(I can't figure out how to get the full sized image from myspace.com, so I guess you'll have to squint...)
Here are the first pics of the mods my wife and I have been able to do... As I have said before, money is a big issue. We both got downsized from our jobs in the auto industry - making HVAC systems for General Motors. So we're learning to live on 40% less than we used to. But, had they not repo'd our van, we wouldn't have bought the Cavalier - and maaaaan, we do like this car.
It's an '05 base with the 5-speed. Here's the mods up to August:
* RK Sport/ H&R colovers -dropped about 2". Will go 2 more, but this is functional.
* Thrush Turbo muffler with dual 2" round outlet. We took about a 1/2 inch notch out of the bottom of the bumper so the muffler could be mounted up higher. The outlets look nice and clean. Painted the whole deal flat black.
* Shaved all the badges and painted the two permanent bowties black. Also blacked out the door and trunk locks.
* We finally found a set of stock chrome 16's at a local junkyard - they were in good functional condition, but looked like crap. The chrome was really rough. I was going to flat black them, and I started with the inside of the rims - they looked awesome just like that... So, I spent like 40 hours polishing the chrome on the front of the spokes, and flat-blacked the rest. This is what I got. They ALMOST look aftermarket... $200 total investment. (Hang on.. Let me pat myself on the back.) The GoodYear Eagles were 4 bills, though...
* Painted the calipers and drums to match the body.
* I cleaned, scuffed and painted (flat-black) the entire underside of the car (in case I was cresting a hill with someone behind me... That's pretty anal, huh?). I did the same with the front suspension parts, but taped and painted some of them gloss red. It looks like some performance mods - but no money spent. When you look THROUGH any of the rims, you see detail back there too.
* Put the 3M glaze on the body, then buffed it for a whole day. I thought I had messed it up, but it finally came out shiny. Then I waxed and buffed it for another whole day, and I'm telling you - it gleams. At night it's like it has its own spotlight. In these pics, it hasn't been washed in 2 weeks.
* We also added an in-dash DVD, but went with the 3.5 inch fixed monitor. In the area where I work now, it would be unwise to advertise - I mostly only listen to it, anyway, while I'm sleeping through my lunch break.
* Stock-sized speaker upgrades. Nothing to brag about. No subs - I'm 41... why would I?
That's about it. Again I want to thank you all for giving us the knowledge to do this stuff. We did it all ourselves - not one cent spent on labor or installation (well, except for the tires). Its hard to see in the 3rd pic, but my wife is helping my neighbor install an aftermarket handlebar on his Buell (over by the mailboxes). She's got the fever too! Today she asked ME to be the tool runner while SHE changed the oil in the Cav! Very cool, indeed.
Thanks guys and girls. This has been almost therapudic. After a totally sh**ty last 12 months, this was truly FUN!
(If anyone can tell me how to get the full sized image off of myspace, I'll repost the pics...)
bigger pics please, but from what i see, it looks clean, keep it that way
LOOKING FOR A CHEAP J-BODY
Where do you guys store your pics before you post them here? The only link I can find on myspace is to the thumbs... HELP!
looks great
z28guy(KGM BEOTCH)
01cavZ24 wrote:photobucket
Photobucket... Okay, I'll check it out. Thanks. In the mean-time, here's a link to my actual myspace page, if anybody's interested. I have it set to "everyone," so you won't have to log in. Just click "pics."
http://www.myspace.com/reignofdoom
Very tasteful mods,I love what you did with the wheels.Great job.
13.520 @ 98mph! 220whp 234tq
OKAY! Here's the
full size pics from photobucket. Thanks again!
In this pic you can see how the paint came out - not too bad for 4 year old factory paint.
^Yes sir^
13.520 @ 98mph! 220whp 234tq
