teej
15-04-09, 10:55 PM
Hey folks. I was hoping I could pick your brains on a few set-up issues for the track (circuit, trackday type stuff).
I couple of years ago I bought a Nova GTE as a stop-gap while the Mk2 Astra I was finishing for classic touring got ummm.... finished. The project ran into problems, and got shelved, and life got busy so all the Nova has done is a couple of races in 07. It was fine at the time, and still is, but along the way I've picked up some okay suspension to replace the naff fast-road nonsense it was on, and thought that if it was going to get fitted then I should probably do it right, so if it comes out again (or goes back on the road, as may happen) it's not a complete shambles.
Brief spec - standard-ish shell, still original panels and all glass, and I want to keep it that way. (although it's leccy windows - is it easy to swap to winders?). Engine is 1.6 8v, but moderate cam and twin 40s - enough power but nothing worth writing home about. Suspension will be Gaz coilovers, the expensive "Dave, I've got a race car, what'll you do for me?" stuff, springs recommended lb-age for 888s or slicks, depending what I run (probably trackday tyres).
So, the questions....
1. It came on 15x6 wheels. I put it on 15x7s as I had them for the Astra (on last suspension the rear arches accomodated 195/50/15 on these), and stuck wets on the 15x6s.
Should I stick with this, is it over-tyred, or could it benefit from a drop to 14s or 13s?
2. Brakes - currently on pretty standard Astra GTE stuff (256mm, road pads etc.) It stopped fine, though seemed to grab and fade after 25 minutes or so hard work - fixable with better discs, pads, fluid etc. But I have a set of V6 Vectra calipers, 288mm discs etc lying around.
Is it worth fitting the V6 bits, or is that overkill? Any issues with fitting them, just as needing different master cylinders? Also, would I benefit majorly from a bias valve, or would that be dangerous for a mechanical numpty? (drums on the rear still)
3. The F13 in the car is marked "Diesel", only in tip-ex though. Is there a way I can easily tell what I've got? I have a 4.18 final drive in the garage with a spare F13, is it worth fitting this or should I hunt for a 4.53? How rare are they? The car was not getting out of 4th along Top Straight at Brands, at about 115mph (indicated). How easy is it to swap boxes, or change final drives? Also, are quickshifts available, as the gearshift throw seems really long, especially down to 2nd.
Thanks for any help, advice etc. If anyone knows a decent suspension set-up place in Essex I'd like to hear, too. Hopefully get it corner-weighted and the eccentric top mounts set-up right, when I get the strut turrets sorted and a bit(?) of tin-worm seen to.
Also, does anyone know of a white / blue check Nova, with XE conversion, full cage, possibly in Wales, on a D-reg. I sold it about 4 years ago to a lad who wanted to rally it. I was curious if he ever did, and how it is now - best car I ever had!
Cheers,
Tim
:thumb:
I couple of years ago I bought a Nova GTE as a stop-gap while the Mk2 Astra I was finishing for classic touring got ummm.... finished. The project ran into problems, and got shelved, and life got busy so all the Nova has done is a couple of races in 07. It was fine at the time, and still is, but along the way I've picked up some okay suspension to replace the naff fast-road nonsense it was on, and thought that if it was going to get fitted then I should probably do it right, so if it comes out again (or goes back on the road, as may happen) it's not a complete shambles.
Brief spec - standard-ish shell, still original panels and all glass, and I want to keep it that way. (although it's leccy windows - is it easy to swap to winders?). Engine is 1.6 8v, but moderate cam and twin 40s - enough power but nothing worth writing home about. Suspension will be Gaz coilovers, the expensive "Dave, I've got a race car, what'll you do for me?" stuff, springs recommended lb-age for 888s or slicks, depending what I run (probably trackday tyres).
So, the questions....
1. It came on 15x6 wheels. I put it on 15x7s as I had them for the Astra (on last suspension the rear arches accomodated 195/50/15 on these), and stuck wets on the 15x6s.
Should I stick with this, is it over-tyred, or could it benefit from a drop to 14s or 13s?
2. Brakes - currently on pretty standard Astra GTE stuff (256mm, road pads etc.) It stopped fine, though seemed to grab and fade after 25 minutes or so hard work - fixable with better discs, pads, fluid etc. But I have a set of V6 Vectra calipers, 288mm discs etc lying around.
Is it worth fitting the V6 bits, or is that overkill? Any issues with fitting them, just as needing different master cylinders? Also, would I benefit majorly from a bias valve, or would that be dangerous for a mechanical numpty? (drums on the rear still)
3. The F13 in the car is marked "Diesel", only in tip-ex though. Is there a way I can easily tell what I've got? I have a 4.18 final drive in the garage with a spare F13, is it worth fitting this or should I hunt for a 4.53? How rare are they? The car was not getting out of 4th along Top Straight at Brands, at about 115mph (indicated). How easy is it to swap boxes, or change final drives? Also, are quickshifts available, as the gearshift throw seems really long, especially down to 2nd.
Thanks for any help, advice etc. If anyone knows a decent suspension set-up place in Essex I'd like to hear, too. Hopefully get it corner-weighted and the eccentric top mounts set-up right, when I get the strut turrets sorted and a bit(?) of tin-worm seen to.
Also, does anyone know of a white / blue check Nova, with XE conversion, full cage, possibly in Wales, on a D-reg. I sold it about 4 years ago to a lad who wanted to rally it. I was curious if he ever did, and how it is now - best car I ever had!
Cheers,
Tim
:thumb: