Daily Driver Adventures ("Build" Thread)

[Kwik_Cutty88]

Hi all,

The accident repair on my Cutlass is taking a little longer then expected (due to low funds and hard to find parts.). I figured it would be a good idea to have a second vehicle for rainy days, and just in case my Cutlass breaks again. Found this for $600. 2002, Z24 Performance Package with a 5 speed. 152,000 miles and runs like a top. Just needs a left rear brake line, and some odds and ends here and there. Previous owner got slap happy with some bondo that is covering minor minor Rot. I'm just gonna clean it up, paint it to look acceptable and move on. Just spent some time cleaning it up yesterday, looks great!

 

[RustRocket]

A lot of people bag on FWD 4/6 cylinder cars all the time, I could never understand why...probably because they bought the automatic, and a 5-speed fixes everything. My brother had a 91 Mercury Capri convertible, 1.6 DOHC 5sp, that car was insanely fun and not to shabby in the performance dept. I'm going on and on, but anyway, nice car. Probably the nicest Cavalier I've seen in 5 years!

 

[Yav8]

Got a 79 Mercury Capri in a deal once for doing some motor work. You have no idea how easy it is to put a SBC in these things or any of the fox platforms. With a bunch of parts that I had laying around the thing went 12.20s at 110mph. Vortec heads and block with a flat tappet cam and a th350 and a 4.10 gear.

 

[rgraboske]

I had a 98 that I bought new. It was a fun car to drive with very good gas mileage.

 

[pencero]

I would find the location of the e-brake next to the shifter really annoying. What parts are you having trouble finding for the cutty?

 

[Kwik_Cutty88]

Mostly the front bumper and some header panel brackets. I was trying to find a stock hood, but I couldn't find a decent one in the area. So I am most likely gonna shell out the money for a US Body source cowl hood.

 

[Kwik_Cutty88]

Update! I've just been driving the hell out of this car, and using it as a parts van lol. It's currently at 161,*** miles. I've done with minor things there and there, but not much.

Yes...that is 2 g body core supports, and euro header and front fender back there lol.



I also added a bow tie badge to the rear like factory. I thought the back looked too plain Jane before. You'll also notice I got rid of all the bondo on the car and exposed the rot. I sprayed it with Eastwood rust converter, but it didn't last long, I guess from poor prep. I still think that looks better than bondo slathered everywhere.



Painted the corner lights Amber, and the fog lights yellow for better poor weather visibility. I also added some garage door molding on the bumper for a home made lip. Plus it covers up the mounting holes from the factory lip which the PO took off. I also added the GM Mark of Excellence bages they did for a few years. I always liked those.



Next on the list id like to repaint the wheels. The PO did a horrible plastidip job. I'm gonna leave the centers back and the edges chrome.
Also want to change th fuel filter.

 

[liquidh8]

Not a bad little daily.

 

[Kwik_Cutty88]

Not a bad little daily.

Thanks! It's actually pretty fun to drive. I consistently get 31-33 mpg which isn't bad either lol.

 

[Kwik_Cutty88]

About 3 weeks ago the fuel pump died on my way home to work. Finally got that finished up, and put in the new sending unit while I was at it. I also changed the fuel filter. I went a little different route with the wheels. The chrome was in decent shape when I peeled up the plastdip, so I couldn't get myself to paint over it. I just painted the inserts black and left the faces chrome. One of the wheels was actually the machined wheels that already had the inserts done from the factory. So I had to strip it, sand and polish the aluminum out. That was a chore. I also painted the headlight surrounds black, I like the look. Now I just need to get around to fixing that damn window regulator.