I have this spare ECO engine block sitting in my garage and im sick of stock engine performance. I don't want to buy a second car so i can mold the engine up. Now Ive been talking with some people and i get two different answers. Go for it, you will have the stock one in the garage if anything does happen, and don't, its a waist on money to up the compression to MAYBE hit 180-190hp.

I would up the compression from 10:1 - 11.5:1 new rods, for the bottom end, header, intake, a Patriot PNP head, Ferrea valve train, and stage two Comp Cams. Larger injectors once i find out the stuff i need to know about the rest of the engine if i do.

Let me here the options you guys say. I want to make my car a sleeper but don't feel like going into debt once i get past the 18 year old mark.

Well think of what you want to make power wise or how fast you want to be in the quarter. Then take the time out to see what will be the most cost effective, no2, boost, etc. Also if your worried about being in debt set up a budget for your self and go from there.


At least you have a spare motor to build then over the week end you could swap it out with some help and get it tuned.

I forgot to say this in the first post.

If i got any type of boost, Nitrous i would buy a second car (thats why i said be in debt by 18). This N/A would be the only thing i would do other then maybe simple bolt ons. But we all know how much fun just plain old bolt ons are.

First you need to realise, it is your car, do what you want with it, don't care about what others think. You are not building the car to please other, if you love your Cavalier and you want it to be faster and stronger than stock, then do it. If you don't plan on keeping the car for a while, don't do it you will be waisting money in the end. If you are looking for more power for the money you would have to put into the Cavalier to get 190hp then find a car with more potential. Cavaliers are expensive to make faster because of the market for the car, smaller market = more expensive parts. It is all up to you what you want to do. Just remember the worst thing you can do is do it cheap. Cheaper parts means later you WILL spend more money to get it fixed. So shop wisely and get the better parts first, even if you do have to save up a few paychecks to do it. Don't rush things only the super rich can build a super fast car over night. If you on a small budget then just save up and buy things peice by peice. You are still very young don't worry if it takes you a few years to get that 200hp. If you do it right the first time you can't go wrong. If you really like your Cavalier go for it, there is a bunch of ways to get to that 250hp+ mark and even faster. Just takes time and money.




In the planning stage for an all American TRD Cavalier.