I bought a cavalier recently.It is a 1992.I know I said a 95 in another post.I thought it was.it turns out it is a 92 though.Anyway it has the 2.0 4 banger with automatic.My buddy has a 1994 escort.It has the 1.9 in it.His is a stick.he wants to line them up.Everyone runs from a stoplight to a bridge that is a tad bit over a 1/4 mile.He is hitting 85mph.I am only hitting 80 I am manual shifting and not launching off the brake.


I am thinking if I add a K&N filter,New plugs,some kind of high performance plug wires,msd coil.I might get him.I also need to change the fuel filter.

Any on have any other idea's?

 

For the race...throw out the filter, 100 octane gas, advance timing, more air pressure in front tires, throw all junk out of car, let the car shift unless it just shifts way too early, power brake it a little...And Don't Race Towards The Bridge...kinda dumb I think.

 

85, in a Cavalier, toward a bridge abutment - hmmm... Wasn't it that kind of thing that made Ralph Nader famous for 15 minutes?

I'd try to find a different place (or at least a different direction) to test your machinery.

As for more power, it's all about the flow. The "mighty" 122 doesn't have a lot going for it, but niether does the Escort. It's going to be like a Honda Prelude - every 4-5 HP gain is going to make a difference and give an advantage over the next Prelude. Lighten the car, which includes the spare, jack, extra audio equipment, trash and junk, and excess fuel. Racing with a full tank can cost you both launch and trap speed.

A new clean air filter is just as good for flow as a K&N, but they don't stay that way as long as a K&N (that's the beauty of the polyester filters). Tire pressure is good, but firm up the rear tires (on the dead axle) as well. Install your best tires on the front.

Let the automatic shift itself. If it isn't shifting at optimum pointws, your '92 may still have a TV cable which can be adjusted.

Gain some "free" power by switching to synthetic engine lubricant, but don't go too high on the viscosity. Up to 100°F, 10W30 synthetic should be perfect.

Make sure your wheels are aligned front and rear. It's amazing how much power can be robbed by crabbing the car down the road or excess toe.

Make sure the CVs are in solid condition (see above).

Check the parking brake for drag and adjust as necesary (also see above).

Practice your launches with different engine RPMs. I'm not sure about the torque converter in a stock '92 Cavalier, but I'm thinking it might be pretty loose (higher stall speed) since the engine redlines closer to 6,000.

And, of course, make certain the engine is in tune. That won't only help you make the most power, but should save you in daily operating costs so you can better afford any traffic citations and increased insurance cost generated by your actions. If you want to avoid that, find a nearby track and test your equipment there. The twenty bucks or so to enter and race is a lot cheaper than a moving violation.

 

We will be racing towards an underpass.There is a bridge above us.Just about as safe as it can get.2 lanes both heading south.Stoplight start bla bla bla.He can drive his car pretty good.

We had to tear down his motor to change the head gasket.When we did I did a little port work to the intake and gasket matched the head.The head was also shaved .030 because of warping.His car runs alright for what it is.


I am kicking my self in the butt right now for doing it for him!


I am going to take the spare out and the jack.Right now it still has the factory stereo in it.He has 2 12 inch subs and a bunch of other stuff.I will get the car aligned I planed on doing that anyway.


Thanks for the help.