you're going to pay more for it.

If you plan on boosting later, why waste your time and money on things you'll have to replace later such as header and intake? Getting those two things would be counter productive.

A $1000 turbo kit sounds shady as fuck to me. If you go eBay style and make your exhaust and all the IC pipes I could maybe see, but I dont know man.

'02 is still the 2.2 ohv right? Dont waste your time or money on performance dude, its just not worth it. Realistically, how much power will it produce? I'd be suprised as hell to see 200+ whp out of it. Even if you got it up that high, you'll get it handed to you by 90% of everything that spent less than half as much as you did on performance parts. You could lower it, get rims, and/or a sound system for $1000 and I think you would be plenty happy with it.

'02 is still the 2.2 ohv right?

They had the 2.2L OHV, 2.4L DOHC (even had some 4 door z24s with this engine), and later that year they had some 2.2L Ecotecs.

If you plan on boosting later, why waste your time and money on things you'll have to replace later such as header and intake? Getting those two things would be counter productive.

A $1000 turbo kit sounds shady as fuck to me. If you go eBay style and make your exhaust and all the IC pipes I could maybe see, but I dont know man.



:iagree:

Boosted cars are fun as hell, but if its going to be your everyday driver, be prepared to have a back up car for down time if somthing breaks. Also the cost of higher octane fuel will also add some more holes in your wallet depending on how much you drive. I currently own 2 cars and i have finally been able to do some serious work on my cav. Its going to be a toy only car and won't be out everyday. HP = $$$$..... how fast do you want to go?

Boy after reading all this I have changed my view on things. I used to just think I was well connected but now I just feel plane damn special. All my turbo parts are brand new and everything will be custom made. This wont be a kit it will be a ground up project hence the being cheaper then normal.

Why pay for bigger exhaust and downpipe as well as charge pipes when I can make them.

in my opinion since your not looking to spend a whole lot of money and really getting horsepower is pricey. the first thing i like to do is work on the suspension. but do a little research. since the suspension on cavs are not the best. plus its a good start for later beefing up the engine thats my opinion

i second the last guy...i mean if ur looking for fun factor...if u slam ur car the handling will be soooooo much better..u dont always need more horse to have fun...although it helps...i would say for the money u have slam ur car with stiff suspension then hit the back roads...u'll love it

Personaly i would say bolt-ons. WHY because it honestly sounds like you dont really know what your aiming for yet. But if you want some cheap performance intake,headers,and exhaust. That way if you do turbo one day, you will be more experienced. That or you can look untill you find a first gen Nissan Turbo 300zx for under one grand(you can find them at that price) then spend 15dollars on a homemade boost controler, boost 13psi and owne everyone in this forum.
No disrespect but its true.

nos has always been the best bang for the buck, if you dont mind the extra bucks it'll always take to refill the bottle, and youll even have enough left over for an intake or an exhaust modification or 2

ok my thinking on this is take the 1000 and find your self a talon or eclipse with a 2.0 turbo and port and polish the turbo and intake you will like it and keep your cavi for a spare car because any time you have a turbo car you have the problem keeping your foot out of it. my wife has a 2.2 sunfire and it has some mods and now i kick my self for doing it because it is a waste of money. but it is up to you so do what you want.