1993 Vauxhall Cavalier SRi 8v from UK and Ireland - Comments

Engine warning light comes on every now and then.

The head gasket went at about 120k.

Had to replace the handbrake cable for the MOT and one of the rear calipiers was stuck so disc was rusted. (free the caliper and do a lot of hard driving before the retest!)

The interior is starting to look shabby.

This car was brought by a family member when it was 2 years old and had covered 90k, since then the only major problem has been the head gasket, so I would say that's pretty good!

I think this car looks better than the Gsi because it is more rounded and can't be much slower because mine will beat a brand new astra sri and will still do 135mph (maybe more).

These cars are cheap to buy and pretty cheap to ensure (compared to a hot hatch) and last for ages. They go just as well too.

I would like to correct you where you say that it can't be much slower than a "GSi". If your 8v pleases you (I know mine did) a "GSi" will have you giggling like a school girl!

The GSI's only have 18 or 6 more bhp than the 8v sri's at stock. I know the 16v engine is more moddable, but if you're going to keep it stock then the 8v sri is almost as fast (about 1/2 a second in it to 60 I think, maybe 5 mph more top speed.)

The 8v sri is 130bhp stock. the 16v is 150bhp as you all no! howevre the 8v (D) pending on the lump it is as fast if not fasre. I ownd the 2lt 8v SRI and use 2 race it. it kidt ass on a GSI 16v that was chipt and a lot more. the only mod I did 2 that car was a ind kit' I don't no of it was my driveing I cudnt tell u. but wot I can tell you is the 8v lump will take moer then enough beasting's. just by getting a pawer boost valve 4 branch man! (D) cat nice back box' good spark plugs (4) spark. 8mm leed's kent cam's if you want them not that you need them' run it on optemax giv it sum red. x now and agen good oli and filter kik the rev limiter in now and agen and i'l put cash on it that make's stock GSI's look like skoda's lol. 1 tip! keep it looking stock (D) logo it. and c head's turn like no 2morrow. if you want 2 get a GSI trip commy the leed r at the back of the dash where the clock go's happy cavying mate.

From November 1992 Cavalier 2000 SRi's have 115bhp engines as standard. While down on top end power they have a much much better spread of torque. They will not do 130mph however, good uns will get near to a real 120mph.

Mine's done just over 100,000 miles. Bought it with 44,000 showing in the clock. It's broken several roll bar mounts, consumed one wheel bearing and a coolant pump. Other than that it's just been consumables, tyres, exhuasts, pads, discs etc... Oh, yes and a wee bit of hassel with the handbrake every year at the MOT.

Basically a good workhorse, but it ain't gonna set the world on fire.

Let's clear this up, shall we?

There were four incarnations of the Cavalier SRi; two 8v versions and two 16v versions. In chronological order.

1. The 20SEH (8v): 130bhp and the only version to come as standard with no cat. A custom 4-2-1 manifold and free-flow system could see this version top 160bhp and possibly more. Petered out in 1992 at round about the J-plate.

2. The C20NE (8v): 115bhp with cat. Peak torque was even lower than the 20SEH and the lowest compression ratio of all four versions. No real experience of it, no doubt similar attention to manifold and system would make a difference along with some mods to induction, but not sure it would catch the 20SEH in the fun stakes. Took up the baton in 1992 and curiously was still in production alongside the 16v versions in 1994.

3. The C20XE (16v): 150bhp with cat; seen by many as the definitive SRi. Was also known as the redtop owing to it's colourful plug cover, it was and still is a real beast, regularly underestimated by modern pocket-rocket pilots where its still-respectable grunt can cause headaches for competitors. Very tuneable, crossing the 200bhp threshold isn't really a problem for this engine reliability- or money-wise. First saw light of day in a Vauxhall with the Astra MkII GTE 16v in it's 20XEJ incarnation.

4. The X20XEV (16v): 136bhp with cat. Followed the redtop as Vauxhall's 16v offering and was slated - some of it fairly and some of it, in truth, not so fairly. Also known as the ecotec, in its early days it was plagued with sensor problems (chiefly the cam sensor), had a habit of clogging its idle control valve far too regularly and letting go with its head gasket between 70 and 100,000 miles. Sensor problems largely addressed by Vauxhall and gasket failure not beyond the confident DIY mechanic. As decent redtops become rarer, the ecotec is beginning to find favour with tuning afficionados where it's broader spread of torque than the redtop can be amplified to best effect, most noticeably by replacing the dreadful manifold setup that comes as standard.

1994 was something of a confluence for SRi manufacture; the year saw production of no fewer than three versions, although this was the year that C20NE and C20XE petered out.

All four versions have followings, though some larger than others, the 8v versions (valvers) seem to peak low down the range whilst the 16v units come alive around the 4000rpm mark.

Handling is what you'd expect from a car first rolled out in 1989, fullsome steering, a bit heavy and wallowy in the bends and a bit floaty at speed on the motorway. There are many tuning outlets that cater for suspension/brake/ exhaust upgrades to get a bit more out of the SRi.

8v units generally bullet-proof provided good servicing and maintenance schedules are adhered to, 16v units can be a bit tappetty on start-up, the redtop more so. Ecotec failings already described, the redtop can suffer from porous head, whereby oil migrates through too-thin gallery partitions and contaminates the coolant. Well documented, several companies can now deal with this without breaking the bank.

Avoid Vauxhall dealerships where possible; they are expensive and really don't want to know with these old stagers anyway; servicing is well within the grasp of even novice mechanics. Do, however, stick to OE parts where possible, though even these can be bought from non-Vx outlets such as Autovaux for significantly discounted prices.

Lots of fun for bargain basement costs, there's still plenty of them about so shop around for an unmolested example with sound rear arches, windscreen/roof line and bonnet lip. Late-build models are better build quality than early-build and consequently far less likely to have succumbed to the dreaded tin worm.

Fun on a shoestring, can't recommend them enough.

Sri 94 8v 2.0.

I've had this car now for about three months and heard nothing but praise from past cavvy owners like,'wish I never got rid of it', and 'best car I ever had. Fair doos, so far so good. Mine is chipped and she flys,( no wings though), more than enough power to beat your average glance over at the lights! 3rd gear is sooooo long and often out reaches fellow competitors. In fair comparison it is the same speed as my mates Alfa Romeo 156 2.0 of 2003 a smaller car also. The car has wider than usual tyres and sports suspension, handles surprisingly well, but useless in the wet but then most bigger cars are. Next on the list is power boost valve. BRING IT ON!

Andy, Plymouth