RWD Nova gen please....

[The Simps]

What running gear would you use for a rwd drive nova? Any pics of austin's blue beast?

[Paul]

escort.

[novacabrio]

xe mated to siera box, using a converter from sbd etc, worth looking at kit cars etc, use a siera prop and rear diff?

[John]

Manta box? shortened prop?

[The Simps]

escort.

what cossie or something? not that gen'd up on my fords.

will it be the right length/width etc.

Can you get custom props made?

[The Simps]

I suppose sierra stuff would be the obvious as its fairly readily available because of kit car use.

[Lee H]

Escort mk1 or mk2 rear axle I think.

[Paul]

sorry a type 9 ford box, from a pinto (escort mk1,2, sierra etc)

The bellhousing to mate an XE to a type 9 box is quite common and can be bought for about £150ish.

Custom props are also quite a common thing nowadays, and are quite widely available. Do a Google search or something for the best place for this.

With the rear axle, use an Escort mk1/Mk2 item, as they will be roughly the same width as a Nova. Try and find a RS2000 one as they come with a LSD as standard.

[The Simps]

cool. cool. Could be next years venture.

Anyone got pics of austins engine bay, inside etc? does the type 9 box leave much room for your feet etc?

[Paul]

sorry mate that i cant help you with.

[The Simps]

not a prob, thanks for your help.

[novacabrio]

I have some just looking now

[novacabrio]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v190/novacabrio/IMG_0168.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v190/novacabrio/IMG_0173.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v190/novacabrio/pvs63wv.jpg

[The Simps]

Thanks for that. Its pretty tight as expected.

Would you have to run ford hubs, suspension and brakes all round?

What steering box?

[novacabrio]

shouldn't see why? I'd run std fronts, with cv in and tightend up to stop bearings fooking up, rears you should get away with maybe omega hubs? could posibly convert to an independent rear suspension set up? Maybe mate in the rear floor pan off a cav and runa cav turbo rear diff set up? that would provide independent rear suspensiona nd keep the vauxhall hubs etc

Not taking any credit away from Austin as his job is fantastic but I doubt it would be that hard. Its down to pure balls to give it a try, and depends on how well you want finished article to be, Hardest part in my opinion and my favorite part of Austins is the folding front end.

[The Simps]

It just came to me that a nova 2dr saloon deserves to be rear wheel drive! I'll get it running on the r1 carbs this winter and have fun in it next summer then take it off the road next autumn and go for it I think!

I've got a welder now so can take bits in place and get my mate to bring his commercial jobbie down to finish weld. Just trial and error really. I'd look to go more space framed than what austin has, drawing inspiration from some of the golf threads I've seen recently.

[The Simps]

Would I have to change to a different sump too?

[Dod]

Not really. The FWD Sump is designed to allow the Manifold to pass through it. On a RWD the engine sits 90 different to the FWD car so the Manifold doesnt pass under the Sump, but runs along side it.

Unless you have a cross member under the engine, you're alright. Might I suggest an IRS set up similiar to that of a Calibra? Either that or get a Manta A rear end set up. Chevettes are narrow but their diff set up etc isnt exactly ideal.

What engine you want to run?

[The Simps]

Would be an XE on bike carbs.

I think its either gonna be go down the route of running the full mk1/2 escort running gear with fixed axle or using cav/cally IRS setup and wide tracking the rear to suit.

Or could go spaceframe and use a more custom irs setup.

[Dod]

Manta B 1800 box and a Manta A back end. Minimal work compaired to Space Framing and an IRS Set up. That said, theres a lot of work in the rear of the car to get it all working. My advice, buy a scrapped Chevette shell to donate the rear floor pan and the majority Transmission tunnel.

[Pistol Pete]

Is someone going a different direction with their coupe build? Or was this always the plan?! I for one will be watching your rebuild if you go through with this!

[The Simps]

Manta B 1800 box and a Manta A back end. Minimal work compaired to Space Framing and an IRS Set up. That said, theres a lot of work in the rear of the car to get it all working. My advice, buy a scrapped Chevette shell to donate the rear floor pan and the majority Transmission tunnel.


I'm against useing the older vauxhall stuff because its not as readily available and not as easy to upgrade. At least using the ford gear quaiffe kits for example aren't overly expensive so there's room for upgrade without havn't to rethink the whole lot.

[The Simps]

Is someone going a different direction with their coupe build? Or was this always the plan?! I for one will be watching your rebuild if you go through with this!


The build is still going forward as usual. I've always liked the idea of rwd it but its the cost factor. I want to get it all up an running healthily and have fun with it next year (I missed out this year) then see how things are next autumn when it comes off the road.

[craig green]

I believe you will need the RWD sump & oil pickup for your XE. Something from a Manta or OHC Carlton should do the trick.

Sounds like a cool project theough mate & I know you arent one to say something & not do it, so all things considered, you should make it happen.

Seeing it done to a saloon will actually be far nicer than seeing the usual 3-dr, modded to death. The one draw back with Austin's no one has mentioned is the weight. All that tubular steel doesnt do it any favours.

[Pistol Pete]

I dont see why a different sump and oil pick up will be needed? Turning the engine through 90 degrees wont change how it works, will it?!

[craig green]

1st. A RWD sump will certainly be more suited to the way a GM engine mates with a GM RWD box.

2nd. The depth of the sump is designed to allow for oil movement under acceleration & braking. Turn it 90 degrees & that all goes out the window.

I'm sure there are other factors. But the fact the sump & oil pickup are tailored on RWD engines goes to show it is a consideration.

[Pistol Pete]

Fair point. Wont a ford box be used along with a bell housing adaptor plate? I'm not very genned up on what GM rwd boxes will mount to an XE.

[craig green]

True if a FORD box is used, hence why I highlighted about GM rwd boxes.

It all needs to be thought about & researched. I only know that stuff from previous forum discussions about XE'ing Mantas etc.

[The Simps]

It all needs to be thought about & researched.


Hence why I'm doin it nearly a year in advance! lol

I'm in the process of speaking to the right people who know both their vauxhalls and fords so should get somegood gen :thumb:

[ednovasr2]

anything can be made if you've got the cash and time! I'd go small blook something so fords are good area you may well need to choop into the fire wall then fabricate a new one tho!

Thedriftworks boys do this sort of thing all the time put a 3JZ lump in a 200sx S15 and moved it back 11" to make for better weight disdribution!

Good luck would love to see the finsihed car!

2.0 8v calton lump and shoten running gear should do the trick in a light nova, my old diplomat manual was plenty tourquey enough, pulling the twin axel caravan up some stupid hill round france!!

[Andy_L]

True if a FORD box is used, hence why I highlighted about GM rwd boxes.

It all needs to be thought about & researched. I only know that stuff from previous forum discussions about XE'ing Mantas etc.

I recall Barton saying something about Sumps recently in TV with regards to putting an XE in the Manta. I'll dig out the article and get it posted up.

[Steve]

http://www.migweb.co.uk/forums/engines-transmission/311194-rwd-2-0-xe-nova-drift-car.html

One that was for sale on ebay a few years back. :thumb:

[The Simps]

^ I remember seeing that one before.

That fabrication work won't really be "that" tricky relatively speaking. Get engine as far back as possible then fabricate bulkhead and tunnel and cut out boot floor for 4 link mounts and axle clearance. The rest is pretty much using mk2 escort parts.

[loggyboy]

I dont see the point in going to all that hassle and sticking with a Live rear axel. If i was to RWD conversion, the rear end suspension would be top of the list to modernise.

[DW-Nova]

/\ yeh i agree with what your saying, i think if i was going to do this conversion i would use an independant rear setup from something like an omega or the like. what i want to do with mine in future is to use a saab 2.0 turbo engine from something like a 93, these mate straight upto a Manta 1.8 gearbox, these are pretty hard to find but are a getrag unit and the same gearbox is used in the e30 bmw 320 i think. The Saab engine has seriously good internals and reportedely can take 400bhp with no internal work whatsoever whilst being 100% reliable.

[MK999]

http://www.migweb.co.uk/forums/engines-transmission/311194-rwd-2-0-xe-nova-drift-car.html

One that was for sale on ebay a few years back. :thumb:

"Shell is 5 linked" surely he doesn't mean a 5 link suspension set up? :eek: Setup tuners wet dream lol

[kenny_afh]

dont know if its been mentioned already but contact dave@ag on here, read on his site the other day that he had something to do with a RWD nova rally car.

[Benn]

what i want to do with mine in future is to use a saab 2.0 turbo engine from something like a 93, these mate straight upto a Manta 1.8 gearbox, these are pretty hard to find but are a getrag unit and the same gearbox is used in the e30 bmw 320 i think. The Saab engine has seriously good internals and reportedely can take 400bhp with no internal work whatsoever whilst being 100% reliable.

They mate stright up? You sure.. as they use vx boxs but have an adaptor plate to get the grearboxes to mate to the engines..

[DW-Nova]

Post 1994 Saab engine have the same bolt pattern as vauxhall and the gearboxes mount straight up to them.

[The Simps]

the rear axle set up with the 4 link system, panhard setup etc is gonna be more than enough for the basic tools I want the car to be. Its meant to be a fun track car thats a little different. Cheaper option than a kit car really and I love nova's. I won't be pouring thousands into this. Been there, done that.

[burgo]

dunno if youve seen the latest PPC mag but they compare the mk2 escort, capri 1 and volvo 240 axles

[The Simps]

what's ppc?

[burgo]

:eek: i beg your pardon

PPC = practical performance car

[The Simps]

i thought so but didn't want to look silly :roll:

[burgo]

ya ya. anywho according to them the volvo 240 axle is the best to go for

[The Simps]

how readily available are parts and upgrades tho?

[Welsh Dan]

Out of interest, why is that one the best to go for?

[burgo]

upgrades as in what?

they class it as the best as its the most readily available, strongest and cheapest. plus its easy to knock 30mm out of its length if you so wish

[The Simps]

looks like i'll be buying that mag then!

[mowgli]

the 240 axle is inbreakable & has a lsd as std. the hot rodders have been using them for years

[DW-Nova]

/\ mowgli, it's not all the 240 back axle's that came with the LSD as far as i know, i think only the Turbo and 1 other model that i'm not sure of, they are pretty much unbreakable though yeh, although they are really pretty heavy. as said i think i'd make a independant set-up by buying a complete rear sub frame and taking what i needed and adapting it etc etc..

[burgo]

/\ mowgli, it's not all the 240 back axle's that came with the LSD as far as i know, i think only the Turbo and 1 other model that i'm not sure of, they are pretty much unbreakable though yeh, although they are really pretty heavy. as said i think i'd make a independant set-up by buying a complete rear sub frame and taking what i needed and adapting it etc etc..according to the ppc mag they say its lsd and the pics also say lsd

[ck]

id go IRS any day of the week. using a cavy 4stud rear setup and omega/carlton/monaro diff something along those lines.

i think sbd sell rwd sumps for around £150 new (plus pick up ect) Neil Adams (on mig) has used a ford (i think type 9) on his c20let using the sbd sump and has gone into his westfield.

might help looking through his thread or website for some inspiration

http://www.migweb.co.uk/forums/projects-restorations/300050-c20let-westfield-project.html

http://www.fw500.co.uk

[ednovasr2]

escort.

just comes up with a blank page with a sti logo?

[philip]

if i was doing it id use:

escort X member
xe, with type9 box with sierra back end or a baby atlas if can get one reasonable price.
manta struts, and fabricate chassis rails in the front and work from that.

lad i know has put a evo6 motor into a mk3 fiesta with m3 6speed box and an atlas, **** me goes like stink.

and back end shouldnt be too hard to do, put your 4link boxes in, turrets and away you go really. and im sure theres a kit you can buy to do the front end to get engine sitting properly.

source a 1.8 manta sump and pick-up, or modify 2 stock xe pickups and a sump

[Benn]

id go IRS any day of the week. using a cavy 4stud rear setup and omega/carlton/monaro diff something along those lines.

4stud cav will be a beam. Only turbo where irs.

[ednovasr2]

What running gear would you use for a rwd drive nova? Any pics of austin's blue beast?

Wonder what this guy used:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ohhIICDrcPU

[Benn]

Wonder what this guy used:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ohhIICDrcPU

Iirc the engines fitted in the back...

[ednovasr2]

What running gear would you use for a rwd drive nova? Any pics of austin's blue beast?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ohhIICDrcPU

Ah I see!

[philip]

sure thats running a V6 mid engined. was by the totb stand at PV this year by spanish, gaz'd etc etc

[burgo]

if you were going to run irs i wouldnt use anything off the shelf make it yourself

[ste porter]

you have over looked one major issue so far the brick wall that i hit when i started to look into doing this with mine

what you doing about your steering rack as you cant pass it through the middle of the block!

[The Simps]

you have over looked one major issue so far the brick wall that i hit when i started to look into doing this with mine

what you doing about your steering rack as you cant pass it through the middle of the block!


Run escort stuff aswell. It all connects up on the lower engine brace.

[The Simps]

if i was doing it id use:

escort X member
xe, with type9 box with sierra back end or a baby atlas if can get one reasonable price.
manta struts, and fabricate chassis rails in the front and work from that.

lad i know has put a evo6 motor into a mk3 fiesta with m3 6speed box and an atlas, **** me goes like stink.

and back end shouldnt be too hard to do, put your 4link boxes in, turrets and away you go really. and im sure theres a kit you can buy to do the front end to get engine sitting properly.

source a 1.8 manta sump and pick-up, or modify 2 stock xe pickups and a sump



Pretty much exactly what I'm thinking except I've been told the atlas will be too wide and I'd be better keeping the english, especially as I'm not going stupid power anyway.

The only thing I'm scratching my head on is how to retain the cav turbo rims which is what I'd like to do. The fronts is easy enough as I can leave as is and put a cv in to help hold the bearing etc and then make sure the steering meets up ok. Its the rears I need to work out.

In reference to IRS comments. For a trackday car I just don't see the need of going through all the hassle and expense. If it was going to have more time on the road or go rallying then maybe, but I just don't think the cost difference will benefit me enough on track.

[Mazz]

sure thats running a V6 mid engined. was by the totb stand at PV this year by spanish, gaz'd etc etc

Its a rear mounted V6 using mostly mk2 escort stuff...

http://img230.imageshack.us/img230/8210/cimg3575ra1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[philip]

baby atlas is 48inch, think english is 52!

as for wheels, fit rear disc brakes to beam, with some modded half shafts;)

[Andy_L]

4stud cav will be a beam. Only turbo where irs.

GSI 2wd and 4wd were IRS too.

[The Simps]

baby atlas is 48inch, think english is 52!

as for wheels, fit rear disc brakes to beam, with some modded half shafts;)


What were the baby atlas' fitted too? It was an atlas off a manta I was told would be too wide.

I've already got my nova beam converted to 5 stud rears but I can't see how you would mod the half shafts without using hub converters??

Also, dumb question I know, but what handbrake mechanism do tey use because surely the hole thing is spinning because its all bolted to the half shaft - mechanical caliper?

[philip]

im doing my corsa now, and ive bought some wilwood hydramechanical calipers. (brake calipers with mechanical handbrake. work out about £120 a pair i think from rally design

i may be able to get a number for someone who makes shafts and can ring to see they he could do something for you?

baby atlas's came off mk1 3ltr capris standard. but its trying to find one tbh without looking at quite a few £££

id look in retro ford, classic ford for adverts, classifieds etc

[burgo]

i still think your making it far harder than it needs to be

[The Simps]

i still think your making it far harder than it needs to be


but you don't want to say without spilling your beans! lol

[The Simps]

im doing my corsa now, and ive bought some wilwood hydramechanical calipers. (brake calipers with mechanical handbrake. work out about £120 a pair i think from rally design

i may be able to get a number for someone who makes shafts and can ring to see they he could do something for you?

baby atlas's came off mk1 3ltr capris standard. but its trying to find one tbh without looking at quite a few £££

id look in retro ford, classic ford for adverts, classifieds etc



I saw those calipers in the RD catolgue.

I'll probably stick with the english axle as its easier found and will be ok for 175bhp I'll be running and I can always upgrade to a quaiife diff.

If I kept the vaux brakes rear would I just use a set of 5 stud front discs and the a correctly spaced hydramechanical caliper?

I leave calling your mate for now as we are talking well over a year away and some kind of solution is bound to present itself but :beer:

[philip]

well im using an astra gsi rear discs with the wilwoods on my corsa...ill let you know how i get onlol

[The Simps]

well my thinking being you don't need the shoes etc so surely easier just to use a front disc or not maybe? lol I've never seen a escort setup in the flesh or detailed enough pics tbh.

[philip]

the wilwoods only accept upto 12mm thick disc, so needs to be solid, so thats why im using the rear discs from the astra on the rear of mine with those calipers

[The Simps]

The latest RD catolgue has a page about a new caliper they've designed themselves and are £69.50 and can take various disc sizes. 21/22, 23/24 & 35/36 I think they were. Nothing on their website tho. The page does say they were under development at the time of going to print so specs may vary.

[Ben]

4stud cav will be a beam. Only turbo where irs.

All the GSi's ive stripped have had IRS too.

[ednovasr2]

Wot about Nissan 200sx S14 SR20 lump box running gear etc.....stupidly easy to work on 200 ponnies out of the bag.
Hundreads of peeps in UK use em for drifting (me included) weld the diff away you go. Or use the std LSD still light em up or nismo diff etc....
Very, very reliable and 400bhp is esay to get from standard internals with about £2k thron at it! Would be different to all the ford ones out there.

[mayhem]

youre thinking to difficult..

a R25 gearbox from an opel omega A 2.0i (isnt it a carlton in the uk?) fits straigt to a c20xe. and its a small short gearbox. i know, cause we used it for the SEH n my mates opel kadett C coupe.;) and that was a 1.2 originally, so it had the small tunnel.

loads of carltons on the scrappy's here, so easy to find another if you break it.

only thing to keep in mind is that there are 2 versions, cable and hydrolic clutch. iirc theres also an R28, but thats also hydrolic.

also, i'd use a manta 1.8s oil pan, and if you cant find the pick up pipe, an xe one is almost the same, you can sort that within seconds by bending it a little.

[The Simps]

youre thinking to difficult..

a R25 gearbox from an opel omega A 2.0i (isnt it a carlton in the uk?) fits straigt to a c20xe. and its a small short gearbox. i know, cause we used it for the SEH n my mates opel kadett C coupe.;) and that was a 1.2 originally, so it had the small tunnel.

loads of carltons on the scrappy's here, so easy to find another if you break it.

only thing to keep in mind is that there are 2 versions, cable and hydrolic clutch. iirc theres also an R28, but thats also hydrolic.

also, i'd use a manta 1.8s oil pan, and if you cant find the pick up pipe, an xe one is almost the same, you can sort that within seconds by bending it a little.


Someone else mentioned using the omega box - is it only the 2ltr it was fitted too? Hydraulic isn't a problem as will probably convert to a floor mounted peddle box.

Ref using 200sx stuff, again its another option. I'd rather keep it vaux as much as possible tho tbh. Someone also said about using 924 running gear where the gearbox is acyually on the rear axle to help with weight.

[andrew1988]

YES! do it with 924 stuff. can be bought so cheap around £200 if you bargain hunt. great cars to work with. Can even get a 924 turbo and have 175bhp straight away. Do it, do it now

[The Simps]

I want to look into it but I cant find any pics of the setup to get an idea of it (never seen it before myself!).

[andrew1988]

What pics do you want? My friends race them so we've got like 10 lol. Ive often pondered about using porsche parts on my saloon to make it rear wheel drive. One idea was just to cut the main body off the nova and weld it onto porsche floorpan

[Sloth]

924 is old tech, get a 928 v8 and use that. btw fathobbit on here has a full 200sx drivetrain for sale simps. omega boxes fit, and are quite strong. id get a r28 and use a cally turbo clutch centre plate. (what im using with my saab motor in my mk1 cav) not hard to find tbh.

[The Simps]

http://www.924.id.lv/Heynes%20Manual%20924/07_Transm01_files/image004.gif
http://www.924.id.lv/Heynes%20Manual%20924/07_Transm01_files/image006.gif

[The Simps]

Mating that to a vaux lump would be a bitch!

could just go porsche powered! How cool would a saloon look on a set of porsche cups! Anyone care to photshop?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/TheSimps/IMG_0401.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/TheSimps/Nova/Nova%20Coupe%20Project/27-03-096.jpg

[The Simps]

924 is old tech, get a 928 v8 and use that. btw fathobbit on here has a full 200sx drivetrain for sale simps. omega boxes fit, and are quite strong. id get a r28 and use a cally turbo clutch centre plate. (what im using with my saab motor in my mk1 cav) not hard to find tbh.


200sx stuff is easy enough to come by. I like the porsche idea, but there's a certain charm about keeping it vaux. I'd like to retain the XE on R1s either way.

Do you think anyone does XE to Porsche box conversion plates? lol

[The Simps]

What pics do you want? My friends race them so we've got like 10 lol. Ive often pondered about using porsche parts on my saloon to make it rear wheel drive. One idea was just to cut the main body off the nova and weld it onto porsche floorpan


do they have an lsd as standard?

[andrew1988]

do they have an lsd as standard?

no, no limited slip diff. Wicked handling. Would make perfect track car.

[Sloth]

id say no to the convertor plate, but there again, you can get a let to toyota supra plate afaik. i know of an xe and manta 1800 box for 400 up here simps...

[andrew1988]

http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w199/andrew_2882/27-03-096copy.jpg

[The Simps]

I think I prefer the cav turbo rims! lol

Sloth cheers mate but this is next winter's project! Want to get it running this year first!

[andrew1988]

Also, theres only 60mm difference in wheelbase and track between the 924 and nova. Hmmm, makes me want to do this!!!

Dont like those wheels either, look like replicas

[Count Vaux Alot]

Want to get it running this year first!

lol lol lol

[The Simps]

Also, theres only 60mm difference in wheelbase and track between the 924 and nova. Hmmm, makes me want to do this!!!

Dont like those wheels either, look like replicas


Can you get a better pick of the bell housing Andrew? So a little easier to see whats involved getting it to fit an xe.

Would be quite cool and different if it could be achieved.

[The Simps]

Shut it Count! lol

[Hobbit]

200sx stuff is easy enough to come by.

yeah but im selling everything you would need, and i want it shifted so its goin cheap. lol

[andrew1988]

Can you get a better pick of the bell housing Andrew? So a little easier to see whats involved getting it to fit an xe.

Would be quite cool and different if it could be achieved.

Yup sure, weve got a turbo full drivetrain and n/a full drivetrain out on the floor for comparison oddly. Will get pics tommorrow. If it could be done it would be an epic saloon, handling would be spot on

[The Simps]

is there any reason why you couldn't chop off the end of the bell housing and weld on a new end bit to meet the XE?

[Welsh Dan]

No reason, provided all of the measurements were spot on.

[Benn]

http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w199/andrew_2882/27-03-096copy.jpg

No!

[The Simps]

No reason, provided all of the measurements were spot on.


A good friend works in a machine shop. Shouldn't be too hard to copy the template of a vaux box, cut it out in thick plate, trim out the centre to match the porsche box then weld in place. Just a case of getting the shaft lined up right.

Hmmmmm.....

[andrew1988]

Only in essex too so you're welcome to come over and have a look at the porsches and drivetrains. Will get pics of it all tommorrow. Would be amazing to have a nova with a near 50/50 weight distribution. I really want to do it now lol

[The Simps]

its so easy to do in principle its just making sure its all straight and true!

[ednovasr2]

Porsche rims look the tits mate! Would mean changing the hubs or adptor plate?

[paulwar]

how crazy is that.

i race nova's on the oval tracks and having got a bit keen "the weather had come out and it felt good" i phoned up a mate who has a 2lt red top corsa on the road, out for a spin and was impressed so i got even keener and used a donar nova 3 door shell, had some work done to it and thought about setting up a project to drop a red top in, then we come up with the idea of RWD - not many road going RWD nova's about? i've only ever seen rally one's track days and not very many of them.


so we got a bit keener and started to play.

in the oval world we run a formula called national hot rods. which are basically space framed cars with a 2lt red top - built, running a qualife box and a english rear end

but then it's the cost.. is it worth it - why not just go buy some jap rwd fun?

[The Simps]

but then it's the cost.. is it worth it - why not just go buy some jap rwd fun?


That is always the question, but I think its also about doing something you enjoy and building something a little different!

[matt_vaughan]

Anyone ever thought of MR2s, would be a mid engined rear wheel drive Nova.

IIRC the track width is about 20 mm out or something.

I thought of just welding the whole rear end setup of the MR2 into the Nova rear for simple easier to build, quicker and interchangability with engines, to some extent. MR2 turbo engine would be a blast!

[The Simps]

plenty of rear mounted nova been done but not that many front mounted.

[paulwar]

yer thats what i thought mate

had a think last night, surley it would be easier to cut the floor plan completely out, and sheet it say 3mm sheet, welded back in, all new mounts made up for seats, cage, etc. etc. then you could make a tunnel to what ever you wanted to, then on the rear u would have more room to **** about with mounts etc and get it mounted in the right place and be happy.

either way i think your need to cut a axle down to fit and make up all new mount points, suspension points etc. etc.

[craig green]

Not much help Simps, but there is a RWD VW fox (polo saloon) in this months Perf VW mag. Longitudinal mounted 16v. Might be worth a read.

[The Simps]

yer thats what i thought mate

had a think last night, surley it would be easier to cut the floor plan completely out, and sheet it say 3mm sheet, welded back in, all new mounts made up for seats, cage, etc. etc. then you could make a tunnel to what ever you wanted to, then on the rear u would have more room to **** about with mounts etc and get it mounted in the right place and be happy.

either way i think your need to cut a axle down to fit and make up all new mount points, suspension points etc. etc.



It goes without saying that there is a lot of fab work involved.

I don't think there is any need to cut the whole floor out in the front, you just need to shape the tunnel as desired (one advantage of Porsche running gear is that its not very big!) and my rear floor is cut out anyway so can make it to shape.

After having one of my rear tubs done I'm reluctant to want to cut into it now - its a thing of beauty!! lol


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/TheSimps/Nova/Nova%20Coupe%20Project/04-04-0916.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/TheSimps/Nova/Nova%20Coupe%20Project/04-04-097a.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/TheSimps/Nova/Nova%20Coupe%20Project/04-04-0917.jpg


It would be easy enough to add another half of tubing to allow room for the driveshafts (as marked above) but how you would arrange the top wishbone is another question.

[The Simps]

Not much help Simps, but there is a RWD VW fox (polo saloon) in this months Perf VW mag. Longitudinal mounted 16v. Might be worth a read.


Cheers Craig! I'll pop down my local library and have a gander.

[Jonlem]

Escort live axle would be one way to do it or I'd be inclined to make a diff cradle up and go IRS, you then have the choice of hundreds of diffs, use whatever hubs you like and simply get the shafts made with the length and splines you require for the joints, its really no different to having to get a axle narrowed and shafts made to suit without the expense of the buying rally parts.

My thick tubed atlas wasn't cheap and if your considering putting anymore than 175hp in at some point you may as well spec it right at first than have to get stuff remade twice to take the power, the IRS setup doesn't suit a Mk2 I'm told so I just stuck with the tried and tested live axle but at 2k you possibly will probably want to go down a route that you can atleast do yourself (except for shortned shafts)

Look on passionford for how Richies KA has been done if your looking for inspiration

[The Simps]

I saw that KA thread, the v6 one?

I think I'm definately moved towards the idea going IRS, I'm just trying to work out how it will work around the curret tubs.

In chatting to client today about my plans for it and the consideration of 924 porsche stuff he said he knows someone who has one sat in their garden that the were going to have scrapped. He's gonna look into it for me!

I'm still very much weighing up in my head whether to carry on and get the car running in fwd first or to stop and make a start on rwd now. Its going to be VERY tight whether it will make the tracks this year depending on cash flow whereas rwd can wait til next year.

[Jonlem]

KA is Yb Cossy powered, red with arches, still being built at Adrenaline at the moment but worth looking at as it will show you how to sort the diff cradle out ;)

Failing that just look at how the wrc cradle was made for the Escort or Focus or even simpler just remove the whole rear subframe from something rwd and use that and make your own suspension pickups. S14 stuff is tough as old boots but not light.

If your going to make it rwd I'd concentrate more on doing that this year than I would finishing what you have done then doing it all again mate :)

[The Simps]

If your going to make it rwd I'd concentrate more on doing that this year than I would finishing what you have done then doing it all again mate :)


It does make a lot more sense, especially if I do pic up this 924 for free. I've spoken with a mate tonight and he's got 2 track prepped cars at tho mo and said I can share with him so at least I won't lose another year again!

I like the idea of doing a 924 conversion and the gearbox over the rear axle, will mean smaller tunnel too.

Regarding IRS, this is an old BMW 320 setup below, is it normal to only have the one control arm and not double wishbone? Cally stuff is the same isn't it? With that kinda setup it wouldn't be too hard to use my existing tubs.

http://www.lexam.net/peter/carnut/320-rear-suspension-drawing.jpg

[The Simps]

p.s. will have a look for that KA later ;)

[The Simps]

Porsche 924:

Wheelbase:- 2400mm (94.5 in)
Track Front - 1372mm (54.0 in)
Track Rear - 1370mm (53.9 in)

Nova:

Wheelbase - 2343mm (92.2 in)
Track Front - 1320mm (52.0 in)
Track Rear - 1307mm (51.6 in)


Is track measured from hub face to hub face?

[andrew1988]

track is measured from tyre centre to tyre centre

[The Simps]

Just wondering what difference/problems the extra 2" wheelbase would case as there's no scope for a shortened prop. I suppose having the rear shafts at ever so slight angles won't make a massive difference.

[philip]

that vw fox isnt actually RWD, me and mates thought that but when mate looked further into it its still front wheel drive!

if i was doing frnt eng/rwd id look at the likes of a narrowed english axle 5linked or similar with the type9 box or t5. instead of having such a heavy subframe etc. can mount in better with your turrets and 4 link boxes. and in theory should be lighter than a cali subframe.

why cant you go shorter prop? if could use the ford parts reco-prop could make something easily for you

[The Simps]

if i was doing frnt eng/rwd id look at the likes of a narrowed english axle 5linked or similar with the type9 box or t5. instead of having such a heavy subframe etc. can mount in better with your turrets and 4 link boxes. and in theory should be lighter than a cali subframe.



Solid axle was my initial thoughts but tbh, with doing it from scratch I may aswell get the handling advantages of IRS and will probably actually work out cheaper!

[andrew1988]

If you're thinking of fitting an xe to power the car rear wheel drive then it can be mounted anywhere. So you can mount engine to suit where the rear suspension, torque tube and then bell housing fit. Therefore wheelbase shouldnt be a problem

[The Simps]

Havn't you got to consider where the steering rack sits tho? It can't be too far forward.

[andrew1988]

will the steering rack be affected? I dont know. I should be quiet now lol

[The Simps]

Depending on what the porsche front subframe looks like I may go for a escort world cup crossmember and mk2 quaiffe rack as they're very cheap!

Similar to what this guy has done with his mk2 fiesta I'll build the new chassis rails. One thing I did want to ensure is that with the ride height I'm looking to run The bottom arms will be flat and I'd like to go dowuble wishbone up front on a space framed front end.

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa146/markxxr2/Image002.jpg


The hardest bit I think will be retaining vaux 5 stud hubs. If using something like these Willwood spindles (I can probably find cheaper alternatives with the same effect) its finding the bearing and hubs to fit in vaux format.

http://www.rallydesign.co.uk/product_info.php?cPath=1375_1594_1595&products_id=13605&osCsid=1806toq48phtukj1ti9td5gse1

[Jonlem]

Don't be blinkered into thinking IRS is better than a live axle, a few of the converted Mk2's that use IRS don't apparently have the Mk2 feel anymore and thus don't drive as well, wether that applies to anything rwd I can't comment.

My view on going IRS was simply to make use of your skills and to allow room for a more powerful engine considering a English axle won't do turbo power for long and an Atlas will set you back a small fortune if you want a proper one.

With regards to how to do the front end you could quite simply do it as that Fiesta has been done but making your TCA's which accept manta/senator/carlton hubs, I'd guess thay all fix in a similar way to a nova one so you would only need to make a fixing for a vaux bottom ball joint and then all your suspension would bolt up as normal.

This is my mk2 setup which gives you an idea of how they customize the front end from standard :

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v306/Jatec/Escort%20Build/22012009241.jpg

Note that the steering arms are much lower than a vauxhall nova and on the front of the carrier as such, I'd guess a manta or carlton may use a similar setup but you will need to look into that.

[philip]

ive got a manta hub/stub axle on my corsa with double wishbone arms i could take pic of if wanted?

[Count Vaux Alot]

This is my mk2 setup which gives you an idea of how they customize the front end from standard :

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v306/Jatec/Escort%20Build/22012009241.jpg

Note that the steering arms are much lower than a vauxhall nova and on the front of the carrier as such, I'd guess a manta or carlton may use a similar setup but you will need to look into that.

I wish you wouldn't keep dropping that picture in its just porn lol

[Jonlem]

ive got a manta hub/stub axle on my corsa with double wishbone arms i could take pic of if wanted?

Nice one Phil, thats basically all he needs to do :thumb:


Count : lol lol lol

[The Simps]

one of the reasons for going double wishbone aswell is to be able to run the coilover at 45deg like on kit cars as my current short bodies can't really get much lower.

[andrew1988]

Ive taken the pics you wanted of the 924 set-up simps. However cant get them onto the computer so will have to wait until weekend. Sorry bud

[The Simps]

Ive taken the pics you wanted of the 924 set-up simps. However cant get them onto the computer so will have to wait until weekend. Sorry bud


Thanks bud :thumb: As and when.

[The Simps]

ive got a manta hub/stub axle on my corsa with double wishbone arms i could take pic of if wanted?


Yes please!!

[philip]

will take some tonight and try pm them too you..dont want many ppl to see thats alllol

[The Simps]

will take some tonight and try pm them too you..dont want many ppl to see thats alllol


I'll keep it under my hat!

[philip]

or...if text me...i think ive got some pics on my fone i could send...be abit quicker lol 07807 040522

[The Simps]

thanks for the pics philip.

I've picked up a set of manta stub axle cheap then I'm gonna get hold of an omega hub. Gonna take the whole lot to a local bearing supplier and see if he can get a larger bearing to suit then go from there.

[philip]

gona do similar to mine then?

hopefully be a step in the right direction...all this for some cav tubby rims!!:roll:

[The Simps]

all this for some cav tubby rims!!:roll:

I know its crazy but they REALLY suit the car and I have a couple of sets of them (track & wets). If it turns out the bearing idea can't be done or they are ridiculously expensive I'll go for some lowly 4 studders!

A benefit of converting the fronts to 5 stud tho is that I can then use cally turbo ones on the rear!

[andrew1988]

Ok, so heres porsche 924 pics

These are from n/a porsches

http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w199/andrew_2882/DSC00067.jpg

http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w199/andrew_2882/DSC00065.jpg

http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w199/andrew_2882/DSC00073.jpg

http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w199/andrew_2882/DSC00074.jpg

and these are from a turbo

http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w199/andrew_2882/DSC00069.jpg

http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w199/andrew_2882/DSC00070.jpg

http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w199/andrew_2882/DSC00071.jpg

http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w199/andrew_2882/DSC00072.jpg

I found out the torque tubes are completely different. So would need to use complete setup from either the turbo or n/a

Hope these help :thumb:

[The Simps]

Thanks for that mate - appreciate it. I think I'm better off getting the turbo stuff.

[Jonlem]

A mate of mine Ashtal just text me to see if I knew anyone who may want a Omega Elite back end, LSD trailing arms subframe the lot.

If your interested Simps I can pm you his number

[The Simps]

Thanks mate, but not got the cash for it at the mo.