J-Body Facts
1. Be sure you buy a GM heater core if yours breaks or starts leaking. If you buy an aftermarket one, it will never heat the same.
2. If you want to switch tail lights on your '88-'94 Cavalier, they are all interchangable. In other words, you could use '94 tail lights on your '88.
3. If you have a convertible and found out that it will cost well over $400 for new set of lower window/sill weatherstriping peices, you can cut pieces from a 2-door coupe to work perfectly for the rear quarters. You can also use the 2-door coupe pieces on the doors, but you need to figure a way to fill in the notches on the ends of the doors.
4. If you need to replace rear quarter windows on convertibles, they are all the same from early J-Body convertibles up untill '94.
5. If you need to change your dash, for Sunbirds, it is the same from '82 until '88, but they are different for air-conditioning and non-air conditioned cars. For Cavaliers, the base model dash is the same from '82 until '90, and the Z24 dash is the same from the earliest type 10's (not sure of earliest year, aprox. '84) until '90. I learned the hard way that a pre-'89 digital dash will NOT work in an '89 as a replacement for an existing digital dash. I tried putting an '88 digital dash into my car and everything worked except the speedometer. I have a hunch that you can swap digital dashes with cars of other years prior to '89, but I'm not sure about that either since I've never tried it. I learned the hard way not to assume anything about digital dash pods.
6. Power seats and other upgraded features will work if they come out of a Cadillac Cimarron.
7. You can fit 4x6 plate speakers in the '88-'94 Z24 dashes. It may be a bit aukward to work on if you don't take out your dash (unless you know how to take out your windshield), but the 4x6's will sound way better than those crappy 3 1/2 inch round factory speakers they've got in there. Make sure to measure and mark where you're going to cut though, because you won't have a lot of room to play with. (A friend of mine proved this)
8. The 3.1 V6 engine is the same block as the 2.8 in the '88+ cars. If when rebuilding your engine you want more power for relatively cheap, you can stroke your existing engine out to 3.1 by simply changing your crank. This does not apply to pre-'87 2.8's because they were a bit different.
9. Rumor has it that 1.6 rockers can safely be used in J-Body V6's. Rumor also says pistons can be used that were meant for short block Chevy engines if machined properly.
10. Crane does make compu-cams that will work in J-Body V6 applications.
11. A computer chip can be used to gain a few horsepower, but gas milage will suffer slightly. See TJ's links section for chip manufacturers.
12. There were turbo's put on Pontiac Gran Prix's in '89-'90. There has been much speculation that you can take the turbo off of one of these 3.1 engines and put it on a J-Body V6. I don't know however, of anyone who has done this since there were only about 6,000 (just a guess) of these turbo's made in these years.
13. Installing a low temperature thermostat will make the engine run cooler, which will give more power. In the winter the ability of the car to heat will be impaired with this mod.
14. An upper strut tower brace can be easily added to any j-body that dosen't have one. After '91 I think upgraded J-Bodies came with these braces, so for pre '91's or other newer cars without upgrade packages can use a brace off of a newer one. I think '94 might be a little different though. A lower strut tower brace can also be added, and the GM part number is 22555480 BRACKET-F. Adding either or both of these will make your car hug the road better and make the car more solid up front.
15. A vin E 3.4 engine should be able to bolt right into a j-body.
16. If buying aftermarket rims, of which there are many, you will need to know that every j-body ever made uses a 5 X 100mm bolt pattern, and the stock offset is 35MM. If you want to find some used rims, you would probably be interested in knowing which cars the wheels will work off of.
To see the entire list of compatible cars, click here
17. If you have an '89+ Sunbird, you can add an aftermarket stereo by cutting out the compartment in the top slot of your console leaving just a hole. An aftermarket stereo will then mount perfectly.
18. 6x9 speakers fit perfectly in the kick pannel area of J-Bodys if you cut a piece of plywood out leaving a hole for the speakers, and then make up some metal brackets to attach the plywood to the car. The carpet then could then be cut, tucked into the hole for the speaker, and then mount the speaker and grille over top of the folded over carpet. Use your imagination on the dimensions for brackets and plywood... I don't remember dimensions off hand. Just be sure to cut the hole for the speaker slightly larger so the carpet can be folded into it.
19. If you have a Z24 that has a bowtie insert on the steering wheel, you can get one that says Z24 for about $3.00 at a GM shop. The part number is 17988042. GM non longer sells the red bowtie insert.
20. A trunk release solenoid can be easily added if taken from another GM car of your same year vintage. Most trunk latches were basically standardized for GM.
General
1. When you think it has enough power, do all you can to get more.
2. The only thing Ford is good for is trucks.
3. Don't ever buy an import.
4. If you get in a car accident, remain under control and don't admit fault right away.
5. Buy a locking gas cap "for all them crazy girls".
6. Contrary to popular belief, Splitfire spark plugs ARE a rip off. They have been in trouble for false advertising to prove it. If you want a good set of plugs go with AC Delco Rapidfire plugs
7. Don't ever smash up a J-Body convertible. In comparison to a J-Body coupe, the parts are about 5 times more.
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