1991 Vauxhall Cavalier GSI 2000 4X4

[Fossilfish]

Hello all, here is my dads Gsi, he has had it since 1994 and it has been off road since 2005. Me and my brother have had a few Gsi's but this is the lone survivor left. It has 122k on clock new engine at 94k it needs loads of work but today it run on its own steam for 5mins before fuel starvation.

Plans are to keep it stock (even the ride height)the list is endless but my dad loves it and will get it going soon.

We will do the inner/outer arches,sills, Diff, bushes and full respray and load other things. the interior is mint just gear gaiter and roof lining (which we have). We have so many parts and 3 c20xe's, a few gear boxes and a set of slab wheels in the garden, so will have plenty of supplies.



Silver boot lid from my old car as it originally had no spoiler.

[art82]

diamond black is the best colour vauxhall made, i really miss my gsi 2000 in that colour, rot ate it to the point the side skirts fell off while parked

[Fossilfish]

The kit is covering the rot here but not to bad, the front half of the car is remarkable sound its the back end. Sills arches are as badly designed as the mx5. It kinda gray now. This will take time!

[art82]

well it is good to see one being kept alive, i had mine nearly ten years ago and only saw two others on the road then, one thing i found despite the cavaliers reputation for poor handling the grip on my car was exceptional in standard form

[Fossilfish]

Jun 5, 2013 21:08:46 GMT art82 said:

well it is good to see one being kept alive, I had mine nearly ten years ago and only saw two others on the road then, one thing I found despite the cavaliers reputation for poor handling the grip on my car was exceptional in standard form

It is a good car, I like the 2wd version myself. This car blew its engine when my dad raced a Lotus Carlton (as that's the car he really wanted) but the engine is great this engine hasn't turned since 2005 and it chugged to life!

[jonallsorts]

I always have respect for these cars because, as I'm sure most of you do too, of BTCC in the early 90's

[MK2VR6]

It's great to see another gsi gracing this forum! I've owned 2, although my second one was a project which never happened. Hats off to your dad for keeping it so long and now doing the right thing and getting it back together. After owning it almost 20 years, I reckon the old girl deserves the best resto you can afford! Does the 4x4 still work? I know they were prone to seals failing, and I guess the sitting around probably hasn't helped?
Bookmarked!

[Fossilfish]

Jun 5, 2013 21:48:47 GMT MK2VR6 said:

It's great to see another gsi gracing this forum! I've owned 2, although my second one was a project which never happened. Hats off to your dad for keeping it so long and now doing the right thing and getting it back together. After owning it almost 20 years, I reckon the old girl deserves the best resto you can afford! Does the 4x4 still work? I know they were prone to seals failing, and I guess the sitting around probably hasn't helped?
Bookmarked!

Don't know about the 4x4 just yet, gonna concentrate on brakes, what's needed for MOT, body work then all the little bits and bobs. Let's hope this gets finished too! Word of warning this may take time so stick with me.

[Fossilfish]

Fuel pump has had it and fuel regulator line was disconnected, we have decided to leave the engine in rebuild it later as it will get new engine mounts and clutch. seeing that lovely black Gsi3000 has deflated me a tad but hats off to its owner he has done a fantastic job, can't wait to see project shots of it.

[catho]

Looks great, nice project you and your brother have there.

I'll be keeping my eye on this thread.

[catho]

Just spotted the comment about the GSi3000, don't feel deflated mate, it was hard work admittedly, but the reward is well worth it. The GSi2000 is a great car to restore and like all Vauxhalls of that era they are getting rare now. Keep up the good work.

[darrenh]

good start to the project mate, must be very rare in untouched 2.0 4x4 guise.

caution when sourcing replacement mechanical bits, asside from the obvious F20/5 F28/6 gearbox difference the transfer box was also different on the non turbo.

[willowandmikey]

What a rarity keep it up can't wait to see it finished

[Fossilfish]

Thanks for the comments, this is stock and at the time me and my brother put on silly wheels and my brother had Gsi3000 callipers and 19'' wheels (imagine how many rear tyres he went through)they like most cars look better stock even those erect amber side repeaters.

We have got all parts put in the spare room we still have the Philips tape deck to go in.



Also have a 89K speedo that is not flaked- sun damaged (that's why my dad covered the rear window as it was turning the rear parcel shelf purple.





Under here is a engine and gear box off my 89k 2wd Gsi.



Need to get the '4x4' red badge same as the Vauxhall Frontera.



The head lining was sagging and removed but easy fix





Someone tried to steal but it was stood 2 years already, Would be impressed if they did.




This is the engine with a hole in the side!

[Fossilfish]

Jun 9, 2013 9:19:57 GMT catho said:

Just spotted the comment about the GSi3000, don't feel deflated mate, it was hard work admittedly, but the reward is well worth it. The GSi2000 is a great car to restore and like all Vauxhalls of that era they are getting rare now. Keep up the good work.

well, seeing cars like yours pushes others to keep their projects going! you must feel so proud to roll around in it. I know this is going take time especially the rust removal and under side but we are now committed to it as my dad has got rid of his E32 BMW's and has borrowed a part water powered Toyota (I kid you not)

[Fossilfish]

Here is engine No3 with 89k (documented) with gearbox and all bits 'n bobs, looks rather well.



Got the door cards off and changed all the locks as we had a issue with the ignition barrel, also changed the plastic moist protector and speaker for original and greased lock all locks and windows while open, otherwise doors all good. Car is now on one key with the keyhole light finder on it.





Door cards have been changed, the older G reg 2wd door cards are better quality and fit better, the vinyl had split in places and the rear door had a chunk bitten out so needed changing.Forgot to take a pic of the changed one. The rear seat bolster has been squashed, we have a spare one thanks to my hoarder dad.





My dad still had the original boot lid in the shed and it had no rust on it, anyone who knows Cavilers knows that boot lid rusts bad, I recon the fitting holes for the spoiler lets in water as the silver boot lid once spoiler and plastic number plate cover was removed it had plenty of rust holes and was bubbling bad.
holes ready for spolier! yes it needs to be aligned.



If you noticed from the original pic, my brother put this in the rear parcel shelf, no Asian dad can be without it!

[willowandmikey]

Good work dude keep it up !!!!

[Fossilfish]

Jun 9, 2013 18:54:23 GMT Fossilfish said:

Jun 9, 2013 9:19:57 GMT catho said:

Just spotted the comment about the GSi3000, don't feel deflated mate, it was hard work admittedly, but the reward is well worth it. The GSi2000 is a great car to restore and like all Vauxhalls of that era they are getting rare now. Keep up the good work.

well, seeing cars like yours pushes others to keep their projects going! you must feel so proud to roll around in it. I know this is going take time especially the rust removal and under side but we are now committed to it as my dad has got rid of his E32 BMW's and has borrowed a part water powered Toyota (I kid you not)

Here is pop's hydro-toyota!

[catho]

The hydro Toyota sounds interesting, what are the advantages/disadvantages of running a car like this?

[Fossilfish]

Jun 22, 2013 18:17:38 GMT catho said:

The hydro Toyota sounds interesting, what are the advantages/disadvantages of running a car like this?

He says that MPG is much better like 70/80 and tops up with mineral water, water is boiled and injected in to cambers, I don't know how but I think it has a mini Mr Fusion on board. Here is a link hydrotechnix.com/faq.php my dad say it often stalls but run well once got going.