Dear Ap-Auto,
I started cusomizing my 1997 Chevy Cavalier 2.2L engine about 8 years ago.To be honest it's become one of my favorite hobbies. But there is a story to why it all started and If you are intrested then please keep reading on.I was diagnosed with a terminal illness that was going to claim my life..I was told I was going to die.I was only 14 at the time and for a young girl to hear this at that age is very devistating. Ofcourse I went through all the treatment that I needed so that this disgusting illness would NOT win. By the grace of GOD my two brothers were a perfect bone marrow match. Now I must say there were very very many hurdles throughout my life and my illness which is still with me today. I know what your thinking..shouldn't I have been cured? Well I have a very rare illness and not only does it kill you but it causes so many diffrent types of cancer and a bonemarrow transplant only pro longs your life. The doctors don't give a specific time frame of when a relapse would happen but I am assuming between 12-14 years after a bonemarrow transplant.The name of my Illness is called
Fanconis Anemia and I hate it,every bit of it. There is no cure and treatments cause so many side effects that causes you to be even more sick.Some side effects that I have expirenced are irrversable but hey..I can't complain because I am still alive today.There were many days and nights when I thought about just ending it...just end my life.It would be easier,no more suffering and no more pain.But in the end I realized that If I did that I would be hurting the ones that were closest to me and that I made them all suffer because of MY illness for nothing.All the time and effort the doctors did to help save me.My parents who stayed by me,exspecially my mom. I would be devisted If I hurt them by doing something like that.I could not take it anymore.But when my 17th birthday rolled in my dad purchased me a car! It was my first and it was beautiful! And it was a cavalier..(laughs).It was purple and had grey plastic bumpers.(You can Imagine).I knew we were really down and out because all of the medical exspenses,all the bills and treatments.So I was not exspecting anything more let alone a car.I was so excited I didn't know what to do except hug my parents and thank them.I truely beleive they wanted me to have a car before something bad happend to me. They wanted me to expirence what a teenager feels like when they get a car for the first time.(smiles) At this point of time it was 2001 and I was 17..driving a cavalier.Everyone made fun of it for some reason(I didn't really understand why back then)All I knew was that it was MY car.I figured maybe I could TRY and fix it up a little bit.And then a movie came out called "The Fast and the Furious" ..LOL..I know.I watched this movie and this is what inspired me to start customizing my car. I started little by little because I didn't have much money..well NO money.(giggles) I was still very sick so I couldn't do much of anything.I sold a couple of my things and made some small cash.I figured I was going to die anyways so I might aswell make some money off my stuff.I know that sounds bad but noone else was going to be getting my belongings.I started purchasing things peice by piece and installing them when I felt I could.At this time I noticed I wasen't even thinking about myself ever being sick. I sat down and thought to myself not only is this an awesome hobby but it was also like theraphy.I stopped dwelling on the fact that I was sick and slowly dying and didn't feel sorry for myself anymore.So I continued on.
I know it took me a awhile to get my car where it is now and that other people could have most likely accomplished what I have in a shorter time span.But the idea was not to finish it right away..it gave me something to do with my life.Everyday I looked forwards to do something with my car.As the years went by I didn't feel as sick and didn't get as sick anymore.Yeah I have my ups and downs somedays but I also have my car which I am still fixing up today.
It's a wonderful car.It helped me deal with a situation that I thought I could never get through.And I wanted people to know my story and also know that cavaliers are a great car.Maybe not the best but after you do some work to it..it's your master piece. I molded it into something great in my eyes and all other cavalier enthuiast.
So with all that said (sorry for the long story) here are my modifications:
Engine-
NGK Spark Plugs
Taylor 8mm Spark Plug Wires
AEM air Intake w/AEM filter
Neon Green wire Loom by StreetGlow
Pacesetter Header
Titanium Battery----FUTURE PLAN-Yellow TOP
High Performance Silicone hosing
Strutbar by Vibrant
New Drive Belt by AC Delco
New High AMP alternator
The BIG Three Upgrade
(Tsunami ANL Inline Fuse holder,Stinger 150 amp fuse,Stinger Terminals,green 4 awg power wire)
New Valve Cover Gasket
Painted Parts-Fuse Box Cover,Windshiled washer fluid cap,
Exhaust-
Pacesetter
Magnaflow 2.25 High Flow Catalytic Converter
2.25 Piping,custom bent
Magnaflow Muffler
FUTURE PLAN-Catback Exhaust
Audio-
Rockford Fosgate PL2-210 Stage 2 Dual 10" Hatchback Subwoofer
Imported sub box(tooo heavy)
Custom Kick Pods with 6 1/2 Infinity Kappas and Infinity tweeters 60.5cs
Sony X-plod Amp----FUTURE PLAN-Rockford Amp
Fusion Amp EN-AM60040
RockFord Capacitor 1 Farad
Pioneers 6 1/2
Sony 6 1/2
ALL audio wiring/fuses by Rockford Fosgate 4 gauge wire
JVC Mobile Head Unit KD-PDR80
Dyno Mat
FUTURE PLANS-One Single 15" Rockford Sub
Lighting-
Philips HID Kit 9000
Sylvania Bulbs
GlowShift Interior LED lighting
Streetglow undercar kit(to be installed)
Voltmeter APC Gauge with single pod
Security-
Cobra Security Alarm/keyless entry
Brakes/handling-
Brembo Slotted/Drilled Rotors
Bendix Drums-Painted Green
High Tempature Ceramic Brake Pads Pro-Stop
All brake lines replaced
FUTURE PLANS-AFTERMARKET CALIPERS
FUTURE PLANS-Aftermarket coilovers-TENZO?
FUTURE PLANS-Aftermarket struts
Tires and Rims-
Enkei Rims 17.7 5 Spoke----FUTURE PLANS-Better Enkei Rims
Kuhmo Supra Tires-low profile
Exterior-
Custom Lime Green Metallic Paint Job
Racing Chrome Side Mirrors
BMZ Spolier
Chrome Projector Headlight Housing
LED Blinkers XENON
LED Reverse
Euro Chrome blinker housing
Altezza Brake Light housing
Custom vinyl decals on front windshield-MAGANDA-it means Beautiful
Blitz Fiberglass Body kit----FUTURE PLANS-Urethane BodyKit same design
VIS Carbon FIber Invader Hood-(to be installed)
Green Valve Caps
Billet short antenna
Window Visors
Interior-
Custom Painted Interior-Lime Green
Billet HVAC Knobs
LED underseat lighting
TENZO R Racing Seats
Custom wrapped Vinyl-Lime Green-Front Dash-Rear Dash
Billet Bezel
Tenzo Door Sills
MOMO Pedals
MOMO Shifter
MOMO e-brake boot
Chrome e-brake handle
LED Green dome Light
LED green glove box light
Aftermarket Chrome Steering wheel(-to be installed)...FUTURE PLANS-MOMO steering wheel
MOMO steering wheel hub adapter
Chrome rear view mirror---FUTURE PLANS-Billet rear view mirror
Rear Couch coverd in black fabric
All windows tinted-Legally
Billet steering wheel tilt
Cobra Radar
Magellan GPS
Wow..that's a pretty long list ..AND there are most likely other things..I just cant remember(laughs).
I basically did most of the work myself with the help of my cousin Annie.*Thankyou Annie*
So.. hopefully I can get sponsored because I think my cavalier deserves it..shes a great gal! And I think some sponsors out there would be proud to place there decals on my car.Also knowing a girl could do all this(pats myself on the back).I'll keep my eyes open for you sponsors.
I also am apart of cardomain,J-body.org and Automotive Forum.I can always post ADs for sponsors.I do have my own webpage aswell,it seems this is the easiest way to show off my car because everyone seems to not like it.Here is my link http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2821880 I do have more newer photos,I just have to upload them.This site is just a short story of my car...always more to come!
You asked my future plans,most likely to work more on the engine but I am afraid to take it apart.I would need some help with that area and would need some advice on what can actually be upgraded in there.
Well I look fowards to hearing from you Ap-Auto! Please let me know what you think about my car,I would love to hear someones professional opinion instead of from people who say they hate it.
It's a great car,it's my car and I love my LS!(giggles)
Takecare and please enjoy the photos,
-Christina
Keep Rocking on Cavaliers!!
[img]
http://memimage.cardomain.com/ride_image...medium.jpg
