The Counts Track Day Nova Build

[scott.parker]

Your sig should be changed to don't bust a spleen because it's green or something (I dunno what else would rhyme with green and work)

Don't be mean because it's green, or ill stomp on your spleen? lol lol

Woo i got the 1000th reply on the thread too!

[Count Vaux Alot]

Your sig should be changed to don't bust a spleen because it's green or something (I dunno what else would rhyme with green and work)

It will simply be 'leaving you green with envy!' lol :thumb:

[Count Vaux Alot]

Don't be mean because it's green, or ill stomp on your spleen? lol lol

Woo i got the 1000th reply on the thread too!

lol

[The Simps]

:tumble:

[MK999]

It will simply be 'leaving you green with envy!' lol :thumb:

But my car won't be green, yours will, so it will be green with envy... that's pretty sad for a tuned xe tbh, it's only a 1.2 spi lol

[Count Vaux Alot]

Little update for tonight nothing major mind but its put a massive smile on my face!
I have spent a couple of hours sorting some bits out on my brothers TD as i am trying to prevent it from dying!

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/rearcagemountsandseats242.jpg

One of the problems

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/rearcagemountsandseats243.jpg

And a cheap solution

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/rearcagemountsandseats241.jpg

Its only a run around :roll:

Any way so after that i had a little time to spend on my nova

I got these goodies today

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/rearcagemountsandseats238.jpg

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/rearcagemountsandseats239.jpg

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/rearcagemountsandseats240.jpg

And used them for fitting this :D

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/rearcagemountsandseats232.jpg

(note the anti damage rag!)

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/rearcagemountsandseats233.jpg

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/rearcagemountsandseats234.jpg

I'm really happy with it so far

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/rearcagemountsandseats235.jpg

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/rearcagemountsandseats236.jpg

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/rearcagemountsandseats237.jpg

The other half to be fitted shortly :thumb:

[Benn]

10.9? you gonna hang the car off the cage?lol

Black looks good with the green.

[Count Vaux Alot]

10.9? you gonna hang the car off the cage?lol

Black looks good with the green.

They were the same as the 8.8 so i thought funk it 10.9 it is

[novashed]

loving the colour combo, nice work

[The Simps]

nice bit of boltage!

[t45_ste]

Looking ace, what size bolts are you using? m12?

[Count Vaux Alot]

M10 me thinks...i will double check that tomorrow though lol

[t45_ste]

They look bigger than a 13mm spanner? :D

[Graeme]

M8 has a 13mm head

[t45_ste]

M8 has a 13mm head

Sorry, my mistake. Doh. Take it there a 17mm spanner.

[Count Vaux Alot]

Yer 17mm spanner im pretty sure they are M10 lol

[gunny]

Yes, 17mm Head is generally an M10

I know all the sizes :roll:

lol

[Count Vaux Alot]

Evening all had a bit of a tinker again tonight - got the rest of the cage in (other than the door bars as they will be in the way) and made up a small alli checker plate heel rest :roll: (don't worry its only 0.8 mm thick) just because i liked it.

So to begin with i thought i'd clear this up lol

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/rearcagemountsandseats246.jpg

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/rearcagemountsandseats247.jpg

Then here is a few of the front half of the cage

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/rearcagemountsandseats245.jpg

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/rearcagemountsandseats244.jpg

Here is the checker plate and the counter sunk holes i used to fix the heel rest.

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/rearcagemountsandseats249.jpg

And the 4mm drill bit and counter sunk rivets i used

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/rearcagemountsandseats248.jpg

A rough fit

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/rearcagemountsandseats251.jpg

Then this is the rivets flush fitted

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/rearcagemountsandseats253.jpg

And the finished article

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/rearcagemountsandseats256.jpg

I might get on with some thing more usefull tomorrow :D

[scott.parker]

Thats a good idea mate, as my Shell had bad worn patches on the drivers floor when i got it, so Ive put Stone Gard/chip down to stop it wearing like it did as i hate the **** worn through paint look lol

Scott

[Pistol Pete]

Really liking your attention to detail. Spot on!

[The Simps]

Great idea with the plate! Bit fancy tho aint it?

[Adam]

Good stuff, colour is a bit erm, interesting.

Cage looks top notch bolted in :)

[Count Vaux Alot]

Really liking your attention to detail. Spot on!

As they say if its worth doing its worth doing well ;) lol




Good stuff, colour is a bit erm, interesting.

Cage looks top notch bolted in :)

The colour is what it is green but it does its job and cost out.


Great idea with the plate! Bit fancy tho aint it?

Thanks....i hope that isn't a hint of jealousy i sense there lol


Thats a good idea mate, as my Shell had bad worn patches on the drivers floor when i got it, so Ive put Stone Gard/chip down to stop it wearing like it did as i hate the **** worn through paint look lol

Scott

Cheers mate - I think all the stripped out novas end up with worn patches under the foot area in the end and i thought this might avoid that and help with grip as well.

[The Simps]

Thanks....i hope that isn't a hint of jealousy i sense there lol


:cry:

[Count Vaux Alot]

I was only joking lol

[The Simps]

got my mate coming to hopefully finish off the tubs and start the other sde saturday, so I'll be smiling again :D

you still planning on running your wiring loom the sameway my luvver?

[Count Vaux Alot]

Nah don't think so - even thats a bit fancy for me lol i don't want any trouble trying to find the wiring if i have and faults (sorry its a nova so i should say when i have faults) so will be running a 'standard ish' thinned down loom that i will be starting to play with shortly :D

Great to here about the welding on yours btw!

[Ernie]

Im running this in mine mate.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v617/chunny01/JDL%20Project/017-1.jpg

[gunny]

Then this is the rivets flush fitted

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/rearcagemountsandseats253.jpg

Controll your drill man! lol

Looks sweet matey, really good attention to detail even on a track car, i'd of ended up with nuts and bolts, i never think about the thousands of rivets i have in the shed lol

[Count Vaux Alot]

Controll your drill man! lol

Excuse me?? If your referring to the scratches to the left of the checker then they were caused by moving the checker around not the drill lol

[gunny]

Around the rivet hole... lol looks like you've hit the checker plate with the chuck

[The Simps]

Excuse me?? If your referring to the scratches to the left of the checker then they were caused by moving the checker around not the drill lol

lol

[Count Vaux Alot]

Around the rivet hole... lol looks like you've hit the checker plate with the chuck

Honestly.....

[MK999]

Honestly.....

You'd think the fella never heard of weight reduction!

[gunny]

Honestly.....

lol Ok i believe you.

Whats next to do then?

[The Simps]

Whats next to do then?


to stop fannying around with fancy plates and get the engine in! lol

[Count Vaux Alot]

I've been busy doing some thing else.

[Ste L]

just fully read this thread on start to last post...

very very cool project, cant wait to see the finished product
love the bit's of fabrication you've done, wish i could do something like this, neither have the skill, space or time :(

[dhdev (Oli)]

Is that footplate gonna bust out when the intake manifold fails? lollollol

[Benn]

Is that footplate gonna bust out when the intake manifold fails? lollollol

That would be frigging awesome!

[scott.parker]

I'm sure Ive seen that in the movies! lol

[Count Vaux Alot]

Is that footplate gonna bust out when the intake manifold fails? lollollol

Have you been drinking again?

[AlexW]

Drinking? Smoking somthing more like lol

Whats next on your list?

[MK999]

Have you been drinking again?

I think he believes there is danger to the manifold.

[Count Vaux Alot]

I think he believes there is danger to the manifold.

Why would there be danger to the manifold? I'm completely lost...perhaps i need to smoke some thing as well :tard:

[Count Vaux Alot]

Whats next on your list?

Ah yes back to the build....I have to fit the rear arches (more weight saving lol), finalise everything in the engine bay and paint it then prep the car and paint it. Plus i've been working on a few other bits like my wide track.

After the bay/car is in colour its a case of putting it back together and finding some £££ to buy the last few bits i need.....

Anyone want to buy my saloon?

[MK999]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6lKJwfUlk4

1:40 lol

[Count Vaux Alot]

lol lol lol very good Oli i get it now.....

[Graeme]

I was also struggling with that one but very good

[Count Vaux Alot]

Ahhhh Herro Everybody riddle update time!

As i haven't updated for a while (for me any way) i thought i'd get back on it as i haven't just been sitting around with my thumb up may @rse i have been mincing - deatils are below......

So I decided i needed to get on with fitting the wide rear arches to accomodate my 50mm extra width!

I started by offering up the arch to the car - some one at some point has fitted these, i'm not sure if they came as they are of if they have been 'modified' but the fit is truly w@nk!

Arch offered up

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widetrack1013.jpg

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widetrack1014.jpg

A rough marking of how far up i can cut (although i ended up going further once i knew exactly what was behind were i was cutting)

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widetrack1015.jpg

Out came the grinder and i savaged it off.

I then fitted the rear axle, the spacer (soon to be replaced by an actual weld in spacer) and the wheel. After some more head scratching and drawing over the car i concluded i could cut higher so i did.

This is how much extra width i now have on each side!!

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widetrack1016.jpg

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widetrack1021.jpg

As you can see below i cut the outer skin higher than the inner so i could fold the inner skin up to the outer

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widetrack1022.jpg

And weld them both together again - this arch mod means the wheel can now move up higher were as before it just fouled the arch very severely. All this will be covered by the new F/G arch.

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widetrack1024.jpg

I made sure to sealed up the seam inside the car to stop any unwanted moisture getting in the crevis

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/enginebaypaint005.jpg

Oh and the remains

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widetrack1028.jpg

The filler cap will have to be relocated but i think i have quite a cool idea for that anyway.

Once i had reached this stage i was comfortably certain that the new F/G arch wouldn't fit as i wanted without some more 'modifications' so i decided to spin the car round to get to the other side and the engine bay as so

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/enginebaypaint001.jpg

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/enginebaypaint002.jpg

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/enginebaypaint003.jpg

Much better!

Once i had good access to the front of the car i decided i should treat the front inner arches to some more stone chip for good measure as they were a bit patchy

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/enginebaypaint004.jpg

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/enginebaypaint007.jpg

[Count Vaux Alot]

I then removed the centre of the front panel

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/enginebaypaint009.jpg

At the same time i seam sealed up the plates i had welded to the lower crossmember

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/enginebaypaint006.jpg

At this stage i could now remove the rollover frame from the front of the car so i could begine the prep work. I masked off all the areas i wanted the paint to avoid and gave the bay a couple of coats of grey primer as i wasn't fond of the green primer.

Masked off

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/enginebaypaint008.jpg

Prepped ready to go

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/enginebaypaint012.jpg

And primed

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/enginebaypaint013.jpg

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/enginebaypaint014.jpg

Having then left the primer to dry from sunday (as i was endulging in some mountain bike related activities in chicksands woods last night http://www.chicksandsbikepark.co.uk/index.php just some free ride and arsing about mind) i gave the bay 3 coats of green tonight

The first application

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/engbay020-1.jpg

And the finished article

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/engbay021-1.jpg

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/engbay022-1.jpg

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/engbay025-1.jpg

Its come out much better than the inside of the car did and i'm really happy with the result/finish

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/engbay027-1.jpg

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/engbay026-1.jpg

[Jay]

Love the colour!

[Count Vaux Alot]

Coming away from the car its self for a minute i thought i would share some info on the new front wheel bearings i'm going to fit (this is also detailed in Dar's WIP were i stole it from).

I have decided to upgrade the front wheel bearings to a set up near to the group A spec nova bearings but at a fraction of the cost - basically this will allow me to run a near standard XE hub in the original carrier (the nova wheel bearing is too small to accept the XE hub so people either have the XE hub machined down to fit the bearing which can lead to weakness or opt for a conversion type hub that has also been known to fail) the bearing i'm using is from a Mazda 626 of all things it is 2mm wider O/D than the standard nova item but exactly the same I/D as the original XE hub - the hub carrier there for needs machining out by 4mm and i'm having the cir clip grooves put back in.
This means I will only be loosing 2mm off the wall of the hub carrier (1mm per side) and i will be able to run a big block hub (The big block hub does need some macining on the back face to allow it to be pressed all the way into the nova carrier but i will detail this once the hub carriers are back from the machine shop here is a pic also courtesy of DAR).

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/IMAGE_00112_640x480.jpg

The bearings i used.

Bearings: FBK106 - Can't remember the dimensions though.
Cir-clips: INT0670 - INT DIN 472 Metric 67mm (2.5/8)

And a few illustrative pics - the green one is the original nova bearing

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/engbay028-1.jpg

Nova I/D

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/engbay032-1.jpg

Mazda I/D

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/engbay030-1.jpg

Nova O/D

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/engbay039-1.jpg

Mazda O/D

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/engbay037-1.jpg

And the width of them is identical 37mm

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/engbay040-1.jpg

I hope thats usefull :D

I have also sent my rear brake brums/backing plates off to be sand blasted along with the axle i painted blue as it doesn't go with the car now i've gone all green.
Once thats back i can get on with the axle widening.

On another note then next couple of updates should be quite interesting if what i'm working on turns out as i want it to so watch this space :thumb:

[gunny]

Looking good count, loving that colour, and very interesting hub mods there, what page is the detailed info on dars thread as this may be an idea for mine

[alistairolsen]

Fab work looks awesome, is that paint matt finish? be hellish to keep clean if it is!

Those wheel bearings are the same size as the ones I used Im sure, but mine were from the rear of a '88 golf synchro 4wd lol

[Count Vaux Alot]

Thanks Gunny! Regarding the hub mods in Dars thread its pages 15-20 ish with the main content on p.19 but i think i have included all you need here.

[gunny]

Anytime mate :thumb:. Ok cheers, will definitely be looking into this.

[Count Vaux Alot]

fab work looks awesome, is that paint matt? be hellish to keep clean if it is :S

Matt? yes

Clean? lol

[The Simps]

good work ****. didn't realise you were going wide rear too! :cool:

still not convinced on the green! lol

[scott.parker]

good work ****. didn't realise you were going wide rear too! :cool:

still not convinced on the green! lol

Yes I'm not 100% Sold on it yet, but we can only wait and see! ;)

good progress mate.

Scott

[Count Vaux Alot]

good work ****. didn't realise you were going wide rear too! :cool:

still not convinced on the green! lol

Thanks Shrimps.....i decided to go wide rear for the sheer pleasure of it lol

The colour is the subject of mass debate :roll: but the paint was free, its easy to apply and durable/over paintable with little effort so as its a track car the pluses out weigh the fact it isn't shiny and either white, red or silver like the rest are :thumb:

[TIDGE]

The colour is the subject of mass debate :roll:
no it isnt it rocks end of :thumb:

[The Simps]

you must be tempted to go with a different offset and get some massive chunky wheels in there! lol

[Count Vaux Alot]

They are 7 inch 45et as it is and the wide arches arn't wide enough so it should be good enough lol

[The Simps]

cool, good lad!

[The Simps]

i've got a fetish for big rims and stretched rubber at the mo! lol

[Count Vaux Alot]

To be fair i could put whatever i wanted on it as i will be adjusting the F/G arches but i think its wide enough for now lol

I too love big rims and uber stretch but those porsche rims on your saloon look homo.

[The Simps]

I too love big rims and uber stretch but those porsche rims on your saloon look homo.


It wasn't the best 'shop in the world to be fair but yeah, didn't look how I thought. I think trying to keep the turbo rims will be cool.

[The Simps]

oh, will your rear track be slightly wider than your fronts?

[Benn]

Dude. Didnt know you where doing it wide too.
The fb arch does look a lil off shape...
I love the pic with the wheel sticking right out of the arch from the back..

Bay looks cool as funk.

[Count Vaux Alot]

Dude. Didnt know you where doing it wide too.
The fb arch does look a lil off shape...
I love the pic with the wheel sticking right out of the arch from the back..

Bay looks cool as funk.
Yep nice and wide thought i might as well lol - the F/G rear arches are a strange shape and i'm unsure exactly how i'm going to tackle it at the moment although i have a few ideas....i can't see how they ever fitted in the first place lol


oh, will your rear track be slightly wider than your fronts?

No mate +100 mm front and rear!

[Benn]

Bang them on, go low and drive it hard..lol

Have they been trimmed and shaped?

[Count Vaux Alot]

Bang them on, go low and drive it hard..lol

Have they been trimmed and shaped?

Yes i think they have been 'trimmed' and 'shaped' but not very well lol i will be banging them on over the weekend so we will see how they turn out - once they are on its paint the outside of the car time!!

[LiquidPug]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v245/jeff30997/homerCRAZY.gif

Updates please!!

[Benn]

Yes i think they have been 'trimmed' and 'shaped' but not very well lol i will be banging them on over the weekend so we will see how they turn out - once they are on its paint the outside of the car time!!

Cool cool, and yeah maybe trimmed by a blink guy.
With your metal work skills a bit of fiber glassing wont be hard...

[Count Vaux Alot]

Updates should be on their way tonight - i've had an uber busy family weekend so should get some time later....Benn F/G is not a problem as you will find out later - and its not the arches.....lol

[Benn]

Cool cool, man of manny tallents then, and its not the arches? the metal ones or the fb?

[Count Vaux Alot]

Right update time....As mentioned before i'm going wide track front and rear - there are several options available to fill those wide arches some better than others imo. The options are wide low offset wheels (there is the possibility that the width would cause them to track across the road badly and the low ET to make them feel 'uncomfortable' to drive on), A wide track kit from the likes of HH or pilebeam (sp?) or TAS if they still existed (which they don't) but they are all major £££, the classic hubsentric spacers or my favoured option make my own!

So here is the latest attempt at money saving/problem solving from the Count Developments camp it all started when i was perusing the possible options and JohnH said he had an old TAS catalogue laying around so he posted me it (cheers mate! :thumb:) - i had a look at what they used to offer (see below) and what other companies still offer (at a price but after making mine i realise why!)

So here is the pic from TAS its very small an not overly helpful but does give a rough idea (i will add i couldn't find anyone running any wide track kits that have decent photo's) so i basically started from scratch!

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/engbay042-2.jpg

I started off with the standard arm took loads of measurements and worked out the angles then used them to widen the arm by 50mm and knocked up a jig (i don't have pics of this as my dog sh?t phone will not connect to my laptop no matter what i do so apologies).

After i was happy with the angles etc i welded the arm up to give this (i will get some better pics of the finished results once they are all er finished)

Uniballs on the outside

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widetrack1007.jpg

RJ on the inside for adjustable camber

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widetrack1005.jpg

Then to bring out the hub carrier so i didn't have loads of neg camber i sorted these +50mm spacers out (the other option would have been to alter the strut top by moving it out from the centre of the car) these will be used in conjunction with eccentric strut tops.

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widetrack1003.jpg

As you can see the carriers face is sitting quite level and its not all bolted up properly

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widetrack1033.jpg

Once i had achieved the shape of arm required and it fitted ok to the car with the hub carrier spacer i set about making up the tie bar as i already make the drop mount for the lower front panel these are similar to the TAS design but better imo as they are not fixed at the lower arm end.

I went for LH rose joint at the front to the drop mount

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widetrack1040.jpg

Then roughly lined it up (yes the lower arm is the other way up in this pic as i wasn't sure which way round was the best at this point)

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widetrack1042.jpg

Then i cut the tiebar in half and put a RH insert in the opposite end to the LH RJ so it will take a RH threaded bar (in 12.8 so strong as funk) like so

LH thread at one end and RH thread at the other

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widetrack1051.jpg

This is then bolted to the lower arm, I gave it some more strengthening just because

Holes to puddle weld the bar in

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widetrack1043.jpg

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widetrack1044.jpg

Then slotted the other end of the bar to add a piece of plate in the middle as so to add to the strength of the bolted end

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widetrack1046.jpg

Welded it in

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widetrack1052.jpg

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widetrack1054.jpg

So i ended up with this

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widetrack1055.jpg

[Count Vaux Alot]

I then added an 'anti crush' bit of 12mm id tubing for the bolt

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widetrack1064.jpg

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widetrack1066.jpg

This therefore giving one complete tie bar that allows 'on car' adjust ability

Once the tie bar was complete i moved on to the mounting position on the lower arm TAS used this method (the one reasonable on car pic i could find)

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/Wide_track.jpg

It uses a 'foot' looking end like the original tie bar but if you tried to adjust the tie bars length then surly you would need to elongate the holes to accommodate the angle change at the lower arm end? So to over come this i made it a pivot using the bolt through idea above.

Here is the tie bar mounting point on the lower arm

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widetrack1058.jpg

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widetrack1059.jpg

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widetrack1060.jpg

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widetrack1061.jpg

And boxed it in

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widetrack1070.jpg

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widetrack1071.jpg

The finished result ending up like so

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widetrack1077.jpg

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widetrack1079.jpg

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widetrack1080.jpg

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widetrack1082.jpg

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widetrack1085.jpg

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widetrack1087.jpg

[Count Vaux Alot]

Needless to say i was more than happy with the result (as long as it actually works that is lol) so this is the development stage only and may need some final alterations (read as smashing with a bit hammer and binning and starting again if it all goes wrong)
As i didn't have all the resources the large companies that produce kits similar to these it did take ages to work it all out but then result nearly looks profesional imo and i can understand why they cost so much in the first place.

So while i was twiddling my thumbs i decided its nearly time to start rebuilding the interiour (not that there is much interiour actually going back in to the car :thumb:) i thought i would try a bit of F/G action with the dash (Benn what you think?)
So i knocked up this custome fiberglass dash - i'm not sure how it will turn out yet after its cut to size and tidied up but it may well find its self bin bound also if it looks w@nk.

What you all think?

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widetrack1088.jpg

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widetrack1090.jpg

Pod in the middle for the rev counter speedo etc guages and switches to the left fuses to the right or something like that

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widetrack1089.jpg

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widetrack1103.jpg

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widetrack1101.jpg

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widetrack1102.jpg



Apologies if any and or all of that made no sense as i'm very tired of three days of screaming kids at the inlaws :(

[Count Vaux Alot]

Last week i got the rear axle sand blasted again along with the rear brakes - the colour of the axle doesn't go any more and i want to widen it myself instead of using the TAS spacers i have as i think i will be able to achieve a llighter stronger tesult than the spacers.

[Jay]

James i must say this has to be the Nova of 09!

Its prob mentined earlier in thread but im too lazy to look... But will the bonnet close ?

[Benn]

James your metal fab skills amaze me,they are fantastic.
The low arm set is looks great. Top top work on them. Wish i could fab up stuff like this.

FG work making a dash looks very cool. You do clearly know what your doing.

Should work nicely and let you have the room for switches and gauges and stuff.

Awesome work. Hats off to you. (cant rep you yet)

[Count Vaux Alot]

James i must say this has to be the Nova of 09!

Its prob mentined earlier in thread but im too lazy to look... But will the bonnet close ?

Thanks Jay - the bonnet closure issue has been mentioned earlier on but you are forgiven for not wanting to look for it it would take you all night lol - basically NO it won't close so i will either modify the bonnet in some way either some breast like bulges or jack up the back which will also aid air flow through the bay i'm undecided yet.

[Jay]

Raised bonnet ftw. Although as you said bulges will be different. Im sure it will look awesome whatever you chose! :thumb: Really liking this car.

[Count Vaux Alot]

James your metal fab skills amaze me,they are fantastic.
The low arm set is looks great. Top top work on them. Wish i could fab up stuff like this.

FG work making a dash looks very cool. You do clearly know what your doing.

Should work nicely and let you have the room for switches and gauges and stuff.

Awesome work. Hats off to you. (cant rep you yet)

Thanks Benn the lower arms came out better than expected but as said before did take some thinking - the dash was just a try it and see effort and there is lots to be cut away before it is finished as i gave all the edges plenty of extra error room lol

[trackdaynova]

bonnet bulges won't work unless you don't plan to run a front strut brace

good work

[Count Vaux Alot]

bonnet bulges won't work unless you don't plan to run a front strut brace or have an idea for a custom one that is mounted in an unconventional position

good work

;) ;)

[Jay]

welded in with a adjustable ?

[trackdaynova]

well you can mount them from the insides of the turrets or whatever, i meant a standard fitting one.

[G8WCC]

fair play im impressed with the front wide track work mate
if it handels as good as it looks you should be well happy with it
keep up the good work:thumb: +rep a must!

[The Simps]

lovin your work as always mate! looks a mighty fine setup and I can appreciate the time involved measuring evrything up and getting the angles just right!

Dash should be cool as long as you get the finish around the screen and bulkhead flush etc.

[Count Vaux Alot]

welded in with a adjustable ?
Jay some were around here depending on space once then engine is in the whole!

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/untitled.jpg

[Jay]

Jay some were around here

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/untitled.jpg

Nice :thumb:

[Count Vaux Alot]

fair play im impressed with the front wide track work mate
if it handels as good as it looks you should be well happy with it
keep up the good work:thumb: +rep a must!
Cheers dude there are lots of ifs at the moment i will only know for sure once its up and running.


lovin your work as always mate! looks a mighty fine setup and I can appreciate the time involved measuring evrything up and getting the angles just right!

Dash should be cool as long as you get the finish around the screen and bulkhead flush etc.
Simps as said before there is much cutting etc to be had before the dash is car worthy :thumb:

[The Simps]

Simps as said before there is much cutting etc to be had before the dash is car worthy :thumb:


Don't know if you took that as a dig/negative :confused: Was trying to say, in answer to your "not sure if it will be any good comment", that it will be the snugness of the fit that will ultimately make the difference.

[corsakid]

excellant work mate great fab skills

[scott.parker]

You make it look easy! (but I'm sure it's far from it... lol)
Seriously that wide front arm/tie bar set up's so dam good for home made, your really good with fabrication, i would love to have the space and time to learn to your standard.

As for dash, humm..lol yeah should be fine once you sort it to a finished article.

keep up the cracking work mate.

Scott

[Count Vaux Alot]

Don't know if you took that as a dig/negative :confused: Was trying to say, in answer to your "not sure if it will be any good comment", that it will be the snugness of the fit that will ultimately make the difference.

I knew what you meant just reiterating that its fare from finished - it may not ever make the car if it looks toss once ive fettled it.

[Jay]

Whens this going to be out then mate. Not much progress engine wise?

[Ernie]

looking good James

[Nick J]

A excellent all round effort fella... You seem to be able to turn your hand to anything and make a good job of it. :)

[Benn]

Thanks Benn the lower arms came out better than expected but as said before did take some thinking - the dash was just a try it and see effort and there is lots to be cut away before it is finished as i gave all the edges plenty of extra error room lol

Dash is very cool for a try it..
Trim it, flock it and fit it.

[Count Vaux Alot]

Whens this going to be out then mate. Not much progress engine wise?

Its all loose end bits now really i have some quite expensive purchases infront of me including FG bonnet and boot, inlet manifold (an sbd only item), corsa B bias pedal box, rear coilovers, exhaust and a host of fixtures fittings switches etc etc i have a few other little bits to sort out before i can fit the engine including the gear shift, rear arches and some all over painting.
The engine is sitting fully built on the stand with the posibility of a replacement oil pump for piece of mind being the only work i may do to it so it wouldn't take long once everything is in place (rack etc) then its just a case of putting parts back on so i'm still aiming for may to be near completion but realisticly i want it done for PV.

[Pistol Pete]

A excellent all round effort fella... You seem to be able to turn your hand to anything and make a good job of it. :)

+1. All round skills! Loving it!

[Count Vaux Alot]

Ernie, Nick, Benn and Pete thanks and Ernie were the funk did you get 4 bright green blobs from? Have you been liking trackdays @rse again???

[MK999]

boy got skills indeed :thumb: And likely count, olly is brilliant for rep, I keep getting it randomly from him... I got repped for a post that said "Edit, just seen other thread." the other day lol

[Ernie]

Ernie, Nick, Benn and Pete thanks and Ernie were the funk did you get 4 bright green blobs from? Have you been liking trackdays @rse again???

Well when needs must lol.

I think its from selling lots of stuff.

[Benn]

Any time dude, credit where credits due.

[Count Vaux Alot]

Evening every one i thought as i hadn't updated this for a bit (mainly due to other commitments that get in my funking way) i thought i'd let you lot in on what i have done.


Last week i got the rear axle sand blasted again along with the rear brakes - the colour of the axle doesn't go any more and i want to widen it myself instead of using the TAS spacers i have as i think i will be able to achieve a lighter stronger result than the spacers.

Off the back of the quote above i decided to tie the rear end in with the fronts new found wideness by adding some width across the rear axle also.

First of all i was going to use some TAS widening spacers i came across (pictured below) but i have since changed my mind in favour of something of my own design. My design is of a similar weight but considerably stronger than just bolting a solid block of metal between the axle and hub.

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widetrackrearaxle016.jpg

And here is my attempt at a wide rear end....

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widetrackrearaxle006.jpg

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widetrackrearaxle008.jpg

I cut the original hub mounting face off the axle (it came of reasonably easily) as you would when doing a rear disc conversion plate.
The width was then achieved using two 50mm wide sections of 8mm thick walled box that i have welded between the axle and the old hub mounting face. The new found width was then braced and strengthened using some 50mm box section cut to a 90 degree angle and some 3mm walled tube.

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widetrackrearaxle005.jpg

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widetrackrearaxle003.jpg

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widetrackrearaxle009.jpg

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widetrackrearaxle010.jpg

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widetrackrearaxle011.jpg

And against the TAS version

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widetrackrearaxle013.jpg

After completing this i made up some strengthened suspension mounting points (as i'm going coilovers all the stress is now focused on this one mounting point instead of across the springs and shocks)

They are also made from box section with the top cut out then strengthened and spaced to accommodate the shock - there is a nut welded to the outside edge and the mounting point its self is now 15mm closer to the centre of the car to reduce the angle that the coilovers sit at with the rear turrets were they are.

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widetrackrearaxle012.jpg

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widetrackrearaxle002.jpg

And i painted up my newly acquired bilstien rear shocks so decided to attach then for good measure

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widetrackrearaxle017.jpg

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widetrackrearaxle022.jpg

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widetrackrearaxle021.jpg

Does anyone know anywhere that stocks shocks for these coilovers?

This week i might actually get some work on the car done lol

[7ova]

nice welding mate,
great project :thumb:

[The Simps]

Good work as always!

Are they yellow billie shocks with threaded tube over the top?

[Count Vaux Alot]

Good work as always!

Are they yellow billie shocks with threaded tube over the top?

No mate they are once piece - you can't get the middle out it even says DO NOT REMOVE on it!

[tom_beverley]

Looks excellent, beam is done almost exactly (if not better) than the proper wide track one I bought from Clark Motorsport. Me thinks I'll weld in the extra support tubing too lol

Good thinking about the bottom mounts, top work all round :thumb:

I wish I had your skill and determination.

[Benn]

Dude, thats some great fab work. Beautiful welding as allways.
Billie coilovers? Christ even 2nd had they cant have been cheap as the rrp is up near 1k aint it?

[The Simps]

They don't look like the PSS9 kit is it?

[Jay]

Top work as usual James.

[sparkie1401]

fantastic workmanship, wish i had the know how to weld

this will be an animal

[Jonlem]

Dude, thats some great fab work. Beautiful welding as allways.
Billie coilovers? Christ even 2nd had they cant have been cheap as the rrp is up near 1k aint it?

My magnesium Bilsteins were £300 for a pair, 2nd hand I might add and also fixed damping as they came pre setup to your requirement, Bilsteins aren't always that pricey, they are however quality, I sold mine due to damage to the magnesium and the repair costs if I chose to haev them refurbished !

Simps, I didn't think the Pss9 (Ring spec) Bilsteins used rear coilovers like that ? I know the E46 M3 ones don't as I've fitted 2 sets, chances are they are a normal Bilstein coilover assembly so getting them refurbed shouldn't be a issue, you just won't be doing it yourself.

Whats actually wrong with them or did I miss that bit when scanning through ?

Keep up the good work James :thumb:

[The Simps]

I'm sure that the guy with the blue 888 nova (name escapes me) fiitted the PSS9 kit to his and they were a full coilover at the rear but I'm not bored enough to go searching through his thread to find them! lol

[Rick Draper]

No the PSS9 Kit does not include rear coilovers, just shocks and springs.

[The Simps]

I stand erected!

[Count Vaux Alot]

Thanks for all your comments guys really appreciate it :thumb:



My magnesium Bilsteins were £300 for a pair, 2nd hand I might add and also fixed damping as they came pre setup to your requirement, Bilsteins aren't always that pricey, they are however quality, I sold mine due to damage to the magnesium and the repair costs if I chose to haev them refurbished !

Simps, I didn't think the Pss9 (Ring spec) Bilsteins used rear coilovers like that ? I know the E46 M3 ones don't as I've fitted 2 sets, chances are they are a normal Bilstein coilover assembly so getting them refurbed shouldn't be a issue, you just won't be doing it yourself.

Whats actually wrong with them or did I miss that bit when scanning through ?

Keep up the good work James :thumb:

Nothing is wrong with them - i brought them 2nd hand and they have 150 poundage springs on them and i wondered if anyone stocked different springs thats all....

[Count Vaux Alot]

Dude, thats some great fab work. Beautiful welding as allways.
Billie coilovers? Christ even 2nd had they cant have been cheap as the rrp is up near 1k aint it?

Cheers dude - i got the billies for £65 i take it that was a good price even if they are only worth a oner :D

[Count Vaux Alot]

Looks excellent, beam is done almost exactly (if not better) than the proper wide track one I bought from Clark Motorsport. Me thinks I'll weld in the extra support tubing too lol

Good thinking about the bottom mounts, top work all round :thumb:

I wish I had your skill and determination.

Pics of said beam?

[t45_ste]

You know what beam lol I sent you some pics!

EDIT. Forgot to say, great work though :)

[Count Vaux Alot]

As it happens i wondered if it was your old one - i didn't receive any pics though you just said you would send me some as i wanted to compare - do you have some decent quality ones?

[t45_ste]

lol Sorry i thought id sent some, my bad. The only ones i have were in my for sale thread i think?

Mines now redundant, was going to sell but noticed it was a pile of poo as they hadnt welded the plate what the stub axle bolts to, parallel so would of ended up with serious camber issues!

It was Tom who pointed me in the direction of walden, everything else in the kit looks spot on though.

Yours looks a bit more sturdy with the extra box/brace under the extension.

[The Simps]

Regarding springs, Olly pointed me in the direction of - http://www.dfaulknersprings.co.uk/ but I've found that going to Gaz direct is actually quite cheap!

2x 6" 425s & 2x 8" 550s was just shy of a ton posted. Thats 2.25 & 1.9 ID.

[tom_beverley]

Pics of said beam?

Just replied on my WIP too but I haven't got any photos available at the moment, I did take some when the beam arrived but they're long gone now. When I get it on the car I'll send you some over :thumb:

[Count Vaux Alot]

Simps and Tom thanks muchly!

[Benn]

Cheers dude - i got the billies for £65 i take it that was a good price even if they are only worth a oner :D

A very good price.

[Count Vaux Alot]

Hello Oliver :)

[The Simps]

Been a long while since the last update mate - you losing momentum?

[Count Vaux Alot]

I'm loosing something.....i feel like i'm going backwards with it atm its funking me off big style lol due to this i havn't bothered to update as there havn't been any major ones.

Basically in the last month i've spent most evenings/weekends sorting my Bro's car for MOT due to it being a sh!t heap (40 hrs plus) and sorting the saloon out ready for sale.....It was only today that i actually got some time on the car and what i did do was a waist of time due to trying something that didn't quite work needless to say its lucky i didn't come across a hammer lol.

Hopefully get some time on it in the week.

[Count Vaux Alot]

Been a long while since the last update mate - you losing momentum?

Just looked its only been a week you cheeky bastid

[The Simps]

Its not a long time by my project standard by any means! lol But just by your previous momentum.

Know what you mean about frustrations! My determination to make my corsa single wiper work was a classic!! lol

[dhdev (Oli)]

Scanning through the thread looking for updates, came across this

Hello Oliver :) and actually looked over my shoulder lol

Nice beam fab BTW :)

[Count Vaux Alot]

lol /\ it was the other oliver but worth a look over your shoulder just in case

[craig green]

Liking the beam James.
Have you considered if the tubing you have added as a brace will hit the chassis? I'm thinking where there is a double skinned lip at the outside of the rear chassis legs.

I hope not for your sake.

[Count Vaux Alot]

I checked clearance when i constructed it and it looked fine but all will tell in time lol

[craig green]

Hope so for your sake. So you have offered the beam up into position?

[Count Vaux Alot]

Oh yes

[The Simps]

I thought the same as Craig tbh but then looked at some pictures of my beam in situ etc and deduced it should all be fine - not that you wouldn't have checked anyway!! lol

[craig green]

I havent looked at mine with a tape measure & thought aah... But I just recall how flat the beam sits when the car is lowered a significant amount.

[Count Vaux Alot]

Hi everyone time for a long over due update - i have been very busy sorting things out for other people over the last few weeks so my nova has been seriously neglected. I have done a few little bits in the spare time i have had but nothing worth reporting until now. I finally got my finger out and cracked on, so here goes

I finished off the axle and gave it a lick of paint (i also ordered up some 100mm alen key head 12.9 bolts to hold the hubs on)

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/dannietsypics002.jpg

And the ARB

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/dannietsypics001.jpg

Then on to the front hub carriers that i got back from the machine shop on friday - what can i say they have done a top job at a very reasonable price including remachining the circlip grooves and were very friendly. They are callled Earth Tech Ltd and are contactable on 01525 374362.

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/dannietsypics003.jpg

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/dannietsypics004.jpg

Once i had the hub carriers back i could lathe the small amount of material of the big block hubs myself so the would fit in to the hub carrier as so

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/dannietsypics008.jpg

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/dannietsypics006.jpg

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/dannietsypics007.jpg

The shiney freshly lathed area would have fouled the hubcarrier as you can see below

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/dannietsypics010.jpg

And a few pics of it all together it fits as if it were standard out of the factory

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/dannietsypics009.jpg

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/dannietsypics011.jpg

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/dannietsypics012.jpg

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/dannietsypics013.jpg

All fitted together and painted up ready to take a beating

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/dannietsypics031.jpg

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/dannietsypics032.jpg

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/dannietsypics033.jpg

[Count Vaux Alot]

Then on with the actual car, it was time to attack the N/S arch and get it ready to fit the wide arches

The 'cut here line' marked out on the arch

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/dannietsypics014.jpg

And a previous shonky repair in the corner that had to go

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/dannietsypics016.jpg

After some digging i discovered a terrible repair basically consisting of 3 layers 1. the old rust patch 2. the repair patch also rusty and at 3. an inch of filler :( so this one goes out to all you bodge artists please don't funking bother.

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/dannietsypics017.jpg

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/dannietsypics018.jpg

Anyway i cut it all out (wide arches or not i don't want the side of my car rotting away just because you cant see it)

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/dannietsypics015.jpg

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/dannietsypics019.jpg

Bent the inner arch up to meet the outer arch and tacked it together

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/dannietsypics020.jpg

Made up a repair section for the bottom corner as i didn't have one

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/dannietsypics026.jpg

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/dannietsypics027.jpg

Then welded and tidied it all up with a new rapired corner

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/dannietsypics023.jpg

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/dannietsypics030.jpg

This is how i left it for tomorrow ready for sealing up with some paint and seam sealer then its on with the wide arch fitting which will be interesting.

[Count Vaux Alot]

Oh and does anyone know if this FPR will be any good with my TB's?

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/dannietsypics034.jpg

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/dannietsypics035.jpg

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/dannietsypics036.jpg

[trackdaynova]

stonking progress James :thumb: well done mate

not too sure about the FPR, so will leave for someone else to advise either way...

I'm loving the bare round rear arch look tbh lol

[Benn]

Arch work looks scarey but good.
Whats hub carrier is it? Doesnt look like a nova hub?

[Count Vaux Alot]

I got the FPR with the 45's when i brought them for the brown one - its off a lotus and i forgot i had it...havn't a clue about its suitability for what i want.

I like the bare round rear arches too but the wheels stick out way past the line of the body lol

[Benn]

Drag styley.

[Count Vaux Alot]

Arch work looks scarey but good.
Whats hub carrier is it? Doesnt look like a nova hub?

Scary as in drastic? If so your right but it also means uber clearance and will be hidden once the FG arches go on :thumb:

The hub carrier is a standard nova item.

[The Simps]

Good work as always dude!

[alistairolsen]

Same way I did my hubs for my corsa back in the day.

Whats with the shiney machined ring on the outside of the bearing tunnel? I guess they clamped inside, machined that true and then clamped that on the outside to bore out the tunnel?

Also, one of your hubs looks like its seen a lot of heat which isnt good!

Axle and arches look good!

[Geordie-Chris]

Same FPR as on my carbs too, but as you say, not sure if its suitable for TB's.
Also, I'm sure youve checked, but will the inside edge of the rear wheel not hit the support brace you've put in?

All good work tho, keep it up!!

[Benn]

Scary as in drastic? If so your right but it also means uber clearance and will be hidden once the FG arches go on :thumb:

The hub carrier is a standard nova item.

Erm yeah, big hole cut..lol

And is it? Looks odd. Must be me.

[Count Vaux Alot]

Same way I did my hubs for my corsa back in the day.

Whats with the shiney machined ring on the outside of the bearing tunnel? I guess they clamped inside, machined that true and then clamped that on the outside to bore out the tunnel?

Also, one of your hubs looks like its seen a lot of heat which isnt good!

Axle and arches look good!

The shiney machined bit is were the machine shop trued the out side of the hub carrier, and you are correct the hub has seen some heat from the oxycetelene on it to get the disc retaining screws out that some numpty snapped in them.

[Count Vaux Alot]

So i cracked on with the car again today starting off by dry fitting the rear axle and hubs together

Primed the back plates up

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widearchesfitted001.jpg

Then removed the old bearings from the rear hubs - the sand is from the sand blasting

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widearchesfitted002.jpg

Rear stub axles cleaned up

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widearchesfitted003.jpg

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widearchesfitted009.jpg

And cleaned hubs

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widearchesfitted004.jpg

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widearchesfitted007.jpg

Fitted the ARB and polybushes

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widearchesfitted005.jpg

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widearchesfitted010.jpg

And all back together

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widearchesfitted011.jpg

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widearchesfitted012.jpg

Then fitted the axle to the car (all of this was so i could fit a wheel to see how wide my arches actually needed to be)

No clearance issues either side

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widearchesfitted013.jpg

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widearchesfitted019.jpg

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widearchesfitted015.jpg

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widearchesfitted016.jpg

And the coil overs

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widearchesfitted014.jpg

[Count Vaux Alot]

Then with the wheel fitted

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widearchesfitted021.jpg

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widearchesfitted022.jpg

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widearchesfitted023.jpg

Quite wide i think you will agree, in fact its that wide that the wide arches arn't wide enough lol so i have had to widen them - this also gets over the issue of them not fitting vey well

This is how much wider they needed to be

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widearchesfitted025.jpg

After priming up the bare metal on the arch I spaced the FG arches out on some alli brackets and fiberglassed the arch to the car

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widearchesfitted032.jpg

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widearchesfitted033.jpg

Here is my clearance tyre side

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widearchesfitted027.jpg

Then keyed up the car and on with the fibre glass

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widearchesfitted035.jpg

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widearchesfitted036.jpg

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widearchesfitted042.jpg

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widearchesfitted039.jpg

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widearchesfitted041.jpg

I still obviously have alot to do/finish off but i'm happy thus far :thumb:

[Plug]

looking good matey :thumb:

[The Simps]

Cool!!

Does the kit have skirts aswell?

[ward]

bloody hell how wide do u want the back.
just read the whole thread through and looking forward to seeing the finished project.

check my one out,
gearheads convertable project

[Count Vaux Alot]

The kit did have skirts at some point in time but as i don't have them and they weight more i'm doing away with the facility and will just be FG up the bottom of the arch

[The Simps]

:thumb:

[Count Vaux Alot]

bloody hell how wide do u want the back.
just read the whole thread through and looking forward to seeing the finished project.

check my one out,
gearheads convertable project

I have already seen yours - mine is 100mm wider across the axle and running 7inch wide wheels on a 45 et :thumb:

[trackdaynova]

looking good bud, nice pics too, in true WIP stylie! :D

[Benn]

Nice work on the fg. Hope you'll paint the drums up?
Looks good back together...

Keep up the good work.

[shy witness]

great work as usual mate.


real neat and tidy project in my opinion.


some nice ideas/touches.and plenty of effort going on.

keep it up

[trackdaynova]

Hope you'll paint the drums up?nahhh, he said to me that he's come this far, sand blasted everything, painted everything else up, so he said he might aswell leave them unpainted so they rust :thumb: lol

[MK999]

nahhh, he said to me that he's come this far, sand blasted everything, painted everything else up, so he said he might aswell leave them unpainted so they rust :thumb: lol
rat look track car, cool :thumb:

[Rich]

Have you weighed all this paint your putting on?? lol

Looking good, top fabrication

[dhdev (Oli)]

Nice progress James :)
I'd imagine the FPR won't be suitable as the pressure required for TB's is in the region of 10x that for carbs

[Count Vaux Alot]

Thanks Oli i guessed it wouldn't be of any use as that would have been too easy and wouldn't have cost me any more $$$

[Jay]

I feel an update coming....

[John]

Arch work looks top!

[Count Vaux Alot]

I feel an update coming....

Not from Kos you don't....i'm on holiday until thurs with trackdaynova (internet cafe saddo's FTW lol) you will have to wait for the wkend. :thumb:

[Jay]

Ohhhhhhhhhhh ok :)

[John]

Not from Kos you don't....i'm on holiday until thurs with trackdaynova (internet cafe saddo's FTW lol) you will have to wait for the wkend. :thumb:

Pmsl!lol

[MK999]

Not from Kos you don't....i'm on holiday until thurs with trackdaynova (internet cafe saddo's FTW lol) you will have to wait for the wkend. :thumb:

Awesome, sitting in the sun chatting track cars and checking PNG in internet cafes, dedication to the cause! lol Tried to rep you but I must spread my love :(

[The Simps]

Not from Kos you don't....i'm on holiday until thurs with trackdaynova (internet cafe saddo's FTW lol) you will have to wait for the wkend. :thumb:


GAY.

[Benn]

i'm on my hunnymoon until thurs with trackdaynova (internet cafe saddo's FTW lol) you will have to wait for the wkend. :thumb:

I knew it....

[The Simps]

lol

[skidmarkz]

lol

[Count Vaux Alot]

lol it seems, though, that I would get more done on my car than most of you
(Simps) would whilst i'm out here, nearly 1100 miles away from my car... so it seems lol

Anyway, I'm sunburnt t'fkkk, and I'm bored and wanna go home, so its our last day today!
So watch out for the updates :D

[t45_ste]

Bored on holiday?????

[dhdev (Oli)]

^^^ My thoughts exactly :tard::tard::tard:

[The Simps]

Bummed on holiday?????


:thumb:

[The Simps]

lol it seems, though, that I would get more done on my car than most of you
(Simps) would whilst i'm out here, nearly 1100 miles away from my car... so it seems lol


I was making good progress but know injured ;)

[trackdaynova]

have the white tips from your french manicure worn off again? lol :(

[The Simps]

have the white tips from your french manicure worn off again? lol :(


I told you that in confidence....

[kevster]

I told you that in confidence....
:thumb: lol lol

[trackdaynova]

I'm disappointed in the lack of updates now James :mad: you left ours at 12pm midday, so you'd have been home at 1:30pm... now, c'mon... wheres those updates lol :p :thumb:

[Count Vaux Alot]

OK ok as i'm sure you have all guessed by now track day and i have been away but so not to disappoint (and after a week off the build i was gagging to get on with it) i have an update for you all. I will say its nothing major but an update never the less and a step closer to getting the shell rolling and painted!

So after the travel home from Ollys and the usual post holiday luggage and washing faf i craked on....

I started with the O/S drop mount as it needed some holes drilling in it

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widetrack2001.jpg

And mounted on the lower panel so i could start building up the arms and tie bars

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widetrack2002.jpg

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widetrack2003.jpg

Then on with the arms

Raw materials and the arm i made previously

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widetrack2004.jpg

Chopped these bits of plate to size

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widetrack2005.jpg

And welded the top plate on

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widetrack2006.jpg

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widetrack2008.jpg

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widetrack2009.jpg

Then shaped the bottom plate so it missed the ball joint bolts

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widetrack2010.jpg

And tacked it on to the arm

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widetrack2012.jpg

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widetrack2011.jpg

And welded it in

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widetrack2013.jpg

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widetrack2015.jpg

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widetrack2016.jpg

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widetrack2017.jpg

[Count Vaux Alot]

Then made up some sides to box it in

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widetrack2020.jpg

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widetrack2021.jpg

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widetrack2022.jpg

All done with the arms other than paint!

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widetrack2023.jpg

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widetrack2024.jpg

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widetrack2025.jpg

Once the arms were sorted i turned my attention to the bars

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widetrack2026.jpg

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widetrack2027.jpg

I will have to finish them off tomorrow as fish and chips were calling me!

[Shaun]

some cracking welding being done there mate, fair play!!!

[The Simps]

Is that all you got done?! pfft!

[Count Vaux Alot]

Is that all you got done?! pfft!

Blow me mother funker! What did you do today????....lol

[The Simps]

What did you do today????....lol


A criticised some funkers!! lol

[krobinson]

Stunning work :)

[trackdaynova]

i genuinely thought it'd have been finished by now :( lol

only yoking... good work Hard :D

[John]

Sod the updates, where's the "white bits" photos?

[Count Vaux Alot]

lol white bits???...there are red bits if any ones interested :eek:

[Pistol Pete]

Loving the fabrication on this build. Sounds silly, but dont finish it, keep the fabrication coming lol

[John]

lol white bits???...there are red bits if any ones interested :eek:

Ouch, is it sore? ;)

[Benn]

Fantastic fab work dude!

[Ernie]

looking good James but were are the pic's of Olly on the beach lol.

[kevster]

Blow me mother funker! What did you do today????....lol

you two lol lol lol

[Southie]

Nice holiday then chaps :cool:

Some cracking little touches on the build. I hope as they are all one offs that you have made spares as well in case something knackers up. :D

[Count Vaux Alot]

I hope as they are all one offs that you have made spares as well in case something knackers up. :D

Well one of the beauties of being able to make your own stuff is that in the case of any of it going t i t s up then you can always make another :thumb:

[The Simps]

less chat more work!

[corsakid]

awesome work on this, great fab skills and i am sure when finished it will be a truely awesome machine :thumb:

[Count Vaux Alot]

less chat more work!

I have an update but i will do it all at the end of the wkend!

Thanks Corsakid :thumb:

[The Simps]

you're such a tease, I don't know how Ollie copes!

[skidmarkz]

you have a pm :thumb:

[Count Vaux Alot]

Update time!

Here are some of my weekend activities....following on from the last update i finished off the O/S wideness

Fitted up the O/S lower arm

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widetrack2029.jpg

Marked out the length this section of the tie bar needed to be

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widetrack2028.jpg

Then strengthened the pivot end

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widetrack2030.jpg

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widetrack2031.jpg

And added the pivot itself

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widetrack2033.jpg

The finished result after a clean up

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widetrack2035.jpg

Then made up the second part of the tie bar, one left handed insert one right handed insert

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widetrack2038.jpg

And fitted it all together for a dry run

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widetrack2039.jpg

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widetrack2042.jpg

Job done - i'm very happy with the results :D :D :thumb:

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widetrack2045.jpg

[Count Vaux Alot]

Once the front end was all sorted i turned my attention to the rear axle, i needed to remove it from the car so i could fit the new long hub bolts as it was only temporarily fitted before.

Axle off and stripped

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widetrack2046.jpg

New bolts 100mm long

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widetrack2047.jpg

Mmmm 12.9

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widetrack2048.jpg

I only needed about 80mm but they only did the bolts in 65mm or 100mm so i cut these down

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widetrack2049.jpg

And fitted them up

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widetrack2050.jpg

Then refitted the beam, rear coilovers and wheels finally letting it sit on its rear wheels for the first time in ages

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widetrack2051.jpg

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widetrack2052.jpg

Here is another couple of pics for all you clearance haters - this is the rear axle strengthening support to tyre clearance (the wheels are 7inch wide on a 45et)

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widetrack2055.jpg

There is about an inch clearance - i can fit my hand all the way down the back between the wheel and the support

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widetrack2056.jpg

Loads of room! ;)

And a complimentary dog picture for good measure lol

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widetrack2059.jpg

[novashed]

nice work chap!

[Count Vaux Alot]

After finishing off the front wide track set up and building up the rear suspension i was now in the position to build up the front suspension

Please excuse them mess

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widetrack2062.jpg

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widetrack2063.jpg

I then had a clear up and fitted the wheels so i could lower her completely to the ground - It was a great feeling to have the car rolling again

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widetrack2065.jpg

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widetrack2066.jpg

Mmmmm wide

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widetrack2067.jpg

After standing back to admire my work i decided i would continue with the N/S rear arch as i had some F/G work to finish off. I had left this bottom corner as it was eisier to complete once the rest of the F/G had dried.
I tidied the already dry F/G up and made up a template to the shape i wanted the bottom of the arch to be so i could lay the fibre glass over it

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widetrack2068.jpg

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widetrack2069.jpg

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widetrack2070.jpg

And the end result - now on to the other side

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widetrack2072.jpg

As the other side is closest to the wall i decided to push the car out on to the drive, here is the first time its properly seen the day light in ages, again another great sight

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widetrack2071.jpg

And out - once its lowered its goint to look mean as fook!

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widetrack2073.jpg

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widetrack2074.jpg

And another from lower down

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widetrack2075.jpg

[Count Vaux Alot]

Then on with the O/S arch - i fitted the arch with Ali brackets as before (btw by this point it had started to spit, fecking rain so i covered it up but it soon stopped thankfully)

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widetrack2076.jpg

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widetrack2077.jpg

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widetrack2079.jpg

Then on with the F/G and resin

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widetrack2080.jpg

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widetrack2081.jpg

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widetrack2082.jpg

It got a bit messy at this point so the pics stop but it started to rain soon after this so i pushed it back inside the garage to dry. Tomorrow its on with finishing this arch and rubbing down the other side/rest of the car :thumb:

[t45_ste]

Looking absolutley fooking awesome. Top work as usual :thumb:

[The Simps]

Is that all you got done ALL weekend?!




























Top skills as usual.

[Count Vaux Alot]

Cheers Ste, as for you Simps i also had trackdaynova over for a cuppa (not to work on the car i must add), consumed two take aways and took the missus out for dinner slept for about 17 hours, surfed the internet and had a w@nk.

[Graeme]

Sounds very productive to me

[MK999]

...took the missus out for dinner... and had a w@nk.

Wasn't impressed by being taken to mcdonalds then? lol

[nova ian]

That looks mean as from the rear, loving the wide load look!! :D

Sure is coming on now, and as you say so satisfying getting it on its wheels and rolling again.

Top stuff as always James :thumb:

[Ash]

awesome work, really not hanging around now are ya?

Think you should rename this Project Green Choad. lol

EDIT: Just reliesed Choad is a local word for more girth than length ;)

[Count Vaux Alot]

Wasn't impressed by being taken to mcdonalds then? lol
Did i mention who did the w@nking lol (w@nking.....lol)

[MK999]

Did i mention who did the w@nking lol (w@nking.....lol)

had/got, shocking grammar! lol

[AlexW]

lol Looking good. Think it looks funny how the top of the wide archs are almost flat, not angled like standard novas.

Still looks mean as funk tho

[Count Vaux Alot]

had/got, shocking grammar! lol

If you don't like it then GTFO or hush up. :p

[Count Vaux Alot]

Think it looks funny how the top of the wide archs are almost flat, not angled like standard novas.

Still looks mean as funk tho

Thats just the way they were made...not sure why, it should look better once i'm finished.

[dhdev (Oli)]

Not bad like :thumb:

[Count Vaux Alot]

Cheers mate :D

[Benn]

Dude the arches are hooj!
Did think they where that wide, good work with the resin.

Thought your garage would be bigger as it looks it from the inside..

*wont let me rep you..*

[Count Vaux Alot]

Yer they are wide wide lol i'm kinda glad i had shonkey arches to start with as i think i would have had to modify what ever wide arch kit i brought!

The garage is a standard double i think

[Benn]

Ah, i looked at the single door... Thru it was like the tardis...lol

[twin40s]

Been reading this at work all day excellent and i was meant to finish at six. Well done mate excellent fab on the wide tracking.:thumb:

[muzzy]

Just read another 20 odd pages since i had majorly fallen behind, amazing fab skills. Will be some sight when finished

[The Simps]

Update! Update! Update!

[skidmarkz]

i was just thinking the same simps :)

[Count Vaux Alot]

As we are coming close to the end of what for me has been a bank holiday of fine weather i thought i would share with you all what i've been up to.

After getting my sccr box back from being serviced i decided i would slip it in the engine bay so i could have a go at fitting my quaife shifter

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widetrack1096-1.jpg

As i have raised the rack there is now a nice clear route through to the shifter turret on top of the box from the cabin

from here

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widetrack1099-1.jpg

through and up

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widetrack1098-1.jpg

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/widetrack1100-1.jpg

And this is how it sits now (as you can see its a bit DIY but those helicopter joints are funking expensive lol)

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/quaifeshifterandarchfiller001.jpg

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/quaifeshifterandarchfiller002.jpg

I used a very large rose joint i found and cut the threaded piece off it so i could tack it in to the bulk head

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/quaifeshifterandarchfiller003.jpg

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/quaifeshifterandarchfiller008.jpg

Here it is cabin side, it still needs finishing and tiding up obviously

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/quaifeshifterandarchfiller011.jpg

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/quaifeshifterandarchfiller017.jpg

To construct the shifter rod i used one helicopter joint i got with the shifter and then used two 1/2 inch U joints, a large rose joint and various bits of tubing. IMO it hasn't come out badly and shifts smoothly result!

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/quaifeshifterandarchfiller012.jpg

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/quaifeshifterandarchfiller016.jpg

No tight angles etc

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/quaifeshifterandarchfiller018.jpg

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/quaifeshifterandarchfiller019.jpg

[Count Vaux Alot]

Once i was finished ballsing around with that i turned my attention to my rear arches.

Can i say now i categorically hate filler (this hate doesn't help when trying to get it right) its a messy pain in the @rse job never the less so Mr camera stayed out of the dust until the end of the day. Although its a track car the arches needed some fettling as the FG looked truley w@nk, and would have probably boubled my air resistance lol

Anyway here are the finished results after i finished off the filler (the green is stopper a kind of fine filler for small scratches and blemishes for anyone who doesn't know)

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/quaifeshifterandarchfiller020.jpg

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/quaifeshifterandarchfiller022.jpg

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/quaifeshifterandarchfiller025.jpg

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/quaifeshifterandarchfiller027.jpg

Whilst waiting fo the filler to dry i did start perping the roof

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/quaifeshifterandarchfiller030.jpg

And one from above just because

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/quaifeshifterandarchfiller031.jpg

Once i was happy with the shape meany guide coats later i decided to lay on some high build primer to see what it looked like in paint, better than expected thank funk, this side is nearly there now with only a little finishing off needed!

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/quaifeshifterandarchfiller033.jpg

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/quaifeshifterandarchfiller034.jpg

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/quaifeshifterandarchfiller035.jpg

While the N/S was drying and for a change of scenery lol i decided to attack the other side. I started off by finishing off the FG work needed

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/quaifeshifterandarchfiller036.jpg

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/quaifeshifterandarchfiller037.jpg

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/quaifeshifterandarchfiller038.jpg

And tidied up some of the FG i had already applied then left it for tomorrow

[Count Vaux Alot]

I also thought i would share with you my cut down rear bumper (i know its at the front of the car now but its the only place i had to take a photo of it), basically i cut 6 ish inches off the bottom of the bumper and added some triangles to allow air flow job done and its super light :thumb:

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/quaifeshifterandarchfiller040.jpg

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/quaifeshifterandarchfiller041.jpg

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/quaifeshifterandarchfiller044.jpg

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/quaifeshifterandarchfiller039.jpg

The sides needed to be a little deeper so i could retain the original side clips

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/Count85/quaifeshifterandarchfiller045.jpg

[Count Vaux Alot]

Update! Update! Update!



i was just thinking the same simps :)



Happy? lol

[Benn]

Looks a much strighter line for it to run. Nice work.
Filler work looks good, it is a **** of a job but worth it. You can get a stopper, which is more easy to work with and more (cant think of the word but less thick so it fills the small pin holes and such)

Arches do look awesome. Nice work.

Bumpers very cool!

[Count Vaux Alot]

Looks a much strighter line for it to run. Nice work.

The shifter?

[Benn]

The shifter?

Yeah see the edit too..

[The Simps]

excuse my confusion but is the rear bumper now going on the front?

I certainly know your pain! I glad that stopper product exits as the bodyshop is certainly going to need it in my case! lol

Good work as always chap.

[skidmarkz]

woohoo, makes my progress look ****!!!