Cavalier: To Turbocharge or Not

[Suziebob]

So, I'm a college student with my first car. I've realized that since I may plan on continuing my education for a while, the funds for a new Camaro or Caddy may not be available for... let's say a few product cycles.

I'm sitting here with a 2003 Cavalier LS Sport Coupe. Tuners have proven this is a more than capable platform. Let's just say right off the bat that I am not a tuner. I shopped Mustangs and Camaros when I was looking for a car, but at the time gas prices made a big V8 too expensive to own, and I think it's a sin to do a great car an injustice by driving it in V6 form.

So... I don't really know much about actually doing work on cars. I know how stuff works but I've never worked in a garage.

What I want your advice on is... should I get my car turbocharged? It would have to be done by someone else but I have access to some decent places. The car is an automatic, which presents some problems. We're going for maximum durability here.

Should I go through with this? Should I have it converted to a stick? Can anyone recommend a brand of turbocharger? Any info would be helpful.

[454]

Originally Posted by Suziebob

So, I'm a college student with my first car. I've realized that since I may plan on continuing my education for a while, the funds for a new Camaro or Caddy may not be available for... let's say a few product cycles.

I'm sitting here with a 2003 Cavalier LS Sport Coupe. Tuners have proven this is a more than capable platform. Let's just say right off the bat that I am not a tuner. I shopped Mustangs and Camaros when I was looking for a car, but at the time gas prices made a big V8 too expensive to own, and I think it's a sin to do a great car an injustice by driving it in V6 form.

So... I don't really know much about actually doing work on cars. I know how stuff works but I've never worked in a garage.

What I want your advice on is... should I get my car turbocharged? It would have to be done by someone else but I have access to some decent places. The car is an automatic, which presents some problems. We're going for maximum durability here.

Should I go through with this? Should I have it converted to a stick? Can anyone recommend a brand of turbocharger? Any info would be helpful.

Too be completely honest i would say not to do it. Between the trans and turbo kit you're probably looking at a couple thousand dollars easy. I think you should wait it out and save up to get that nice Camaro in the future

[MrCritical]

Lots of questions.

Unless you're going to turn the wrenches yourself, you need to trade your car for a stick, the expense will be too great.

If it's a low mileage car, you could turbo it. Do you have the $$$$ to fix it when it breaks? Half the money you spend modding a car goes toward repairs.

Do you have access to a racetrack? At the minimum, street racing will cost you a ton on your insurance, your license, or your life. You never know the skill level, the wrench level, or the alcohol or drug level of the person next to you on the street.

Modding cars is a blast. I've done it for years. But you need to have all the pieces into place. Will it interfere with your studies?

[Suziebob]

I actually do have access to race tracks for when that need strikes. I was thinking about just uping the fun factor, rather than turning it into a race car.

Will slapping a turbo on it (or any car, for that matter) significantly reduce the durability of it? I can stomach a fair bit of repairs, but not a constant stream. But hell, having a Cavalier already takes a lot of repair funding.

If I traded it, it would probably be for a Mustang.

[454]

Originally Posted by Suziebob

I actually do have access to race tracks for when that need strikes. I was thinking about just uping the fun factor, rather than turning it into a race car.

Will slapping a turbo on it (or any car, for that matter) significantly reduce the durability of it? I can stomach a fair bit of repairs, but not a constant stream. But hell, having a Cavalier already takes a lot of repair funding.

If I traded it, it would probably be for a Mustang.

Boosting any car not designed for it originally is pretty risky. The only safe way to monitor this is with a tuner. The biggest issue you will see is predetonation or knock, as the increased heat within the engine from the compressed air from the turbo can ignite the fuel in the cylinder at the wrong time and cause major problems.

[Suziebob]

You know, I may just trade to a Cobalt SS.

[454]

Originally Posted by Suziebob

You know, I may just trade to a Cobalt SS.

That's a very safe alternative, its pretty much what you were trying to build with your Cavalier as well! Good choice!

[GMfan1111]

Originally Posted by 454

That's a very safe alternative, its pretty much what you were trying to build with your Cavalier as well! Good choice!

yeah good choice there is a supercharger option from RSM for 4 cylinder cavaliers (but the 4 thousand dollar asking price is not worth it) plus neither engine in the J body (cav/sunfire) was designed for bolt on turbos. In order to accomodate such a thing would require some serious wrench turning

[Suziebob]

Originally Posted by 454

That's a very safe alternative, its pretty much what you were trying to build with your Cavalier as well! Good choice!

The only problem is, like (yes, I say like, and so, a lot, I'm a teenager) almost everyone who drives a Cobalt SS here is a super hot volleyball playing chick. This presents a few problems.

When I rode with one of aforementioned super hot volleyball playing chicks, she proved just how they drive. Flat out and sideways. Police are already watching these cars.

Two, through window tint, if I wear giant aviator glasses, I've been mistaken for a girl. When I'm clean shaven.

So, either I'm going to be mistaken for a skank and followed by middle aged losers, or I have to grow a beard.

[Suziebob]

Originally Posted by GMfan1111

yeah good choice there is a supercharger option from RSM for 4 cylinder cavaliers (but the 4 thousand dollar asking price is not worth it) plus neither engine in the J body (cav/sunfire) was designed for bolt on turbos. In order to accomodate such a thing would require some serious wrench turning

I see white trash kids from the suburbs with turbocharged Cavaliers all the time, but I figure that's why they're working at a 7/11 instead of going to school.

[454]

Originally Posted by Suziebob

The only problem is, like (yes, I say like, and so, a lot, I'm a teenager) almost everyone who drives a Cobalt SS here is a super hot volleyball playing chick. This presents a few problems.

When I rode with one of aforementioned super hot volleyball playing chicks, she proved just how they drive. Flat out and sideways. Police are already watching these cars.

Two, through window tint, if I wear giant aviator glasses, I've been mistaken for a girl. When I'm clean shaven.

So, either I'm going to be mistaken for a skank and followed by middle aged losers, or I have to grow a beard.

Well if you want something under the radar maybe you should check out a Regal GS. The 5-0 wont look twice at it!

[GMfan1111]

Originally Posted by 454

Well if you want something under the radar maybe you should check out a Regal GS. The 5-0 wont look twice at it!

plus mod support for L67 cars such as the Regal GS is alot more extensive than the J body

[Suziebob]

Originally Posted by 454

Well if you want something under the radar maybe you should check out a Regal GS. The 5-0 wont look twice at it!

That may interfere with certain... operations I have on campus...

[454]

Originally Posted by Suziebob

That may interfere with certain... operations I have on campus...

Ah no love for the Buicks! The ladies will the the comfortable and spacious interior....

[F14CRAZY]

Originally Posted by 454

Ah no love for the Buicks! The ladies will the the comfortable and spacious interior....

how does the 2.2L fair with forced induction generally? Like according to jbody.org?

If you weren't into getting a Cobalt SS you could look into putting the turbo 2.0L from the SS into your Cobalt. I'm not saying its going to bolt up but it couldn't be that bad of a job.