cjackson Posted January 8, 2006 Report Share Posted January 8, 2006 Ok guys, I've been thinking this over in my head for quite a while now and I've decided that I don't really want to build another truck. I've been looking all over for a newer platform that is AWD and can't really find one that I want to do that's not too expensive for just the platform. So, I've decided RWD is gonna be just fine. Anyways, I've pretty much decided on a Catera, for now. However, I can't find anything on the interweb about projects people have made out of Catera's. I know they have an L81 variant of what the Saab's have. That's about it. I'm looking for places to get info about this drive train, and possible a manual swap for the car too. If you know anything, post it or PM it please. kplzthnx piece Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
legacygt Posted January 8, 2006 Report Share Posted January 8, 2006 if your talking about the caddy catera they are absolute trash. worst car ever made, if they arent leaking coolant then they are leaking oil. the engines are trash and make no power at all. finding info on projects will be hard since most that tear apart a caddy use the northstar v8 instead of the POS v6 in the catera Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cjackson Posted January 8, 2006 Author Report Share Posted January 8, 2006 well, that's slightly depressing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
excell Posted January 8, 2006 Report Share Posted January 8, 2006 Yea, they are trash. The suspension sucks and has all sorts of problems! The shortstar in the Catera really is a nasty motor, too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buckeye1647545503 Posted January 8, 2006 Report Share Posted January 8, 2006 +1 for them being heeps of shit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Removed Posted January 8, 2006 Report Share Posted January 8, 2006 just one more gm junker, they suck to work on, and have pricey parts!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bam Posted January 8, 2006 Report Share Posted January 8, 2006 +2 on them being POS's. My friends dad had one and it was fucked before 50k miles. If you want RWD there are much better platforms, 240 comes to mind as well as older BMW's. e30's are pimp, lightweight, rwd v6...etc. Miata V8... old 5.0...etc MUCH better platforms for a project car than an overweight low power cadillac. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cjackson Posted January 8, 2006 Author Report Share Posted January 8, 2006 werd, I'mma keep looking then ... when it comes down to it, I'll probably just build the truck like originally planned. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
copperhead Posted January 8, 2006 Report Share Posted January 8, 2006 The Catera can be a good car, but it will take A LOT of work to get it there. The car is on the same chassis as the GTO, so that helps things, but you will need to be able to fabricate if you plan on using this chassis. It's basically a rebadged Opel, which is where the engine came from. Problems with the car: engine failures wiring problems front suspension/won't stay in alignment 16.5" wheels make it difficult to find tires transmission is nothing special upsides: you can find them with blown engines for $1,000 good platform it's still a caddy, so comfort and a nice interior A good way to start fixing GM of Europe's mistakes is to go with either an aftermarket front k-member, or fab up a tubular one. Assuming you get the geometry correct, this will take care of the alignment/suspension issues and is where the motor mounts are placed. An LT1 is a cheap and solid motor that will fit with ease into that chassis. I *think* that there were some Catera's that came with a manual tranny, but they were rare. If you find one, it would make it much easier to swap in the 6 speed too. Doing all of that will take care of the majority of the problems with the car. Using the LT1 harness will clean up a good bit of the wiring problems. It's a lot of work to get one of these cars to be worth having, but it would be damn fun when finished. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
copperhead Posted January 8, 2006 Report Share Posted January 8, 2006 I used the LT1 as an example in the above post, but it would be just as easy to use an SBC, LS1, GTP V6, or just about anything else. I would choose the LT1 for price, availability, and ease of installation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6 Speed S4 Posted January 9, 2006 Report Share Posted January 9, 2006 catera = shit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zeitgeist57 Posted January 9, 2006 Report Share Posted January 9, 2006 Where's a "beating a dead horse" smiley when you need it? While I'm here...the Catera doth sucketh. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZYUL8TR Posted January 9, 2006 Report Share Posted January 9, 2006 just one more gm junker, they suck to work on, and have pricey parts!!! Anything, that comes with a box, is too pricey for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
El Karacho1647545492 Posted January 9, 2006 Report Share Posted January 9, 2006 Cavalier:Catera::fugly fat bitch:fugly fat bitch with a boob job Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cjackson Posted January 9, 2006 Author Report Share Posted January 9, 2006 what do you guys think about the early 90's 300ZX? Pro's, con's? I've never owned a Nissan, and really don't know much about the intergrity or their cars. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buck531 Posted January 9, 2006 Report Share Posted January 9, 2006 Someone dumped in a turbo v6 from a GN I think. I saw the video a few years ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6 Speed S4 Posted January 10, 2006 Report Share Posted January 10, 2006 what do you guys think about the early 90's 300ZX? Pro's, con's? I've never owned a Nissan, and really don't know much about the intergrity or their cars. I love em. Almost bought one before I found the celica. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zeitgeist57 Posted January 11, 2006 Report Share Posted January 11, 2006 300ZX's are great. They are a real pain on the ass to work on in the engine compartment (and that's coming from a C4 Corvette owner!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McGraw Posted January 11, 2006 Report Share Posted January 11, 2006 NISMO, go there for prices Not bad cars, but I helped work on one up at I.P.S. with a buddy of mine, and wouldn't wish that one anyone. But I'm a bitch and will help you work on it if/when you get one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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