*HOW TO* Nova Flip Key.

This article is based upon Asa-James' article he posted up for his cav flip key. This can be found here.

(Sorry Asa-James, gotta pinch a couple of pictures from your article, like an idiot I forgot to take them myself. I will remove them if you wish me to.)

Basically, I followed the above mentioned article and modified it slightly to suit a nova key. Just to be clear, not sure off the top of my head if there is a difference between Mk1 and Mk2 keys style wise, but I own a Mk1... Blah blah.

PLEASE BE ADVISED, IF YOU SCREW THIS UP IT AIN'T MY FAULT. I'M SURE THERE ARE OTHER WAYS IN WHICH TO DO THIS, PROBABLY BETTER THAN MINE, BUT THIS IS TO GIVE YOU A ROUGH IDEA OF WHICH DIRECTION TO HEAD IN.

OH AND IT ISN'T GOING TO LOOK SHOW WORTHY. THERE IS A BIT OF CANNIBALISM YOU HAVE TO DO TO GET IT TO FIT.

Anyways, on with the article.

You will need: Hammer, 1.5mm drill bit, a vice (or a pair of mulgrips if you aren't lucky enough to have use of a vice), a metal file (range of sizes), dremel (optional, I used mine and saved me loads of time).

The fob you can get from ebay, about £10 all in.

Basically, do what Asa-James said and blow torch off the plastic trim that is located on the key, you should be left with this:

http://i789.photobucket.com/albums/y...m/DSCF0795.jpg

Nice, quick and easy to deal with.

Next file down the tabs:

http://i789.photobucket.com/albums/y...m/DSCF0796.jpg

Remove the key from the new fob by opening it and exposing the pin. Knock it out with the hammer and 1.5mm drill bit. Whatever you do don't lose it!

Once you have filed down the tabs, you need to make sure the "height" of the key matches the original fob one.

(This isn't a nova key but it shows the principle needed)

http://i789.photobucket.com/albums/y...m/DSC01906.jpg

Once you have made sure the nova key will fit into the fob, you need to file the notch for the pin, as said in the other article, do this on the OPPOSITE side to the side which you flattened.

Like this:

http://i789.photobucket.com/albums/y...m/DSC01907.jpg

Once it has all cleared the hole, refit the pin, I did this by using a pair of mulgrips, got it all sitting nicely.

What you must also note is that you WILL have to trim the plastic on the sides of the key fob in order to get it to fit. How this will look will depend on how steady your hand is etc.

Mine isn't brilliant, but this is how it turned out:

http://i789.photobucket.com/albums/y...m/DSCF0803.jpg

^^ Note the how much of the side you have to trim away in order to get it to fit.

Also note that due to the spikes and length (I didn't get mine quite right), you will have to trim away the insides of the fob where the key sits. However it does sit pretty flush, about 97% perfect, would prefer it 100% as always but seeing as I was basically winging it from memory and modifying it as I went, I don't think it came out too sad.

Finished product:

http://i789.photobucket.com/albums/y...m/DSCF0802.jpg

http://i789.photobucket.com/albums/y...m/DSCF0801.jpg

http://i789.photobucket.com/albums/y...m/DSCF0800.jpg

http://i789.photobucket.com/albums/y...m/DSCF0799.jpg

http://i789.photobucket.com/albums/y...m/DSCF0798.jpg

http://i789.photobucket.com/albums/y...m/DSCF0797.jpg


Now please use your common sense, and make sure you have at least 1 spare key to play with!! If you screw it up, it can get expensive on getting keys cut and buying fobs.

Again virtually all the credit goes to Asa-James for making the original article on which I have based mine on. I only basically edited it for a nova key. Hope this helps for those who wanted one for the nova key.

Looks good, as a thought to save cutting so much off the fob, could you cut the tabs off the top of the key blade? From te looks of it they shouldn't be too necessary, only to stop the key going too far into the barrel

What is the point of this conversion ??

Gives you a modern looking key. Just a hunch.

Might not be your cup of tea, but it may well be for others.