J-Body Magazine

J-Body
Magazine
| 1st Quarter | 2004 | #01
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CONTENTS
1st Quarter | 2004 | #01
04 | Submit
05 | This Quarter
06 | Readers Rides
11 | How To
12 | Featured Rides
25 | Computer Edited Images
27 | Wreckage of the Quarter
P h o t o g r a p h b y A s hley becker
j-body m a g a z i n e | | | 3
SUBMIT
If you would like to appear in J-body Magazine here are some things we are always looking for:
> Featured Rides - Must have at least 8 photos at a resolution over 2 megapixels (1600 x
1200 pixels) and must include an article about the car. You can write it like a history, how
and why your car got that way, and what you plan to do next. Please be sure to give your
opinion of the car and how it runs compared to other cars. Include all the specifications
that you have for the car, and if you have them 1/4 mile, 1/8 mile, 0-60 mph, 0-30 mph,
and track times. Dyno information is one of the best things to include. If you have access
to a portable dyno meter such as the G-Tech Pro Performance Meter that would be great
but if not that’s ok too.
> Reader’s Rides - Must have at least 2 photos at a resolution over 2 megapixels (1600
x 1200 pixels) and must include a paragraph about your car. Something brief and to
the point. You may also include any specs that you have but they might not get in the
magazine as we may not have enough room for them.
> How To’s - Should have at least 4 photos at a resolution over 2 megapixels (1600
x 1200 pixels) of the steps taken in the how to. Must include a complete article that
answers the readers questions about how to do it themselves.
> Computer Edited Photo’s - Must have at least 2 images (before and after) at a
resolution over 2 megapixels (1600 x 1200 pixels). Please include any tips you might
have for our readers and how you made it.
> Product Reviews - If you have road tested a new J-body or a new product then please
send us as many pictures that you have and write up a full article on what you thought
about it, how it performed or looked and if you would buy it again or now. Give it a rating
if you would like.
> News - If you have any inside information be sure to send it to us first! We are all about
exclusive!
> Creative Idea - If you have any idea’s that you have come up with and would like to
share them with other J-body owners then heres the place. Please include a drawing
that has been scanned or made on the computer. If you scan it and send it to us please
scan it at 300DPI. Also include how it works, what it does, or what’s involved. If you have
already made something then you can take a photo of that at a high resolution and that
be even better.
> Events - If you have attended any J-body event then please send us all the pictures
that you have of the event. And write up a 1-4 paragraph article on event and how the
day went. Please also include any winners the event was a competition.
> Wreckage - Need to have at least 1 photo at a resolution over 2 megapixels (1600
x 1200 pixels) of a wrecked or severely damaged J-body. Please also include how it
happened.
> Letters - To be in the letters section then just Email us something about J-bodies in
general or the magazine.
> Anything else - We are always looking for new stuff to put in our magazine. Just send
us your idea’s.
> Things to remember when sending us something - All pictures that you send to us must
be your own pictures that you took or have permission to give us. Please include who
we should give credit to for the submission. You may also include your Email address so
people can contact you with any questions they have. If you own a web site and submit
more then 3 things as a web site then you may include your web site address with all of
your submissions and it will appear next to your name. By giving us any picture you give
us full rights to it.
Welcome to J-body Magazine. This is the first issue of many
that will be coming out each quarter. We would make it more
often however, we want to be sure your money isn’t wasted. We
want to make this magazine full and fresh. Without your help
we would not be able to make this magazine. Please keep your
submissions coming for the next issue.
This magazine is J-body only. You won’t see an ad for something
else. Every article and review will either be on a direct fit J-body
or a universal part that will work with one.
We the owners are Christian’s and want to assure that you won’t
find anything not J-body related. Enjoy the magazine and we
hope you buy another next quarter!
President and CEO,
Jonathan Maynard
www.xautos.net/jbody/
[email protected]
4 | | | J - b o d y m a g a zinE
Design by Lucas Dillard - [email protected]
Cavalier Replacement
That’s right. The Chevrolet Cavalier (a name which has been around since 1982) is no longer going to be produced. It will be replaced by a newer and “better” car called the Cobalt. It should be available by Fall 2004 and definitely
by 2005. It looks like a great car but did they have to drop the Cavalier name and the J-body itself? This magazine will
not be covering much about this car, but we will keep you updated on it and maybe do a review, even though this is not a
J-body. Pontiac is still planning to produce the Sunfire for another year at least but after that the life of the J-body is still
unsure.
The Cobalt will come with:
*
Three ECOTEC engine choices: 2.2L, 2.4L or 2.0L Supercharged
*
Three specially tuned suspension options
*
Four wheel options: from 15" to 18"
*
Three transmissions available
*
Available all-speed Traction Control System
*
Available heated leather-appointed seats
*
Corvette-inspired rear with jewel-like taillamps
*
Refined interior with comfortable seating for five
*
Available XM Satellite Radio
*
Available CD/MP3 player
*
Driver Information Center
*
Available steering wheel-mounted audio and cruise controls
*
Available Pioneer premium amplified sound system with seven speakers
Specs and Photos go to Chevrolet's site at: www.chevrolet.com/cobalt/
What is a J-body?
It’s a name that somehow got put with some GM models back in the 80’s and has stuck with line up. Its a Platform/Frame
design that has made these cars what they are.
Here is a list of all the J-bodies out there and there production dates:
1982 Pontiac J2000
1983 Pontiac 2000 and 2000 Sunbird Convertible
1984 Pontiac 2000 Sunbird
1985-Present Pontiac Sunbird
1982-88 Oldsmobile Firenza
1982-89 Buick SkyHawk
1982 Cimarron by Cadillac
1983-88 Cadillac Cimarron
1982-04 Chevrolet Cavalier
This Quarter’s Question
What do you think about the Cobalt?
-Write in your responses to [email protected]. They may be featured in next quarters issue!
j-body m a g a z i n e | | | 5
READER’S RIDES
This is my car, where do I start?
I had this car since I was 15 and
haven’t been able to leave it alone
ever since. I built this car from
the ground up. I was involved in
everything including motor swap
down to installing the ground effects. It wasn’t too bad for a first
car. The motor was out of a 1997
Grand AM which was the same
size as the original 3.1L with a few
upgrades. These upgrades include
a higher compression ratio, better
flowing heads, etc. After I got the
car running it was just a matter of
time before I got really into it and
ordered rims and suspension. Later,
I installed the stereo system and all
the other little things. I decided to
learn fiberglass work and bought
the ground effects. It was a good
experience because it needed a
great deal of work to get it looking
good on the car. Just before summer I had the car painted.
My Name: Bob Antonucci
Email: [email protected]
Modifications
Engine
Audio
•
3100 Longblock w/valvetrain and
•
Heads
•
•
Yellow Wire Loom
•
•
Yellow Painted Plenum
•
•
FDP Cold Air Intake with AEM Filter
•
•
Custom Bent Cat-back 2-1/4” dual
•
exhaust with 2 Flowmaster 40s
•
Exterior
•
Brand new Paint Job
•
Diza Racing Body Kit
•
Custom made front grill
•
Shaved Trunk Lock
•
Custom made clear corners
•
Xenon Lighting
•
2001 Carbon Fiber Z24 Emblems
Interior
•
Momo Shuttle Steering Wheel
•
Momo Pedals
•
BlackCat Custom White Face Gauge
•
Red Accented Dash
•
Black Leather Shift Boot
•
Grant Evolution Shift Knob
Handling
•
Racing Hart M5 17in 1-Piece Rims
•
Kuhmo Ecstas 711 215/40/17
•
Cross Drilled and Slotted Rotors
•
Painted Calipers and Rotors
•
KYB Gr2 Struts
•
KYB Gas-Adjust Shocks
•
Intrax Springs
6 | | | J - b o d y m a g a zinE
Kenwood Z919 Headunit
All Infinity Kappas Speakers
Power Acoustik 135X2 RMS
JBL Power Series 1200.1 Amp
Audiobahn Flame Q 15”
Homemade Sealed Box
Optima Yellow Top Battery
Misc
•
•
Shaved Emblems
Viper Alarm
2000 Sunfire SE (Originally black) leased in 1999 and bought out 3 years later. After going through 2 minor
accidents, she was graced with a new paint job (Copper Sunburst) and 17" Enkei RS-5's. The interior was
accented in Copper to match the outside, and windows tinted black. What does the future hold for her?
Eibach Sportline drop, Koni Reds, body kit and a killer sound system. Surely to be a head turner!
Luc Lamarche
READER’S RIDES
j-body m a g a z i n e | | | 7
I bought my '96 Cavalier in January of 2002 with full intensions of modifying it in the summer. First it was
lowered with new wheels, then the interior was modified with four bucket seats. We shaved the car completely, did a 2000 headlight conversion, added an Import Fighter front, and finished off with a new paint. All
of the work is home-built in the garage at my parents' home. A special thanks to my parents for the help and
support, and Ross and Dave for the paint.
Matthew Schreiner
READER’S
8 | | | J - b o d y m a g a zinE
RIDES
•1994 Cavalier Z24 3.1L V6 Auto,
Black (2/02) (120,000 miles)
($2800)
•-Cobra Trapshooter 3 radar detector
-•Sony X-plode(CDX-4000X) CD player
-•Boston Acoustics front speakers
•-Tinted license plate cover
•-Sylvania Ultra Bright Blue halogen
headlamps
•-GTS smoke headlight covers
•-Removed red and silver pinstripes on
sides
•-Third brake-light mod (Z24)
Reader’s Rides
•-Painted bowtie in grill dark blue
•-Painted stabilizer bar dark blue and
silver
•-Painted airbox cover silver
•-Shaved all badges
•-Windows tinted 18% all the way
around
•-Blue NOS series seat covers
•-Blue NOS series rubber floor mats
•-Installed blue bulbs in instrument cluster and dome light
Owner: Nicholas Reimesch
j-body m a g a z i n e | | | 9
READER’S RIDES
ENGINE
-3100 Lumina motor
-8mm Wire-Bosch platinum plugs
-Custom 2.25 exhaust-high flow cat
-Stage two performance chip
-Daul DTM muffler
-MSD coil packs
-Cold air intake.
EXTERIOR
-White custom graphics
-17in Team Dynamic white wheels
-Eibach pro 1in drop
-Blue lights
-White painted Chevy emblem
-Custom teal paint with metallic flake
-Shaved badges.
INTERIOR painted white center
console, vents, radio trim
-Custom vinyl doors.
AUDIO Kenwood mask
-Kicker zr120 amp=kicker zr360 amp
-2 kicker xpl 12in
-Rear battery
-Memphis 6x9
-Memphis3.5-147db reading
Top speed 117mph.
1 0 | | | J - b o d y m a g a zinE
Hi my name is Vito from Watertown,Connecticut. I started out by buying my
car from my best friend in 2000 bone stock. My first upgrade was painting
the emblems to white. I wanted to do a teal and white effect. Then I went
out and bought 17in Team Dynamics motorsport white wheels, and the
Eibach pro 1inch drop. Then I got it repainted to a teal metallic and painted
the door handles and mirrors. As time past by I decided to add some
decals. I came up with the idea of a big white Z. The decals made the car
look awesome! This year I decided to add custom headlights and a combat
wing. The interior is stock for now with some mods, like painted vent ,
center console, trim and white vinyl doors.
I also did some motor work after I blew up the orignal motor, I put a 3100
lumina motor so I wouldn’t have to change the tranny, like I would if I went
with the supercharged GTP motor. I added a custom cold air intake off a
92 Honda Civic and added better plugs and bigger wires. I later added a
2.25 inch exhaust with a high flow cat and dual DTM muffler. I also put in a
hypertech stage 2 performance chip.
My future mods would have to be a supercharger for the motor. I would like
to add a Diza body kit and air suspension. For the interior I want to add
teal & white leather plus white face gauges.
- Vito Matozzo
How to Install a
Dynomax Muffler on a
2nd Generation J-body
Complete Parts List:
$40 - Dynomax Super Turbo Muffler
(Universal 2 1⁄4in center & out offset)
Part #17731
$4 - 2in, 2 1/4in and 2 1/2in Heavy
Duty Clamps
$2 - 2in to 2 1⁄4 O.D. Adapter
$5 - 2 1⁄2 in Turndown exhaust tip
Have you always wanted to add an
extra punch to your car? To have a
great sound for a great price? Well, so
did I. For Christmas my friend got me
an exhaust tip as sort of a joke. Awhile
ago I got one and it fell off when my dad
drove my car to work one day. Anyway,
I went to put it on and discovered that
my muffler was hanging. Don’t ask me
when this happened or how, but it did.
Normally, a new muffler bracket would
solve this problem, but since the entire
muffler was rusted (as you can see in
the pictures), I decided to get a new
muffler.
Tips:
- Wait until all the clamps are in place and
everything is where you want it before you
tighten the clamps so you won’t crimp the pipe
where you don’t want it.
- Don’t tighten the clamps to much or you
might break or cut the pipe and put a hole in it
The Install: With some Christmas
money from my dad, I shopped around
the neighborhood auto stores and
found a Dynomax Super Turbo Muffler
that looked good and was a great price.
After researching it a little, I bought it
the next day. I found that the stock
bracket would fit just fine around this
muffler. I cut off the old muffler using
a Reciprocating Saw. I put the 2in end
of the adapter over the pipe from the
catalytic converter to the muffler using
a 2in HD clamp. Then I installed the
new muffler and I put the 2 1⁄4in outside
diameter end of the adapter inside the
muffler using a 2 1/4in HD clamp. Your
best bet is to try the pipe adapter first
on the muffler to make sure it fits snuggly in there. After I did this I installed
the bracket around the muffler and slid
it where it needed to go on the car then
tightened it up. On the other side of the
muffler I got a 2 1/2in exhaust extension pipe that had a flanged end so I
cut off the end and it was around the
right inside diameter that I wanted. So
I used a 2 1/2in HD clamp to hold it on
and continued to put on the exhaust tip
that my friend got me for Christmas. I
did not include the exhaust tip in the
parts list because it’s completely not
necessary and sounds just fine without
it. It took about 30min to do this whole
installation. Know that another option
is to find a Dynomax muffler with a 2in
in (since the stock pipe coming from
the cat back is about 1 3⁄4 in) and either
2 or 2 1⁄4in out. That will probably cut
down on some of the parts needed. I
however didn’t want to wait or order
one so we used this universal muffler.
If you do everything right the muffler
will be tightly in place and won’t mover
around much at all
Final thoughts: After the installation I
was very anxious to drive it around. It
sounds great at idle and start up and
deep sounding. When you rev it up it
sounds great, when you let off the throttle it has that sound like most other exhausts these days that I am not quite sure if I like yet or not. It definitely will get
your J-body a look. One thing I like is that it doesn’t look like a coffee can and
actually does something. I have noticed some improvement in speed and power.
I was never able to burn out with the 2.2L engine that I have, but with the new
exhaust I can. I think that says a lot. The new muffler is also considerably shorter
then the old one and lighter and better looking in general and wow it even comes
with a decal for Dynomax. It sounds awesome and you can see that it was pretty
cheap so why not?
Note: We are not responsible for any damage done to your car if you attempt this install and you do
something wrong. This setup might also not be legal in your location.
j-body m a g a z i n e | | | 1 1
Featured Rides
Ashley Becker
1 2 | | | J - b o d y m a g a zinE
A
s all J-Body owners know, the Z24 has smooth
bodylines and good looks from the factory, but
Ashley Becker, the owner of this modified Cavalier
wanted more then just smooth bodylines and good
looks from her J-Body.
The project started off with a bone stock 1999 Z24 Chevrolet
Cavalier that Ashley received for her seventeenth birthday
back in September of 2000. At first she only dreamed of
drastically modifying her J-Body, because that’s all you can
really do when you are a seventeen year old high school
student with a part time job. All that has changed now, and
dreams have became reality. Ashley is now a full time college student, a member of the Army National Guard, holding
a full time job, and has a husband that supports here hobby
and helps her with her current J-Body project show car. She
finally got to start creating here project in the spring of 2003.
As for the exterior styling, the Cavalier is equipped with
a full Street Weapon Drift body kit, Fiber Images carbon
fiber ram air hood, GTR style rear wing, APC euro tails,
RKSport clear turn signals, custom grill, brake calipers and
drums painted to match body color, single wiper blade
conversion, and a full custom paint job with red
gloss glazerous paint that includes both mirrors and door handles being color matched, and
all factory moldings and emblems being removed.
As for performance and suspension, the Cavalier is
equipped with a AEM cold air intake system, full custom cat
back exhaust system, a RSM big bore throttle body, 18” Enkie RS6 wheels wrapped in Falken 215/40R18 Z Rated Rubber, Drop Zone coil overs, and KYB gas struts and shocks.
As for the multimedia and sound system, the Cavalier
is equipped with Alpine head unit, (2) Alpine Type R
12” subwoofers, Crunch Drive Series 1800w Amp,
(2) Leacy 7” LCD screens, DVD player, Cerwin Vega
4x6s, Cerwin Vega 6x9s,Cerwin Vega Tweeters,
MTX subwoofer box, and Clifford security system.
As for the Interor,The Cavalier is equipped with a full
custom interior paint job using platinum silver and
high gloss red, APC white face gauge, and Ractive
shifter and Ractive pedals to match the interior paint.
Future plans, full turbo kit from www.cavalierconnection.com,
lambo doors, big brake kits, racing seats, roll cage, nitrous
oxide, upgraded fuel system, and upgraded exhaust system.
My current sponsors are www.cavalierconnection.com, racerxmotorsports, www.vinylmayhem.com, and my local body
shop Superior Auto Body.
Quarter mile time is 16.4sec. Car has 174 HP
Special thanks to, Superior Autobody and my husband.
j-body ma g a z i n e | | | 13
Prouc Rviws
By A s h l e y B e c k e r
Street Weapon Body Kit:
Even though it is made for the car make
and year, it didn’t fit correctly and there had
to be a lot of custom work done on the kit to
make it fit. But overall, the kit is very strong
and it goes well with the cavalier lines.
Fiber Images Carbon Fiber Hood:
Fiber Images makes a very impressive
carbon fiber hood. They custom make
each hood, they don’t keep them in stock,
they make them as they are ordered.
They generally have the carbon fiber
hood made and delivered in 2-3 weeks.
Overall, I would recommend this hood.
Enkie RS6 Wheels/Falken Tires:
Whalen tires was who I ordered my
wheel and tire package from. They
are fast and cheap. Overall, I would
recommend Whalen tires for their low
prices and great customer service.
KYB GR2 Struts:
Mantaray Motorsports was who I ordered
my performance struts from. They fast and
cheap. They were also very friendly over
the phone we I called for install directions.
Overall, I would recommend Mantaray
Motorsports for any suspension needs.
Dropzone Coilovers:
I ordered these coilovers from Cbwheels.
They are fast and cheap. As for the
coilovers, they are great. They not only
provide a stiff ride, they make it easy
to lower and raise your vehicle at your
convenience. Overall, I would recommend
Cbwheels for your lowering spring needs.
Alpine Products:
I wouldn’t recommend any other brand,
but ALPINE! The quality and style of
their products are unbelievable. Alpine puts out a unique look with a very
quality sound. Overall, I would recommend using any Alpine products.
Cerwin Vega:
I love these speakers. They put out a
very clear sound. Not only are they a
great upgrade from those factory speakers, but they are all equipped with tweeters. So you not only get clear sound, you
get great bass as well. Overall, I would
recommend and Cerwin Vega speaker.
Crunch Amp:
I woundn’t recommend any other brand
for an amp. Crunch is a company that
many haven’t heard of, but let me tell
you what, they are powerful amps. Not
only are they very powerful, they inexpensive too! Overall, I wouldn’t recommend any other amp, but Crunch!
Legacy 7 inch Screen:
This screens are amazing. They
have a clear picture and
1 4 | | | J - b o d y m a g a zinE
great sound. They are very inexpensive.
Overall, I would defiantly recommend these
screens for you mobile electronic needs.
M
ay 20, 2000 - the purchase of my new
2000 Chevrolet Cavalier Z24. What
started out as a daily driver, quickly
changed into one of the fastest dailydriven J-cars on the road until it’s demise on
Halloween Night 2003. My first modifications to
the car - a front end cover, window tint, a K&N
drop-in filter and Bosch +4 platinum spark plugs
- were pale in comparison to the future mods that
were in store for my ride. Once I heard about BC
J-Body (www.bcjbody.org) and the JBO (www.jbody.org) it was all over for this ‘econobox’.
window was smashed, an accelerant poured on
the seat/dash and the car torched. Awaking to
the car alarm going off at 4:30am, I rushed down
to find it ablaze. Note to self: fire extinguisher vs.
car on fire - car on fire wins. The garden hose
was slightly more effective, but when the fire
department finally arrived 30 minutes later, the
car was gutted. Following the arson investigation,
it was declared a total loss 10 days later.
Featured
Ride
John Lenko
Performance wise, this car wasn’t exactly a
sleeper off the showroom floor, but it wasn’t
a snoozer either. At Mission Raceway in May
2001, . The fastest quarter mile I laid down
was a 13.810 at 97.43MPH, with a ZEX dry
kit running custom jets for an 85hp shot, with
Mickey Thompson ET Drag slicks, on 15” rims.
With those wheels on, there was a mere 1.5” of
ground clearance - not enough room to fit most
cell phones under, never mind dealing with speed
bumps! That run was fast enough to disappoint
a Honda S2000 owner by two car-lengths. :)
A little-known sibling of the North American
car, the Toyota Cavalier was build by GM in
Lordstown, Ohio and exported to Japan. Many
of the parts for this car turned out to be available
direct from GM, if you could decipher the part
numbers. Well, I did and those parts started to
appear on my car - first a set of JDM taillights,
right down to a leather steering wheel and
finishing carpet on the trunk lid. None of these
were even available as options on the Chevy
version - it set my car apart from the 10 million
other J-bodies on the road, but in a subtle manner.
Custom was the name of the game I liked to
play - no one made a sleek enough looking
functional spoiler, so I set off to build my own.
Using cardboard, plastic sheets and fibreglass,
and the Camaro SS spoiler as inspiration, I made
my own spoiler that to this day remains one of
the most sought-after spoilers on any Cavalier.
I get requests to buy it almost every day! In
addition to the spoiler, I built my own side skirts,
subwoofer enclosure, and I was in the process of
building a replica of the TRD kit (only available
from Japan) until the car’s unfortunate demise.
This car travelled, and it travelled far. While I
make my home in Vancouver, BC, there really
aren’t any “big” meets around here other than
the ones that I help put together. The real J-Body
action happens back east - the largest being the
annual J-Body Bash. I’m usually the furthest
road-travelled to those kinds of meets! In 2001,
I travelled 5,500 miles (round trip) with a buddy
of mine in his 2000 Cavalier Z24, to the Bash in
Lordstown, Ohio, (one of three plants where the
Cavalier and Sunfire were built). At the track at
the Bash, I was the 4th fastest J-car of the day
(with a plaque to prove it), laying down a 14.0 flat
in 90 degree heat. In 2002, the JBO Pre-Bash
meet in Monteray Bay, California saw another
2,500 miles on the dial. This past summer, one
more drive across the country to St. Louis for
the 5th Annual Bash - where I laid down some
more quick times placing 5th in the Quick Eight.
Alas, all good things must come to an end. My
car had fallen victim to break-ins three times,
once vandalized almost beyond repair. In April
2003, a jealous racist slandered my car with
spray paint, jumped on the roof, stole the stereo
and rims and doused it in gas but didn’t light
it. Quite possibly the same person returned
Halloween night and finished the job - the driver’s
j-body ma g a z i n e | | | 1 5
1993 Chevrolet Cavalier RS
Convertible, 3.1L automatic.
Mod list:
Engine:
• Dual silver-bullet exhausts
• FDP performance true cold air
intake system
• Magnaflow High-flow cat
Featured Rides
1993 Cavalier RS Convertible
James S a m a
Suspension/Wheels/Brakes:
• ACE Flame 17’s
• Federal 215/45s
Interior:
• Chevy seatbelt pads
• black seat covers
• racing floor mats
• red & black pedal pads
• red neons under dash/seats
• red neon wire around center
console and doors
• red and black painted dash
• red and black painted doors
• red and black painted rear speaker
housings
• custom rear seat upholstering
• red painted ebrake handle
Exterior:
• chrome antennae
• new convertible top
• chromed front emblem
• chrome rear license plate frame
• Eastside Performance sitcker on
rear window
• AVS blackout headlight covers
• emerald green underbody neons
• tinted windows
• blue headlight bulbs & blinkers
• shaved badges
• removed all red on the side
moldings
• Diza Racing Hurricane Body Kit
molded into the sides of the car
• brand new paint job on the whole
car
Audio:
• Phase Linear 275-watt speakers
• 2 12” Kicker Solo Baric subs
• 2 MTX audio amps
• JVC cd deck
Miscellaneous:
• red wire loom
• red neon tube in trunk mounted
above the subwoofers
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I
got this car when I was 15 years old, a month before I got my learner’s permit. I
would drive the car around when I could, but I started modifying it even before that.
The exhaust went on before I got my permit, and things just kept going from there.
The first stage of the car consisted of the stock grey bumpers, 17 inch rims, and red
racing stripes on the hood and the trunk. Eventually, I decided it was time for a significant
change, and I ordered the Hurricane body kit from Diza Racing, in Canada. I removed the
stripes and changed the trunk lid, I was driving around with a green trunk for awhile, and
since nobody knew about the body kit, noone could understand why all the changes were
going on. Finally, the kit came in, and after two weeks of fitting, painting, and installation,
I had one of the only Hurricane Cavaliers in the world. The sides were molded into the
car, which is rare. The entire car was repainted black, and looked better than ever. After
those two weeks, I was driving around in one of two of the world’s Diza Hurricane Cavalier
Convertibles, the other of which belongs to Chris Geeding.
1993 Cavalier z24 Coupe
T
his car is certainly a head-turner. The bright red color makes it stand out from the crowd,
and the heads continue to turn as the flames shine in the sun. The irredescent flames extend on the sides from the front fender, just over the wheel, to the middle part of each door.
There is also a custom design painted on the Cowl Induction hood, which also sparkles
nicely in the sunlight.
One of my favorite things to do with this car is set off other car alarms with the exhaust. The 2.5”
piping paired with the straight-through exhaust gives me one of the loudest rumbles around. A plastic cup can be placed 20 feet behind the exhaust at idle, and it will vibrate (that’s a proven test we’ve
done with this car). The sound is nothing like a beehive either, it emits a deep tone so loud that
it turns heads just as quickly as the looks of the car. The car has yet to be taken to the track, but
laying rubber into 2nd gear and subsequently chirping 3rd gives me massived amounts of hope,
especially for the results after the turbo.
Another unique aspect of the car is the two narrow brake lights which are located in the bumper.
They pair as blinkers as well, and I’ve gotten much attention from this feature alone. I’m happy with
the way the Z looks and performs now, but there is always a long way to go. I plan to keep this car
for another while, and it will be transformed even more by the time the title gets handed over far in
the future.
My ultimate goal for this car is to have it continue to win shows, and to also be a very respectable
straight-line racer. I’ll be aiming for massive amounts of hp and torque when the turbo is done, and
I won’t be satisfied until both of these desires are met...and even then, who knows what the future
will bring?
1993 Chevrolet Cavalier Z24 Coupe, 3.1L
5 Speed Manual.
Mod list:
Engine:
• Aftermarket ECU
• FDP Cold Air Intake
• Straight through exhaust with larger
piping
• Custom Turbo system on its way!
• Exterior
• Custom Tribal Ghost Flame Paint Job
• Custom Side Splitters
• FX Designs Rear Bumper
• Shaved all badges
• Red underbody neon lights
• Custom front grille
• Mirrors and door handles painted to
match the car
• Red painted brake drums
• Red painted wiper arms
• Blue headlight bulbs
• Blue blinker bulbs
Interior:
• Red and black painted Interior pieces
• Red Neons under seats and dash
• Red shift boot
• Red shift knob
• Racing floor mats
• Chevrolet seatbelt pads
• Red and black pedal pads
• MUCH more coming...
Handling:
• 18” Fittipaldi rims
• 225/40/18 Falken Ziex tires
• Eibach 2” lowering springs
Audio: Panasonic CD deck, high power
rear speakers, no subwoofers in this car,
it’s staying light for racing
Future Stuff: Possible engine swap/
rebuild, accompanied by a turbocharger. I
plan to replace the stock front end on the
car with a Diza Racing Hurricane front end
once the engine work is said and done.
The windows will be tinted 5% in the rear
and 35% on the passenger and driver’s
side doors. If weight issues allow, then
there will eventually be an extensively
loud stereo done in this car with a custom
enclosure for the subwoofers, amp(s),
etc. Custom clear corners will also be
done shortly, as they were with the black
cavalier.
j-body ma g a z i n e | | | 17
Featured
Ride
Jeremy Harrington
My name is Jeremy Harrington, I am a 24 year old machinist from Livonia, Michigan. I am also a member of Redline
Motorsport and J-BOM (J-Body Of Michigan) as well as the
proud owner of a 1998 Chevy Cavalier Z24. As far back
as I can remember I have always had a strong passion for
cars. I have owned my Cavalier for a little over 3 years now
and in that time the car has went through many changes.
I’ve spent 10’s of thousands of dollars, countless hours in
my garage and a lot of blood sweat and tears to turn the
average economy car in to a radical performance machine.
The car is entered in shows almost every weekend in the
spring summer and fall and also planned to be in some this
upcoming winter. I really need to send out thanks to Karo at
carcustoms.net, Karo has been helping me out with my car
every step of the way. At least 60% of the parts on my car
came from Car Customs. I’d also like to thank everyone in
J-BOM and Redline Motorsport for their support and Steve
at street-line.net for all the JDM parts.
I can’t give any specific performance numbers right now because i have none to give at this time. A identicle motor was
dynoed in another car and made 202.8 HP at the wheels
without nitrous. I also plan to run a 150hp shot of nitrous on
top of that. I plan to always run the car on street tires because it is a street car. Since i plan to run on street tire traction will be a major issue but my goal is to run somewhere
in the 12 second range in the quarter mile.
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Engine:
Block - align honed- decked- modified oil passages- bored
0.040 over
Crank shaft- reground- removed casting marks- edged and
balanced
Pre 95 2.3L oil pan cut and welded to a 2.4L oil pan flange
ARP studs and bolts for the head
main caps and connecting rods
Clevite 77 Main Bearings
Clevite 77 rod Bearings
Wiseco 91mm Piston Rings
Wiseco Chrome-Moly Wrist Pins
Eagle forged 4340 H-Beam connecting rods (balanced
Removed balance shafts - 12lbs from rotating assembely
Gear driven oil pump conversion using a modified 2.3L oil
pump and 2.3L drive gear
Wiseco forged pistons .040 overbore (balanced)
10.5:1 compression
NOS “Pro Race Fogger” direct port wet Nitrous System
MSD dis 2
Apexi S-AFC
F-1 adjustable fuel pressure regulator
RC Engineering 320cc injectors
Ported and polished head
3 angle valve job
CarCustoms Forged stainless steel valves
Mantapart Bronze valve guides
Miller Performance intake cam
Miller Performance exhaust cam 2.3L HO crank pulley
2.3L HO intake manifold welded- machined and port
matched
RSM Racing 62mm throttle body
RKSport spark boot inserts
RKSport 2 1/4 dual cat back exhaust(Magnaflow mufflers)
RKSport ceramic coated header
RKSport upper engine mount insert
RKSport lower engine mount
Dynomax race bullet muffler replacing cat
Casper Electronics O2 sim
AEM short ram intake (modified)
K&N cone filter
Auto Trans Interceptor electronic shift kit
Blue silicone hoses
NGK TR6 spark plugs
Blue wire loom
Various painted parts
Custom made “2.4 HIGH OUTPUT” IDI cover
MSD in line fuel pump
Optima yellow top battery
Suspension/Wheels/Brakes:
Interior:
Ground Control coil overs (Eibach springs)
KYB GR2 struts and shocks
Eibach rear sway bar kit
RKSport camber kit
RSM front strut brace
RSM rear strut brace
18X7.5 Konig Rush wheels custom powder coated black
225/40/18 Kumho Ecsta Supra tires
2 245/50/16 Nitto 555R drag radials for the stock front
wheels for drag racing
Pro Car by Scat Rave 2000 seats
JDM Toyota Cavalier sun visors
Carbon fiber and chrome shift knob
Isotta Nivola RT steering wheel
Autometer dual pillar gauge pods
Autometer air/fuel ratio gauge
Autometer N2O bottle pressure gauge
Aluminum and carbon fiber look pedals
Grey front and back seats from a 95 Z24
Dash and trim peices painted blue
Reupholstered door panel sections in blue
Removed center arm rest to mount N2O bottle
APC white face gauges
Clear climate control knobs with blue backing
carbon fiber look climate control backing
Billet aluminum cigarette lighter
Miscellaneous:
Exterior:
Roto-Tech cross drilled and slotted brake rotors
Braided stainless steel brake lines
Titanium ti22 brake pads
Disabled DRL’s
RKSport Import Fighter front bumper
RKSport Type-J side skirts
Custom fender flares
Custom made black housing euro clear corner lenses
Custom made black housing euro clear bumper lenses
Custom made black housing projector head lights
Amber LED corner light bulbs
Naxon Xenon Blue head light bulbs
JDM Toyota Cavalier outter tail lights
JDM Toyota Cavlier badges
JDM Toyota cavalier side marker lights
JDM Toyota Cavalier coolant cap
JDM Toyota Cavalier radiator cover
Full carbon fiber trunk lid with shaved inner tail lights and
key hole
RKSport Pro Stock wing
Brake drums and calipers painted silver
Carbon fiber mirror covers
Carbon Fiber hood
Carbon fiber look license plate frame
Shaved Chevy emblems
j-body ma g a z i n e | | | 19
Featured Ride
Leo & Karyn Co o p e r
T
his is black beauty, owned by Leo and
Karyn Cooper of Victoria BC, Canada.
She is a 1999 Cavalier Z24, purchased
right out of the factory. We were interested in modifying her right from the start, but
lack of money and products slowed our progress.
We started out by putting on a solar wing. Then in
December of 2002 we found a local shop called
SHC Autographx Ltd. They really helped us out
and the modifications began.
We started by putting on sprint coilovers, white
17” Tenzo mean 6 rims, Yokohama AVD H4 tires,
and tinting of the windows. She looked pretty
good, a clean look. The following month we put
on the Ractive aluminium wing and tenzo windshield graphics. The wing gets a lot of attention.
You either love it or hate it. For now we like it, but
may change it in the future.
Next, we put in a Bomz cold air intake to give her
a couple more horsepower. Now we were ready
to complete the outside. We decided on the
Bomex body kit, it fits the cavalier nicely. Karyn
really wanted a hood, so I tried to find one that
was unique. I found one from a company called
FX designs, right here in Canada. They shipped it
directly to SHC for me. SHC prepped and painted
the hood and body kit and it was ready for installation. The bomex kit bolted on easily ( the rear
20 | | | J - b o d y m a g azinE
bumper right over the stock one ), but the hood
was a little more work. The hood is completely
pin down ( racing style ), so the four hood pins
took a while to align properly. In the end it worked
out and the twin snorkel hood looks great. It gets
a lot of looks, and most people seem to like that
mod the best.
After that the Ractive dual exhaust was installed
to get a few more horsepower and a meaner
sound. Then I installed the APC clear corners
and TYC elegante taillights. I really like the look
of the taillights, but have had problems with moisture getting inside the lights. They have been
sealed and resealed and there are still problems,
so I don’t recommend them.
Now black beauty looked really good, but we
wanted a bit more of a custom look. We got SHC
to design some custom bomex graphics, and
chose gun metal as the color. Then we moved to
the interior. We wanted to paint it black and white
to match the exterior. We took out the dash and
doors and began spray painting. We just used
paint for plastics and it worked really well. The
only problem was the top of the dash and the top
of the doors. They are vinyl and the paint would
not stick. One trip to NAPA and we got the right
paint. Finished up the painting and the interior
was complete, for now.
That is where black beauty stands today. It is a
very expensive and addictive hobby. We are currently trying to remove the speed limiter. In the
future we would like to install a new fuel system,
turbo, intercooler, anything to give black beauty
some go to go with her show. Of course a new
stereo and racing seats would complete the
interior.
Well that is the history of our car. It is not for
everyone, but we like her. She may be many
things, but she is not your typical cavalier.
Cavalier
j-body ma g a z i n e | | | 21
Featured Ride
New England’s Finest
By Matt Teske
Everyone always dreams of getting the VIP treatment. Doesn’t matter if you’re at
McDonalds or staying at the Ritz, getting what you want is always on everyone’s mind.
When Adam Risden set out to build his 1999 Z24 he had everything in mind, but there is
always room for the VIP treatment, you just have to do some work ahead of time.
At first glance this car looks mint. No, not from the green and white color combination either. The subtle exterior accents give the car a uniform look while still standing out.
A full Street Weapon Drift kit was added to give the car a low and aggressive look with
the side skirts getting a custom mold job to make room for the 19s, which are more than
special. The paint chosen to turn heads, a metallic fern green with reflective white pearl. A
3-piece touring wing was molded to keep with the cars seemless design. A suicide carbon
fiber trunk lid gives Risden’s Cavalier the ultimate show appeal, while still maintaining
race quality charm. Other exterior mods include clear corner lenses, a carbon fiber ram
air hood, carbon fiber altezza style taillights, and custom white reflective graphics straight
from the hand of Risden.
Popping the hood gives your visual senses a stir with enough polish to make the tin
man blush. An Injen intake was added to help the LD9 powerplant breathe while a custom
Ractive dual carbon fiber muffler exhaust gets the power out. An RKSport upper engine
mount was added to calm the torque of the engine as well. Lastly a digital reprogramming
super computer module was added to keep this Z24 ahead of all the curve. But wait, what
engine bay would be complete without 2 complete hose kits. We thought so.
22 | | | J - b o d y m a g azinE
Keeping with the theme, the inside of the car was attacked with reckless abandon to make sure every inch
matched the exterior. The seats were all rewrapped in Italian leather while Jade carpet replaced the stock carpeting.
Interior components were then shot with white pearl paint to match the graphics and all lighting was swapped for a
translucent green. Ractive pedals and a Matrix shift knob add to the feel and control of the car as well. An Autometer
gauge pod, which was also color matched in white pearl, holds 2 PSI gauges for the custom Air Ride suspension. Lastly,
a custom designed alarm with 5 sensors will make sure no one gets their hands on this prize piece.
What tuner car would be complete without a stereo? You don’t have to ask Adam. Taking the pages from the best,
Adam added 2 Sanyo LCD screens and an Xbox for those long road trips… or boring shows. 800 watts of Kicker amp
power feed the Kicker Solo-Baric L7 subwoofer. Completing the system is a Panasonic CD player with 7 digital display
modes and Pioneer 6x9s and Jensen 4x6s in the doors to make sure every inch of Project Gotham Racing will make
your ears bleed. Basically, you could never be board in this Z24, be it on the road or gleaming at a show.
Now, why is Adam VIP you may ask.
Well, what if you had a wheel company make
a set of 19” wheels for your car 12 months before they were produced for the next season?
Yeah, that’s what we thought. Take notes kids,
because Adam seems to have tuning down
to the “T”. 19x7.5” Giovanna Kobe wheels
wrapped Yokohama Parada tires tuck nicely
once the Air Ride system with a 6 (yes, SIX)
gallon air tank is purged. 3/8” air lines and
valves keep the system running smoothly
24/7. But, rolling hard means stopping harder.
Ceramic brake pads with Brembo cross-drilled
rotors painted to match custom paint keep
Adam’s Z24 cool and collected.
To top things off, Adam helped with every
aspect of the build. Sure, professional shops
can do great work, but if it is your design,
your blood, sweat and tears, doesn’t it make
it that much nicer? Well, you may no believe
that, but hey, do you have wheel companies
building you wheels? That’s what we thought?
Adam, your VIP status has been made official.
Now, how about 20’s?
Team Drop Zone President: Adam Risden
j-body ma g a z i n e | | | 23
1999 Chevrolet Cavalier Z24
Color: Custom Paint
Engine: 2.4L DOHC “Twin Cam”
Transmission: 5 Speed
Interior: Green and White
Exterior:
Custom paint: Metallic fern green with
reflective white pearl mid-coat and a triple
clear coat finish
Painted door handles and side view mirrors
to match custom paint
Street Weapon Drift Kit with molded and
customized side skirts to accommodate
19” wheels
Custom engineered and designed door
molding
Molded 3 Piece Touring wing
Carbon Fiber Ram Air Hood
Carbon Fiber Trunk Lid
Carbon Fiber limited Edition Altezza’s
Suicide Flip Flop Trunk modification with
custom painted A arm pillars
Clear corner lenses
Solarwing painted to match custom paint
Shaved Hood Latch, Emblems, and Side
moldings
Self designed body graphic in reflective
white vinyl
All decals in reflective white vinyl
Hyperwhite platinum Euroclear Fog lights
Euroclear side marker lights
Hyperwhite bulbs
Engine:
Polished Injen Intake
Digital reprogramming super computer
module
Custom installed Ractive 3.5” Carbon Fiber
dual exhaust with Custom 2.5” piping all
painted black
RK-Sport upper engine mount
2 neon green hose kits
Custom painted and polished Valve cover
and other engine components
Shaved and painted radiator cover in white
pearl
Suspension/Wheels/Brakes:
Custom Air ride system with 6 Gallon air
tank
Air bag struts in front and air cylinders in
rear with shocks integrated inside
3/8” Air Lines
3/8” Parker style valves
1/4 HP compressor
Customized GM strut tower brace
White 19” x 7.5” Giovanna Kobe wheels
24 | | | J - b o d y m a g azinE
215/35/19 Yokohama Parada Spec 2 tires
Ceramic brake pads with Brembo cross
drilled rotors painted to match custom paint
Interior:
Front and rear seats rewrapped in White
and Green Italian leather
Painted all interior to match custom painted
exterior with white pearl accents
Jade green carpet
Rewrapped Sun Visors and rear deck lid in
white felt
Custom HVAC and Dome light switch
panels in white and indiglo green
Translucent green climate control knobs
and Dome light
White Leather wrapped Arm rests and
Headliner
Rewrapped Kicker sub box in white felt
Grey Cavalier seatbelts for front and rear
Shortened shifter
White Ractive racing pedals
White Matrix Racing shift knob
2 Autometer PSI gauges for air ride
suspension
Autometer dual gauge holder painted white
pearl
Self Designed alarm system with 5 sensors
Chevy Bowtie 3rd brake light
Remote keyless entry for doors and trunk
Audio/Video:
Panasonic CD player with remote control
and 7 digital display modes
120 watt Pioneer 6x9’s
Jensen 4x6’s in doors
1 Kicker Solo-Baric L7 subwoofer in Kicker
sub box
Kicker Competition 800 watt amplifier
Custom installed XBOX in Glove
Compartment
2 Sayno 6.4” LCD screens
IN YOUR DREAMS
This is Andrew Dougall’s Photoshop of his 1994 Chevrolet Cavalier Sedan turned
custom stretch limo. He has stretched, smudged, pasted his way to this brilliant work of
art including Racing Hart M5 17in 1-Piece Rims and Diza Hurricane body kit.”
Before
After
QUEBEC J-BODY
BASH
This event was taking place at the
Pont-rouge dragstrip (approximately 5
minutes away from Québec) on august
3rd 2003 ,and it wasn’t just for the jcars, there was some import and also
a DB drag. Also you had the possibility
for a minimal cost to test your drag
abilities , for all this I want to say a
big thank you to the J-body la capitale
president Carl Tremblay for this first
event and it was a success.
Mario Coursol
j-body ma g a z i n e | | | 25
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26 | | | J - b o d y m a g azinE
WRECKAGE
Before
After
Steve Gary, of Ravenna, Ohio hit a concrete wall on a freeway in
Akron, Ohio. The car spun and hit the wall twice, and then came
back around resting itself over a ditch.
j-body ma g a z i n e | | | 27