Iain's 20XE Trackday Nova

[Iain]

Cheers Olly, yeah looking forward to getting them on and seeing how they feel as I've never driven on slicks before. Had the remaining 5 fitted up today so all ready to roll.

ITBs would be a fantastic addition but the key factor for me is insurance as I like to keep things legit and 100% declared. Looking for a trailer so possibly in March can either take it off the road or get a limited mileage policy for cheapness

[trackdaynova]

Cheers for the welcome back Burgo my Northamptonshire squeeze x

Iain, keep it as it is regarding the engine, when the car starts to slow YOU down, that's when you hunt for more power, if you're off throttle, or braking earlier than you want to be, then you don't need any more power just yet.

At the moment, you may find the car has larger capabilities than the driver, that'll soon change as you do more trackdays!

When my car is fixed again, looking forward to you taking me out, and you can drive the Busa

[Adam]

You got any trackdays booked in the near future Iain?

[Iain]

Very True Ollie, I was feeling a little underpowered on the last Donington day I did which is why I prefer Blyton. See if the longer rev range/cams help things at all!

Busa drive accepted, although I'd be happy with just a passenger ride, sounds fun!


Adam nothing booked yet, insurance/MOT/tax is due in March and the Nova's off the road while the sump is baffled now so probably aim for April?

[Iain]

Well a bit of an all-over-the-place update and all off a camera phone unfortunately but here's what I've been up to

Swapped out my OMEX limiter with launch control for an Armtech unit as it has a built in shift light. Nice little unit and even fitted a clutch switch which triggers the rev limiter at whatever the current RPM is when the clutch is depressed for full throttle gearchanges



Tried to stop my alternator belt flipping inside out. You can see the pulleys are slightly out of line here:



So off comes 1x alternator:



A weird selection of spacers and stuff that positioned the top pulley! From the nut on the right anticlockwise to the fan at the top...



Elongated bracket holes for more on-car adjustment also:



Bolted it back together with one less spacer:



And so far so good, it seems to be far more in line.

[Iain]

Now I rounded off my oil level drain bolt a while ago and it's always bugged me, so took everything off to molegrip it out and also change a leaking driveshaft seal:



The issue with the level bolt was that you couldn't get a socket on it, only an open ended spanner. So I fixed it once and for all. Take one bracket:



Chop chop, weld weld:



Smooth it all off:



Looks factory!



And allows easy access to the level bolt like factory:



Also sent my sump off for baffling by Dewis Motorsport on MIG, so I've now refitted this with a new baffle plate. Nice looking welding!

[Benn]

All the alt stuff i've done. Nice work. Love the rear mount mod, nice welding.

[gary_126]

If your still after mk4 astra brake cooling ducts ive a pair here. (as well as a pair of vectra b gsi ones)

[turbojolt]

going to sound like such a brown nose'er, but every time this build pops up I'm impressed with the work done the car is so amazing


but i will never get in it again

[Iain]

Alternator seems happy now so I just need to order a 925 belt (the 913 is a little short) and I'm good to go

Gary sorted the brake cooling now with bumper intakes and ducting work.

TJ there's not a huge amount of interesting work occurring recently, you'll have to come along to a trackday with me though!