Cavalier daily beater

[Murray]

For a while, i'd always wanted to own a Cavalier.

So got this one. A 5dr GLS in 5dr flavour. MOT'd and taxed at good money. Mostly got it as it was the cleanest shell I could lay my grubby mitts on. But tbh I can't really fault the rest of the car.











Sport steels on, tyres on the standard 14's were shot.

Got it back up the road last weekend. Found the fuel tank is shot, got a new tank sourced and painted. Hopefully get it fitted this weekend.

Got some Alessio 2's in a deal for my last daliy beater. So i'll chuck them on it.


Then got some bilstein yellows.




Started saving up again. As I wanted a XE for it from the off. A mate tipped me off about this for a donor. So quickly bought and found it was better nick than thought. I might save it, not sure yet. Got another XE anyway in a rotten XE'd Corsa GSi, might use that instead.





Tomorrows fun is putting that new fuel tank in.

[Paul]

Calibra looks clean. Keep it.

Cav looks great. I had one the same, ran in for about 18 months.

Great cars. Nothing you cannot fix in a budget of £100.

[pie]

looking good got bilstein b8s on my cav cant fault them

[Pitstoppete]

looks alright from here...
mate the calibra with the cav and smile alot for many years.
keep us updated

[Murray]

Calibra looks clean. Keep it.

Cav looks great. I had one the same, ran in for about 18 months.

Great cars. Nothing you cannot fix in a budget of £100.

Cheers Paul. The Calibra isn't bad for it's age. Needs back arches and other work. I have a think on it. More worried about getting the Cavalier sorted ATM.

looking good got bilstein b8s on my cav cant fault them

Cool. How does your Cav drive with them?

looks alright from here...
mate the calibra with the cav and smile alot for many years.
keep us updated

Thanks Pete. After reading your thread, it was then I wanted an XE'd Cavalier. Then i'm not sure if I should kill the Calibra. If the body was in worse state, then it's no-brainer.

Got the old fuel tank out today. Usual leakage from a rusty seam. New one goes in tomorrow and i'm gonna waxoyl the underneath at the same time. Clocked it will need new hard fuel pipes soon. Not sure what to use to replace them, would some 8mm kunifer be ok?

Also found a couple of rot holes, so i'll get them welded up very soon. Then after the basics are sorted, i'll fit the fancy bits .

I'll get some mince pics tomorrow too.

[Pitstoppete]

8mm sounds ok. not sure what ID std ones are though.

we need progress pics!

you wont regret xe'ing the cav. it'll be superb.

[Murray]

One new tank in. Was in a rush to fit the damn thing, so just one pic.

Took my time fitting it and started waxoyling above the tank. Also made sence to fit a fuel filter while there. Afterward I then gave the car a wash. It was stinking after been sat for a bit.

[Turbodave]

Base spec Cavaliers with XE's plonked in are just awesome fun. They're old and battered enough that you simply don't care yet powerful enough and light enough to give a few things a bit of a fright. I had some purple LS spec pile of pish with an XE in it, mismatched wheels, arsehole can painted wing, towbar... it was superb!

Liking your work.

[Melv]

Base spec Cav, sport steels (not the "scene" wheels) plus the XE would be a winner.

Transfer the 1.8 8V into the Calibarge as it would be a reliable hack for someone.

[Murray]

Base spec Cavaliers with XE's plonked in are just awesome fun. They're old and battered enough that you simply don't care yet powerful enough and light enough to give a few things a bit of a fright. I had some purple LS spec pile of pish with an XE in it, mismatched wheels, arsehole can painted wing, towbar... it was superb!

Liking your work.

Thanks Dave.

That Cav sounded really good fun. Don't suppose you've any pictures of it kicking about?

Base spec Cav, sport steels (not the "scene" wheels) plus the XE would be a winner.

Transfer the 1.8 8V into the Calibarge as it would be a reliable hack for someone.

lmao 'Scene' wheels. TBH I do plan to sell the wheels. I'll repaint 'em first and then shift on . Think a set 17's would suit it more, might get some TSW Venoms lmao.

Think if I do take the engine of the Calibra. That will be the end of it. Unless a cheap 1.7 Isuzu lump turns up....

[pie]

venoms FTW lmao

and my cav handles great on the b8s with the ebaich springs

[Murray]

venoms FTW lmao

and my cav handles great on the b8s with the ebaich springs

Cool. Got some 60mm springs now, so I really should sort out the ride height soon.

Also done couple of bits to the Cav. I'll post that up soon.

Might of found a good donor car for a good few bits .



It's been sat for so long that the poor body has rotted a slow death. But it could have low miles for it age. Looks as if the clocks have been changed due to the usual dial face peel though.

[pie]

poor cav but as you say donor ftw

[Murray]

I know, i'd like to save it. But I shudder to think how much rot is that shell.

At least the good useable bits will go into my Cav and the engine and 'box into my mate's MK1 Astra. That said can't be many early SRi's left now.

[pie]

dont think theres many sri's left they all be ripped apart for the seh motors lol

[Murray]

Suppose it'll be getting some use soon. Wouldn't mind a go in a early SRi, just to see a standard one was like to drive. Heard they're quite underrated and go well too.

Small update too. Spent a bit of time on it today, got the front 60mm springs and bilsteins on the front now. Easy to do after you unseize any ball joints and rusted parts .

I'll do the backs tomorrow, no point rushing about tbh.

[Murray]

Got the back suspension sorted yesterday. Real easy to swap over bits, even had time to take pictures and have a nice mug of tea too.

This was taken off.


Then fit 60mm springs with a pair of Bilsteins to match. Sorry about the pic, my mug of tea got in the way.


But i'll admit I never took any pictures when doing the front end. Just wanted to get it done. As the weather was dry and a bearable temperature to do it. Had to get help with doing the fronts, a mates dad pitched in and we got it done fairly quickly.

Now fitted the Alessio 2's as well for 'lolz' and must say they don't look too out of place.

Surprised at how well the Cavalier drives now. Thought it'd be crashy over bumps, but it rides really nice and handles well too (for a H-axled' Cavalier). Well worth getting the B8 dampers in the end.

I'll get a picture of how the car sits now, tomorrow.

[Cavalier-C20LET]

good work mate , where did you buy the shockies?

did you get the sri for spares mate? im needing igntion cowlings if so?

[Murray]

Thanks bud.

I thought a bit laterally and surfed Ebay a bit. Found the rear shocks first, listed as Astra and Cavalier ones. Then the fronts were listed as Calibra ones. Think I got the lot for less than £200 delivered.

Not bought the SRi yet, still saving up for it atm. But I did look and both cowlings were missing. Someone had broken the steering lock many moons ago trying to steal it.

Is there no non-airbag MK3 Astras about? Fairly sure they used the same cowlings? I'll have a rake about in my spares stash tho, I did break a early MK3 Astra Non-airbag years ago.

I'll shout ya if I do come across one tho.

[Cavalier-C20LET]

gota be adjustable steering tho mate , got loads of astra ones here lol

aye that be spot on thanks for that bud

[Murray]

Ah I see .

I only but wonder at how rare those cowlings are.

[pie]

looking good buddy

[Cavalier-C20LET]

Ah I see .

I only but wonder at how rare those cowlings are.

the amount that were smashed by twoc'ers lol

i should have a set on CTOR coming to me but no sign yet

[Murray]

looking good buddy

Thanks .

the amount that were smashed by twoc'ers lol

[Mark P]

Nice project mate