985cc Turbocharged Nova Sprint Car [Archive] - Page 10 - Performance Nova Group

ExTrEmeOc

26-08-12, 06:32 PM

Seen this Nova in here so i thought maybe you like some more pictures of it...

Today was Bergrennen Oberhallau (Hillclimb) in Switzerland and i couldn't resist to be a spectator and grab a few pics :d

http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii34/ExTrEmeOc_CH/Racing%20Cars/IMG_8005.jpg

take a look at the floor, its completly redone with a new exhaust-tunnel
http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii34/ExTrEmeOc_CH/Racing%20Cars/IMG_8010.jpg

http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii34/ExTrEmeOc_CH/Racing%20Cars/IMG_8016.jpg

evidence of the crash he had earlir this year
http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii34/ExTrEmeOc_CH/Racing%20Cars/IMG_8011.jpg

rear diffuser close up
http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii34/ExTrEmeOc_CH/Racing%20Cars/IMG_8014.jpg

front suspension pick up point
http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii34/ExTrEmeOc_CH/Racing%20Cars/IMG_8015.jpg

heaven on earth... or in switzerland today lol (white nova pictures also available)
http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii34/ExTrEmeOc_CH/Racing%20Cars/IMG_8028.jpg

http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii34/ExTrEmeOc_CH/Racing%20Cars/IMG_8038.jpg

http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii34/ExTrEmeOc_CH/Racing%20Cars/IMG_8040.jpg

peester

26-08-12, 06:44 PM

christ. beast.

novarally

26-08-12, 07:23 PM

heaven on earth... or in switzerland today lol (white nova pictures also available)

Excellent photos, thanks.

Could you post up the ones of the white Nova please?

ExTrEmeOc

26-08-12, 07:36 PM

No problemo, here you go... :)

http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii34/ExTrEmeOc_CH/Racing%20Cars/IMG_8017.jpg

i think thats the protec motorsport wide arch kit.
http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii34/ExTrEmeOc_CH/Racing%20Cars/IMG_8018.jpg

i talked to the owner, this 1.6 gives 205 bhp
http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii34/ExTrEmeOc_CH/Racing%20Cars/IMG_8020.jpg

http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii34/ExTrEmeOc_CH/Racing%20Cars/IMG_8021.jpg

http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii34/ExTrEmeOc_CH/Racing%20Cars/IMG_8034.jpg

SimonTW

26-08-12, 07:38 PM

I stumbled across a video of the crash over the weekend.

http://youtu.be/7R9l1p7qIWo

calibra-keith

26-08-12, 07:46 PM

http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii34/ExTrEmeOc_CH/Racing%20Cars/IMG_8020.jpg

OO yes, not far off how i want mine

_Jake

26-08-12, 07:49 PM

novarally

26-08-12, 07:54 PM

Does anybody have the full spec. list for the Tobi Auchter car please?

SimonTW

26-08-12, 08:01 PM

The only information I have on the orange one is from his company website

http://www.autocheck-auchter.de/motorsport/index.html

BRoadGhost

26-08-12, 09:01 PM

Watching the video of the crash & thinking about the only times I've got it wrong in novas I've driven, it always happens like that; he needs better geometry / bigger wheels / faster rack or preferably all of those combined.

Since doing all those things on mine, I've had it wildly a drift and caught it way more instinctively, purely because of the speed of the turn in and not having to move my hands from the 10 to 2 position, at all.

novarally

26-08-12, 09:08 PM

The only information I have on the orange one is from his company website

http://www.autocheck-auchter.de/motorsport/index.html

Thanks, very interesting 770kg and a Sadev sequential, they were the main things I wanted to know about.

BRoadGhost

03-09-12, 05:23 PM

Saw this little racing 45amp alternator at 2.5kg...

http://www.ratsport.com/PBSCProduct.asp?ItmID=9679646

Mazz

04-09-12, 12:19 PM

Looks the same as the Denso he's just sold..

boffer8

15-09-12, 12:29 AM

No problemo, here you go... :)

i think thats the protec motorsport wide arch kit.

i talked to the owner, this 1.6 gives 205 bhp
http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii34/ExTrEmeOc_CH/Racing%20Cars/IMG_8020.jpg

Is that a cable gear change of some sort i see on the op of the gearbox? looks like some funny top housing though?! Do you have any more info on this?
cheers
ben

BRoadGhost

15-09-12, 09:49 AM

Cable operated turret from an F23?

fearless

15-09-12, 04:45 PM

Cable operated turret from an F23?

Almost right - Turret from a 1.8 vectra c F17 gearbox -

I'm using one on my RWD mid engine nova project :)

MARTIN KELSON

15-09-12, 08:35 PM

Almost right - Turret from a 1.8 vectra c F17 gearbox -

I'm using one on my RWD mid engine nova project :)

Ha, Ha Dave so funny
Is this mythical project still sitting on the pallet racking? :)

fearless

15-09-12, 09:33 PM

Yep - still up there collecting dust - not touched it in over a year :(

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v516/fearlessmotorsport/SP_A0174.jpg

istf

17-09-12, 08:32 AM

Better than she collecting rust over the sky :(

SimonTW

17-09-12, 07:32 PM

Any updates Colin?

novarally

17-09-12, 08:04 PM

Any updates Colin?

Nothing at the moment, I haven't even seen it for nearly a month!

I shall be visiting this weekend in the hope of pushing things along.

burgo

17-09-12, 10:25 PM

make sure you take pics or the ban stick might have to come out lol

ExTrEmeOc

29-09-12, 09:45 PM

Is that a cable gear change of some sort i see on the op of the gearbox? looks like some funny top housing though?! Do you have any more info on this?
cheers
ben

yes it's a cable conversion for F10-F17 and F16-F23 gearboxes. The name: CAE Shifter -> http://www.cae-racing.de/shifter_opel.htm
hope this helps :)

Mieran

01-10-12, 01:24 AM

just saw this video, dont think its been posted here before?

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

brainsnova

01-10-12, 01:52 AM

Yes that video has been posted on here before

rallypvc

12-10-12, 11:04 AM

Any news on the repairs/mods ??

novarally

31-12-12, 06:26 PM

My apologies for the delay in an update on my car, and on other matters Nova.

To say it's been a hectic last half of 2012 would be an understatement. As you will see from my 'Profile' I have now completed my move back to the South of England, following, well let's call it a 'lifestyle change'.

After the big accident with my Nova in the Summer, it's been in the care of a couple of friends who have been working on chassis repairs; the front crossmember and chassis legs as far back as the front suspension turrets have now been replaced.

New tie bars, steering arms and track control arms have been fabricated, along with engine mounting points.

The turbocharger has had a complete overhaul after sucking in a lot of debris, and the engine is currently with Brett Sims Motorsport for a rebuild, along with some upgrades.

I've got a new intercooler and radiator ready and waiting, plus assorted interesting parts......an F1 titanium clutch cylinder, a Lotus Elise alloy pedal box, carbon fibre rear spoiler (Irmscher replica), carbon fibre front splitter.

The carbon fibre front wings and bumper were badly damaged, but repairable, however the person I entrusted with the repairs seems to have gone AWOL, and it's a 500-mile round trip for me now to go and recover them, assuming of course that he's still at his premises........if anyone lives near Binbrook in Lincolnshire and fancies doing a recce mission for me that would be useful.

No pictures at the moment (sorry), but I will get some sorted out in due course.

Happy New Year to all!

boffer8

31-12-12, 06:30 PM

Happy new year Colin!! Good luck with getting everything sorted and look forward to seeing you out again in 2013! P.s still have that bulkhead for you whenever you may require it ;)

calibra-keith

31-12-12, 06:37 PM

Nice to see its coming along cant wait to see pictures and updates, good luck and happy new year Colin

toymex

31-12-12, 07:15 PM

Happy new year colin lets hope for a slightly less eventfull year next year as far as development and repairs go !.The carbon splitter and spoiler sound interesting i shall await pics although i dont think the spoiler will be of use to me as i have to use factory fitted spoilers

BRoadGhost

31-12-12, 07:29 PM

Mega. What's different about the steering arms? :)

How far back have you gone with the turrets; are they higher up too?

novarally

31-12-12, 07:35 PM

Mega. What's different about the steering arms? :)

How far back have you gone with the turrets; are they higher up too?

Tubular steering arms with smaller rose joints than before. The old ones were ridiculously big and heavy.

The front suspension turrets are exactly as before, our regulations don't allow us to alter those.

Jeff16v

31-12-12, 10:21 PM

Welcome back down south Colin, nearly full circle back to Bournemouth. Looking forward to pics and more updates in 2012. Happy new year!

novarally

31-12-12, 10:26 PM

Just unearthed a few photos from a while back, not completely up to date but they will have to do for now;

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll66/hillclimbescort/untitled-7_zps911c6694.png

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll66/hillclimbescort/untitled2-4_zpse4f5c959.png

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll66/hillclimbescort/untitled3-2_zps4d55c331.png

I have no idea why the last 2 photos are upside down, blame the photographer.

toymex

31-12-12, 10:35 PM

Looks interesting Colin ,was the front box section damaged or are you just upgrading ?

Novasport

31-12-12, 10:42 PM

Looking good, very lightweight.

P.s. you can flip the photos upside down by editing them on Photobucket. Takes a short while to update the link though

novarally

31-12-12, 10:47 PM

Looks interesting Colin ,was the front box section damaged or are you just upgrading ?

The front box was completely wrecked (there might be some photos of it earlier on), so there was no real choice about how to move forward......

novarally

31-12-12, 10:52 PM

Looking good, very lightweight.

P.s. you can flip the photos upside down by editing them on Photobucket. Takes a short while to update the link though

Thanks. I've edited in Photobucket, so we'll see if that works eventually.

Novasport

31-12-12, 11:01 PM

What is the weight saving with the new tubular front end?

paul james

31-12-12, 11:02 PM

I was wondering if you might have given up on the Nova its been so long, very nice to see its coming back better than ever.

novarally

31-12-12, 11:03 PM

What is the weight saving with the new tubular front end?

Roughly 5kg lighter.

novarally

31-12-12, 11:04 PM

I was wondering if you might have given up on the Nova its been so long, very nice to see its coming back better than ever.

No, I'd never have given up on it, it was just bad timing that I crashed it at precisely the same point when my life was in complete upheaval!

brainsnova

31-12-12, 11:08 PM

I like the way the space frame blends in, very neat

toymex

01-01-13, 08:59 AM

Colin is that t45 tube you have used and was it Tig welded i am trying to find out if you can Mig t45 or not ?

novarally

01-01-13, 09:52 AM

Colin is that t45 tube you have used and was it Tig welded i am trying to find out if you can Mig t45 or not ?

Yes, it is T45 and it was done with a MiG with no problems.

toymex

01-01-13, 10:00 AM

Yes, it is T45 and it was done with a MiG with no problems.

Thanks Colin do you know if you need to use a special wire or anything ,what you have done was exactly what i was thinking of doing but didnt think there would be a weight saving if i used cds ,i am a bit worried about having it done though ,incase they change my regs ,at the moment inner wings are free forward of the suspension turrets but if they changed that then the shell would be useless

Royston

01-01-13, 10:34 AM

Nice to see your up and about again Colin, looking forward to seeing the car complete again!!

novarally

01-01-13, 10:53 AM

Thanks Colin do you know if you need to use a special wire or anything ,what you have done was exactly what i was thinking of doing but didnt think there would be a weight saving if i used cds ,i am a bit worried about having it done though ,incase they change my regs ,at the moment inner wings are free forward of the suspension turrets but if they changed that then the shell would be useless

I don't know about the wire, but I will ask the chap who did it.

My weight saving was around 5kg, but don't forget that I was already running a fabricated front crossmember, which was itself considerably lighter than the standard metalwork.

So you can reckon on a few Kg more saved if your car has a standard crossmember.

novarally

01-01-13, 10:54 AM

Nice to see your up and about again Colin, looking forward to seeing the car complete again!!

It's nice to be back Royston, thank-you!

toymex

01-01-13, 11:39 AM

Yes agree with Royston good to see you back Colin and progress on the car do you know what size the previous box section was as i am about to order some for mine was going to go for an 80x40x2mm

novarally

02-01-13, 06:29 PM

Just one photo sent to me today, with it mocked up with a spare engine and gearbox I had lying around;

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll66/hillclimbescort/untitled5_zps8d0e3645.png

Obviously it won't be running with the standard tie bars as shown!

Benn

02-01-13, 07:26 PM

Front end frame is looking good.

SimonTW

02-01-13, 07:32 PM

Looks great! Nice to see you back updating the thread too!

Edd

02-01-13, 07:36 PM

Looks good

But I'm struggling to understand how the engine and box bolt in?
Is there more frame work still to be fitted?

Is all this OK with your regulations?

Iain

02-01-13, 07:39 PM

Looks like it has a front engine and gearbox mount like standard. Looks pretty neat, nice one.

novarally

02-01-13, 07:56 PM

Looks good

But I'm struggling to understand how the engine and box bolt in?
Is there more frame work still to be fitted?

Is all this OK with your regulations?

The mountings are pretty much as they were before, albeit they are hung off the new metalwork. There's no more framework to be added!

It's all OK within hillcimb/sprint regulations, as there has been no modification to the structure of the monocoque between the centres of the wheels. If it falls outside the wheel centres then we're free to play.

mowgli

02-01-13, 08:03 PM

re the tiebars...

are you making up some proper wishbones instead??

lee303

02-01-13, 08:44 PM

looking great colin, be interested in your feedback on if the front end feels different made from tube, mine sure did:thumb:

novarally

02-01-13, 09:28 PM

looking great colin, be interested in your feedback on if the front end feels different made from tube, mine sure did:thumb:

Better or worse?!!

novarally

02-01-13, 09:28 PM

re the tiebars...

are you making up some proper wishbones instead??

We did talk about making wishbones, but I think for the moment we will stick with separate tie bars/TCA's.

Spudly

02-01-13, 09:40 PM

Awesome Colin, also really good to see you posting again, youve been asked after/missed whilst away bud :thumb:

lee303

02-01-13, 11:19 PM

Better or worse?!!

oh deffo much better, way more 'precise' feel to the car now, a by product of it bring much stiffer, ahem, steering feel mainly, but it also seems to 'set' into high speed stuff a lot nicer, any other plans??

phunkynova

02-01-13, 11:20 PM

Good to see you back :thumb:

novarally

03-01-13, 05:55 PM

oh deffo much better, way more 'precise' feel to the car now, a by product of it bring much stiffer, ahem, steering feel mainly, but it also seems to 'set' into high speed stuff a lot nicer, any other plans??

Once everything is back together, the real area of development is the engine.

It's currently being re-worked with forged pistons, steel rods and a new camshaft which has been custom made by Kent Cams. This will allow the boost to be wound up a bit, and the target figure is 230bhp.

lee303

03-01-13, 06:38 PM

sounds ace colin, novas with 230 bhp are where its at ;) although i imagine your torque curve will be somewhat fatter than mine!:cry: :thumb:

mowgli

03-01-13, 07:12 PM

230hp sounds very much better. and just what does it weigh with you in it??? under 600kg yet???

novarally

03-01-13, 07:17 PM

230hp sounds very much better. and just what does it weigh with you in it??? under 600kg yet???

I've lost weight, but not that much just yet..........

I reckon it will be 620kg with me on board.

mowgli

03-01-13, 07:50 PM

371bhp/tonne is some rapid method of transport....

BRoadGhost

05-01-13, 12:00 AM

Please tell me you're have the crank breathed on too

lee303

05-01-13, 05:26 PM

breathing on a crankshaft wont do much tbh

mowgli

05-01-13, 05:28 PM

lol lol lol lol

i think the crank has proven itself to be quite strong so far.

it has such a short stroke & being turbo means it is not exactly running f1 revs, so it should cope with 230 hp.

BRoadGhost

05-01-13, 06:20 PM

Frame looks really good; love the chassis leg transitions & is that a 4th mount to the front too?

Just think of the weight you could loose from the crank giving it a knife edge ;)

Do you have pictures or spec of proposed steering arms / UJs? Be interested to see how small you dare & how they'll attach to the rack.

blue_peg_16v

05-01-13, 09:28 PM

Welcome back good to see the old girl will it make national weekend this year?

black death

06-01-13, 08:00 PM

Love the engine mate wish i could aford that type of set up.

stu

novarally

27-02-13, 07:30 PM

Scarcely an update, but I did visit my Nova on Monday, which was the first time I'd seen it in nearly 6 months.

I forgot to take the camera with me, sorry.

The new spaceframe front looks even better than the photos indicated, so I'm well pleased with that.

The tie bars and new steering arms are still to be fabricated, but will hopefully be done fairly soon. Once those are complete it's just the pedal box fabrication to be done, and then the car will come back to me for the engine and gearbox to be re-fitted, along with new air intake, radiator and intercooler to replace the ones damaged in the crash.

I also had a catch-up with the engine at Brett Sims' workshops, he's waiting on the custom con rods to be made (at huge cost!), and then everything is ready for it to be put together again.

I'm not worrying too much about timescales now, as I won't have sufficient time/money to race this season anyway.

Royston

27-02-13, 07:38 PM

Nice to see you popping up again Colin, will be nice to see her finished and running again once complete;)

burgo

27-02-13, 07:41 PM

Planning on popping to any shows this year colin?

novarally

27-02-13, 07:55 PM

Planning on popping to any shows this year colin?

Probably not I'm afraid, the cost of travelling is prohibitive, not to mention a house which needs complete renovation taking up my spare time.

rallypvc

18-04-13, 11:56 AM

Have you given up on this Colin? Hope not i enjoy following your progression

novarally

02-06-13, 06:12 PM

Have you given up on this Colin? Hope not i enjoy following your progression

No, I haven't given up on it.

Other things have got in the way, such as house renovation and building a garage to put it in.

I have been playing about with the gearbox today.

I've decided to convert it to use the Vectra hydraulic clutch release bearing.

I know Lee303 did this on his Nova........anyone got a list of the parts I need to fit onto an F15 garbox please?

Is it just a question of getting an F18 with hydraulic clutch and robbing all the bits from that? If so, anyone got one of those they want to sell?

Southie

02-06-13, 06:16 PM

Nice to see you back on here Colin, 2014 will be your year ;)

BRoadGhost

02-06-13, 06:22 PM

If you can get under a Vectra down the breakers you can liberate the plumbing easily and the ally bleed piece that goes on the top of the gearbox casing, then the part number for a new slave cylinder is CSC007 for QH equiv: MSC007

MK999

02-06-13, 07:26 PM

I've decided to convert it to use the Vectra hydraulic clutch release bearing.

I know Lee303 did this on his Nova........anyone got a list of the parts I need to fit onto an F15 garbox please?

Is it just a question of getting an F18 with hydraulic clutch and robbing all the bits from that? If so, anyone got one of those they want to sell?

You may want to look into whatever self adjusting mechanism this system has if it's on the gearbox end... each of the X18XE1's I've taken apart so far (both from Vectras which would obviously have the setup you mention) have had serious thrust wear issues. One to the point of munching about 1.5mm out the crank which isn't easy to do with a soft metal bearing! The only thing I can put this down to, since there are no other forces acting on the crank assembly and the clutch is obviously OE spec, is the hydraulic cylinder stroking beyond what's needed to disengage the clutch and forcing the crankshaft assembly against the thrust bearings. Although I would have thought this would make a godawful noise as clutch spring hits clutch plate, so it may well be an oiling issue to the thrust bearings themselves, but thought I'd mention it so you can make sure all is well with your setup.

I'm not sure if this is a common problem as it's generally not picked up on in your average family runaround, the engine would just get 'noisy' or lose comp due to thrust wear in the bores and it's sent to the scrapyard with no further investigation. However I have a 2 out of 2 stripping them down so I figure it can't just be coincidence.

lee303

04-06-13, 10:26 AM

No, I haven't given up on it.

Other things have got in the way, such as house renovation and building a garage to put it in.

I have been playing about with the gearbox today.

I've decided to convert it to use the Vectra hydraulic clutch release bearing.

I know Lee303 did this on his Nova........anyone got a list of the parts I need to fit onto an F15 garbox please?

Is it just a question of getting an F18 with hydraulic clutch and robbing all the bits from that? If so, anyone got one of those they want to sell?

hi colin, yeah its that simple, but you need to make sure the slave has the correct sized seal for the input shaft, as some of them are larger diameter, dont have the part numbers sorry, can find out though
the other option is to fit the external actuation version as fitted to some corsas and chevrolettes as this means you dont have to split the box if you have issues with the hydraulic side as it just actuates the normal release bearing with an external slave cylinder, and also you can get round nose release bearings more readily if you're running a 7.25'' clutch

lee303

04-06-13, 10:33 AM

You may want to look into whatever self adjusting mechanism this system has if it's on the gearbox end... each of the X18XE1's I've taken apart so far (both from Vectras which would obviously have the setup you mention) have had serious thrust wear issues. One to the point of munching about 1.5mm out the crank which isn't easy to do with a soft metal bearing! The only thing I can put this down to, since there are no other forces acting on the crank assembly and the clutch is obviously OE spec, is the hydraulic cylinder stroking beyond what's needed to disengage the clutch and forcing the crankshaft assembly against the thrust bearings. Although I would have thought this would make a godawful noise as clutch spring hits clutch plate, so it may well be an oiling issue to the thrust bearings themselves, but thought I'd mention it so you can make sure all is well with your setup.

I'm not sure if this is a common problem as it's generally not picked up on in your average family runaround, the engine would just get 'noisy' or lose comp due to thrust wear in the bores and it's sent to the scrapyard with no further investigation. However I have a 2 out of 2 stripping them down so I figure it can't just be coincidence.

yeah its essential to have a decent clutch pedal stop, setup so the clutch just releases at full stroke of the pedal, fairly easy to do though

novarally

17-06-13, 06:33 PM

I wish there was more to tell on the progress of rebuilding the Nova, but the truth is there is little movement, which is mostly because I still don't have my new garage built so I can bring the car back home.

But I have been acquiring the odd part here and there, so just to prove it hasn't been forgotten, I thought I'd update on things;

It's always been my intention to reduce weight with the use of a lighter exhaust system. At one stage this was going to be with the use of aluminium tube, but the company who were going to make that for me went out of business. So I may try and utilise this titanium and carbon fibre motorcycle system, which is very lightweight;

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll66/hillclimbescort/Nova%20Turbo/003_zpsf6a4d950.jpg (http://s285.photobucket.com/user/hillclimbescort/media/Nova%20Turbo/003_zpsf6a4d950.jpg.html)

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll66/hillclimbescort/Nova%20Turbo/002_zps2be5d714.jpg (http://s285.photobucket.com/user/hillclimbescort/media/Nova%20Turbo/002_zps2be5d714.jpg.html)

novarally

17-06-13, 06:43 PM

Photobucket seems to be largely impossible to use now, so I will have to find a new photo host.

When I get this sorted I will update on;

Repairs to the carbon fibre bumper and front wings which were heavily damaged in my accident

New Pace Products alloy intercooler

Carbon fibre air filter housing

Development of a carbon fibre front splitter

New lightweight alternator

Modifying the gearbox to use a hydraulic clutch release bearing (thanks to Lee303 for his help on this one)

novarally

17-06-13, 07:01 PM

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll66/hillclimbescort/Nova%20Turbo/004_zps40573baa.jpg (http://s285.photobucket.com/user/hillclimbescort/media/Nova%20Turbo/004_zps40573baa.jpg.html)

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll66/hillclimbescort/Nova%20Turbo/005_zpsa6b7fd11.jpg (http://s285.photobucket.com/user/hillclimbescort/media/Nova%20Turbo/005_zpsa6b7fd11.jpg.html)

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll66/hillclimbescort/Nova%20Turbo/006_zpsf42b951e.jpg (http://s285.photobucket.com/user/hillclimbescort/media/Nova%20Turbo/006_zpsf42b951e.jpg.html)

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll66/hillclimbescort/Nova%20Turbo/007_zpsb0312d60.jpg (http://s285.photobucket.com/user/hillclimbescort/media/Nova%20Turbo/007_zpsb0312d60.jpg.html)

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll66/hillclimbescort/Nova%20Turbo/008_zps67a3f631.jpg (http://s285.photobucket.com/user/hillclimbescort/media/Nova%20Turbo/008_zps67a3f631.jpg.html)

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll66/hillclimbescort/Nova%20Turbo/009_zpsd2eda06b.jpg (http://s285.photobucket.com/user/hillclimbescort/media/Nova%20Turbo/009_zpsd2eda06b.jpg.html)

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll66/hillclimbescort/Nova%20Turbo/010_zps4d815db4.jpg (http://s285.photobucket.com/user/hillclimbescort/media/Nova%20Turbo/010_zps4d815db4.jpg.html)

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll66/hillclimbescort/Nova%20Turbo/011_zpsc53bc87c.jpg (http://s285.photobucket.com/user/hillclimbescort/media/Nova%20Turbo/011_zpsc53bc87c.jpg.html)

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll66/hillclimbescort/Nova%20Turbo/012_zps3d8813b0.jpg (http://s285.photobucket.com/user/hillclimbescort/media/Nova%20Turbo/012_zps3d8813b0.jpg.html)

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll66/hillclimbescort/Nova%20Turbo/013_zps582df5b4.jpg (http://s285.photobucket.com/user/hillclimbescort/media/Nova%20Turbo/013_zps582df5b4.jpg.html)

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll66/hillclimbescort/Nova%20Turbo/014_zps04fd87e9.jpg (http://s285.photobucket.com/user/hillclimbescort/media/Nova%20Turbo/014_zps04fd87e9.jpg.html)

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll66/hillclimbescort/Nova%20Turbo/015_zpsd64b6687.jpg (http://s285.photobucket.com/user/hillclimbescort/media/Nova%20Turbo/015_zpsd64b6687.jpg.html)

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll66/hillclimbescort/Nova%20Turbo/016_zps486f1b85.jpg (http://s285.photobucket.com/user/hillclimbescort/media/Nova%20Turbo/016_zps486f1b85.jpg.html)

novarally

17-06-13, 07:10 PM

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll66/hillclimbescort/Nova%20Turbo/017_zps6096c768.jpg (http://s285.photobucket.com/user/hillclimbescort/media/Nova%20Turbo/017_zps6096c768.jpg.html)

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll66/hillclimbescort/Nova%20Turbo/018_zpse8868327.jpg (http://s285.photobucket.com/user/hillclimbescort/media/Nova%20Turbo/018_zpse8868327.jpg.html)

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll66/hillclimbescort/Nova%20Turbo/019_zpsf43a2d5a.jpg (http://s285.photobucket.com/user/hillclimbescort/media/Nova%20Turbo/019_zpsf43a2d5a.jpg.html)

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll66/hillclimbescort/Nova%20Turbo/020_zps8227a5b8.jpg (http://s285.photobucket.com/user/hillclimbescort/media/Nova%20Turbo/020_zps8227a5b8.jpg.html)

lee303

17-06-13, 08:45 PM

front lower air dam looks great, be nice to see it going back together!:thumb:

novarally

17-06-13, 08:58 PM

front lower air dam looks great, be nice to see it going back together!:thumb:

It's from an Integra Type R, I've cut and shut it a little, and it's not too bad a fit. Needs a bit more fettling to improve things now.

I bought a Corsa C gearbox from EBAY for £2.22 (!), and that's got me the clutch release bearing and the pipework to connect it all up. I'm using a 5.5" Superclutch (single plate), so I will need to modify the bearing assembly to accept the round-face type of bearing, rather than the flat-face which the OE clutch uses.

I haven't weighed all the bits yet, but it should be a bit lighter than the old steel clutch arm set-up.

Hobbit

17-06-13, 09:08 PM

Will be good to see this upsetting the mini boys again soon. :)

mowgli

17-06-13, 09:13 PM

good to see you working on it again colin.. soon as you have any events booked, let us know, i'd love to see it at full chat

lee303

18-06-13, 04:07 PM

It's from an Integra Type R, I've cut and shut it a little, and it's not too bad a fit. Needs a bit more fettling to improve things now.

I bought a Corsa C gearbox from EBAY for £2.22 (!), and that's got me the clutch release bearing and the pipework to connect it all up. I'm using a 5.5" Superclutch (single plate), so I will need to modify the bearing assembly to accept the round-face type of bearing, rather than the flat-face which the OE clutch uses.

I haven't weighed all the bits yet, but it should be a bit lighter than the old steel clutch arm set-up.

looks like it will fit nicely with a little work, nice! and good shout on the box, i believe BigRon on MIG has a source for round nose bearings to fit the hydraulic slaves, will ask him and let you know...

peester

18-06-13, 06:40 PM

crickey, some pretty serious gear. So have you pinched parts off a hydraulic f17 from the corsa C cheap ebay win?

novarally

18-06-13, 08:53 PM

looks like it will fit nicely with a little work, nice! and good shout on the box, i believe BigRon on MIG has a source for round nose bearings to fit the hydraulic slaves, will ask him and let you know...

Thanks Lee, that would be some very useful information if you can find it.

novarally

18-06-13, 08:55 PM

crickey, some pretty serious gear. So have you pinched parts off a hydraulic f17 from the corsa C cheap ebay win?

Not sure if it's an F17 to be honest, it doesn't seem to be marked up with an 'F' code like the old Nova/Corsa 'boxes. But it's a small-block 'box so I can use everything in my F15 casing, so far as I can tell.

Tonight I picked up some damaged front wings from a Clio 197 Sport, I want to get the vents from the wings grafted into my wide front arches - photos to follow to explain my thinking!

calibra-keith

18-06-13, 09:07 PM

these ?
http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s221/MikeCracknell/197/1.jpg

novarally

18-06-13, 09:13 PM

these ?
http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s221/MikeCracknell/197/1.jpg

Photo doesn't seem to work Keith? I'm glad I'm not the only one who's having problems with Photobucket.

Here's a link to one image I found;

http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?q=clio+197+wing+vents&hl=en&biw=1280&bih=584&tbm=isch&tbnid=SDbeFtiM3qeRCM:&imgrefurl=http://www.caradvice.com.au/15330/2008-clio-renault-sport-197/&docid=Zu7prj_WH8muXM&imgurl=http://www.caradvice.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/renaultcliosport197drive2.jpg&w=1417&h=944&ei=O7_AUdLJMqPD0QX_pYCoCg&zoom=1&iact=rc&dur=6&page=1&tbnh=132&tbnw=220&start=0&ndsp=20&ved=1t:429,r:15,s:0,i:128&tx=158&ty=67

I don't think I have the bodywork skills to attempt the job, but I'm sure I can find someone who can.

Unfortunately the drivers side wing I got from the Clio is beyond saving, so I need to find another one of those. God knows how much they would be from Renault, just the black plastic mesh piece which goes into them is over £70 each!

calibra-keith

18-06-13, 09:23 PM

those are the ones, be interesting to see the way you do it, are you thinking flat to nova wings or similar to clio and bring that area of nova wing out abit ? if that makes sense

novarally

18-06-13, 09:28 PM

those are the ones, be interesting to see the way you do it, are you thinking flat to nova wings or similar to clio and bring that area of nova wing out abit ? if that makes sense

My Nova already has wide arch wings, and looking at them side by side with the Clio ones, the profile seems to be very similar, so I don't think it will be too difficult to achieve.

I've just done some photos so I will (try to) post them up for people's views.

novarally

18-06-13, 09:41 PM

The nearside Clio wing, pictured with the (repaired) carbon fibre wide-arch wing from my Nova;

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll66/hillclimbescort/Nova%20Turbo/003_zps8a3b25cb.jpg (http://s285.photobucket.com/user/hillclimbescort/media/Nova%20Turbo/003_zps8a3b25cb.jpg.html)

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll66/hillclimbescort/Nova%20Turbo/004_zpsff586806.jpg (http://s285.photobucket.com/user/hillclimbescort/media/Nova%20Turbo/004_zpsff586806.jpg.html)

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll66/hillclimbescort/Nova%20Turbo/007_zpsf7b3e3bc.jpg (http://s285.photobucket.com/user/hillclimbescort/media/Nova%20Turbo/007_zpsf7b3e3bc.jpg.html)

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll66/hillclimbescort/Nova%20Turbo/002_zps8d6a1941.jpg (http://s285.photobucket.com/user/hillclimbescort/media/Nova%20Turbo/002_zps8d6a1941.jpg.html)

I can't see why the vent and surround couldn't be tranplanted into the Nova wing?

The drivers side wing is not useable, as you can see;

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll66/hillclimbescort/Nova%20Turbo/006_zps91b0c988.jpg (http://s285.photobucket.com/user/hillclimbescort/media/Nova%20Turbo/006_zps91b0c988.jpg.html)

calibra-keith

18-06-13, 10:03 PM

Something similar to this ?
http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff269/calibra-keith/colin_zps983a70a7.jpg (http://s236.photobucket.com/user/calibra-keith/media/colin_zps983a70a7.jpg.html)

novarally

18-06-13, 10:07 PM

Something similar to this ?
http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff269/calibra-keith/colin_zps983a70a7.jpg (http://s236.photobucket.com/user/calibra-keith/media/colin_zps983a70a7.jpg.html)

Yes, that looks good, although I think I would move the vent toward the rear of the wing, as it is on the Clio?

calibra-keith

18-06-13, 10:21 PM

Yes, that looks good, although I think I would move the vent toward the rear of the wing, as it is on the Clio?

i did it that way 1st, i was thinking you ment the black piece at 1st.
http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff269/calibra-keith/colin_zpsa6e8550f.jpg (http://s236.photobucket.com/user/calibra-keith/media/colin_zpsa6e8550f.jpg.html)

novarally

18-06-13, 10:29 PM

i did it that way 1st, i was thinking you ment the black piece at 1st.
http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff269/calibra-keith/colin_zpsa6e8550f.jpg (http://s236.photobucket.com/user/calibra-keith/media/colin_zpsa6e8550f.jpg.html)

Brilliant, thanks Keith, that's exactly what I had in mind. I like it.

I do intend to use the black vent piece as well, but I don't have the one for the nearside wing, unfortunately.

boffer8

18-06-13, 10:31 PM

are you trying to copy some aero mods here Colin? cut down the pressure caught in the wheel well?

novarally

18-06-13, 11:02 PM

are you trying to copy some aero mods here Colin? cut down the pressure caught in the wheel well?

Certainly that's where my first thoughts were, but I also like the look of them.

I'm now wondering if 3D printing might be of use to me here. I've never really come up with a realistic use for one, but in this case I guess one could be used to create a mirror image of the vents/surround to use on the opposite side of the car.

Anyone got a 3D printer, or know someone who has and would be willing to create some replicas for me?

MK999

18-06-13, 11:13 PM

If you want to drop the pressure in the rear wheel arch, vent the top of the wing, and lose the entirety of the back of it, venting won't do much as there's still a solid surface for the high pressure to sit on, and allowing the air to flow out like that can actually stagnate the flow on the other surfaces, causing the pressure to be higher... sounds backwards but that's kinda just how thermodynamics works lol

Very hard to find an example as they're normally covered, but here, you can imagine it's almost like a large piece of hollow box section behind the wheel well, and that's actually no surfaces behind the wheel, so nowhere for high pressure to build. Early examples didn't have the flat outer panels to smooth flow along the car so it's easier to see, but I can't find an example atm.

http://danielsimon.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Lotus_LMP2_LeMans_DanielSimon_1200_0011.jpg

edit: http://www.speedhunters.com/2013/02/true-dedication-under-suzukis-s15/ check this out for aero ideas. Although I would have started with a flat floor and diffuser since that's about 30-60% of where race car downforce comes from and the CoP from doing that is generally quite central.

novarally

24-06-13, 09:09 PM

looks like it will fit nicely with a little work, nice! and good shout on the box, i believe BigRon on MIG has a source for round nose bearings to fit the hydraulic slaves, will ask him and let you know...

Lee - any luck finding out about the round nose bearings?

lee303

25-06-13, 09:43 PM

****, totally forgot, sorry, will try to find out this week

novarally

07-07-13, 02:56 PM

Did some stuff to the gearbox today, fitted the hydraulic release bearing, and gave it a coat of paint;

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll66/hillclimbescort/Nova%20Turbo/001_zpsbdd6c362.jpg (http://s285.photobucket.com/user/hillclimbescort/media/Nova%20Turbo/001_zpsbdd6c362.jpg.html)

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll66/hillclimbescort/Nova%20Turbo/002_zps68706dd6.jpg (http://s285.photobucket.com/user/hillclimbescort/media/Nova%20Turbo/002_zps68706dd6.jpg.html)

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll66/hillclimbescort/Nova%20Turbo/003_zps834a26b4.jpg (http://s285.photobucket.com/user/hillclimbescort/media/Nova%20Turbo/003_zps834a26b4.jpg.html)

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll66/hillclimbescort/Nova%20Turbo/004_zps7f57ae88.jpg (http://s285.photobucket.com/user/hillclimbescort/media/Nova%20Turbo/004_zps7f57ae88.jpg.html)

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll66/hillclimbescort/Nova%20Turbo/005_zps923f25e1.jpg (http://s285.photobucket.com/user/hillclimbescort/media/Nova%20Turbo/005_zps923f25e1.jpg.html)

I still need to find a round-nose clutch release bearing if anyone knows what the answer for this is (Lee?). Thanks.

Kev Turbo

07-07-13, 06:05 PM

Glad to see this is still plodding on, Hopefully we can get back to daily updates soon - One of the best threads IMO

novarally

07-07-13, 06:23 PM

Glad to see this is still plodding on, Hopefully we can get back to daily updates soon - One of the best threads IMO

Thank-you for the encouraging words.

'Plodding' is exactly what it's doing at the moment, until I get my new garage built it's not going to make much progress. And then I need to find the money to pay for the engine upgrade which is currently going on at Brett Sims Motorsport.

BRoadGhost

08-07-13, 09:32 AM

Gazza808

08-07-13, 10:37 AM

the style of clutch hes using requires a round nose bearing, as a flat one can damage the spring fingers in the cover.

toymex

08-07-13, 07:02 PM

Colin i have used a flat face bearing on a 7,1/4 sintered race clutch ,not ideal i know but there was no evidence of any damage when it has been apart

Southie

08-07-13, 07:06 PM

Colin, will you be breaking Novas again when you've sorted a unit out?

Glad your still progressing with this, it looked fantastic last year at the Nats ;)

novarally

08-07-13, 07:33 PM

Colin, will you be breaking Novas again when you've sorted a unit out?

Glad your still progressing with this, it looked fantastic last year at the Nats ;)

Yes, I have a fair bit of Nova stuff still up in storage in Lincolnshire which I need to bring South and then get sold.

I rather doubt I will ever get back into buying and selling bits again, but 'never say never'. I'm not sure if there is still the demand there once was. At the moment I have a very tiring (and low paid) full-time job to occupy the days, and evenings/weekends are spent renovating my house.

lee303

13-07-13, 09:25 PM

Colin i have used a flat face bearing on a 7,1/4 sintered race clutch ,not ideal i know but there was no evidence of any damage when it has been apart

the guy who was gonna find out for me has let me down sadly, sorry about that, have to say though i agree with jez, i run a flat face on my 7.25 and while you do get a witness mark on the clutch fingers, it hasnt caused me any issues...

gearbox looks good btw :thumb:

novarally

19-07-13, 05:55 PM

Colin I don't understand what you need when you say round-nose clutch release bearing, because what you've just fitted should be all that's needed to release the clutch once the box is fitted (excluding the bleed union shown below). Unless you're in the realms of that slave cylinder not being long enough to reach the plate?

http://sadpanda.us/images/1721147-73W7UNA.jpg

Hi BRoadGhost.

That's an interesting picture you've posted.

I have a bleed valve and hose (from a Corsa C), which is a plastic construction, and there's no way of mating that to an Aeroquip hose.

Could you talk me through what you did to make yours? I guess it's from a Vectra?

Is yours a small block gearbox?

BRoadGhost

20-07-13, 03:25 PM

novarally

20-07-13, 05:08 PM

Yeah fairly sure it was from an early Vectra; the bleed union just attaches to the top of the hard line from the slave cylinder on a slide clip.

Then it's just a metric male to male union with a female on the end of the braided line; I ditched the rubber standard line.

It's from an F18 (Vectra) onto an F16 (shown).

Thanks, I will have a scout round the local breakers yard and see if I can find one.

Quick update on the engine;

The valves were bent and the valve guides broken. It seems that when I had the accident the cambelt jumped. So even more expense.

The block has been honed, and there's a set of Omega flat-top pistons ready to go in. The new capacity of the engine will be 999cc, so that's a useful 14cc increase in capacity (!).

New racing-spec valves and springs are waiting to go in, along with a custom Kent camshaft (high-lift, low duration) which has been done specifically for a turbocharged engine. My engine builder has found a head gasket from a Corsa diesel which should be ideal for the job, and is cheap.

The crank and flywheel/clutch assembly has been lightened and balanced.

I now need to pay for a set of custom rods, about £900 apparently, and then there's not a lot else to be done before the engine can all be bolted together.

Now I need to get up to Lincolnshire to collect all the Nova stuff I have in storage, and get on with selling it to raise some cash.........watch this space.

burgo

22-07-13, 10:23 PM

My 1.6 zafira had the same clutch fitting as that so they fit small block boxes as well. Bad news on the engine but cant wait to see what power thr new spec does

novarally

27-07-13, 03:36 PM

Found a clutch bleed in the scrapyard today, and got that fitted up and ready for the Aeroquip hose to it;
http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll66/hillclimbescort/Nova%20Turbo/001_zpsde0e60b3.jpg (http://s285.photobucket.com/user/hillclimbescort/media/Nova%20Turbo/001_zpsde0e60b3.jpg.html)

And did a bit more cutting and playing with the front splitter (not finished yet);
http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll66/hillclimbescort/Nova%20Turbo/004_zps2af3967c.jpg (http://s285.photobucket.com/user/hillclimbescort/media/Nova%20Turbo/004_zps2af3967c.jpg.html)

I've picked up this slightly bigger fuel tank, I'm not sure if I will use it though;
http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll66/hillclimbescort/Nova%20Turbo/002_zpsb13124b7.jpg (http://s285.photobucket.com/user/hillclimbescort/media/Nova%20Turbo/002_zpsb13124b7.jpg.html)

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll66/hillclimbescort/Nova%20Turbo/003_zps40e08e10.jpg (http://s285.photobucket.com/user/hillclimbescort/media/Nova%20Turbo/003_zps40e08e10.jpg.html)

It's got a built-in fuel pump, and a swirl pot, but is maybe a bit heavy for my needs. I did think it would be nice to have a slightly larger fuel tank for testing, as the current tank is absolutely tiny.

But now I'm thinking I will stick with a small tank and possibly relocate it to the engine bay.

Andy

27-07-13, 03:42 PM

I use a gallon tank in my autograss car which fits where the wiper motor goes.Made of aluminium.Nice and compact,considering I still run a firewall.

BRoadGhost

27-07-13, 09:16 PM

Did you do many arm curls?

Andy

27-07-13, 09:17 PM

hahahahaha lol lol lol lol

novarally

31-07-13, 09:24 PM

I expect a lot of people have seen the new issue of 'Total Vauxhall' with the Corsa A drag car from Bulgaria on the cover?

For those that haven't, there's some photos and details here;

http://upg.bg/en/projects/upg-carbon-corsa

It's a very interesting machine, with lots of clever detail.

Naturally with my pursuit of all things lightweight, I was taken with their one-piece carbon fibre front end, as well as the carbon doors and tailgate.

So I've been chatting with the guys in Bulgaria, and they've given me some prices and weights for these bits. The weights are impressive to say the least, but the prices are literally eye-watering......

Definitely something to think about for future developments though, as even on my car it could save me well over 10kg. Mind you, I could probably build up another bodyshell with lightweight T45 rollcage for much the same money!

Benn

31-07-13, 09:31 PM

Havent seen the Cf front up close, there was no way that would ever be cheap.. Or even mid range price...

BRoadGhost

31-07-13, 09:39 PM

How tall / heavy are you Colin?

Mike

31-07-13, 09:52 PM

So I've been chatting with the guys in Bulgaria, and they've given me some prices and weights for these bits. The weights are impressive to say the least, but the prices are literally eye-watering......

Can understand now why the M600's I build the bodies for cost so much for such a basic supercar lol

16xe_chris

03-08-13, 09:46 PM

Jonlem

03-08-13, 11:35 PM

Jonlem

03-08-13, 11:42 PM

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v306/Jatec/null_zpsd442b3db.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v306/Jatec/null_zpsa3952706.jpg

novarally

04-08-13, 09:11 AM

The front end was extremely light, on several occasions it was nearly blown over outside our workshop lol

The door hinge was broken on arrival and I believe there is normally a better way to secure the door than using tape but that was the fastest solution at the time, either way it is only an outer skin and weighed less than the polycarbonate window

Hi James.

I was aware that the doors are just a skin, and I don't think they would be much use to me, unless a more satisfactory method of fixing them can be devised. They're quoting £600 and 600g for one door skin.

As for the front end, I will get one of those if I can ever get some money together. It would be perfect for my car.

Total weight for that is 5kg, which is nice, but the price is £2150. Ouch.

I don't know how much chance you had to study the car, but I'm curious as to what they've done with brakes - any information on those please?

Ben

10-08-13, 09:08 AM

novarally

10-08-13, 11:14 AM

to be fair i dont think those prices are that out of the way, its a lot of work and the materials arent cheap, the savings are huge too. Not saying its a cheap option but for those gains its reasonable bhp/tonne savings.

You're absolutely right Ben.

For the moment, the bigger gains will come from the engine I'm having built, and the carbon fibre is for a later date.

More importantly (!), the Nova will soon have a new place to live...the garage I'm building is starting to take shape, with the concrete base laid down, walls starting to go up, and the inspection pit should be with me in a couple of weeks.

novarally

25-08-13, 09:54 PM

Photo update to follow soon......

The new garage for the Nova is now erected.

By tomorrow the front door should be fitted, which will just (!!) leave the roof, the rear door and some of the floor to be done to complete the structural work. So not much then.....

Oh, and then the electrics, lots of sealing up and tidying, and somehow disposing of the huge mound of soil that I excavated in the first place.

Jonlem

26-08-13, 12:22 AM

Good to hear there has been some progress.

I'll pm you some info on the brake setup from that car shortly.

novarally

26-08-13, 07:09 AM

Good to hear there has been some progress.

I'll pm you some info on the brake setup from that car shortly.

Thanks James. I found some photos of the front brakes on a 'YouTube' video, it looks very interesting.

novarally

27-08-13, 07:43 PM

Very much work in progress, but this is where my garage build stands currently;

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll66/hillclimbescort/Nova%20Turbo/027_zps81bfc0ac.jpg (http://s285.photobucket.com/user/hillclimbescort/media/Nova%20Turbo/027_zps81bfc0ac.jpg.html)

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll66/hillclimbescort/Nova%20Turbo/028_zps70069d5a.jpg (http://s285.photobucket.com/user/hillclimbescort/media/Nova%20Turbo/028_zps70069d5a.jpg.html)

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll66/hillclimbescort/Nova%20Turbo/029_zpsbff6930e.jpg (http://s285.photobucket.com/user/hillclimbescort/media/Nova%20Turbo/029_zpsbff6930e.jpg.html)

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll66/hillclimbescort/Nova%20Turbo/030_zps1912da23.jpg (http://s285.photobucket.com/user/hillclimbescort/media/Nova%20Turbo/030_zps1912da23.jpg.html)

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll66/hillclimbescort/Nova%20Turbo/031_zps5a6efae2.jpg (http://s285.photobucket.com/user/hillclimbescort/media/Nova%20Turbo/031_zps5a6efae2.jpg.html)

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll66/hillclimbescort/Nova%20Turbo/032_zps8792ec2d.jpg (http://s285.photobucket.com/user/hillclimbescort/media/Nova%20Turbo/032_zps8792ec2d.jpg.html)

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll66/hillclimbescort/Nova%20Turbo/033_zpsbc59aed1.jpg (http://s285.photobucket.com/user/hillclimbescort/media/Nova%20Turbo/033_zpsbc59aed1.jpg.html)

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll66/hillclimbescort/Nova%20Turbo/034_zps8b309701.jpg (http://s285.photobucket.com/user/hillclimbescort/media/Nova%20Turbo/034_zps8b309701.jpg.html)

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll66/hillclimbescort/Nova%20Turbo/035_zps55d7bf4d.jpg (http://s285.photobucket.com/user/hillclimbescort/media/Nova%20Turbo/035_zps55d7bf4d.jpg.html)

Not very pretty at the moment, but it's a good size and I have lots of plans to make it better when funds allow. Total cost so far (excluding the basework) is well under £500, so I can't complain.

Southie

27-08-13, 08:38 PM

Looking good Colin, you need a gas chamber sticker on that door lol

novarally

27-08-13, 08:50 PM

Looking good Colin, you need a gas chamber sticker on that door lol

Yes, that would be suitable.

Keen-eyed viewers may have noticed it's come from a public toilet block. Stainless steel and ultra heavy-duty for under £100. It even has internal wiring, which I assume was to activate some sort of automatic light system.

istf

28-08-13, 09:35 AM

Looks cool! If the roof beam strong enough, you can also install an engine lifter chain reel.

BRoadGhost

28-08-13, 08:31 PM

You could bond a porta-loo to it then you need never leave the garage.

dgbnova#1

28-08-13, 08:50 PM

novarally

28-08-13, 09:07 PM

Internal wires probably electric door lock for when u drop in ure 20p ;)
Garage looks spot on you could batton the outside and clad with shiplap and would look a load better, insulate it at same time and keep out the damp.

Roof should take a block and tackle if you bolt a runner between all or some of the beams, handy over the pit

We did wonder about it being an electric locking system, but I don't think it is (not dismantled it yet).

I'm going to insulate the inside with foil-backed 40mm Kingspan, and then clad the inside with sheets of gloss white UPVC.

Cladding the outside is certainly an idea, if it doesn't look better when I paint the pebble dash.

dgbnova#1

28-08-13, 09:25 PM

novarally

28-08-13, 09:40 PM

The PVC is it plastyvan? You can get 6m lengths of soffit from Eurocell well cheap and plenty good for inside a garage. Just thought outside insulate as stops or reduced condensate and gives a nice finish to look at plus does not reduce internal size I know it's not a load but every little helps

No, I was going to use 8 x 4 foot sheets of UPVC, like this;

http://www.claddingwarehouse.co.uk/hygienic-pvc-wall-cladding

It will keep the interior bright and wipe clean, plus hiding all of the wiring etc.

Mike

28-08-13, 09:44 PM

Crack on Colin.

dgbnova#1

28-08-13, 09:51 PM

Ye that's nice stuff, need a flat surface as its only 2.5mm and bit of a bitch to fit, it would go on ure kingspan but better on ply and real good adhesive not gripfill, the soffit is not as nice but probably cheaper and 6m x 300 mm so you could run it like t&g all around and no ply needed just batton to fit it to

novarally

05-09-13, 05:54 PM

As the car is having a pretty major rebuild post-accident, I'm now nearly 100% decided on converting the Nova to left hand drive.

It will give much better weight distribution, although it will naturally create quite a bit of work as well.

Obviously steering rack, steering column and pedals are the major things.

The seat and harness mountings will need moving to the left, and one of the roll cage tubes that sits in the passenger footwell will need to be removed.

The bigger headache looks likely to be the gear linkage, which passes through the bulkhead on the passenger side (as it is at the moment). I'm sure that will be in the way of the pedals.

I'm thinking along the lines of the Colin Satchell gearshift kit for the Saxo/106/205 etc., although whether it will be feasible to adapt that to fit a Nova I don't yet know.

Of course this is all work I should have done when I carried out the major shell-strip and rebuild, just before the accident!

I did think about it a lot at that time, but I elected to keep it Right Hand Drive for ease and the expediency of completing it ready for the season's racing. The RHD format on a FWD car like a Nova is always going to be an inherent disadvantage, and I'm sure there's a lot to be gained from better traction off the start line, as well as better balance if I'm sat on the same side as the gearbox, rather than the engine.

I've owned and driven lots of LHD cars over the years, including my much-missed 450bhp ex-works Escort Cosworth, so I should be able to cope.

dgbnova#1

05-09-13, 10:52 PM

Ask minimandan as he's done the opposite and may have the old lhd parts

MiniManDan118

05-09-13, 11:00 PM

^^ lol Colin is taking a visit to me on Sunday to pick up the remains of my LHD stuff

dgbnova#1

05-09-13, 11:08 PM

Classic recycled parts

Mieran

05-09-13, 11:46 PM

Have you looked into cable shift stuff colin? Some GM parts with fit but I think a company in Germany make them too.

edit

http://www.shop.cae-racing.de/index.php?a=31&lang=eng

Novasport

06-09-13, 12:03 AM

I think Steve(Duick) used a Vectra B cable shift mechanism

Harvey

06-09-13, 07:05 AM

There is a write up on Vectra B cable shift conversion that RallyMarshal (Paul) is fitting to his F20 on his Astra mk2 rally car that I service click me (http://www.astra-mk2.com/forum/showthread.php?37932-Converting-F20-to-a-cable-gear-change).

novarally

06-09-13, 07:18 AM

Have you looked into cable shift stuff colin? Some GM parts with fit but I think a company in Germany make them too.

edit

http://www.shop.cae-racing.de/index.php?a=31&lang=eng

Thanks very much for that Mieran, that is extremely interesting, I've never seen that kit before.

It would certainly solve my problem, but I'll need to have a look at more 'DIY' solutions as well to try and keep costs sensible.

Thanks Harvey and Rich also, I will investigate those further.

BRoadGhost

06-09-13, 10:22 AM

When I corner weighted mine, I found the offside front considerably lighter than the nearside.

Mieran

06-09-13, 09:13 PM

Thanks very much for that Mieran, that is extremely interesting, I've never seen that kit before.

It would certainly solve my problem, but I'll need to have a look at more 'DIY' solutions as well to try and keep costs sensible.

Thanks Harvey and Rich also, I will investigate those further.
The cheaper alternative is from a vec c

They use a F17 box (small block) and run cable shift, you will need the turret from top of the box too along with the shifter, cables etc

Must be a 1.8 btw and not any other model

novarally

06-09-13, 09:41 PM

The cheaper alternative is from a vec c

They use a F17 box (small block) and run cable shift, you will need the turret from top of the box too along with the shifter, cables etc

Must be a 1.8 btw and not any other model

Brilliant, thanks for the advice. I shall be off to my local breakers to see what I can find. It might be the best way forward in the short-term, until I can find the cash for the very trick CAE shifter mechanism.

And of course I can sell the present gear linkage from my car, which is extremely nice!;

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll66/hillclimbescort/002-80.jpg (http://s285.photobucket.com/user/hillclimbescort/media/002-80.jpg.html)

nuds sr

06-09-13, 09:50 PM

i have just managed to collect all the parts for my nova to convert it too cable shift im going to be running it on a F20 gearbox
main thing i have heard is you have to make sure you buy all the bits from a 1.8 vectra c with f17 gearbox as if you use other cables or shifter will cause it not to work im hoping it works fine as the gear shift in a newer cars like vectras and astras with cables is so much better

Benn

06-09-13, 10:40 PM

novarally

08-09-13, 09:32 PM

A pleasure to meet Dan (MiniManDan118) today, who sorted me out with a LHD steering rack, pedal box and various other bits. Thanks Dan.

Also picked up some T45 tube in 20mm diameter, which is destined to become seat mountings when the seat moves to its new home on the left hand side of the car.

I am in need of a couple more LHD bits if anyone can assist;

1. A LHD throttle pedal
2. A LHD Quaife steering quick-rack or kit

mowgli

08-09-13, 09:34 PM

you could get on the foreign bay of e sites & look for a corsa b epas rack.

novarally

08-09-13, 09:34 PM

Good to hear there has been some progress.

I'll pm you some info on the brake setup from that car shortly.

James.

Did you get to find out any more about those brakes?

I noticed a post somewhere which mentioned the UPG Corsa was up for sale? Do you have any idea of the asking price?

I've e-mailed Boris about it, but not yet had a reply.

Thanks.

Colin

Gazza808

08-09-13, 10:16 PM

It literally sold within a couple of days of it being announced it was forsale.

novarally

08-09-13, 10:24 PM

It literally sold within a couple of days of it being announced it was forsale.

Did it?

Thanks for the update....any idea how much?

novarally

09-09-13, 06:29 PM

It literally sold within a couple of days of it being announced it was forsale.

Today I've spoken with Boris from UPG in Bulgaria.

The Corsa is not sold, the asking price of 25k Euros (about £21,000).

lee303

09-09-13, 06:33 PM

on the steering rack, is there no way to use the right handed bits in a left handed casing? i know the pinion is on angle but the rack is a flat straight thread? maybe you can just buy the left handed pinion from quaife?

novarally

09-09-13, 06:37 PM

lee303

09-09-13, 09:26 PM

cool, be interesting to see if it can be made to work

MiniManDan118

10-09-13, 07:01 PM

http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r15/danwright68/20130910_185838_zps658b86d4.jpg
Look what I just stumbled across...

novarally

10-09-13, 07:06 PM

Dan, you are a star. Thank-you.

novarally

10-09-13, 07:08 PM

The cheaper alternative is from a vec c

They use a F17 box (small block) and run cable shift, you will need the turret from top of the box too along with the shifter, cables etc

Must be a 1.8 btw and not any other model

Anyone got a link to a Nova which has this cable shift gear set-up fitted to it? Or some photos?

It would be interesting to see one fitted onto an F10/13/15 in a Nova.

jonn

10-09-13, 09:51 PM

some pics of one fitted in a rwd nova that was on here.

http://i1046.photobucket.com/albums/b468/taffnova/RIMG0480.jpg

http://i1046.photobucket.com/albums/b468/taffnova/RIMG0526.jpg

novarally

16-09-13, 08:39 PM

An hour in the local breakers yard at the weekend got me this for £24;

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll66/hillclimbescort/001_zps2dd78546.jpg (http://s285.photobucket.com/user/hillclimbescort/media/001_zps2dd78546.jpg.html)

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll66/hillclimbescort/Nova%20Turbo/003_zps57b8367e.jpg (http://s285.photobucket.com/user/hillclimbescort/media/Nova%20Turbo/003_zps57b8367e.jpg.html)

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll66/hillclimbescort/005_zps5c569007.jpg (http://s285.photobucket.com/user/hillclimbescort/media/005_zps5c569007.jpg.html)

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll66/hillclimbescort/004_zps85be50fb.jpg (http://s285.photobucket.com/user/hillclimbescort/media/004_zps85be50fb.jpg.html)

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll66/hillclimbescort/003_zpsc8d8f6f0.jpg (http://s285.photobucket.com/user/hillclimbescort/media/003_zpsc8d8f6f0.jpg.html)

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll66/hillclimbescort/Nova%20Turbo/006_zps58813467.jpg (http://s285.photobucket.com/user/hillclimbescort/media/Nova%20Turbo/006_zps58813467.jpg.html)

It all bolts up to my F15 gearbox, apart from the cable support bracket which will need a bit of fabricating as there are no holes in my gearbox casing like there are in the Vectra F17.

And it selects gears!

The gearbox turret part is a little heavier than the rod-change unit I've removed, but overall I suspect it will be about the same.

Whether the cables are the right length remains to be seen.

burgo

16-09-13, 09:06 PM

Thats very cool

mowgli

16-09-13, 09:20 PM

colin, are those little metalastic bushes on the mount bracket for the cables??

it might be worth you making them solid to improve the shifting

8valve-craig

16-09-13, 09:20 PM

Trent's?

novarally

16-09-13, 09:27 PM

Trent's?

It certainly was.

novarally

28-09-13, 09:09 AM

A little more progress on the build of my garage, the roof trusses are all painted, the side door is fully installed, and the rear door is partially fitted;

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll66/hillclimbescort/Nova%20Turbo/001_zpsad042729.jpg (http://s285.photobucket.com/user/hillclimbescort/media/Nova%20Turbo/001_zpsad042729.jpg.html)

If it stops raining I will be out there today to fit the purlins, and then it will be ready for the roof panels.

I also picked up the new inspection pit, so I have to dig the hole for that. But more concrete to pour and the roof to be fitted before the pit can be installed;

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll66/hillclimbescort/Nova%20Turbo/002_zpsde828744.jpg (http://s285.photobucket.com/user/hillclimbescort/media/Nova%20Turbo/002_zpsde828744.jpg.html)

And a couple more goodies which may or may not get used. Ultra-trick brake pipes from an F1 car, with titanium fittings, which I hope can be used for my rear brakes;

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll66/hillclimbescort/Nova%20Turbo/002_zps4decfb5c.jpg (http://s285.photobucket.com/user/hillclimbescort/media/Nova%20Turbo/002_zps4decfb5c.jpg.html)

And a little AH Fabrications alloy fuel tank which I might install under the bonnet (not decided on this aspect yet);

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll66/hillclimbescort/Nova%20Turbo/003_zps37f355dc.jpg (http://s285.photobucket.com/user/hillclimbescort/media/Nova%20Turbo/003_zps37f355dc.jpg.html)

mowgli

28-09-13, 02:48 PM

colin, i assume you got proper instructions for fitting the pit too???

like fill it with water as you are slowly pushing concrete down the back of the mould etc...

novarally

28-09-13, 03:51 PM

colin, i assume you got proper instructions for fitting the pit too???

like fill it with water as you are slowly pushing concrete down the back of the mould etc...

Yes, there were extensive instructions with it, although none of them included filling it with water! They suggested planks and weights applied to the top of it.

dgbnova#1

28-09-13, 04:13 PM

Filling it will equalize the pressure from inside and also stop it from lift the pressure plus u can have a dip if you get to sweaty ftom the mixing
:)

novarally

28-09-13, 04:19 PM

Filling it will equalize the pressure from inside and also stop it from lift the pressure plus u can have a dip if you get to sweaty ftom the mixing
:)

It all sounds eminently sensible, apart from having to empty out all the water afterwards........

dgbnova#1

28-09-13, 04:46 PM

When it's all set drill a hole in the bottom! ;)
Just get a pump at ure local hire shop 15 for the day roughly

TonySR

29-09-13, 01:28 AM

Use a garden hose and siphon it to the nearest drain

novarally

13-10-13, 10:00 AM

Last week the purlins;

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll66/hillclimbescort/002_zps56e64255.jpg (http://s285.photobucket.com/user/hillclimbescort/media/002_zps56e64255.jpg.html)

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll66/hillclimbescort/001_zpsdf618455.jpg (http://s285.photobucket.com/user/hillclimbescort/media/001_zpsdf618455.jpg.html)

And yesterday the important bit........the roof;

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll66/hillclimbescort/003_zps59747a4b.jpg (http://s285.photobucket.com/user/hillclimbescort/media/003_zps59747a4b.jpg.html)

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll66/hillclimbescort/004_zps9725ef96.jpg (http://s285.photobucket.com/user/hillclimbescort/media/004_zps9725ef96.jpg.html)

Yes, the roof panels are two different colours, but it was all free, so beggars can't be choosers. A coat pf paint will sort it out.

Andy

13-10-13, 10:19 AM

Pay some lttle kids to siphon with one of those little hand pumps lol lol
Tank looks ideal colin,i have mine mounted behind the firewall where the wiper motor would be.
Garage looking good! Top score on the free roof!!

novarally

19-10-13, 07:15 PM

Further to recent discussions on the CAE cable-operated gear shift, I have now found this company, who make something similar, but which converts the H-pattern change into a sequential;

http://www.sqsracing.com/produkt/4:4:sqs-sequent-shifter-vw-audi-seat-skoda

Currently they don't offer a kit for Vauxhall/Opel, but it looks like they've done a few one-offs already.

Also an interesting link here to a chap who has fitted one to his Seat Ibiza track/hillclimb car;

http://www.clubgti.com/showthread.php?189902-SQS-sequential-shifter-for-02a-j

novarally

20-10-13, 05:00 PM

More progress with the garage build today.

More hardcore laid down and the framework for the inspection pit;

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll66/hillclimbescort/004_zps2a953fde.jpg (http://s285.photobucket.com/user/hillclimbescort/media/004_zps2a953fde.jpg.html)

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll66/hillclimbescort/006_zps0f97bb9f.jpg (http://s285.photobucket.com/user/hillclimbescort/media/006_zps0f97bb9f.jpg.html)

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll66/hillclimbescort/011_zpsadaa086f.jpg (http://s285.photobucket.com/user/hillclimbescort/media/011_zpsadaa086f.jpg.html)

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll66/hillclimbescort/010_zps7c1821d5.jpg (http://s285.photobucket.com/user/hillclimbescort/media/010_zps7c1821d5.jpg.html)

Insulation waiting to be installed in the walls;

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll66/hillclimbescort/007_zps34e135a4.jpg (http://s285.photobucket.com/user/hillclimbescort/media/007_zps34e135a4.jpg.html)

Guttering fitted (no downpipes yet);

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll66/hillclimbescort/008_zpsfb360ad6.jpg (http://s285.photobucket.com/user/hillclimbescort/media/008_zpsfb360ad6.jpg.html)

Rotten original woodwork now removed from the front, and I have acquired some 35mm thick polycarbonate roofing sheets which I will make into windows to go into the roof trusses at front and rear, which will give me a little more natural light, a well as insulating;

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll66/hillclimbescort/009_zps7be72f18.jpg (http://s285.photobucket.com/user/hillclimbescort/media/009_zps7be72f18.jpg.html)

And finally the all important cable-tie holder;

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll66/hillclimbescort/005_zps630e8464.jpg (http://s285.photobucket.com/user/hillclimbescort/media/005_zps630e8464.jpg.html)

scott.parker

20-10-13, 05:23 PM

Nice build Colin, i could do with some of the kingspan insulation board for my garage roof, shame im no longer in a trade where i can get it for nothing..

burgo

21-10-13, 06:58 AM

I need a cable tie holder, and gaffa tape hook

mowgli

21-10-13, 09:00 AM

scott, a lot of people put up kingspan insulation & because their sheds have no decent heat source, they can get a lot of condensation forming, which is not necessarily what you want. i have one of those tin sheds (like they sell in argos) and it has no insulation, plenty of little air vents & is dry as a bone all year round.

ps, i agree with burgo, i need a cable tie holder too....but i don't think mine will be anything better than a cut down pringles tin(or is it box??)

novarally

07-11-13, 07:29 PM

The Nova is coming home this weekend. Can't wait!

I'm sure it will uncover a whole lot of work that needs to be done to get it ready for next season's racing.

I've posted a new thread up in 'Mechanical' for advice I need on 'big block' driveshafts, if anyone can assist on that please.

I'll post up some current photos of the Nova once it's back in my hands, along with details of some developments I have planned for the brakes, instrumentation and steering.

Mike

07-11-13, 07:46 PM

Ohhhh grand, been popping back on here keeping my eye on this for a while now Colin.

dgbnova#1

07-11-13, 07:46 PM

Looking good on the garage is it ready for the car

novarally

10-11-13, 08:13 PM

A new acquisition which I hope to put to good use in the Nova one day;

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll66/hillclimbescort/005_zpsb6175fcf.jpg (http://s285.photobucket.com/user/hillclimbescort/media/005_zpsb6175fcf.jpg.html)

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll66/hillclimbescort/004_zps1a3394e3.jpg (http://s285.photobucket.com/user/hillclimbescort/media/004_zps1a3394e3.jpg.html)

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll66/hillclimbescort/003_zps27d51ea1.jpg (http://s285.photobucket.com/user/hillclimbescort/media/003_zps27d51ea1.jpg.html)

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll66/hillclimbescort/002_zps95b7a5ba.jpg (http://s285.photobucket.com/user/hillclimbescort/media/002_zps95b7a5ba.jpg.html)

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll66/hillclimbescort/001_zpseac97ff0.jpg (http://s285.photobucket.com/user/hillclimbescort/media/001_zpseac97ff0.jpg.html)

It's from a Penske single seater, and is 2 turns lock to lock, and weighs in at 1.5kg.

novarally

10-11-13, 08:16 PM

It's been a long wait, but the Nova at last made the long haul down to the South Coast from Lincolnshire;

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll66/hillclimbescort/006_zpse168ad6d.jpg (http://s285.photobucket.com/user/hillclimbescort/media/006_zpse168ad6d.jpg.html)

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll66/hillclimbescort/007_zps7a76b623.jpg (http://s285.photobucket.com/user/hillclimbescort/media/007_zps7a76b623.jpg.html)

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll66/hillclimbescort/008_zpse60c29d4.jpg (http://s285.photobucket.com/user/hillclimbescort/media/008_zpse60c29d4.jpg.html)

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll66/hillclimbescort/010_zpsc0020034.jpg (http://s285.photobucket.com/user/hillclimbescort/media/010_zpsc0020034.jpg.html)

Let work commence.

boffer8

10-11-13, 08:22 PM

It's awesome you've got it back with you Colin, lets see the progress continue!

TeddyThom

10-11-13, 09:58 PM

Glad to see you are back Colin! Was wondering where you disappeared to! Nova is looking awesome as usual :d

Iain

11-11-13, 12:38 PM

I was told it was a legal requirement to strap a car down by it's wheels.

Love how hardcore it looks without a front end on though!

ben doodar

11-11-13, 01:36 PM

kent14sr

11-11-13, 02:28 PM

Colin - looks awesome once again and good to see you are back on with it.

bazzap8389

11-11-13, 02:34 PM

That looks :cool: As fcuk, can't wait to see It finished!

_Jake

11-11-13, 05:13 PM

That looks very mean with the front end off.....

novarally

11-11-13, 08:11 PM

that looks awesome! going to be some machine when finished.

Could i ask what manifold is used for the turbo? looks like a standard spi one adapted. is there any chance of a close up picture when you get chance colin?
would be much appreciated.

thanks Ben.

Ben,

The engine that's in the car is a completely standard Corsa SRi 1400cc. We just chucked that in and used it to fabricate the new engine mounts etc.

The 'real' engine is currently away being rebuilt, but it does use a standard exhaust manifold, which has been cut and had a turbo flange welded on. I can certainly get you a picture or two if that's useful?

I will get some better photos of the car and the new, spaceframed front end at the weekend, when I get a bit of daylight and spare time.

_Jake

11-11-13, 08:39 PM

Ben,

The engine that's in the car is a completely standard Corsa SRi 1400cc. We just chucked that in and used it to fabricate the new engine mounts etc.

The 'real' engine is currently away being rebuilt, but it does use a standard exhaust manifold, which has been cut and had a turbo flange welded on. I can certainly get you a picture or two if that's useful?

I will get some better photos of the car and the new, spaceframed front end at the weekend, when I get a bit of daylight and spare time.
Dont take this the wrong way as i dont mean to be rude, but with all the weight saving/development you are doing surely getting rid of the cast manifold for a lighter tubular one would be an obvious way to save a a bit of weight and maybe even gain a bit of power? just an observation :)

mowgli

11-11-13, 08:41 PM

I was told it was a legal requirement to strap a car down by it's wheels.

it isn't a specific requirement. simply you need to have your load secured...but strapping the car down by wheels is probably the best way of doing it, using ratchet straps & tie down loops.

novarally

11-11-13, 08:41 PM

Dont take this the wrong way as i dont mean to be rude, but with all the weight saving/development you are doing surely getting rid of the cast manifold for a lighter tubular one would be an obvious way to save a a bit of weight and maybe even gain a bit of power? just an observation :)

I've been planning a tubular manifold for a very long time, lack of cash is the continuing problem there.

novarally

11-11-13, 08:43 PM

it isn't a specific requirement. simply you need to have your load secured...but strapping the car down by wheels is probably the best way of doing it, using ratchet straps & tie down loops.

With very soft compound hillclimb slicks the last thing you want to be doing is ratchet strapping onto the tyres, as you end up distorting them.

ben doodar

11-11-13, 11:36 PM

Ben,

The engine that's in the car is a completely standard Corsa SRi 1400cc. We just chucked that in and used it to fabricate the new engine mounts etc.

The 'real' engine is currently away being rebuilt, but it does use a standard exhaust manifold, which has been cut and had a turbo flange welded on. I can certainly get you a picture or two if that's useful?

I will get some better photos of the car and the new, spaceframed front end at the weekend, when I get a bit of daylight and spare time.

Yeah some pictures would be great. I've been looking at converting a standard manifold myself. A few people that I've spoken to have said if you weld a mild steel turbo flange to the cast manifold it would crack once it gets hot. Have you had any problems with this? Any ideas whats been used to weld it?

cheers pal.

burgo

12-11-13, 02:08 AM

Im sure mike welded a cast t2-t3 adaptor to a spi manifold

Cant wait to see the pics of the updates

mowgli

12-11-13, 07:05 AM

With very soft compound hillclimb slicks the last thing you want to be doing is ratchet strapping onto the tyres, as you end up distorting them.

i'd have thought most people use a set of paddock wheels.

but i did see a bloke at a petrol station taking a benetton f1 (many years ago, near bicester) car to a show in germany & he had it tied down over its wheels.

_Jake

12-11-13, 01:22 PM

ben doodar

12-11-13, 04:20 PM

sorry not meaning to high jack colins thread here.

burgo, I'm sure mike used a t2-t3 adaptor for his turbo build. he had some engineering work done to it so it bolted to the standard downpipe bolts. but his turbo sat very low down as the adaptors probably 4-5" deep.

jake I've been told by various people that welding it wouldn't work properly but colins obviously seems to work so i'm interested to know how his has been done.
I've thought of making a tubular manifold as ive got a spare 4 branch manifold here but could imagine profiling the 4 pipes into 1 and to a flange to be an absolute nightmare and funds don't really allow to have one made.

burgo

12-11-13, 04:36 PM

My brother on here dervy welded a different flange to his diesel manifold, that never cracked

Andy

12-11-13, 04:52 PM

You cannot weld cast without pre and post heating it. You will probably do a better job using an MMA welder with the appropriate rods too, for the effort it takes you may aswell have a tubular one made if your thinking of turboing a small block
A proper reply.
You need nickel rods for welding cast,sure ya can mig it,i mig'd my 205 gti cracked manifold,but don't expect it to last long.
Certainly not in competition conditions anyway!

Benn

12-11-13, 06:44 PM

Good to see you back on the South coast....

novarally

12-11-13, 07:13 PM

Yeah some pictures would be great. I've been looking at converting a standard manifold myself. A few people that I've spoken to have said if you weld a mild steel turbo flange to the cast manifold it would crack once it gets hot. Have you had any problems with this? Any ideas whats been used to weld it?

cheers pal.

Photos to follow (probably at the weekend). I need to dig it out from storage.

Thinking about it, I now have a feeling that the adaptor for the turbo has been bolted on, rather than welded. But the photos will confirm this.

With reference to having a tubular manifold made, it isn't quite as simple as that, as tubular ones have a tendency to crack under the strain of the weight of a turbo, so need to be made from thicker gauge materials, and/or supplemented by a hanger/damper/crane of some sort, so the weight advantages aren't necessarily as great as you might hope.

novarally

12-11-13, 07:13 PM

Good to see you back on the South coast....

Thank-you Benn. Nobody could be happier than me to be back.

ben doodar

12-11-13, 07:35 PM

Photos to follow (probably at the weekend). I need to dig it out from storage.

Thinking about it, I now have a feeling that the adaptor for the turbo has been bolted on, rather than welded. But the photos will confirm this.

With reference to having a tubular manifold made, it isn't quite as simple as that, as tubular ones have a tendency to crack under the strain of the weight of a turbo, so need to be made from thicker gauge materials, and/or supplemented by a hanger/damper/crane of some sort, so the weight advantages aren't necessarily as great as you might hope.

Thats fantastic mate. Would be much appreciated.

_Jake

13-11-13, 01:21 PM

jake I've been told by various people that welding it wouldn't work properly but colins obviously seems to work so i'm interested to know how his has been done.
I've thought of making a tubular manifold as ive got a spare 4 branch manifold here but could imagine profiling the 4 pipes into 1 and to a flange to be an absolute nightmare and funds don't really allow to have one made.
Fair enough mate. Wasnt having a dig at anyone was just putting the knowledge out there so you have an idea, rather than spending how ever much trying to weld an adaptor to a cast one and it ending with tears before bedtime

My brother on here dervy welded a different flange to his diesel manifold, that never cracked
Probably, depends how much carbon is in the metal itself, more carbon = more brittle = moar cracking

A proper reply.
You need nickel rods for welding cast,sure ya can mig it,i mig'd my 205 gti cracked manifold,but don't expect it to last long.
Certainly not in competition conditions anyway!
Ta :)

ben doodar

13-11-13, 01:35 PM

No offesense taken jake. Maybe you've read that in a tone, i didnt mean to come across that way at all mate. I appreciate your advice.

novarally

16-11-13, 05:49 PM

Thats fantastic mate. Would be much appreciated.

Ben,

I got some photos done today, I will try and get them posted up later on.

The adaptor flange for the turbo is bolted on, no welding involved.

ben doodar

16-11-13, 06:14 PM

Awesome stuff mate. That's good news to me if its bolted rather than welded.

novarally

16-11-13, 07:28 PM

Awesome stuff mate. That's good news to me if its bolted rather than welded.

Here you go, hope they are useful;

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll66/hillclimbescort/003_zps71e11cab.jpg (http://s285.photobucket.com/user/hillclimbescort/media/003_zps71e11cab.jpg.html)

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll66/hillclimbescort/002_zpse76497b0.jpg (http://s285.photobucket.com/user/hillclimbescort/media/002_zpse76497b0.jpg.html)

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll66/hillclimbescort/001_zps2b3731a1.jpg (http://s285.photobucket.com/user/hillclimbescort/media/001_zps2b3731a1.jpg.html)

novarally

16-11-13, 07:45 PM

Now moved to a temporary new home on the patio, pending completion of the garage floor;

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll66/hillclimbescort/004_zps98981623.jpg (http://s285.photobucket.com/user/hillclimbescort/media/004_zps98981623.jpg.html)

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll66/hillclimbescort/026_zpse45d02ab.jpg (http://s285.photobucket.cohttp://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll66/hillclimbescort/027_zpsd9e91ead.jpg[/IMG] (http://s285.photobucket.com/user/hillclimbescort/media/027_zpsd9e91ead.jpg.html)user/hillclimbescort/media/013_zps5da256da.jpg.html]

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll66/hillclimbescort/013_zps5da256da.jpg

novarally

16-11-13, 08:10 PM

A few close-ups of the new front end;

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll66/hillclimbescort/006_zps15962937.jpg (http://s285.photobucket.com/user/hillclimbescort/media/006_zps15962937.jpg.html)

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll66/hillclimbescort/005_zps49879323.jpg (http://s285.photobucket.com/user/hillclimbescort/media/005_zps49879323.jpg.html)

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll66/hillclimbescort/007_zpsaed58a9c.jpg (http://s285.photobucket.com/user/hillclimbescort/media/007_zpsaed58a9c.jpg.html)

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll66/hillclimbescort/008_zpsc7d842cd.jpg (http://s285.photobucket.com/user/hillclimbescort/media/008_zpsc7d842cd.jpg.html)

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll66/hillclimbescort/009_zpsf6e507e4.jpg (http://s285.photobucket.com/user/hillclimbescort/media/009_zpsf6e507e4.jpg.html)

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll66/hillclimbescort/010_zpsb4baf7fe.jpg (http://s285.photobucket.com/user/hillclimbescort/media/010_zpsb4baf7fe.jpg.html)

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll66/hillclimbescort/016_zps39997d82.jpg (http://s285.photobucket.com/user/hillclimbescort/media/016_zps39997d82.jpg.html)

novarally

16-11-13, 08:13 PM

New steering arms (rose-jointed);

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll66/hillclimbescort/015_zpse6c503c7.jpg (http://s285.photobucket.com/user/hillclimbescort/media/015_zpse6c503c7.jpg.html)

Another area for a little bit of weight saving, the windscreen brace is getting replaced with carbon fibre tube;

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll66/hillclimbescort/020_zps7fa11b41.jpg (http://s285.photobucket.com/user/hillclimbescort/media/020_zps7fa11b41.jpg.html)

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll66/hillclimbescort/021_zps6cfd502b.jpg (http://s285.photobucket.com/user/hillclimbescort/media/021_zps6cfd502b.jpg.html)

And a new instrument binnacle, I plan to replace the existing STACK dash display with something simpler and cheaper;

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll66/hillclimbescort/022_zps9bd3bfcd.jpg (http://s285.photobucket.com/user/hillclimbescort/media/022_zps9bd3bfcd.jpg.html)

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll66/hillclimbescort/023_zps68f4ef17.jpg (http://s285.photobucket.com/user/hillclimbescort/media/023_zps68f4ef17.jpg.html)

ben doodar

16-11-13, 10:21 PM

That's awesome mate thanks very much for doing that. it gives me an idea of how it is possible to adapt one. Although your turbo doesn't have a standard 4 bolt fitting?

_Jake

16-11-13, 10:50 PM

That's awesome mate thanks very much for doing that. it gives me an idea of how it is possible to adapt one. Although your turbo doesn't have a standard 4 bolt fitting?
Looks similar to some subaru fitment turbos ive seen, wouldnt be hard to make up an adaptor with say a t2/t3 4 bolt flange though :)

novarally

17-11-13, 06:47 PM

A little more progress on the garage. The roof is now finished, including barge boards at front and rear;

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll66/hillclimbescort/025_zps17a6f714.jpg (http://s285.photobucket.com/user/hillclimbescort/media/025_zps17a6f714.jpg.html)

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll66/hillclimbescort/024_zps57e04985.jpg (http://s285.photobucket.com/user/hillclimbescort/media/024_zps57e04985.jpg.html)

The end is in sight, I will be ordering the concrete for the floor next week when I get paid, and then the Nova has its official home. Can't wait.

novarally

17-11-13, 06:53 PM

Today I have been playing about with the brakes. Regular readers will remember that I engineered a one-off rear brake solution, using a KAD kit for a Classic Mini;

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll66/hillclimbescort/018_zpsb0f1e15f.jpg (http://s285.photobucket.com/user/hillclimbescort/media/018_zpsb0f1e15f.jpg.html)

This works brilliantly, and looks lovely, but I've felt it was still overweight for my aims of ultimate lightness, and if the rules allowed it I would get rid of the rear brakes completely.

However, there is a requirement to have functional rear brakes, so I have to comply. I've therefore decided to sell the KAD/Nova hybrid set-up, and do something different.

When I weighed the KAD rear calipers, I was surprised how heavy they are;

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll66/hillclimbescort/015_zpse741c767.jpg (http://s285.photobucket.com/user/hillclimbescort/media/015_zpse741c767.jpg.html)

The plan now is to use the alloy rear hub kit from Berrisford (Autograss specialists), and a very tiny disc and caliper, absolutely as small as I can get away with;

http://www.berrisford.co.uk/product_info.php?cPath=42_51&products_id=132&osCsid=59m6q4amqoffui5h9amue3pkn4

Jonlem

17-11-13, 07:00 PM

novarally

17-11-13, 07:00 PM

Of course the front brakes cannot escape similar attentions, and this is the current set-up;

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll66/hillclimbescort/003_zpsbe744915.jpg (http://s285.photobucket.com/user/hillclimbescort/media/003_zpsbe744915.jpg.html)

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll66/hillclimbescort/002_zps882c752f.jpg (http://s285.photobucket.com/user/hillclimbescort/media/002_zps882c752f.jpg.html)

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll66/hillclimbescort/001_zpscc650bb5.jpg (http://s285.photobucket.com/user/hillclimbescort/media/001_zpscc650bb5.jpg.html)

Solid, cross-drilled discs from an OMS single seater, with alloy bells, and 'Gold Spot' calipers from a Yamaha R1 motorcycle. Likewise, they work very well indeed, but again I felt there was room for reducing weight, and maybe increasing performance as well.

So I have really pushed the boat out, and bought a full set of ISR calipers, together with lightweight rotors (discs), floating on alloy bells. These are absolute works of art!

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll66/hillclimbescort/004_zps70cf661f.jpg (http://s285.photobucket.com/user/hillclimbescort/media/004_zps70cf661f.jpg.html)

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll66/hillclimbescort/005_zps7bae0ca3.jpg (http://s285.photobucket.com/user/hillclimbescort/media/005_zps7bae0ca3.jpg.html)

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll66/hillclimbescort/006_zps1cde62f0.jpg (http://s285.photobucket.com/user/hillclimbescort/media/006_zps1cde62f0.jpg.html)

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll66/hillclimbescort/007_zpsac87a87f.jpg (http://s285.photobucket.com/user/hillclimbescort/media/007_zpsac87a87f.jpg.html)

The front rotors are 280mm,and the rears are 235mm. Front calipers are 6-pot, and the rears are 4-pot.

As discussed above, I need almost no rear brakes, so I won't be using the rear ones, which I will sell on to recoup some of my money.

novarally

17-11-13, 07:05 PM

In terms of weight, the 'old' front discs were comparatively pretty heavy;

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll66/hillclimbescort/010_zpsca6874c0.jpg (http://s285.photobucket.com/user/hillclimbescort/media/010_zpsca6874c0.jpg.html)

The new 280mm disc is a lot lighter;

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll66/hillclimbescort/012_zpsa52fb613.jpg (http://s285.photobucket.com/user/hillclimbescort/media/012_zpsa52fb613.jpg.html)

And it's the same story for the calipers;

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll66/hillclimbescort/014_zps2ad73679.jpg (http://s285.photobucket.com/user/hillclimbescort/media/014_zps2ad73679.jpg.html)

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll66/hillclimbescort/016_zps67b27e83.jpg (http://s285.photobucket.com/user/hillclimbescort/media/016_zps67b27e83.jpg.html)

novarally

17-11-13, 07:11 PM

Basically a saving of nearly 1kg off the unsprung weight on the front end, coupled with what should be a big improvement in braking (280mm diameter in place of 240mm), and 6 piston calipers instead of 4.

And fingers crossed I should be able to get a large part of my money back when I sell all the old bits.

And they should be pretty easy to fit as well, the calipers use the same 108mm centres for mounting, so I just need to make new brackets to space the caliper a bit further out, and obviously adjust to suit the offset of the new bell. And the bell needs to be re-drilled for the Nova wheel stud PCD.

Talking of saving weight, I am currently talking to my best mate's Brother In Law, who is a superb CNC machinist. I'm hoping to persuade him to do the caliper brackets, but more importantly to machine me a set of front hubs (uprights) out of a billet of aluminium.

This would be a major coup, if it comes off!

zeifer33

17-11-13, 08:45 PM

Simply amazing!i like so much the new front end.

novarally

17-11-13, 08:52 PM

Simply amazing!i like so much the new front end.

Thank-you. I'm very pleased with the way the new front end has come out.

Target figures are 230bhp and 500kg.

novarally

17-11-13, 08:56 PM

That is suprisingly heavy. I can't find the pictures of the UPG setup but they were quite simply using a solid bar as an axle like the grass track boys use with bike calipers and discs. The front just used machined flanges and bike calipers and discs again.

I'm not sure how good the setup was, it's not like brakes were particularly important for drag racing, apart from the weight saved.

Hi James.

If you can turn up any photos of the brakes (and axle) on the UPG car I would be really interested.

I was talking to Boris about buying the car from them, but their asking price is way over what I value it at.

I did ask them for more details on the brakes, and also the gearbox, but they haven't replied.

If the price was realistic I was planning to keep the carbon flip front, tailgate and doors, and sell the rest of it on ASAP.