Well, I've only had the car since early October and I've already began modding it. I'm not even going to attempt to make it fast or handle, I have other cars for that. The purpose of my buying this car was mainly for the fuel efficiency. I get 30mpg right now, and I have yet to switch the oil to full synthetic, put in a K&N, and do a tuneup.
Here she is as I purchased it ($200.. Can't expect much) The only thing I added was the spoiler, it never came with one. Dents in the trunklid will be popped out eventually or if I can find a suitable matching replacement I'll just swap it out.
It came with the base model instrumentation (No surprise) I swapped the cluster out for a LS cluster from the junkyard, which lit up perfectly! I then found out I could swap a Sunfire cluster in and did that, but the odometer didn't light up
I attempted to fix it but what a poor design on GM's part on these clusters. So until I find another Sunfire cluster I'll be stuck with the stock LS unit.
I also swapped out the HVAC control with the Sunfire unit. My stock radio will be disappearing soon, I gotta buy a radio harness and install kit and a headunit. I can't stand not being able to listen to my Sirius radio or my iPhone while I'm driving.
I absolutely HATED the stock steering wheel... so I swapped it with a Sunfire steering wheel
I would love to get something leather wrapped in there, possibly something from a 99ish Grand Prix or perhaps a 95-99 Monte Carlo? I'm not fussy enough to care if it says Pontiac or Chevrolet on the horn. Does anyone know if they are splined the same?
I like the option of having courtesy lights, so the base model dome light had to go. I swapped in an alien domelight from an LS.
I also like the luxury of auto-dimming rear view mirrors and compasses. I haven't yet come across a Donelly compass/temp mirror, but that's what I have really been looking for. Once I find one for a reasonable price this will be going away as well
But the second biggest gripe I have with this car is the burlap seat covers. I had to buy some LS seats from the local yard to replace them. I picked out the ones with the blue auxiliary color. I plan to put power windows and locks in the car so the door panels will change sooner or later.
Lastly, where I'm at now, the biggest gripe I have with the car is I drive quite a bit of miles, a lot of the time at night. The factory lights are a poor excuse for visibility. Maybe I'm used to my Durango being up high and having HID's, but I can't see CRAP in the Cavalier. I got a cheap stock headlight from the junkyard for a few bucks to do some test fitting on before I hack up my original housings or purchase new ones (I'll probably purchase a new set just to make sure I can adjust them) I then purchased a set of MoriMoto projectors from TheRetrofitSource, which are almost a perfect fit with very minimal modifications. Light output is great, not the best but FAR better than what the car has now. Cutoff is perfect with nice flicker.
wow, the first couple pics i was like oh cool a stock cavalier. then a few more in i was like wow, i'm pretty damn impressed with the very subtle yet useful mods youv'e made.
i'm a fan!
very nice. i wish i could find a 2000+ for $200.
That's the way I like to work. Generally, everything I like to do is for a purpose and usually I often hear is "Is that factory?" Exactly the way I like it.
Definitely more to come, wheels are next. I'm looking at Scion tC wheels, even though I know they do need machine work to fit (I have access to such machines at work) so that's not a problem. Best part is they are relatively cheap for 17". I can't stand the rattling hubcaps any longer. haha.
Here is a picture of the projector, while I was test firing it aiming it, with 6000k HID's and DDM 55w ballasts. I prefer 8000k so I may upgrade soon, I need to put a spare pair of DDM 35w ballasts in because the 55w's tend to overheat the housings.
Next question is whether or not to black the insides of the housings (all except the back part) Decisions decisions!
Also, does anyone know if the bump strips on the sides of the car are pinned or are they just glued on? The passenger side bump strips are faded pretty badly, and I'm going to buff the car (and debadge) before winter, and I'd kind of like to get rid of those things.
Looks good, Info on hooking up auto-dim mirror with compass?
I got a couple buddies that work for Gentex and just need to know how to wire one up. It may be really simple, I just haven't gotten my hands on one to look.
Joe B. wrote:Also, does anyone know if the bump strips on the sides of the car are pinned or are they just glued on? The passenger side bump strips are faded pretty badly, and I'm going to buff the car (and debadge) before winter, and I'd kind of like to get rid of those things.
Double sided tape
Joe B. wrote:I'm not fussy enough to care if it says Pontiac or Chevrolet on the horn. Does anyone know if they are splined the same?
Toyota Cavaliers came with a leather wrapped wheel and knob
Edited 2 time(s). Last edited Monday, October 25, 2010 3:01 PM
Mike, my bad, Gentex. I dunno why I had Donnelly on my mind. Those are the junk ones that leak. Anyways, it's as simple as unscrewing the set screw on your stock mirror, sliding the new mirror on the tab on the window. On a standard compass/auto-dimming mirror, you will see a 3-pin connector. Pins #1 and #2 are all you need. One is power and one is ground, pretty hard to mistake, considering the ground wire on all the mirrors I have pulled are ALWAYS black. I believe ground is pin #2 though. Pin #3 is a dimming override wire. It's hooked into your shifter somehow to prevent dimming when in reverse. I personally clipped this wire, as I don't really care if it dims when I'm in reverse. If you choose to hook it up though it is 12v power.
I've seen the #1 pin on the connector many different colors, so depending on the model of the car you get the mirror from it may or may not be purple with a white tracer. It is ALWAYS 12v power though.
Sweet. I have been wanting to do this ever since I was lowered, But never looked into it enough to go through with it. Done deal now, Thanks man! Some trick little things you have done to the car
There were some 03-05 Sunfires that came with a leather wheel, shift knob, and e-brake handle.
Also, don't forget you'll need to calibrate it. Pretty easy to do too though.
Depending on the color of lighting in your car, I've seen some red, blue and green compass mirrors. Or if you're good with colored cellophane you can change the color of the compass display. I've done it a few times as well as I always change out the default green LED with a blue LED. My truck has the same mirror with another blue LED.
You stole my idea with the mirror.. haha looks good
ʇı ɹǝʍo7 | ǝcoMonstǝrs
Nice subtle upgrades. Good work
"Straight roads are for fast cars, turns are for fast drivers"-Colin McRae
I've used the cellophane idea in one of my cars to change the color of the dash clock. Awesome upgrades. Nice little touches go far.
Cool! Do they come with a leather shift knob even with the auto-tragics? Since my car is (unfortunately) an automatic.
I'm not really a big fan of the newer style spoked Pontiac wheel though.
Actually you can use most any GM auto knob, I've had one in my Cav out of an Aztek, Camaro, Firebird and Malibu lol
Love the way you're moddin so far, I really need to do the dome light conversion myself
This is excellent. I love it !
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Mike wrote:
I got a couple buddies that work for Gentex and just need to know how to wire one up. It may be really simple, I just haven't gotten my hands on one to look.
Nice! My buddy also works for Gentex.
J TO ENVY wrote: TheSundownFire (GME Chat) wrote:There were some 03-05 Sunfires that came with a leather wheel, shift knob, and e-brake handle.
Also, all 1995 - 2002 Sunfire GTs.
Really? I thought it was just the same cheap vinyl the SEs had.
Got one completely finished. Finally ran across a savable light at the junkyard so I don't have to hack up my originals.
No lens and no shroud...
Ended up having to paint because when I washed them to get rid of all the dust from the dremelling, most of the chrome peeled off in very obvious places
Just gotta wait for the sealant to dry before I can buff the lens and make them sparkle.
I think I'm going to tint the corner lights completely amber like a few I've seen here. Looks good to me!
I really like what your doing my friend!
Very clean and subtle!
Looks good..you travel on 90 alot? I've seen a 4 door cavy with HID's quites a few times on my way to work, between Batavia and Pembroke..
Yeah I'm the 90 quite a bit. I don't have HID's in it yet though, so it's not me. I've only had my Cav since October 7th or 8th.
There is also a Sunfire around here with HID's.
