CP
09-03-03, 06:20 PM
I must admit I have always been one of the few peeps that thinks that the 2.0LET conversion into a Nova is 1 conversion too far............
However......
I dont think its a secret that Breeny has plumped for this conversion now so we went on a little saarfern tour this weekend to acquire said lump which was in a very nice clean red Nova. We bought the whole lot back lock stock and barrel. Needless to say I couldn't resist plugging a new battery on and after making 1 or 2 minor adjustments ( swapping from 14's to 15's on the back and strapping in a couple of seats lol) I took to the open road. This was done under strictly controlled conditions of course and purely for the purposes of testing the engine to make sure "it was working OK" ahem! :roll: ( engine transplanters perks :lol: )
SH1T! does it go - despite a lack of 3rd gear (gone into hiding lol) the pull is awe inspiring and this particular engine is only a "for girly puffs" 218hp Courtenay conversion! 5th gear acceleration in particular is impressive. There's no doubt they are very heavy on the front which is a bit disconcerting at high speed down lanes or under heavy braking. 100+mph plus down my local lanes was about survival! I could still carry a fair lot speed round the corners although it was dry.
I would personally opt for a quaife cluster - an ATB diff and definitely some kind of launch control extended thru the first 3 gears. I also think that the lowered tie bar kit would be very effective particularly as the gear box virtually sits on the std tie bar set up.
All in all great fun but needs some serious thought to the gearbox, traction and front suspension to be really competent
Took me Dad out in it. Nearly gave him a coronary - poor old sod - he's gonna be 70 in April :lol:
Big grins alround :wink:
However......
I dont think its a secret that Breeny has plumped for this conversion now so we went on a little saarfern tour this weekend to acquire said lump which was in a very nice clean red Nova. We bought the whole lot back lock stock and barrel. Needless to say I couldn't resist plugging a new battery on and after making 1 or 2 minor adjustments ( swapping from 14's to 15's on the back and strapping in a couple of seats lol) I took to the open road. This was done under strictly controlled conditions of course and purely for the purposes of testing the engine to make sure "it was working OK" ahem! :roll: ( engine transplanters perks :lol: )
SH1T! does it go - despite a lack of 3rd gear (gone into hiding lol) the pull is awe inspiring and this particular engine is only a "for girly puffs" 218hp Courtenay conversion! 5th gear acceleration in particular is impressive. There's no doubt they are very heavy on the front which is a bit disconcerting at high speed down lanes or under heavy braking. 100+mph plus down my local lanes was about survival! I could still carry a fair lot speed round the corners although it was dry.
I would personally opt for a quaife cluster - an ATB diff and definitely some kind of launch control extended thru the first 3 gears. I also think that the lowered tie bar kit would be very effective particularly as the gear box virtually sits on the std tie bar set up.
All in all great fun but needs some serious thought to the gearbox, traction and front suspension to be really competent
Took me Dad out in it. Nearly gave him a coronary - poor old sod - he's gonna be 70 in April :lol:
Big grins alround :wink: