Hello again, fellow J-Philes. I'm not asking questions this time. I'm just blowing off a little stress amongst a group who understands me and what I'm going through. Any helpful insights are appreciated, though.
I'm still finding good things about my car. I like the location and type of oil filter. Bonus: it's actually cheaper from the dealer than the parts stores. This makes oil changes a snap, with a lot less mess. In fact, it seems most of the mechanicals were designed by engineers and mechanics, much like Saturn. The brakes, though on the small side, are excellent.
I still like the looks. If you squint a little it actually looks like what a smaller, front drive Camaro could have been. The interior is nice and user friendly. At least they used more matching plastics than in my last car.
Now for the bad. Although this an inexpensive car, why does it have to feel so cheap? I haven't heard this many squeeks and rattles since my last Hyundai 16 years ago. It seems like everything vibrates. The trunk lid only closes if you nearly slam it, and only in the right place. I don't think GM can design a cd player that doesn't skip. This one is a personal gripe. The seats are not very comfortable and sit too high in the car. And what's with that toggle switch quick clutch action? I've either stalled the car a number of times or over-revved the engine, causing the tires to chirp. I think they fixed this with the Cobalt.
I plan on addressing most of these in the comming years. In the near future the interior trim is getting finished in body color, the shift and parking brake boots are going to be replaced with leather, new speakers and an XM interface are comming. The Brakes, although excellent for stock, are getting replaced with a bigger kit. A cat back exhaust, Tornado and K&N filter and hotter plugs are next. An HID head and fog light conversion, and LED bulb conversions are in the works, as well. I would also like to find a Comaro SS style hood with functional intake scoop. I'll also look for a better controlled suspension system. Finally, I'm going to replace the stock seats and brakcets with something that fits me.
Other mods will follow, as money and time allows.
i thought this thread was going to be about masturbation
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In fact, it seems most of the mechanicals were designed by engineers and mechanics.
Tell you what, work at a shop for more then a week and you'll realize that automakers only care about the assembly line. The mechanic is the last person ever though of.
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imo ,don't put a tornado in,wai or cold air is just fine,and one step colder plugs,and unless your going to have alot more power in your '04,just go with cross -drilled and slotted rotors with upgraded pads
15.2@89mph 2.171 60ft. 9.830 1/8 R.I.P. "LULU"
yeah that tornado thing is a waste of money
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Dont get the tornado, dont get cross drilled rotors, the drilled ones are just for looks, get slotted if you are going aftermarket. and stick with the normal temp plugs unless your going nitrous or boost.
doesn't the cross -drilling help with ventilation?I guess the guys'n Horsepower TV were wrong.
15.2@89mph 2.171 60ft. 9.830 1/8 R.I.P. "LULU"
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I'm still finding good things about my car. I like the location and type of oil filter. Bonus: it's actually cheaper from the dealer than the parts stores. This makes oil changes a snap, with a lot less mess.
yea the oil filter locations is awesome, but for the cost of one Ecotec filter i could get 3 for my 99 cav.
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Now for the bad. Although this an inexpensive car, why does it have to feel so cheap? I haven't heard this many squeeks and rattles since my last Hyundai 16 years ago.
it feels kinda cheap to me, but i see so many different cars every day. i gotta agree with you on the rattles, my 05 Z24 is a total rattle box. but if you want to see cheap, look at any Hyundai accent, and every Honda civic from 93-04, they look and feel like like $5000 cars inside. i dunno if the Chevrolet optra really looks cheap, or it feels cheap because the interior is built our of parts from every automaker.
IMO you can't expect perfection in a $20,000 car. i change the things i don't like, seats, spoiler,tires,intake ect,ect,ect.
http://registry.gmenthusiast.com/images/my2005cav/my%20car%20the%20bash.jpg
I've been a mechanic for the past 20 or so years. I don't know if I was specific about my past experiences with other brands. Owning both a BMW and a VW this car is child- simple to work on. Yeah, some things are real PITAs to work on, but so is anything else with an engine. I've owned two Hyundais, several American brands and a few Asian models, both cars and trucks (most of these were 70s and 80's vintage.) I have vast experience with bad build quality.
Although not specified in the original post most aftermarket kits come with both slotted and drilled rotors. I'm not going to race this car and all I need are slotted rotors. Maybe I'll check a few companies and just get stock sized slotted with stainless lines and stickier pads.
Since I'm not boosting or running nitro, a colder plug will do nothing more than cause plug fouling and possibly a CEL. I'm looking for a better plug than stock. Most of my driving is over 70 mph. I'm looking for better economy and reliablity out of my car.
Vincent Morris wrote:Dont get the tornado, dont get cross drilled rotors, the drilled ones are just for looks, get slotted if you are going aftermarket. and stick with the normal temp plugs unless your going nitrous or boost.
~~shakes head~~
Cross drilled rotors, help cool the rotors, and help to reduce thermal expansion of the rotors under heavy breaking. They also lighten the rotors slightly, which never hurts performance.
PRND321 Till I DIE
Old Motor: 160whp & 152ft/lbs, 1/4 Mile 15.4 @88.2
M45 + LD9 + 4T40-E, GO GO GO
cavaliers are cheap, hence why @!#$ rattles
-MD- LD9 wrote:Vincent Morris wrote:Dont get the tornado, dont get cross drilled rotors, the drilled ones are just for looks, get slotted if you are going aftermarket. and stick with the normal temp plugs unless your going nitrous or boost.
~~shakes head~~
Cross drilled rotors, help cool the rotors, and help to reduce thermal expansion of the rotors under heavy breaking. They also lighten the rotors slightly, which never hurts performance.
yes but all that work on them makes them crack, our replacement rotors are drilled after being cast so they crack. trust me i will take pics once i swap mine out. if our rotors were cast with the holes in them it wouldnt be a problem, and due to that, there is not much more performance in them than getting just slotted. its not like that extra little step is going to help. drilled on our cars is just for looks. if you really want a set of rotors, get them cryo treated. makes them stronger and much more durable. I auto x and my rotors are cracked to hell. im surprised they havnt broke yet. and i beat the crap out of them. im going to see how well my powerslots hold up this year.
