Do' and Needs for engine change

[Masi]

Right, i got a H Reg 1.0 Nova Merit. Its all bog standard besides the wheels and exhurst (And custom fitted Corsa Induction Kit :p). The engine is dieing, maybe 4 months left, its got a oil leak, in the most bitch place, and garages have said im better off changeing the engine, as the cost to repair it would be same, if not more. Going to buy a 1.6 16v engine, most prob MKII/III Astra. I basically need you guys/gals who done this before, help me into makeing sure my car can
A: Handle the engine
B:What needs doing so car can handle engine

Things i do know.
Brakes
Suspension

http://www.novaload.net/features/viewfeature.php?ref=315

As u can see the car is not in bad nick atm. (Besides the missing sunroof now :) )

[Matt Finary]

www.valvers.com that should tell most things

Matt :)

[Dicko]

ye but it also tells you some incorect things!

if you want to keep it simple you are far beter off going for a 1.6 8v, unless u got plenty of cash to spare and time + patience

[Masi]

Why a 1.6 8v? explain pls :P

1.6 16v from Astra MKIII only cost ?120, so cant see where the cash comes from :P

[Dicko]

less than 1/3 the cost, direct fitment off all parts. if anything goes wrong its pretty simple to fix or get parts.

the 1.6 16v is an expensive engine and alot more to go wrong.
its a bit more powerful than the 8v and sounds mint but the decision is urs.

iv found that the 16v matches a modded 8v speedwise.

like 8v had filter/decat/boost valve/cam/chip and we were level upto about 120

[Masi]

Well, lets say i get a 1.6 8v/16v. What do i need to do to my car, so that it actuly runs dont fall apart etc, or the front drives off leaving the 2nd half of the car fcked ;)

[jim sri]

seam weld or stitch weld the engine bay if you get the bigger lump, for peace of mind.

[neiloakley]

i've done 15,000 miles on a Nova 1.0 Model (didn't even have a model designation it's that basic) which i put a 2.0 8v in. The 8v is so much easier to wirk with and it can be made to look pretty smart. Mine is pushing out 154bhp and i rag it to fuck all the time. I never strengthened the body atall and recently took the engine out for a full rebuild and not a sign of anything coming apart. Unless your going rally stylee i wouldn't bother seam welding unless the engine bay is empty and you have a friend who can weld, and a welder!

[Matt Finary]

I agree with Neil that it's not worth seam welding the engine bay, unless you are going to build a 300bhp 1.6 16v engine. I did seam weld mine but I am putting a 2litre 16v :twisted: .

Matt :)

[jim sri]

i have seam welded mine, and had the 2 litre 16v in for a couple of days now and all seems ok at the mo. but the standard novas welding does only consist of crappy spot welds in most places as they were really only designed to take up to 100 ish bhp at the most, with a 2 litre 16v pushing out 156bhp this must put a lot of stress on the poor nova!
ps, if you can get hold of a mig welder, do it yourself, its easy, just make sure you do the prep work really well.

[Masi]

Thnx alot peeps lucky my dads business mate who does up cars from Auction, and sells them on does welding, and a welding kit! so hopefully he will sort it out for free (Did build him a PC and sort etc for free :p)

Just taken on a new project. Bought a Pug 309 GTi 2.0. When he said ?50 i though it be a sack of shit, but there not one bit of rust, the interior is great and no rust underneath