87 Cavalier z24

[05IONREDLINE]

I just picked up a 1987 Chevy Cavalier z24 with the 2.8 liter V6, 5 speed manual and fiberglass factory functional cowl induction hood. The sheet metal is straight, motor is rather sound, trans is GREAT, interior needs some work, and the fiberglass grill/headlight surround needs repaired or replaced. I'm not sure of the direction I'm going to take it to be honest.

http://img40.imageshack.us/img40/4462/52396610150754450934930.jpg

[-EnVus-]

Sell it to some one needing a dd and go with another choice of car

[Drummerboy]

Big block swap it.
2JZ swap it.
K24 swap it.
13B swap it.
SR20 swap it.

I think I covered all the major food groups.

[05IONREDLINE]

I'll prolly do a swap of some kind. Might put the supercharged 3800 GM V6 in it someday. I'm sorry, EnVus, but I'm keeping it. I like the challenge of trying to do something different. Hell, I've always been that way. I've had a $200.00 BMW 733i (did a few things to it), a Kia Spectra GSX (did a little more to it), and a 2005 Saturn ION Redline (most "normal" car I've had).

[RandomGuy]

I think there was someone on here like joecoolATL or something who had a cavalier like that

[MainstreaM]

3.4L DOHC from a Lumina Z-34. Some 3800's have a different bellhousing pattern.

Kane

[D3UC3S]

Dude, that is pretty sweet. Hell, do a 383 stroker.

Get some paint, some camaro wheels with good tires, maybe window tint and that would be a cool ass car for sure!

[05IONREDLINE]

Sorry, guys, no V8 or RWD for me. Not in the near future anyways. I'm going to stick with the FWD, V6 for now. I'm on a VERY tight budget.

[05IONREDLINE]

MainstreaM: There is an 87 z24 out there with a supercharged 3800 in it. I've seen it on the forums and on cardomain.

Here is the link: http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2551691/1987-chevrolet-cavalier

[MainstreaM]

Nice. Guess I was thinking of the old Buick 3.8. The 3.4 will be easier/cheaper to find if you're on a budget. My dad had a Lumina Z34 and it was suprisingly quick for an NA fwd.

[quickdodge®]

Sell it to some one needing a dd and go with another choice of car

Or he could keep it.

I would. I've always thought Cavaliers were shitty except for the Z24. I'd drive this in a minute. No swap necessary. Keep the wheels and just lower it a bit and be set. Later, QD.

[Echonova]

Or he could keep it.

I would. I've always thought Cavaliers were shitty except for the Z24. I'd drive this in a minute. No swap necessary. Keep the wheels and just lower it a bit and be set. Later, QD.Agreed. I'm shocked and amazed it's in that good of shape. I would rock the shit out of that. Although, if you are gonna swap, I give my personal and professional thumbs up to the S/C 3800 swap mentioned above.

[05IONREDLINE]

Thanks quickdodge and echonova. I'm looking to lower it and get some polyurethane bushings for it ASAP.

[RollaAce]

I saw one of these last week in someones' front yard. Have always liked them but they had transmission and cv axle problems, no doubt there are better replacement parts now. 3.4 from a Z34 lumina will fit you sayin?

[05IONREDLINE]

Yeah, this one has less then 170,000 miles on it and the tranny is holding up ver well. Yeah, you can put a buch of the GM V6s in them from I have heard/read.

[05IONREDLINE]

I know it is an old idea but its FREE. I pick up a crown royal bag from a friend tomorrow. Going to make a shift boot out of it. Will post pics when done.

[neontuner95]

wsup with the camaro any pics

[05IONREDLINE]

That is a list of cars I have owned not currently own.

[05IONREDLINE]

I know a lot of people have done it but the car didn't come with a shift boot and this was FREE!!


http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/2755/cavalierz24shiftboot.jpg

[Browning151]

Or he could keep it.

I would. I've always thought Cavaliers were shitty except for the Z24. I'd drive this in a minute. No swap necessary. Keep the wheels and just lower it a bit and be set. Later, QD.

I mostly agree, although a set of IROC wheels might look pretty good on there. Swap is optional, but I'd definitely keep it GM and nothing crazy, just something a little updated maybe.

[05IONREDLINE]

I saw a Grand Prix with the stock mesh wheels today. Thought those might look good on it too. Same bolt pattern.

[05IONREDLINE]

Got her up on jack stands right now awaiting new brakes.

[Julio]

Cool being different.. I think it has potential.. Now the crown royal bag is Idiotic... Doesnt matter if its free.

Good luck w/ project.

[cactusEG]

Interesting choice of car. Not a fan but I wouldnt mind seeing it when u get done with the work. Good luck

[05IONREDLINE]

Got bored today so I shortened the stock shifter (no one makes a short throw for it). I took about 2 inches off of the height.

STOCK:
http://img411.imageshack.us/img411/3968/cavalierz24stockshifter.jpg

MODIFIED:
http://img831.imageshack.us/img831/561/cavalierz24shortenedshi.jpg

The Crown Royal bag is just there until I can get a leather one to replace it. TRUST ME!! The car came with NO boot whatsoever so I wanted something there. ANYTHING.

[05IONREDLINE]

So far I have replaced the front brakes, started redoing the headliner, and started looking into my options to lower it.

[bigjoe25ss]

Big block swap it.
2JZ swap it.
K24 swap it.
13B swap it.
SR20 swap it.

I think I covered all the major food groups.
you forgot one major one
4g63
anyway i had one of these back in the day i have always like the square body style good luck with her

[05IONREDLINE]

Appreciate it bigjoe!!

[D3UC3S]

I love how it has cassette tape holders!

I would find some at a yard sale and fill it up :goodjob:

[05IONREDLINE]

That space will more likely house something else. Gauges for example. Not sure what yet.

[05IONREDLINE]

Tonite I bought a proper shift boot and some wheel paint to help my aging wheels. Will post pics when completed.

[quickdodge®]

I saw a Grand Prix with the stock mesh wheels today. Thought those might look good on it too. Same bolt pattern.

Warning on this, sir. Just because it has the same lug pattern doesn't mean it will fit properly. I have a Grand Am that I almost got some Grand Prix wheels for (same year for both cars). Couldn't do it because of the backspacing (I believe that was it).


That space will more likely house something else. Gauges for example. Not sure what yet.

NO!!!!!!!! I see this going downhill for sure. Later, QD.

[05IONREDLINE]

Gauges was just an example of something that COULD fit there. Doesn't mean I will actually put them there, QD. Also, I know that the backspacing may be different and I would do my homework before buying a set for sure. I'm not new to this. lol

[quickdodge®]

I'm not new to this. lol

I'm not trying to insinuate that at all, man. Just throwing it out there. Later, QD.

[05IONREDLINE]

I see. Its all good. Only reason I would HAVE to put any gauges in the car is if I can't get the digital dash to work. Right now the coolant temp gauge and oil pressure gauge don't work. I might want to keep an eye on those somehow. LOL

[05IONREDLINE]

Here is the pics of the new shift boot and painted wheels (painted wheels just temporary till I can get wheels):

http://img513.imageshack.us/img513/1046/cavalierz24shiftbootvin.jpg
http://img100.imageshack.us/img100/8786/cavalierz24paintedwheel.jpg
http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/8786/cavalierz24paintedwheel.jpg

Also, I started removing the stripes that run along the bottom:
http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/4099/cavalierz24stripesremov.jpg

[D3UC3S]

Wheels look pretty good actually!

[05IONREDLINE]

Yeah, I thought so too. I did paint over the wheel weights though since its just a temporary thing till I get some wheels. Stock wheels are 14s. I'm going to go with no bigger then 16's.

[quickdodge®]

Redline, I hate to be negative as I love your car, but I've always been a firm believer in not painting factory wheels. They just looked so much better straight silver.

And I personally wouldn't go any bigger than 15 on that car. In fact, 195/50-15 would look awesomely aggressive on it. Good luck as I am watching, lolol. Love the car. Later, QD.

[05IONREDLINE]

I understand that, QD. The wheels were in such bad shape (scratches, clear coat coming off, etc...) that I had to clean them up a bit. Its only a temporary thing until I get some new wheels. 15s is what I was thinking also. I just know I would NOT go over 16's.

[CSquared]

If you can fit 225/50/16 I wouldn't give that so much as a second thought.

A LOT of variety and some great (and reasonably priced) performance based choices in that size. It's about 18mm more overall diameter, but decreases sidewall by about 16.5mm, which is nice for decreasing tire roll in cornering (not to mention the extra 10mm of tire on the road :D).

I'm all about functionality.

[05IONREDLINE]

Just when I thought I was about to give up on this thread due to some close minded people... I am genuinely pleased with the constructive advice I have recieved in this thread. I honestly thought I'd get nothing but crap for posting a build thread of my z24 on here. Thanks guys, I appreciate the help.

[SHHHH]

The car honestly doesnt need much. I like the idea of taking off the lower stripe and possibly a set of wheels but even the stock ones dont look terrible. Its a neat car for sure :goodjob:

[quickdodge®]

Just when I thought I was about to give up on this thread due to some close minded people... I am genuinely pleased with the constructive advice I have recieved in this thread. I honestly thought I'd get nothing but crap for posting a build thread of my z24 on here. Thanks guys, I appreciate the help.

When there is a respectful dislike, I leave it in threads. If people start posting BS in threads about what they think, I delete it. In this thread, I've not had to delete anything. Me? I'm in your boat, man. When I first met the OGs of IA back in 2001, I had a '96 Neon. I thought the same as you. That I'd get trashed. But not one time did I get any sort of razzing. Keep it up, man.


The car honestly doesnt need much. I like the idea of taking off the lower stripe and possibly a set of wheels but even the stock ones dont look terrible. Its a neat car for sure :goodjob:

The stripe, in my opinion should stay. That's part of what identifies a Z24 on these cars. Only the Z24 had the lower area of the car like that. Later, QD.

[05IONREDLINE]

QD, I am considering replacing it once I get it painted. The original stripes were just deteriorated.

[05IONREDLINE]

This car is up for sale. Won't be anymore updates on it.