985cc Turbocharged Nova Sprint Car

[novarally]

New BTB exhaust manifold now fitted with new studs and nuts;



We went up to the Race Retro Show at Stoneleigh Park yesterday (recommended day out) - Ari Vatanen, Jimmy McRae and lots of lovely race cars. There's also an autojumble where I acquired a new 'Docking' (F1 fabricators) alloy radiator, and a rather interesting ex-A1 GP battery jump start pack at very good prices;













The radiator will need a few modifications to make it work (notably relocation of one of the in/out pipes), plus some mounting brackets. But it fits very neatly in the car. I may well install it in a slanted position, which will be better for weight distribution and airflow.

[turbojolt]

the welds on that radiator are unbelievable nice find

[BRoadGhost]

That manifold is sexytime

[novarally]

Yet another distraction (thanks to T45-ste), it's stunning to look at and will save over half a kilo with a bit of re-engineering to make it fit;







By pure chance it is not too dissimilar from my current gear lever - the pivot point is almost placed identically, and the thickness isn't far off either;

[t45_ste]

Certainly looks the part Colin. Hope you can make it work. I'm sure you can.

[novarally]

Not so much of an update, more of a series of excuses for why there hasn't been much done on the Nova in recent months..........

Pimped up my van (with a set of alloys);





Dragged out a stainless steel workbench from storage which I've had for years, as I plan to be doing a lot of welding soon, so my wooden-topped bench is not ideal any more;



And this is the reason I plan to be doing more welding, and also why I've been doing a lot of overtime of late ;



I have an awful lot to learn with this, compared to my MiG.

[8valve-craig]

Disappointed. Was hoping this was an update saying the car will be racing at Gurston tomorrow.

[novarally]

And I've started other works with a view to making life easier (in the long term, definitely not in the short term!).

I'm digging out the area behind my garage so I can store my trailer there (view is of the rear of the garage where I installed an extra door so I can drive through);





And I decided that I need more storage, so I've started building another garage at the rear of my house. There is sadly no access to get a car to the back of the property, but at least I will be able to get a lot of my stuff out of the Nova's home garage and give myself some room to move. Early days yet, lots of work to do;













It was a major undertaking just to get the concrete garage, roofing panels, hardcore etc. to the building site, as it's well over 100 metres from the drop-off - if only I could just drive to the site, life would be easy.

And there has been a little bit of progress on the Nova, I am currently fitting the front end properly, and mounting the rear calipers;

[novarally]

Disappointed. Was hoping this was an update saying the car will be racing at Gurston tomorrow.

Sadly not, but I will be there to spectate. Sorry.

BTW - still thinking about a revised wiper mechanism if you have any more thoughts?

[8valve-craig]

I shall be there so may say hi if I see you about.

RE the wiper I think for ease of installation an Uno one would be best. Can't remember the weight but you will be able to find that pic I sent of one on the scales somewhere.

I had a Toyota Aygo (107 / C1) rear one out the other day which was very light and secures on just one mounting hole. Sadly it quickly sold before I thought to weigh it.