RWD Loon

[poultergeist]

How easy would it be to make a RWD Saloon?

And what do we all think it would handle like?

Any opinions/advice welcome

:D

[Will F]

Not easy - and poop, unless you were a wizzard welder

[burgo]

if you have to ask you cant do it

[DW-Nova]

/\ ha ha, yeh but in all honesty its going to be a monumental task, there will be alot more work than first meets the eye, however i dont want to put you off so why not have a go and see hey ? 3.0 v6 omega engine and running gear.

[mowgli]

http://www.animationarchive.org/pics/vip01.jpg

[rednova]

it'd be easier to weld the nova shell over a rwd floor pan - alot like the 4x4 mk1 astra

just have a look and see whats got roughly the same wheelbase

[mowgli]

http://www.comp.co.uk/gallery/pics/FORD%20ESCORT%20MK2%20RS2000%20ML1570%207X15.JPG

I measured one about 20 years ago & it has, in std form, the same track & wheelbase as a nova saloon

[General Baxter]

I measired one about 20 years ago & it has, in std form, the same track & wheelbase as a nova saloon

really ?

seen that one for sale in the b5000 going into tamworth :thumb: lol

[DW-Nova]

I dont think you'd be very popular if you welded a nova shell on to a MK2 escort, plus it'd end up costing loads as i'm sure everybody knows the escorts aint the cheapest of cars now.

[L14MNP]

If you hack up a mk2 Escort for the sake of a Nova you need a good kicking.

[philthepill_389]

^^^^ i second that ^^^^

[mowgli]

there are actually quite a few basket case escorts about, people think the 4 door is worthless. Barrie Mills scrapyard at Elmsthorpe. leics. has one in at the moment. the car is on top of the pile & looks reasonable..........

[Jack]

Escort Mk2 wheelbase is 2.6" longer (94.8" to the 92.2 of the Nova Saloon).

I remember looking with Mike at what cars had the same track/wheelbase as a nova, I'm sure we did find something small and Japanese (possibly 4WD) that was a couple of millimeters out each way, but for the life of me can't remember what it was...

[mowgli]

I just used a tape measure on a couple of wrecks. they matched up. I think that arguing over 60 odd mm in the length is the least of the problems...

Basically, the front struts off the nova could easily be reused, as long as the bellhousing clearance is ok, failing that, the whole front suspension off a chevette unbolts as a unit & the rack is under the front.

the tunnel would need widening to fit the gearbox & the exhaust & the rear beams would be strong enough to to mount an axle, so someone could mount a 5 link live axle or maybe an irs (I reckon the carlton or omega one narrowed a bit would be good)

it would still be a huge project

[Novasport]

Escort Mk2 wheelbase is 2.6" longer (94.8" to the 92.2 of the Nova Saloon).

I remember looking with Mike at what cars had the same track/wheelbase as a nova, I'm sure we did find something small and Japanese (possibly 4WD) that was a couple of millimeters out each way, but for the life of me can't remember what it was...

Subaru Justy?

[The Simps]

its very doable.

[MyNovaSr]

If you hack up a mk2 Escort for the sake of a Nova you need a good kicking.

You missed "in the nuts" off the end ;)

Personally I think its a good idea.

[DW-Nova]

I've never measured one up but what Novasport said about the subaru justy is very belivable from a glance as they do look very very similar sized, i know its far more complicated than looking similar but it may be do-able, i'm sure that some justys are 4WD too, it would though mean that you needed to modify the engine bay in order to fit the impreza engine !!!

[DW-Nova]

/\ Or am i just fantasising ?? lol

[brainsnova]

if you use only the mk1 or mk2 escort rear axle and make up a custom prop shaft then use a cav 4x4 engine and box your laughing do 4 wheel drive or only rear wheel drive :thumb:

[Sloth]

space frame ftw boys. twin lets ala beardys white gsi corsa. first 1000bhp nova?

[The Simps]

Swing round XE/LET
Attach to bell housing adapter then sierra gbox
Use mk2 escort engine mount, steering column & front legs if you wish or can use vaux
mk2 escort prop or custom
mk2 escort rear axle (baby atlas or english)
attach axle using 4 link system
use disc conversion and ford wheels or modify hubs for vaux fitment.
Done.

[mowgli]

Swing round XE/LET
Attach to bell housing adapter then sierra gbox
Use mk2 escort engine mount, steering column & front legs if you wish or can use vaux
mk2 escort prop or custom
mk2 escort rear axle (baby atlas or english)
attach axle using 4 link system
use disc conversion and ford wheels or modify hubs for vaux fitment.
Done.

you missed off cost: more than just getting an escort mk2...

[Mike]

Sheet :( i was working next to a crankshaft/prop shaft fabrication place tother day! Should have noted the number down :(

Personally, I use a Rascal prop.

[mowgli]

Personally, I use a Rascal prop.

now you're talking.... fit the floorpan from a rascal to a nova.. imagine how crap that would be.......

[Mike]

Rascal's are actually very capable drifty vans though ;) and ive seen a Rascal prop take XE power with no issues in a Caterham.

[mikey14sr]

Or you could do it the easy way, buy a '7' style kit-car and attatch the nova body to it.

[mowgli]

Or you could do it the easy way, buy a '7' style kit-car and attatch the nova body to it.

or just leave it the way gm made it, and pocket the several thousands needed to make it rwd

[DW-Nova]

i was intent on making mine rwd but tbh i've gone off the idea as it's just making it something it's not, keep it light and 150bhp to 200bhp ish and your laughing imo, in the same vain i've gone of the idea of 2.0's as when you compare the 2.0 to say the 1.4 8v it came with originally it is absoultley massive and silly heavy in comparison, keep it like a go-kart.

[jimbob-mcgrew]

do it man ! it'l me an apsolute mish, but it'l be a unique, and will handle like a champ if done properly.
you could prob use any similar spec rwd setup u wanted and either have a fresh diff made up or chop it down to suit.
easier said than done obviously, but it would be fun trying.

[burgo]

do it man ! it'l me an apsolute mish, but it'l be a unique, and will handle like a champ if done properly.
you could prob use any similar spec rwd setup u wanted and either have a fresh diff made up or chop it down to suit.
easier said than done obviously, but it would be fun trying.any one else find this abit hard to read?

[Jack]

Yes. I think he means prop, not diff as well.

[L14MNP]

Not really hard to decipher lol