Vauxhall Cavalier GSI - Track Car
Discussion
Looks great,I can't wait to see the cage fitted!
I'd avoid Mocal oil coolers. I know over 5 (mine included) that popped last year.
Apparently they're not what they used to be.
Setrab have been recommended to me by a local race team so that's what I've fitted to my car. They're around the same price too.
I'd avoid Mocal oil coolers. I know over 5 (mine included) that popped last year.
Apparently they're not what they used to be.
Setrab have been recommended to me by a local race team so that's what I've fitted to my car. They're around the same price too.
Buggles said:
Please somebody buy this before I think it's a good idea to have two BTCC inspired track cars. My missus will go nuts otherwise!
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ford-mondeo-st200-track-...
What a wreck. The MOT check should be enough to put you off if the pictures aren't, I suspect that's hiding a multitude of problems.http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ford-mondeo-st200-track-...
Your posts have got me interested in doing something similar thought, I have to admit (just not with that Mondeo)......
Great thread and impressive build.
I've had numerous Cavaliers since 1998 but recently sold off my 4x4 Turbo which had sat for too long as a box of bits and a slowly dissolving shell - in the end it just needed too much time and money investing to make it viable and then it'd be too nice to use and just be a garage queen and that's not what I wanted from the car. Very much a case of been there, done that (110k in it to be precise) so opted to move on... granted prices are increasing but that doesn't bother me, had my money's worth - I actually debated a track car / hill climb build to upset the purists and reading this makes me start to wish I had.
Will be following with interest!
I've had numerous Cavaliers since 1998 but recently sold off my 4x4 Turbo which had sat for too long as a box of bits and a slowly dissolving shell - in the end it just needed too much time and money investing to make it viable and then it'd be too nice to use and just be a garage queen and that's not what I wanted from the car. Very much a case of been there, done that (110k in it to be precise) so opted to move on... granted prices are increasing but that doesn't bother me, had my money's worth - I actually debated a track car / hill climb build to upset the purists and reading this makes me start to wish I had.
Will be following with interest!
Buggles said:
Mark Benson said:
What a wreck. The MOT check should be enough to put you off if the pictures aren't, I suspect that's hiding a multitude of problems.
Your posts have got me interested in doing something similar thought, I have to admit (just not with that Mondeo)......
Ah, I hadn't actually delved that deep into it. Having had a look through the mot history now, it doesn't really look like it's been looked after does it? Your posts have got me interested in doing something similar thought, I have to admit (just not with that Mondeo)......
If you're thinking about it, what about an Accord Type-R? I always thought one of those would make a good saloon track car.
Buggles said:
Thanks mate.
It's such a shame that they suffer so badly with rust. I can't remember the last time I saw a Cavalier on the road, I suspect rust has copped for most of them now. Actually, out of interest...
Just checked, and there are only 26 licensed GSI 16v's in the UK and NI.
Any pics of your turbo? I'd love to see it, as I'm sure would many others. Prices do seem to be increasing for the Turbo's, not so much for the GSI's which is why I don't feel quite so bad about ripping it apart and using it as a track car.
Glad you like it so far though, cheers
Aye, there have been many a 90's performance Vauxhall that has been lost to rot over the years and sadly, the cost of putting terminal rot right is a rather expensive game if you're not a welder / fabricator. That was what killed a couple of mine and my Turbo was starting to go so it could have been fudged up and would be ok for another couple of years... or done right and last a wee bit longer. Neither options were cheap! It's such a shame that they suffer so badly with rust. I can't remember the last time I saw a Cavalier on the road, I suspect rust has copped for most of them now. Actually, out of interest...
Just checked, and there are only 26 licensed GSI 16v's in the UK and NI.
Any pics of your turbo? I'd love to see it, as I'm sure would many others. Prices do seem to be increasing for the Turbo's, not so much for the GSI's which is why I don't feel quite so bad about ripping it apart and using it as a track car.
Glad you like it so far though, cheers
Motorhub in Keighley (who don't have a great reputation) have had a few 90's Vauxhalls of late... couple of pretty average looking Turbo's for nigh on £10k a piece so christ knows who's paying that for them, Stevie Wonder perhaps. That said, they do currently have a grey Cavalier GSi which doesn't look too bad and isn't a dear car all things considered... put proof is in the pudding as they say. Must admit, I'm very tempted (just a shame about the sellers reputation) as my first Cavalier was a nigh on identical car and it was in many ways, better than the Turbo.
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C910500
This was my Turbo back in the glory days... probably about 12 years ago now which is insane. Bought it in 2001, drove it daily, broke it, fixed it, resprayed and rebuilt it, drove it some more, took it to Europe a couple of times and then took it off the road for a quick refresh then life moved on and the car sat and sat and sat and more and more bits were removed to be refurbished and it was moved from unit to unit and eventually I realised I just didn't want the car anymore... didn't want to bodge it back on the road and drive it and I didn't want some shiny show queen that I was scared to use.
So aye, having sat for another couple of years and with rot starting to set in I bailed out... sold it in parts then sold the rolling shell and it's now being resurrected with a Saab turbo engine in it instead of the C20LET. I thought I'd miss it but I don't really, certainly don't miss dealing with rust and there's no way I'd have poured thousands in to it, hence quite tempted by that GSi at Motorhub to just use as a weekend car.
Anyways, great build... will be great to see how it pans out.
Cheers
Buggles said:
phil_cardiff said:
I always fancied doing this with a Carina gti as I like things a bit different. 170odd bhp as standard. Try finding one now though!
Yeah, I can well imagine. It would be an awesome thing if you could find one though! Howmanyleft says that there are only 5 licensed examples in the UK and NI! That's pretty rare!
Anyway, enough thread hijacking.
Davie said:
Aye, there have been many a 90's performance Vauxhall that has been lost to rot over the years and sadly, the cost of putting terminal rot right is a rather expensive game if you're not a welder / fabricator. That was what killed a couple of mine and my Turbo was starting to go so it could have been fudged up and would be ok for another couple of years... or done right and last a wee bit longer. Neither options were cheap!
Motorhub in Keighley (who don't have a great reputation) have had a few 90's Vauxhalls of late... couple of pretty average looking Turbo's for nigh on £10k a piece so christ knows who's paying that for them, Stevie Wonder perhaps. That said, they do currently have a grey Cavalier GSi which doesn't look too bad and isn't a dear car all things considered... put proof is in the pudding as they say. Must admit, I'm very tempted (just a shame about the sellers reputation) as my first Cavalier was a nigh on identical car and it was in many ways, better than the Turbo.
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C910500
This was my Turbo back in the glory days... probably about 12 years ago now which is insane. Bought it in 2001, drove it daily, broke it, fixed it, resprayed and rebuilt it, drove it some more, took it to Europe a couple of times and then took it off the road for a quick refresh then life moved on and the car sat and sat and sat and more and more bits were removed to be refurbished and it was moved from unit to unit and eventually I realised I just didn't want the car anymore... didn't want to bodge it back on the road and drive it and I didn't want some shiny show queen that I was scared to use.
So aye, having sat for another couple of years and with rot starting to set in I bailed out... sold it in parts then sold the rolling shell and it's now being resurrected with a Saab turbo engine in it instead of the C20LET. I thought I'd miss it but I don't really, certainly don't miss dealing with rust and there's no way I'd have poured thousands in to it, hence quite tempted by that GSi at Motorhub to just use as a weekend car.
Anyways, great build... will be great to see how it pans out.
Cheers
Is that you, Turbodave?Motorhub in Keighley (who don't have a great reputation) have had a few 90's Vauxhalls of late... couple of pretty average looking Turbo's for nigh on £10k a piece so christ knows who's paying that for them, Stevie Wonder perhaps. That said, they do currently have a grey Cavalier GSi which doesn't look too bad and isn't a dear car all things considered... put proof is in the pudding as they say. Must admit, I'm very tempted (just a shame about the sellers reputation) as my first Cavalier was a nigh on identical car and it was in many ways, better than the Turbo.
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C910500
This was my Turbo back in the glory days... probably about 12 years ago now which is insane. Bought it in 2001, drove it daily, broke it, fixed it, resprayed and rebuilt it, drove it some more, took it to Europe a couple of times and then took it off the road for a quick refresh then life moved on and the car sat and sat and sat and more and more bits were removed to be refurbished and it was moved from unit to unit and eventually I realised I just didn't want the car anymore... didn't want to bodge it back on the road and drive it and I didn't want some shiny show queen that I was scared to use.
So aye, having sat for another couple of years and with rot starting to set in I bailed out... sold it in parts then sold the rolling shell and it's now being resurrected with a Saab turbo engine in it instead of the C20LET. I thought I'd miss it but I don't really, certainly don't miss dealing with rust and there's no way I'd have poured thousands in to it, hence quite tempted by that GSi at Motorhub to just use as a weekend car.
Anyways, great build... will be great to see how it pans out.
Cheers
Buggles said:
Shakermaker said:
Hello! Hope you're well?
OP - good updates. Don't buy that other Cavalier, it is a bad idea.
Thanks mate. Did you mean the Mondeo? Or were you talking to Davie about the silver Cavalier GSI?OP - good updates. Don't buy that other Cavalier, it is a bad idea.
Oh and also, did I read on another thread that you and the missus are expecting? If so, massive congratulations!
Yes, we are indeed, thanks dude. Got a little thread going in Lounge for anyone else in the same boat, just because, its exciting but I am very much not prepared for it yet!
Buggles said:
At least your old one is still alive, what are your thoughts about the Saab turbo lump being chucked in?
To be honest, there was a period of time where I didn't anybody else to see it and was fully prepared to run it through the bailer... but in the end, I figured I really didn't care anymore and so the fact it's getting a Saab lump just means it'll no longer be "my" car as it were. It's a bit like an ex... takes you while to move it on, you resent the fact they're with somebody else but eventually you simply don't care anymore. Smile and wave boys, smile and wave. Parenting is a challenge and to be honest, that was part of the reason for getting rid too... Cavalier's aren't exactly best suited to ferrying little humans around these days (more so as the current massive child seats barley squeeze in) and the boot of a 4x4 is appalling so that was just another reason to get rid and get something that a) wasn't rotten b) wasn't like a Coke can in an accident and c) was much quicker.
Stereotype box ticked, Volvo estate purchased.
Will bodyswerve the GSi at Motorhub though to be honest, that was probably fueled by too many days spent thinking how great it was back in the day when I had one... the reality is that again, like an ex... if you go back, you suddenly remember why you got rid in the first place!
Cheers!
Buggles said:
Motorhub seems to have an extraordinary amount of old Vauxhalls at the minute, I wonder how good they all are.
The red turbo they have is clocked, managed to track down the previous owner, should be on over 170k hence why the reg is blurred out on their pictures! And the black turbo from what i understand is rotten underneath. Don't know anything about the grey gsi they have, but judging on the other 2 it'll be a lemon and over priced. If the black turbo was cheaper I'd take the gamble and save it, but nowhere near £10k price wiseI have had dealings with this bunch & they're clowns they could snatch defeat from the jaws of victory, I'd been asked to get this particular car & despite me explaining how bad this bunch were my client wanted it.
I went there (having rang & explained that I wanted to buy the car) post inspection of course, so I turn up & two tyres are flat as is the battery! They then tell me I have to pay for the car before I can get the car inspected so I walkout, they come out & explain a £1000 will secure the car & they'll allow the inspection.
The car passes the inspection then we agree all tyres/battery will be changed & the car cleaned before collection, I get there none of it's done I ask for my deposit back they tell me I take the car as is or lose the deposit.I call my solicitor who explains to these fools they & their parents will be sued over this they relent take the price of the tyres/battery & detail clean off I take the car away.
The good news is that 3 years on the client's happy & car has been trouble free but I couldn't ever recommend buying a car from these buffoons.
I went there (having rang & explained that I wanted to buy the car) post inspection of course, so I turn up & two tyres are flat as is the battery! They then tell me I have to pay for the car before I can get the car inspected so I walkout, they come out & explain a £1000 will secure the car & they'll allow the inspection.
The car passes the inspection then we agree all tyres/battery will be changed & the car cleaned before collection, I get there none of it's done I ask for my deposit back they tell me I take the car as is or lose the deposit.I call my solicitor who explains to these fools they & their parents will be sued over this they relent take the price of the tyres/battery & detail clean off I take the car away.
The good news is that 3 years on the client's happy & car has been trouble free but I couldn't ever recommend buying a car from these buffoons.
Buggles said:
That sounds like a real f
k on, and one that would understandably do your head in.
I've just done some googling, motorhub are apparently a rebranded Keighley Trade Centre? That explains a lot...
Not to ruin this chaps thread, but motorhub or Keighley trade centre dont exist on company house. I did some digging, and theyre registered as something else, made a loss for 3 consecutive year. Cant remember the name now lolk on, and one that would understandably do your head in. I've just done some googling, motorhub are apparently a rebranded Keighley Trade Centre? That explains a lot...
the_stoat said:
But on the oil cooling side, as it could be useful to others, initially I found I could make it either work on track or work on the road:
After a good deal of swearing given the costs involved to this point, I went for a good radiator and a Laminova oil water heat exchanger. This gave me much faster oil warming from coolant heating the oil and stable temps (oil at 83 degrees) on the road then on track heat gets dumped through the coolant to give stable temperatures (between 100 to 106 degrees).
I am looking to use a Laminova OTW heat exchanger but am unsure on the appropriate size. What size did you use? the 180mm?After a good deal of swearing given the costs involved to this point, I went for a good radiator and a Laminova oil water heat exchanger. This gave me much faster oil warming from coolant heating the oil and stable temps (oil at 83 degrees) on the road then on track heat gets dumped through the coolant to give stable temperatures (between 100 to 106 degrees).
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