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Hi guys. What with the new site going live and it being my 10th anniversary with mk2cav.com I thought I would write a blog, hopefully encouraging others to do the same! I first joined the club in 2005, after buying an SRi. I wanted to join a club and be a part of something that fellow owners had in common; now I'm a quiet sort of person and was a little apprehensive about my first experience of meeting new people.. but after making the effort I now have some fantastic friends all over the country. I have had many cavs over the last 10 years as I have not been been able to pin down and find exactly what I want. Even the fantastic V6 Calibre project I put together didn't quite hit me where I thought it would and give the buzz that I was looking for. This wasn't the car, but the driver - and I think that's one of the joys of a cav. There were so many variants. There was something for everyone, but throw a bit more customisation into the mix and you can have any car you like. I now have that with my "Saab-alier" and I'm looking forward to adding it to the garage, as soon as I get my laptop sorted! Joining mk2cav.com has been a blast as I have had some truly fantastic times at events; from club meets in darkest Northampton in the depths of winter (well piss-ups really) through to doing two amazing euro trips which I would recommend anyone doing if they do nothing else.If there's one thing this site gives you, it's a sense of been a part of something great. You know most people by face as they also made the effort like me to show up at events not knowing what to think(!) and as a result, the future for this club looks brilliant. This new site is testament to that, but also to the fact sometimes we should also challenge our modern habits. I enjoy Facebook like most, but it will never give that feeling of been apart of something. So for all those that had input into the new site to push it forward, you have my sincere thanks. I look forward to many more years of mk2cav.com and look forward to meeting all friends old and new, that I'm sure will be a part of this great community for years to come. Richie.

This has come up a few times now and as decent shells 1.8 & 2.0 become more scarce using lower spec cars as a project base makes more sense. The main difference between the 1.3-1.6 shell and the 1.8-2.0 shell is that the 1.8-2.0 has a more beefy front subframe and crossmember setup. The issue is that you cannot simply transfer the subframe across. The longer subframe is located by 2 bolts in the centre while the shorter ones have one bolt and a locating dowl. Longer subframe Shorter subframe All is not lost though. The rear bolts line up and the dimensions of the subframes are basically the same otherwise so you can cut the the section out of the shorter arms and weld them into the longer ones. Take careful measurements of where everything should be then cut out the section in question from the shorter arms Which will leave you with this. Now once you have checked your measurements cut the corresponding section out of the longer arms and transfer the single bolt setup across. I suggest tacking it up then checking it on the car to make sure it lines up with the 2 rear bolts. And you end up with this Then there is the front crossmember / radiator support. It can be cut out of a 1.8 or 2.0 (if you can get a decent one) and welded into place in the 1.3/1.6. It's basically a straight swap. With the lower arms in place you can bolt it up before welding to make sure it's in the right place. If you're fitting an intercooler (as I was) you may benefit from making up a one off crossmember to give you extra space. What way you go about that will depend on your needs. Personally I'd say this mod is only actually needed if you're running big numbers or are planning track days. If you only plan on fitting an XE and are a bit daunted by the task you'll be fine without.

VID-20250621-WA0013.mp4 .I 12th June 2025. Left Hampshire in E915CJM Cavalier 1.6 LX plus 1999 Nissan QX 3.0 driven by my son-in-law . Was due to take old Range Rover Classic as second car but transmission failed so the old QX was wheeled out. Ended up at Windermere. About 280 miles completed. Cavalier happy in the fast lane of the M6. 13th June 2025 headed for East Kilbride in Scotland where my son-in-law had some business. 460 miles completed. 14th June 2025 headed to Edinburgh where we stayed for 4 days. Met for a few beers with "Kaino" (Jason) who owned my car for 10 years up to 2015. Now that I've owned it for 10 years, we had much to discuss and compare. Also met with Mark in the Edinburgh area who kindly brought along his nice blue 2.0. A drop link had broken on the QX and the few days in Edinburgh allowed us time to source and fit a new part. Ladies arrived by train on 16th June and 17th spent sightseeing in Edinburgh. 18th June 2025 headed up to Inverness for the starting point of the NC500. A fast trip apart from roadworks at the top end. 19th June 2025 drove around Lochness and then headed to Dornoch for the night. Lovely place and the sun shone brightly. 20th June 2025. Completed first 872 miles to Thurso via John O' Groats. 21st June 2025. Slow going on the North coast due to multiple stops at amazing beaches. 928 miles clocked up in total. Chilly wind when South is basking in heatwave. MK2 performing well. Camping at Kyle of Tongue tonight. Lots of mossies. 23rd June 2025. Diabolical weather at Durness for last 24 hours. Soaked-through old tents going in bin later this morning as we head south for 3 hours. Only 30 miles yesterday around what would have been spectacular scenery. Spectacular drive this morning to near Lochinver. 1032 miles clocked up in Cavalier so far. Will post some more videos soon. NC 500 glamping pods tonight followed by search for super unleaded first thing in the morning. 24th June 2025. Headed for Gairloch today. Dry run after much overnight rain. Nice hotel overlooking the bay. 25th June 2025. Headed towards Applecross today, stopping to view some deer at a reserve. The notorious Applecross Pass lived up to it's reputation. Climbed up through the switchbacks in 2nd gear (3rd too high) in the mist and murk. We got caught in a jam at a passing place on a steep section. Downhill driver didn't leave enough room. QX (being wide) only managed to squeeze through with a couple of mm to spare and both near side wheels precariously over the edge. Cavalier was a bit easier. Camper vans are banned on this stretch but it doesn't stop the odd one from trying and causing chaos. 26th June 2025. Spectacular views of Skye from the Coast Road north of Applecross. Re-traced our step for about 50 miles along the NC500 in the opposite direction until picking up the road to Inverness. Headed for Kenmore in Perthshire - our base for the next 36 hours. Cavalier hasn't mis-behaved so far. The QX also running well apart from the failed drop link previously mentioned - we did manage to replace it on the grass without removing a wheel. NC500 successfully completed. 27th June 2025. Using Kenmore as a base, sightseeing around the Perth area. 1523 miles clocked up. Cavalier has used an Espresso cup sized amount of oil in that time. Quiet evening - getting ready for the 400+ mile run back to Hampshire tomorrow and, hopefully, some warm weather. The much 🐏 maligned GM Varajet II carb performing well. Seems to thrive on the dense, cool Scottish air. 28th June 2025. The 474 mile trip home was completed by 18.30 (06.10 start). Cavalier cruising at the legal limit wherever possible. Only incident was a 'sticky starter solenoid/motor' at Keele Services. It worked again after cooling down but I shall replace the starter motor assembly this week. Total Mileage for whole trip: 2005. Final thoughts: 1) pre-booking accommodation 3 months in advance is essential. We did it at 2 months leaving us camping for 2 nights - unfortunately the same nights with 60mph winds and unrelenting rain. We enjoyed staying in a couple of hostels - better than expected and interesting to chat to other travelers. 2) ensure you top up with E5 petrol whenever you see it - we did and we didn't have to use E10. 3) prep your brakes, tyres and suspension, if nothing else. 4) make sure you have a couple of meals you can heat up on a camping stove even if you aren't camping. Food can be remarkably difficult to come by at some of the popular overnight stops - some pubs weren't serving food or shut most of the day (staff shortages) despite hundreds of potential customers. We keep a few 'Slim Fast's in the car - not dieting but good emergency food in a bottle. 5) expect to get cold and wet at some point, regardless of time of year. 6) Have confidence in your MK2 tackling a long journey. Mine has a high mileage (154K), only a 1600 and with original carb. I have to say 'what an excellent car E915CJM' has proved to be on this trip. I would happily drive it around the world. It's earned it's annual oil change and will spend the next 2 days sitting in 30°+ temperatures at home with it's doors, windows sunroof open and sill covers removed so that every nook and cranny can dry out....and then coat them and the underside liberally with ACF-50. For those interested in the Nissan QX - I bought this in Aberdeenshire June 2024 for less than £1000 and drove it back 600 miles overnight. Like the Cav, it is one of my all time favourite cars. Known as the 4th Generation Maxima , designated model number A32 (1995-1999), it sold close to a million worldwide but only a few in the UK due to badge snobbery and bland looks) It's engine found it's way into the 350z/370z with increased capacity. Most UK sales were of the 2.0V6 which is a fine cruiser. Mine is the 1999 3.0V6 and it shifts. Never failed an MOT in its life. One of these featured in Fast and Furious (Vince's Car). There is a big tuning cult following in the far east. Check out YouTube - HubNut's review of one in New Zealand and Scotty Kilmer's '99 Maxima review titled "This Nissan is better than a Toyota". Tempted? Don't buy the earlier version A31 (Maxima) or the later A33 version from 2000-2002 (Maxima QX). Sorry to drop this into the blog.......but in case you were wondering why we took it on the trip.......now you know. 2 rare, affordable, excellent cars, from the last century, very different in very many ways, both great fun. END OF BLOG. VID-20250622-WA0000.mp4 VID-20250623-WA0014(1).mp4 VID-20250623-WA0008.mp4 VID-20250621-WA0013(1).mp4 VID-20250627-WA0044.mp4 VID-20250623-WA0014(1).mp4 VID-20250702-WA0000.mp4

7 of 12 - Chester Services 402 miles completed today and 37 mpg in the old girl. 3 Stops in liverpool for photos and to meet up with friends and then had to stop off and Ellesmere port for a photo next to the big #vauxhall sign. Then the services before the 3.5 hour drive home - Took Stanley as the co-pilot this time and he didn't complain once about the singing and conversation or the amount of rubbish i ate - might take him along again. No rest for #thegreencavvy as next week we have #FestivaloftheUnexceptional

After 3.5+ years living over 5000 miles away, we’re finally coming home to the UK. And that means becoming active with MK2CAV.COM properly again. Somehow, our weird little website started back in 1998 is STILL alive. Which honestly feels slightly miraculous considering the modern internet now mainly consists of doomscrolling, AI slop cat ninjas, ragebait and “what wheels fit?” posted 140 times a day by people who apparently fear the search function more than terminal rust. Comparatively - MK2CAV.COM may be ancient, but it matters. Today, socials posts vanish with the swipe of a thumb and are forgotten 2 minutes later, while old forum threads from 2004 are STILL helping people keep these cars alive today. Somewhere on the forum there are still 17-page arguments on Weber conversions vs original Varajet carbs that remain more useful than 99% of modern social media. And honestly… our archive of human experience (and even joy) matters of now more than ever. Because MK2CAV.COM was never just a website, classifieds page, or somewhere to argue about wheel offset and dashboard rattles It became: an archive and wealth of technical knowhow. a place that documented restorations and saved cars a social club and occasionally group therapy for people emotionally attached to rusty 1980s Vauxhalls But equally, the reality is our previous club and hosting setup simply is not sustainable long-term given membership numbers and general cost-of-living madness. So over the coming months we’ll be: reviewing forum and club operations looking at the future role of the website preserving our archives properly modernising and streamlining further rethinking merch, stickers and perks and moving more strongly towards preserving a whole bygone era of motoring Importantly: That does NOT mean deleting the forum or abandoning what made the club special. Quite the opposite. The goal is to preserve 20+ years of history, guides, photos, technical resources and friendships properly while also making the club feel alive again. Because while Facebook groups can absolutely continue doing their thing, I still believe there’s still room for something deeper for those who want more meaningful engagement: road trips restorations technical writeups random roadside and barn-find saves retro reminiscing and the strange things that only seem to happen when you own an 80s Vauxhall The internet changed. Forums died. Photobucket murdered half our old build threads. Social media replaced conversations with algorithms. And now half the internet appears to be mainly bots stirring up hatred while AI-generated memes lull us into a collective stupor. Yet somehow this place still survives, and it reminds me of happier more outgoing times, before social media made us all feel "too busy". Like our cavs, the club site is a bit rusty. Occasionally broken. Held together largely by stubbornness and irrational optimism (also like our cavs). So, one thing I’ve also realised recently is that the club was always strongest when it had its own content and media personality, not just FB scrolling pictures of cavs in fields. So I’ve started creating retro-themed club artwork and posters for paid members inspired by: 1980s / GM culture old VHS action films dealer graphics and tax discs period brochures retro magazines motorway service stations at 2am and general nostalgic nonsense If you’re a paid-up member, PM me on MK2CAV.COM to request: personalised avatars / retro poster magazine cover / pop-culture parody scenes and other club-style artwork featuring your Cav (Completely unique and free for you to use on social media, clothing, garages, banners or wherever else you wish to proudly display your questionable life choices and Cavalier-flavoured love of 1980s motoring). Subject of course to my time and availability while relocating half my life back across the planet* Also… IMPORTANT! Our annual VBOA Sywell weekend is nearly upon us. So if you want to attend with the club, check the forum events section and get involved. I’m genuinely chuffed that all the club admins (even me!) should be there this year. Let’s see who else still has enough unburnt petrol fumes and irrational optimism left in them to make the trip. (Mk1, Mk2, Mk3 Cav or no Cav at all - you’re always welcome.) And finally: thank you to YOU for sticking around. At present there are at least five MK2 Cavalier Facebook groups doing similar things. And honestly, that’s absolutely fine. Some were even founded by old members from this site. In a world increasingly lacking shared pursuits and common interests, I genuinely think the more the merrier. But we are now: 27 years for the club. 45 years for the Mk2 Cavalier itself. And somehow it’s now only 5 years until the Mk2 turns 50, which is frankly terrifying. Still… that feels like enough time to keep the life-support machine pumping a little longer. Forums are supposedly dead. Small car clubs are supposedly dead. And AI bots, dead internet theory and endless scrolling are making even good Facebook groups increasingly disposable. But MK2CAV.COM was never really about the cars. It was about preserving a strange little slice of the 1980s and the friendships that came about from our quirky obsession. So somehow, nearly 30 years later… we’re still here. Still trying to keep these rusty old boxes on the road. And honestly? We’re going to have a bloody good time doing so for the next few years. Everyone is invited. Andy c/o MK2CAV.COM

2 of 12 complete Stop number 2 of the Motorway Services calendar completed yesterday in the #greencavvy - 336 miles and she didn't miss a beat. This time for the journey i took my good friend Martin Drummie as well as my son and we met up with the lads at The Crap Car Collective (https://www.facebook.com/groups/1246037256564774) for tea and biscuits and an update on the Marina. Reading next month but i think #greencavvy has earned a rest and an oil change. #vauxhall #vauxhallcavaliermk2 #cavaliermk2 #a32ltm #greencavvy #servicestations #oncedrivenforeversmitten #BetterByDesign

I got my son a motorway service station calendar for xmas as a stocking filler and January is Ferrybridge Services on the m62 - a mere 229 miles round trip. Armed with the latest ebay purchase of 'now thats what i call music' (correct age for the car) we started out at 10am and the #greencavvy #a32ltm was absolutely magnificent as always despite the filthy weather. Got back at 15:40 and averaged about 33.5 mpg Leeds Skelton to do in febuaray

Number 6/June/50% Ticked off - Wetherby on the A1(M) 392 Miles according the google maps and averaged 38.8mpg! First stop was to see a friend with a mint mk2 Cavalier LX, then on to the services at Wetherby to enjoy the delights of a Greggs Breakfast, before driving over to Northwich to pick up some tyres & rims for another mates Cavalier as they were 'on the way' Now she can have a nice rest before conquering Chester services in July. PS i missed the 60k turn over as well and i hate myself!

Stayed at a Travelodge in Kendal and then on the 1st of September went up to Annadale water services to tick off September - a trot of only 84 miles. Then tackled the 280 ish miles home which was much nicer with short stops off at Markham moor & leeming bar services. 641 miles covered in total in 2 days according to google maps, and apart from a couple of non starts (attached jump pack and she fires up so will get an new starter motor) #thegreencavvy was faultless and averaged 39.7 mpg on the homeward leg

8 of 12 Completed - Killington Lake 31st of August travel up to Killington Lake services, 265 miles, took the family this time which was a nice change but the traffic was rubbish on the A1 and M62 (yeah i know bank holiday). Then drove to Kendal to stay in a travel lodge before going to September's services

May Services ticked off - Stafford Southbound on the M6. 306 miles round trip @ 36 mpg, not bad for an old 1300 4 speed and even included a little trip Coventry First stop was to visit the car dealership that sold her back on the 5/6/1984 (name changed from George Cox Cars to W noble Motors) and then the old MOT station she used to frequent (BillandBobMOT) before maccy's at Welcome Break Stafford

Hello there this is my first blog or even writing anything like this so I hope that it turns out OK and more importantly is easy to understand for someone that is this as a guide. A special thanks goes to neilsri130 as this was originally his idea I just put together this blog of my representation of his idea. OK so here goes. Things that you will need: 1 Meter self adhesive door bottom draught excluder (You don't need the glue as shown in the picture but this can be used if you wish) Philips head and Bladed screw driver A Stanley knife or equivalent The Mrs Hair dryer About 3 hours Step 1: Make yourself a nice cup of tea. Step 2: (If you don't have the centre console between the floor and the bottom of the dashboard then you can skip this step) Pull away the gear stick gater then grab your bladed screwdriver and carefully pry on the top of the plastic surround of the gear leaver/gater plastic away from the bottom cubby hole. Hopefully the picture will be more clearer. Then remove the 2 screws that this cover hides. The cubby hole is hocked in so you will need to slide the cubby hole forward then pull up this should come away. You can see the slots that holds this in in the next picture. Step 3: Pull off the plastic leavers off the Heater and air divert-er then remove the 4 screws that hold the lower part of the dash in there are 2 at the very bottom one on top and at an angle in the rear screen demister and one at the same angle where the choke leaver is. If you have a fuel injected car there maybe a cover that needs to be pry'ed off to gain access to the screw. Step 4: Remove and disconnect the radio then the clock. Undo the 2 screws at the bottom of the panel. Pry the top of the panel and bring the top part of the panel out this will then lift out as seen here. Here is a couple of pictures of what it looks like behind the panel. Step 5: Remove the 2 Air vents the right hand side one you push at the top and bring it round 90 degrees and then the vent will push up to un-clip the left hand side one you push down the opposite way these can be fiddly especially the left hand side one. When these are out clean out all the old foam from the grove where the foam is held. I washed mine with warm soapy water and used the wife's hair dryer to dry the plastic especially inside the grove. Step 6: I then prepared my draught excluder by cutting it in to 4 lengths 2 short ones for the sides and 2 longer ones for the long edges I then folded the draught excluder in half and used the sticky side to stick it onto itself the short sides i pushed in with a small screw driver. I put the folded edge to the top against the plastic to make a seal when the flap is closed The long edges I pushed in enough to get a good seal agents the sealing surface I checked this by holding it up to the light and see if there was any daylight coming through. This took some time to get right. The draught excluder is only friction fit into place I only used the glue to glue the side of the draught excluder that did not have the tape on but this is just me being a tight arse! You could use the glue if you wanted but I cant see it moving I will let you know if this is the case. Here I am holding it up to the light to see if there are any potential leaks. This is the best time for adjustments to avoid any whistling when the fan is going full speed and when the vents are closed. Here is what it looks like when the vent is open. Installed back into the car for testing. Closed air vent. Now just reinstall everything back into place. I hope that this guide will help someone out. If anyone has anything to add that may help others with this then let me know. Edit, as Photobucket has stopped hosting images I have now moved all the images over to postimg hopefully everything is working and the photos come out in the correct order. Also todays date is 5/12/2017 and to this day my vent is still working as it should but I do have one warning don’t put the strip in to tight otherwise the vent will be hard to open and close this can be squeezed in a bit more if this is the case.