"-Amateur" (amateur)
04/13/2020 at 13:35 • Filed to: None
5
20|
"-Amateur" (amateur)
04/13/2020 at 13:35 • Filed to: None | 5
| 20 |
The two people who have been following my cavalier’s upbringing through this harsh harsh world are like “Whoah, The Cavalier’s butt looks totally different!”
...to which I say, “Right on brotha!” Here’s a pic circa yesterday of what it looked like. Notice the stock base unpainted bumper still on it from when it left the factory in Stuttgart Janesville or Southgate plant. It was looking a little tired and dated. Time to bring the car out of the 90s and into the early 2000s! (... Still 17 years behind the times)
I peel away its skin like a cooked potato and see it’s sweet sweet squishy innards. The rust is slowly reclaiming my car back into the metal ore it once was...
The new bumper was scored from the junkyard awhile back, courtesy of a 2004 Cavalier in the same Bright White GM paint code.
Now my vision is for a quasi-hybrid whereas the rear bumper and corner taillights come from the refreshed 03-05 model years while the rear decklid/inner taillights remain classic 00-02 Cavalier. I just think it looks mega fun in that combo.
Next order of business is the Chevy Bowtie on it’s nose. I need the Savvy Cavvy to look the business. So I snag a performance Red bowtie from a Z24 trim brethren and stick it on with 3M emblem adhesive.
It’s easily good for +10 horsepower.
Wait, there’s moarr!
I didn’t have a tachometer from the factory and by Odin’s beard I want one. So this unit comes from Ebay courtesy of a 1998 manual transmission Cavalier Z24. Rule of thumb is the analog trip odometer units are compatible with each other as are the the digital ones respectively. You just can’t mix and match the analog with the digital so stop trying to make that a thing.
I wrote down the mileage discrepancies between the two since my car has way more miles (180,000 and counting!) and I need to update the replacement unit with the correct number once quarantine is over.
In the meantime....
GM VAT system pains, Hazahhh! For those not in the know it’s GM’s much hated anti-theft device that depending on the model year, you’ll have codes in the instrument cluster, ignition module, PCM, RFID on key fobs etc etc etc. What matters is that this redundant system matches all the codes to whats written in it’s brains or else it’ll cut the fuel off 1 second after ignition and you’ll have a rock on your hands.
Luckily 1997 was an easy year. The code is obviously different on my new cluster than what the car brain has programmed. I turn on the ignition and start the car. It predictably dies 1 second in from fuel starvation. I keep it on ignition...wait about 10 minutes until the “theft system” light stops blinking and turn on the car to a successfully ignition. The new instrument cluster code has been successfully rewritten into the computer and now we’re friends again.
Pay no attention to my ABS light, my car is a train wreck...
But wait, there’s moarr!!
I finally installed my OEM embroided pink “Rally Sport” headrests to give my car that pizzah of 90s because I like to relieve my 90s kid youth. I also have a set of OEM pink/teal rallysport quarter panel decals that will complete the look for a future date.
It’s been fun, ya’ll stay safe and thanks for reading!
wpudvah: GTI, Super Beetle, now with more 80-Series
> -Amateur
04/13/2020 at 13:40 |
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this seems like a really fun idea. cheers!
Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available
> -Amateur
04/13/2020 at 13:46 |
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Savvy Cavvy is a good nickname. I actually like this more than I probably should, but it would look way better with a painted rear decklid. Would you go the OEM paint route or just do a good enough rattle can?
Also, that interior looks very good for a 180,000 mile 20 year old Cavalier.
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-Amateur
> Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available
04/13/2020 at 13:54 |
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Oh yeah, totally! I want the whole car to be one color which is in the works, I ’m just riding out the yellow until then. I’m collecting replacement rocker and lower quarter panels to do some serious metal r us t repair first.
That interior is hella nice. The last owner was a guy who bought it in 1999 and owned it for 19 years. It was his baby and that reflects that.
TheRealBicycleBuck
> -Amateur
04/13/2020 at 13:56 |
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Have you thought about painting the hood and the roof to match the trunk lid?
shop-teacher
> -Amateur
04/13/2020 at 14:00 |
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I love this thing, and I love that you’re mixing and matching parts like they’re freaking Lego :)
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Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available
> -Amateur
04/13/2020 at 14:01 |
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Yeah, some people really take care of not particularly valuable cars. Including the previous owner of my car, the much further down the line successor to yours. I for some reason enjoy people who really take care of a car regardless of its rarity or desirability . Good on you.
Too bad about the rust.
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-Amateur
> Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available
04/13/2020 at 14:07 |
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^^^ Easily one of my favorite color s in GM’s palette, mega clean car!
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-Amateur
> shop-teacher
04/13/2020 at 14:07 |
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Hahaha, couldn’t have said it better myself!
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-Amateur
> TheRealBicycleBuck
04/13/2020 at 14:12 |
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Go back in time 14 years and I probably would have gone wild, but I’m wayy more subtle these days. I think the trunk is “too loud” as is but am whatevs until the car get’s painted.
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Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available
> -Amateur
04/13/2020 at 14:12 |
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Thank you. It used to be super super clean for a sub $5k car once I got the nicotine stains out, but people around me haven’t been as careful as I have. Enter: 1 massive dent in the fender and a dump truck full of rocks in quick succession. Add some feral cats and a muddy parking spot on top of that and the exterior appearance can go downhill quick.
However, that color is absolutely fantastic in real life . I still don’t understand what kind of person orders that as one of 3 options but I am grateful. It needs some paint correction soon.
SiennaMan
> shop-teacher
04/13/2020 at 14:18 |
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This part really is inspiring. Makes me want to go find something small, "worthless", and fun to do something similar with. The only real requirement is that it was made in large enough numbers for there to be parts galore on ebay and in junkyards across the land..
DutchieDC2R
> -Amateur
04/13/2020 at 14:29 |
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Im proud to say Im one of 2!!!
Looking great!
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-Amateur
> DutchieDC2R
04/13/2020 at 14:40 |
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Woohoo!! Thanks for the support!
SmugAardvark
> -Amateur
04/13/2020 at 15:03 |
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Brings back memories. I had a white ‘97 Cavalier Rally Sport back in high school/college.
RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars
> -Amateur
04/13/2020 at 16:52 |
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Looking good! I may end up getting a new rear hatch for Humdrum somewhere in the near future...hopefully I can find a rust- less used one for less than the cost of repairing my current one, but if not, a different- colored rear hatch may be going on!
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shop-teacher
> SiennaMan
04/13/2020 at 17:33 |
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You really should, if you’ve got the time and the space. I had so much stinking fun with that silly little RallyMetro I had.
zipfuel
> -Amateur
04/13/2020 at 20:33 |
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There’s a lot to be said for customization on the hella cheap. You get to have all the fun
without burning tens of thousands of dollars you’d never get back even if it was a recognized classic
.
Derpwagon
> -Amateur
04/14/2020 at 21:50 |
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Ya know that thing is, by probably most standards, a shitbox. HOWEVER, I can definitely appreciate that you're obviously enthusiastic about it, and can dig the modifications and upgrades you're doing. Keep it up. :)
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Derpwagon
> Derpwagon
04/14/2020 at 21:53 |
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I’ll also add that i wouldn’t turn down a clean similar vintage grand am GT
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-Amateur
> Derpwagon
04/15/2020 at 13:30 |
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Thanks! I sort of have a weakspot for 90s GM J/L/N/W body cars.