Project: Gold Snowplough Turbo [Archive] - Page 3 - Performance Nova Group

Nova_Tek

01-10-10, 10:41 PM

I wouldnt belive everything you read on the internet, Bet my Bonnet pin key will turn that.

I didnt belive it myself when i bought some new pins to replace old ones and the keys are identical and they where bought from differant places and year or so apart.

There universal keys these days with regards to motorsport

I have experienced that in the past with other stuff, got two different packs from different places and all the keys were able to unlock each other, pointless or what?.

Before I bought this one today I had a look at the other packs and tested the keys from the other pack with the one I picked and it didn't unlock (me being stealthy lol ). I then asked one of the lads there about getting 'extra' keys. He said I'd have to contact the manufacturer.

So that gave me some sort of indication as to how random they are.

I did consider fingerprint scanning kill switch but couldn't find one lol

Edd

02-10-10, 07:30 AM

Coming along nicely

Any joy with sorting a engine out yet ?

Nova_Tek

02-10-10, 07:23 PM

Coming along nicely

Any joy with sorting a engine out yet ?

Did bid for one last week (or was it the week before) and lost the auction. There was another which was on bid and had 4 days left but it ended early, looks like the auction was cancelled early :(

Getting closer but not quite there.

Awesome project!

Thanks pal :thumb:

Plug

02-10-10, 07:26 PM

im sure steve boy slim had 3 or 4 for sale. also lynz and dougie had one iirc

Or you looking to get one cheaper than the average Â£1000-Â£1200

Nova_Tek

02-10-10, 07:32 PM

To be entirely honest, I'd want to get one and get it rebuilt myself/my mechanic. No disrespect to anyone.

I'd rather buy one under the average price and build it.

I'll find one soon, have a feeling. Have seen a couple engines for sale on ebay but they've for some reason ended early or have been reset. Something dodgey tbh.

Plug

02-10-10, 07:47 PM

ive found that on ebay people end them cause people offer them the right sort of average price so they end then the person who made the offer doesnt contact them.

Also if your looking for a bargain let i would trawl vauxhall forums as ebay people prob wont let them go for much under a grand

Nova_Tek

02-10-10, 08:10 PM

Have sort of started chasing up forums etc for engines now, I've seen a few decent ones on ebay go for a good price.

Just a matter of spending good time on the net going through it. I'll be doing that once I've sorted out all my wiring :)

Nova_Tek

03-10-10, 10:43 PM

Update

No pics but a bit of progress. Came home after work got changed and popped into the garage.

Didn't realise how much rubbish and mess I had left on the floor infornt of the passenger seat. I took out the hoover and cleaned up the place.

Managed to push through the alarm wires into the bay to wire up the warning beeper. Had to solder up the wires in the bay so had a few practice goes. It's been a while since I last done some soldering so took a few tires to get my eye in.

Sorted out all the soldering and positioned the beeper somewhere safe. Just wondering where to put the actual siren.

Called it a night. Will continue and finish it off tomorrow.

:)

novacabrio

03-10-10, 10:55 PM

Edd

03-10-10, 10:58 PM

Doesn't martin/Bmw156 have a LET forsale for Â£850?

Could be worth a look

Nova_Tek

03-10-10, 11:16 PM

When ive fitted alarms to cars i usualy use the thread that sticks through from the pedal box bolt on the passenger side of the battery tray, its ideal as it meens the siren is tucked out the way and hidden, also meens no drilling for holes to mount it

Yeah I know what bolt you're on about, actually noticed them today :) But that would mean that the siren can easily get soaked which I'd rather not happen.

Doesn't martin/Bmw156 have a LET forsale for Â£850?

Could be worth a look

Does he still have that one? It was on ebay a while back. I asumed it was sold.

AlexW

03-10-10, 11:18 PM

Most sirens are watertight, designed that if they get wet it dont matter, fire up a pic of it if in doubt

Nova_Tek

03-10-10, 11:23 PM

I used to have the siren on the driver inner wing, where you'd normally find the airbox. There were holes already drilled in the inner wing which fit the siren bracket exactly.

Didn't know they were fully watertight.

It does say that it should ideally be located away from direct water spray.

Nova_Tek

04-10-10, 08:58 PM

Update

I spent a bit of time working on the Nova. The weather seemed ok enough to do a spot of painting. Nothing major, just coating the new screws I got in black so they matched the old ones.
https://images2.imgbox.com/9a/ce/0mhC81z8_o.jpg

Rubbed them down with some 800 wet and dry
https://images2.imgbox.com/2c/5a/1WWZRc9w_o.jpg

Then gave them a few coats of black paint and left them to dry
https://images2.imgbox.com/00/53/DwYfgaW2_o.jpg

I then moved on to the siren, managed to find a suitable place for it to be mounted. I soldered the wires to it.

I then got side tracked a bit and ended up preparing and spraying my bros spark plug cover on his Cav. Spent the rest of the late afternoon doing that. I may pop into the garage a bit later and finish off where I left it.
...

novacabrio

04-10-10, 09:10 PM

where di you mount the siren in the end? Another reason for me mounting it where i suggested is that it is covered by the blower motor cover

Nova_Tek

04-10-10, 09:16 PM

Pretty much under the blower motor cowling, best place, wires hidden, won't get wet and will be heard well.

:)

Nova_Tek

05-10-10, 01:04 AM

Update

Another small one...

Popped back to the Nova and finished off wiring the siren, beeper and fitted the nightmare that is the blower motor cowling. I then wrapped up all the wires.

All that is left is to wrap up the alarm loom behind the dash, which would finish of the internal wiring bit of the project... yay!

:)

Once that's sorted I'll be going over the current loom in the bay to wrap up areas that need it. I'll be using the self amalgamating tape to keep the bay loom water tight.

That is all for now.

brucer

05-10-10, 01:17 PM

the small bits are what make the big bits happen, keep it up.

Nova_Tek

05-10-10, 09:02 PM

They sure do :)

Nova_Tek

09-10-10, 08:18 PM

Update

I've been working on the Nova over the past few days and finished up the alarm wiring, got all that wrapped up and in place. I've started trying to trial fit/put back all the electronic equipment.

First up was the stereo. This was difficult! The stereo would go in but a lot of the wires would be squeeeeeezed in. So had to do minor re-routing of the wires to allow the stereo to fit without obstuction. Managed to get that sorted.

Then moved on to the centre dash panel. I cleaned up the vent control (the slide panel) took off the clear plastic bit and cleaned it up. It cleaned up real well, it sparkles quite literally.

Arranged the switch wiring and hooked them up, then put it in place.

Then wired up the dash speakers to the crossovers and put in the passenger sill kick plates.

Gave the inside a good vacuum and left it there.

I know there aren't any pics but there wasn't anything to photography just plenty of swearing, neck aches, eye aches and fitting back. It's almost done.

Weather permitting, I should hopefully be able to hook up the boot popper but I really need to find a battery to test all this stuff lol

Nova_Tek

11-10-10, 08:29 PM

Update

Today was another lovely day. Yesterday was very nice but I was at work so couldn't do anything.

Had lunch at midday and made preparations in the back garden. The other day I made a start on my brothers spark plug cover, but it was a rather windy day and I kept getting dust on the fresh paint, which was a nightmare. I thought I'd finish that off first. I know I should be working on the Nova but promised my bro I'd do him a favour :)

I then moved on to some bits off the Nova. I had a 2/3 empty can of satin black, thought I'd put it to good use and get the steering cowling and keep fit window winders re-coated.

Here's how they were

https://images2.imgbox.com/a4/99/vD4m88Dh_o.jpg

The cowling was very dusty from all the filler dust during it's time at the bodyshop, so I got out some warm water soapy water and a sponge and cleaned it up.
https://images2.imgbox.com/47/40/s2DMQ9XD_o.jpg

There was a small crack on the top half of the cowling, so I glued it back and rubbed it down with some wet and dry.
https://images2.imgbox.com/ae/7b/PxoaEsUN_o.jpg

Did the same for the bottom half
https://images2.imgbox.com/72/a8/PJihUc1e_o.jpg

As it dried
https://images2.imgbox.com/c2/3b/706T49gR_o.jpg

Left the cowling in the sun to harden and moved on to the winders. I gave them a rub down too, and masked up the rubber knobs (ooh err lol!)
https://images2.imgbox.com/b9/49/0ArBMn8R_o.jpg

Gave them a couple coats of paint and they were good as new
https://images2.imgbox.com/71/ae/6RvUraVX_o.jpg

This is how the cowling looks now that it's dried
https://images2.imgbox.com/df/58/kfLQlehC_o.jpg

After all that hard work, I went and had some lunch and a bit of a rest. When I got back I popped into the garage to do some more work. I started removing the headlining.

The grab handles proved to be a nightmare, lost 2 of the plastic pins that secure it. I tried using a long nail to be able to pull it back out but the nail was going into the pin but not pushing the pin outward. Such a pain. Not fret though... IIRC I have a few spare pins, so as long as I don't lose too many from the rear grab handles, I should be ok.

To be continued...

brainsnova

11-10-10, 08:33 PM

i spray in my house when its windy lol

Nova_Tek

11-10-10, 08:40 PM

Don't wanna risk overspray on the furniture to be honest, rents won't be pleased at all, nor would I tbh lol

Nova_Tek

13-10-10, 07:47 PM

No update unfortunately, I've been covering other colleagues at work so I'm half way through my 6 day week.

Just wanted to see if anyone has had experience with these bottom pulleys. Are they worth the money, are there better ones about? http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/TXAUTOSPORT-C20XE-C20LET-SINGLE-V-BOTTOM-PULLEY-PLATED-/120630185442?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item1c161e8de2#ht_5026wt_1141

I've got a short day on Friday so maybe I'll be able to spend some time working on the Nova then :)

But atm, I'm totally knackered lol

Nova_Tek

20-10-10, 09:49 PM

Update

I've been continuing on with the installation of electrical goodies after sorting out all the stuff which was present.

Next up was to extend the wires from the rear wiper plug, normally found at the back of the toggle switch, to the wiper stalk as I want to control the rear wiper and jet from there.

I cut, crimped and plugged the extended wire to the back of the stalk but haven't tested it yet as I need a battery lol

I got that out of the way and moved on to running the wires for the boot popper. The will be running from the toggle switches to the right of the steering wheel (where you find the foglight switches etc), back behind the dash, up the A pillar, run through the cavity between the roof skin, past the B pillar, past the rear glass and into the inside of the boot.

I found some curtain cord to help feed the wires through (please excuse the pic quality).

Fed it from just above the door down the A pillar out to the footwell.
http://img185.imageshack.us/img185/6492/imag0098g.jpg

Then took it back behind the dash round to where I wanted it and organised/secured the wires.

I then took the other end of the wires and fixed it to the curtain cord and pushed it through until I got to the rubber boot, which the rear washer jet and wiper motor wires feed through. Another good outcome of me feeding through the wires was that I got back all the plastic bungs that secure the grab handle to the car :d

I pulled off the rubber boot and pulled the wire through
http://img28.imageshack.us/img28/2091/imag0099u.jpg

At this point I thought 'wow... this has been really easy!'

Spoke too soon...

The next step was an utter ballache. Getting the wires through the rubber boot proved to be difficult, and took more time than feeding it from the A pillar and back.

After lots of finger ache, b, f and c words, I managed to grab it and pull it through. Sigh of relief.
http://img2.imageshack.us/img2/2977/imag0100y.jpg

I pulled the cables all the way through and refit the rubber boot.

Next bit was easy, fed through the remaining wire down the inside of the boot lid and pulled it out. I was going to solder the wires together but the boot popper had bullet connections from the factory, so I decided to keep them and fitted the ends of the new wires with the female bullets and sleeves.
http://img227.imageshack.us/img227/7371/imag0101q.jpg

It's now a mater of removing the connecting rod from the boot latch, cut it to size and bend it for it to fit the popper and then secure the popper into place.

I called it a night though and left it for another day as the garage was getting cold, and had also blown a bulb.

Nova_Tek

22-10-10, 10:16 PM

Update

A hectic day today,

Typically, I get into work and get a call from the courier company that my 'package' has arrived. Typically no one is at home at that moment as they had literally just stepped out (but I can guarantee that if someone was at home they wouldn't turn up).

Anyway, told the geeza to wait 5 mins and someone would turn up. Dad turned up and received the package and left it round the side of the house.

Got home after much anticipation and there it was... the LET!

I couldn't just leave it there so had to get it in the garage... somehow.

After much elbow with the aid of my bro, managed to get it in the garage safely. Phew well glad as it weighed a fair bit.

So now it's about getting the very final bits needed (inner cv's etc) and decide/get some cost on parts to freshen up the internals before it goes in. But before all that even more importantly... what colour to paint the engine and bits lol

No pics as of yet but will grab some when I'm free.

I'm working all weekend, sods law, and won't have much free time to work on the Nova (was off last week for 5 days, typical!). But now it's just a case to get things back in and move towards getting the Nova running again.

Can't wait :)

bakerznova

22-10-10, 11:21 PM

i await progress
:)

Nova_Tek

23-10-10, 06:48 PM

So do I lol

Will have a couple days off work during the week so hopefully will make a start on something :)

bakerznova

23-10-10, 06:50 PM

So do I lol

Will have a couple days off work during the week so hopefully will make a start on something :)

:thumb:

Nova_Tek

23-10-10, 07:35 PM

Update

Managed to take some snaps of the engine and bits (basically what I could as there wasn't much room to start sorting things in detail).

Here's the LET, the inlet and exhaust manifolds are present but have been removed from the engine.
https://images2.imgbox.com/ea/79/BFeAbAhf_o.jpg
http://img51.imageshack.us/img51/9286/1002013c.jpg

Flywheel
https://images2.imgbox.com/f0/55/qx3WZeBA_o.jpg
http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/9337/1002001r.jpg

Got another ECU lol (making it two) Is there any difference between the PJ ECU and PK ECU?
https://images2.imgbox.com/b6/f4/1Ce6tZbl_o.jpg
http://img263.imageshack.us/img263/7531/1002008a.jpg

Some genuine bits from Vauxhall (gaskets, seals, bolts etc)
https://images2.imgbox.com/b6/eb/tptF4knG_o.jpg
http://img137.imageshack.us/img137/8704/1002005h.jpg

It's basically missing the turbo, a few sensors, which tbh I would've replaced for piece of mind, a few hoses and the clutch.

Will be contacting a friend soon to try get some info on getting it rebuilt, just need to weigh up options to decide on what route to take with the engine.

Have put some thought into the colour scheme and I'm leaning towards maybe a silver block, black rocker cover and gold spark plug cover.

Also, anyone know where I can get bolts for things like the sump, manifolds, rocker cover etc? Most of the ones on the engine now are a tad crusty, and rather than busting my balls to clean them up, I'd like to just replace them.

That is all for now. Too tired form work to actually want to do anything :(

brucer

24-10-10, 07:43 PM

you finally got an engine!! hooray.

cant wait for some more progress tek.

AlexW

24-10-10, 07:51 PM

Measure the bolts and find some on ebay etc.

Rebuilding wise, do it yourself, Rings, hone (providing the bores arnt too worn etc), all gaskets, bearings etc. Be perfect imo.

Nova_Tek

24-10-10, 08:59 PM

you finally got an engine!! hooray.

cant wait for some more progress tek.

Yeah mate finally, got it for a decent price which has given me the oppotunuity for options.

Typically, I've got the engine but hardly have any time off work to work on it :cry:

Measure the bolts and find some on ebay etc.

Rebuilding wise, do it yourself, Rings, hone (providing the bores arnt too worn etc), all gaskets, bearings etc. Be perfect imo.

Found some bolts and washers for the sump, rocker, plug cover, cambelt cover etc for a real good price last night on the bay of e.

As for the rebuild, I'll prob get my mate to assist me, if I choose that route (well once I've found out the parts costs lol). He recently done his LET top to bottom so it's fresh in his mind.

I am getting excited though lol

Nova_Tek

26-10-10, 08:34 PM

Update

Woke up to the sound of the letterbox and found an envelope with these inside
https://images2.imgbox.com/33/03/lsZFe3yP_o.jpg

Bought them off eBay, they're stainless steel rocker cover, cambelt cover, exhaust shield, sump pan bolts and washers. Will look loads better than the rusty crusty ones on there now.

After a bit of brunch I popped into the garage. The weather was crap, rain, rain and rain.

I had to do something so I decided to get a few bits cleaned up. First was the sump. It was full of sh*t inside, caked in oil, bit of sludge in some areas. Got out the hot water, brilo pads and detergent and went to town in the inside of the sump. Like a n00b I didn't take a pic of it before but you can imagine what it was like. Here's the 'after' shot. Still some minor little areas which I'll continue to scrub.
https://images2.imgbox.com/25/93/AFTgMrAu_o.jpg

Then I made a start on the cambelt cover. Wanted to try out the colour idea I had for the engine so made a start on something simple. Here's how it arrived
https://images2.imgbox.com/fe/60/ctAtpaAZ_o.jpg

Gave it a good progressive rub down with 240 & 400 grit wet and dry. There were a few tiny areas which the metal had been scratched/pitted. Thought I'd sort that out with some filler primer as it was only minor, but I didn't have any left. So had to mix up some filler and do it that way.
https://images2.imgbox.com/b2/f4/IRSQeHME_o.jpg

Once hardened, the filler was rubbed down and prepped for primer.
https://images2.imgbox.com/13/63/vS5jIyJo_o.jpg

Gave it a few coats of red primer and let it dry
https://images2.imgbox.com/6a/b1/vin9PPX7_o.jpg

Then gave the primer a flat with warm soapy water and 800grit wet and dry.
https://images2.imgbox.com/51/32/eAn5ET5B_o.jpg

Then came a dusting of satin black and let it dry (which didn't take long)
https://images2.imgbox.com/e6/d0/GvlH6GDC_o.jpg

Gave it it's first proper coat of satin black
https://images2.imgbox.com/cc/3c/SNwQDoEh_o.jpg

Gave it two more coats of Satin black, waited 15 mins or so and gave it a few coats of petrol resistant clear laquer.
https://images2.imgbox.com/0f/9d/oMyoXxk9_o.jpg

Left it to dry in the garage overnight. By now I was totally soaked as I was standing just outside the garage spraying while the cover was inside the garage. Should hopefully see a nice outcome when the laquer has dried and hardened.

Benn

26-10-10, 10:40 PM

Was it a matt lacquer? If not it will have gone shiny...

bakerznova

26-10-10, 11:58 PM

cambelt cover looking good matey

Nova_Tek

27-10-10, 12:35 AM

Was it a matt lacquer? If not it will have gone shiny...

TBH Benn, I didn't even read the can. I rang my bro to grab me some laquer as I had none left at home. Then it occured to me that it's in the engine bay so best to get something that's fuel/oil resistant. Told him to get Petrol resistant laquer. I'm pretty sure it's a glossy finish.

I want it to be a glossy finish anyway, easier to wipe clean than a matt finish.

cambelt cover looking good matey

Cheers mate,

Took a while to get it painted properly but it looks good so far.

I wanted to try getting the backbox off but no way was I gonna push the Nova out in that rain.

bakerznova

27-10-10, 01:13 AM

[quote=Nova_Tek]TBH Benn, I didn't even read the can. I rang my bro to grab me some laquer as I had none left at home. Then it occured to me that it's in the engine bay so best to get something that's fuel/oil resistant. Told him to get Petrol resistant laquer. I'm pretty sure it's a glossy finish.

I want it to be a glossy finish anyway, easier to wipe clean than a matt finish.

Cheers mate,

Took a while to get it painted properly but it looks good so far.

I wanted to try getting the backbox off but no way was I gonna push the Nova out in that rain.[/quote

nah its ok matey
p.m me when its off :thumb:

Nova_Tek

27-10-10, 07:29 PM

Update

Weather was decent today, so cracked on with some more work after I had lunch, Whopper FTW!

Made a start on the sump pan
https://images2.imgbox.com/2c/15/O8MHVySC_o.jpg

Definitely do not want it in red so had to start stripping the paint. First port of call many blobs of Nitromoors.

5 minutes later...
https://images2.imgbox.com/f4/93/Rp28ktHH_o.jpg

Then another coating of more Nitromoors & 15 minutes later...
https://images2.imgbox.com/62/98/TbjvMPwj_o.jpg

I really thought it was going to be a ball ache to get this red paint off the sump but the Nitromoors really did a great job, which only left me to get out the drill and wire brush attachment to power strip it. After about 10 minutes with the wirewhee, going over it with a brillo pad, washing it off with the hose and some 240 grit wet and dry, here's how it stood
https://images2.imgbox.com/f9/07/02dLiUKi_o.jpg

Not a bad job if I say so myself. Gave it a clean with some spirit and masked it up. Next up was to give it a couple coats of acid etch primer.
https://images2.imgbox.com/00/d6/A7ZjwYmw_o.jpg

Had to leave that to dry properly so made a brew and had a bit of a rest. I then gave a go at removing the backbox. As some of you may know I've been trying to get it off but to no avail. I gave it a few more goes with trying to whack it off but it wasn't going to budge.
In the end I thought 'sod this' and cut it off, manually of course with a hacksaw.

Finally got it off but as it took a while, it started to get dark and I was unable to finish off spraying the sump. Probably for the better as that acid etch primer needs a fair bit of time more than standard primer to dry it seems. I've decided that the block and gearbox will be in silver, the rocker, sump, cambelt cover, clutch inspection plate; will be in a gloss black. The spark plug cover I'm looking to plate gold or a gold effect chrome if there's such a thing.

Nova_Tek

29-10-10, 07:37 PM

Update

Got home a tad early from work and as it wasn't quite dark I thought I'd finish off the sump to tick it off the list.

First up was to flat the acid etch primer, by now it had dried very nicely.
https://images2.imgbox.com/fe/11/S9BqBNMV_o.jpg

After a wipe and a clean it was time for some black paint. Gave it a few coats of that.
https://images2.imgbox.com/47/b0/pJnV6BDC_o.jpg

Let that harden to touch dry and then moved on to giving it a few coats of petrol resistant lacquer. Gave it 2/3 coats and let that dry off overnight.
https://images2.imgbox.com/54/da/87Oce1cl_o.jpg

Did get a couple runs in the lacquer but no big deal as it'll be underneath everything and hardly visible.
I'm in the motion of checking up engine parts and prices. Will be looking to replace bits like piston rings, main and big end bearings, gaskets, valve seals and what not. The car is off the road atm so really don't feel like having to remove the engine and get it fixed should it break further down the line.

Really need to call my mate though

L14MNP

29-10-10, 07:40 PM

Nice job on the sumb mate.

Can't beat a bit of Nitromorse!

You can tell you're not building a Euro machine. That GM lettering would have been flatted off and the cooling fins welded up. lol

Nova_Tek

29-10-10, 07:42 PM

Really glad nitromoors shifted that rubbish paint off the sump, thought it was going to be a right nightmare to get off but literally took 30 mins.

Allow all of that mucking around, it has cooing fins for a reason.

Benn

29-10-10, 09:11 PM

Sump looks good.

Nova_Tek

29-10-10, 09:22 PM

Cheers Benn, just wanna get all these little cosmetic jobs out the way.

bakerznova

29-10-10, 09:59 PM

lookin good matey

i will defo be using nitromorse on the ceasaro's :thumb:

Nova_Tek

29-10-10, 10:48 PM

Cheers dude, yeah 'tis lethal stuff especially if you get it on your skin, but it's best to follow instructions on the back of the tin.

You basically apply for 5 mins then re-apply again working it into the now blistered paint. Works wonders :)

Andy

29-10-10, 10:51 PM

Always wear eye protection with nitro mors trust me it aint nice!
H+S over with/
Nice work mate,coming along well

Nova_Tek

29-10-10, 10:53 PM

It did occur to me to wear some but couldn't find my goggles. I can imagine it must hurt just as bad as carb cleaner in ones eye lol

Andy

29-10-10, 11:02 PM

worse lol not much but yeah,worse!!

Nova_Tek

29-10-10, 11:17 PM

lol I'll keep an eye out then!

L14MNP

30-10-10, 12:09 AM

Always wear eye protection with nitro mors trust me it aint nice!
H+S over with/
Nice work mate,coming along well

Don't be a fag. Sack up! I thought you was 'ard Andy. lol

It stings, but so does having your bell end bitten.

Nova_Tek

01-11-10, 08:49 PM

Update

Well, ish of an update.

Spent most of the morning checking over the SR as it was gonna go in for it's MOT. So the plans I had/wanted to get sorted for my car got shoved aside.

Good news is that the SR passed the MOT no issues what-so-ever so my efforts weren't in vein.

I did however receive my coil.
https://images2.imgbox.com/04/e6/zUqlcAlb_o.jpg
http://img713.imageshack.us/img713/8177/1002043s.jpg

As with all the other engine parts in this project, it'll need a good clean up and a lick of paint. But will have to wait till Wednesday to get it sorted.

Sods law, times that I am absolutely free I have nothing to do and times that I got sh*t loads of stuff to sort out I'm not free. Really wish I could just have like a week off and just sort all this stuff out :(

Nova_Tek

03-11-10, 09:21 PM

Update

Another small one but an update none-the-less.

As I had received the coil the other day and with my never ending efforts to make everything look mint I couldn't resist not sorting out the tatty looks of the coil. I took it apart and stripped it down of dirt and corrosion.
https://images2.imgbox.com/14/ac/fdOVLVkh_o.jpg

Gave it a few coats of Hammerite and let that dry... (it's still drying! Hammerite takes ages to dry!)
https://images2.imgbox.com/4e/d0/tFJYGvKB_o.jpg

I also cleaned up the coil and all the screws, washers and connectors on it (no pics I'm afraid). I will get pics of that when I reassemble the coil and it's cradle.

I then moved on to the oil pick up pipe. As the sump has been cleaned and painted and looks top notch I had to get the pick up pipe to match.
https://images2.imgbox.com/29/5d/2W8BGJ8s_o.jpg

Took a while as the oil was caked on. But some elbow together with a good old brillo pad shifted all the crap and got it looking sweet. Just need to get some carb cleaner and flush the gauze as there are a few tiny particles caught in it.
https://images2.imgbox.com/7f/92/Ai1rMiVD_o.jpg

I then took a break and remembered that I ordered a gearbox reverse switch for the SR. Went and grabbed that, had lunch and did a few more things.

When I got back I decided to do a bit more work. Popped into the garage and got cracking with the boot popper solenoid. I managed to get the wires to it a few updates ago but hadn't had the chance to secure it in place.

First I offered it up next to the boot latch and marked out where I was going to drill the holes for the retaining bar. Drilled those holes out and screwed the bar into place and then the solenoid to it. As the boot popper kit had a connecting rod supplied I removed the old connecting rod, removed the latch off the boot and measured up how much rod was needed. I did this by using a length of electrical wire and mocked up the length. I then cut the new connecting rod to size, checked the fit and bent it on to the solenoid. I thought it was gonna be a nightmare to get right but I got it in one thankfully. I then drilled a second hole to secure the solenoid properly and refitted everything.
Et VoilÃ*, a perfect fit. The boot lock pulls the solenoid fully out and the solenoid when activated will pull it fully to open. Absolutely no play in the connecting rod when open or closed
https://images2.imgbox.com/d6/94/TRmyCvT7_o.jpg

I then grabbed the inlet manifold and started stripping hoses and what not off it to prepare it for paint tomorrow. Will be treating it to some silver VHT paint, so to save time I decided to strip and mask it now. Unfortunately I didn't take pics but all that will be done tomorrow.

Benn

03-11-10, 10:26 PM

Dude that weld cleaned and sealed up.

You might find that popper burns out, as they dont have much power in the pull. I've gone few a few. The proper ones are a bit better.

Nova_Tek

03-11-10, 10:34 PM

I will be sorting that weld out. Gold hammerite may do the trick.

Hopefully it won't burn out, I bought it as it's meant to be a proper popper, didn't wanna use the central locking solenoid. We'll see how it goes.

Edd

03-11-10, 10:37 PM

Top work there

As Benn said, get the weld on the lock blank in the tailgate, primmed and sealed up with seam sealer

Benn

03-11-10, 10:38 PM

That looks just like a central locking solenoid... But ok.

Nova_Tek

03-11-10, 10:40 PM

Na it's not. Bought it brand new and it was sold being described as a boot popper so yeah, hopefully it'll do the job well.

AlexW

04-11-10, 12:25 AM

A lot of the so called boot poppers are just central locking motors, I too have the same on my corsa, now on my 3rd after they burn out.

Nova_Tek

04-11-10, 12:45 AM

Well hopefully this is no wannabe popper, I'll see how long it lasts. If it's rubbish then no biggie, didn't cost a bomb.

scott.parker

04-11-10, 10:10 PM

Just rob one off a mk3 fiesta, or similar that they came as standard etc..

L14MNP

05-11-10, 10:54 AM

I have to say it looks to be a CL motor despite what it was sold to you as. You're better off with one like this (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/UNIVERSAL-ELECTRIC-BOOT-RELEASE-DOOR-POPPER-SOLENOID-/390131838954?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item5ad5ab6fea) or as Scott says get an OEM one.

Agreed on the plate too. Get it sealed before any more moisture gets in there mate!

When's the big work starting? :thumb:

Nova_Tek

05-11-10, 08:41 PM

Funny that, as the ebay link is for Supernovas and that's where I bought it from (off their site)

I will be getting that plate sorted now that I've got the popper fitted and in place. Didn't sort it incase I damaged/scratched it during drilling and fitting.

I'd love to start the big work soon but I've just had no time at all due to work. Have had so much over time that I'm doing double my hours per week (a good thing in a way as I'm getting paid more so should help with getting it done)

I wanna get all the bits and bobs painted ready to be fitted and then get the engine sorted (Edd's sport bay is a prime example of my expected result after it's all been done). I went out and got some VHT aluminium finish paint yesterday.

Still need to chat to my mate about the internal freshen up, just keep forgetting :tard:

Here's the end result of the coil and bracket
http://img257.imageshack.us/img257/5883/1002051d.jpg
:thumb:

Nova_Tek

08-11-10, 08:42 PM

Update

Think winter has finally arrived. Was chucking it down all day with plenty of gustiness and cold, so most of my plans flew out the window. Changed plans and went to hunt for some gaskets. Popped to AllParts and sourced the sump gasket set for Â£11 (half price compared to Vaux) and some Comma carb cleaner.

I then made my way to Vauxhall to source the other various inlet and breather gaskets. In ended up joining a trade account (as I'm there almost every 2 weeks) and got the inlet manifold, top-hat, throttle body, pick up pipe and crankcase breather gaskets.

Come home and it was starting to get dark, but the rain had stopped so saw a chance to do some cleaning.

Grabbed the inlet manifold and gave it a good clean with some brillo, soapy water and some emery cloth.

How it started off
https://images2.imgbox.com/ea/8d/AdPDyZZU_o.jpg

After much cleaning, rubbing with some wet and dry and masking this is how it stood
https://images2.imgbox.com/eb/9b/FOjtDJAM_o.jpg

After a couple coats
https://images2.imgbox.com/ef/cb/IEOWKGnm_o.jpg

A few more coats later and about 30 mins of drying, I removed the masking tape and left it to fully harden.
https://images2.imgbox.com/d8/0e/iKD6KJ2b_o.jpg

Wanna get the throttle body cleaned up internally and externally, get that sprayed and also the top hat. That's on the agenda for tomorrow hopefully the weather is a bit more friendly.

bakerznova

08-11-10, 09:08 PM

looking good matey

Nova_Tek

08-11-10, 09:10 PM

Yep, I'm loving the fresh silverness of it. Hooked on parts looking mint lol

bakerznova

08-11-10, 09:13 PM

yep carnt beat silver, makes it look nice and original :thumb:

Nova_Tek

08-11-10, 09:17 PM

Too true mate. Not much left to do really, after the throttle body its the rocker cover and block. The fitting time :)

bakerznova

08-11-10, 09:18 PM

i'lll be looking out for more pictures !

Nova_Tek

09-11-10, 10:08 PM

Update

First I went and collected the sump gasket

Then got home and started making some progress on more cleaning and painting.

First up was the top hat. It wasn't overly dirty but still needed a clean. Got out the usual cleaning tools and detergents and gave it a quick scrub. Then a rub down with emery cloth to remove the harder bits, cleaned it with some solvents and got it ready for paint. How it started off
https://images2.imgbox.com/e0/a2/is18GtYQ_o.jpg

Just before painting
https://images2.imgbox.com/25/cc/F1dPGAit_o.jpg

Gave it a few coats of VHT paint, let it dry and it came out like this
https://images2.imgbox.com/d7/66/Q09EI1pc_o.jpg

Happy with the way it looked I put it aside to clean the throttle body, which started off like this:
https://images2.imgbox.com/d7/66/Q09EI1pc_o.jpg

TBH I was expecting it to be filthy like how my bro's XEV throttle body gets but this one was rather minor.
https://images2.imgbox.com/a1/51/IhmqVe31_o.jpg

https://images2.imgbox.com/4f/2d/H7KoIaV4_o.jpg

After some carb cleaner, wd40 and a wipe this is how it looked
https://images2.imgbox.com/d7/88/47hkKkaT_o.jpg

https://images2.imgbox.com/e0/83/LnIr9dcc_o.jpg

Gave the external areas a clean too but didn't paint it as it would've not been done properly due to the linkages etc. But still looks clean compared to how it was.

I then moved on to the various bolts and nuts that secure the tophat and throttle body to the inlet and also fuel rail and also the other two brackets.

They started off like this
https://images2.imgbox.com/d2/85/ZrRVfK7C_o.jpg

into this
https://images2.imgbox.com/42/be/AFfbKUS9_o.jpg

lastly to this
https://images2.imgbox.com/e5/49/Gr6FvwwA_o.jpg

I then made a start on the fuel rail, removed the injectors and clips and started cleaning that up. Didn't manage to finish it as I had to pop out and sort a present for my mums birthday on Friday.

Hopefully have some time on sunday to get that done.

brucer

10-11-10, 06:51 PM

lots of detail in this tek. i agree on the throttle body though, i cleaned mine at work in our washing off tank. i was contemplating taking the linkages off and thought better of it. lol.

Nova_Tek

10-11-10, 07:10 PM

Cheers man, I was kinda wishing at that moment that I had a cleaning tank but just thought 'meh' and soaked it in carb cleaner which got most of the muck off.

Never before finished a brand new can of carb cleaner in two uses lol

brucer

10-11-10, 07:37 PM

haha. great for cleaning and blasting dirt/grime off though. i use brake cleaner because we have it at work on hand.

Nova_Tek

10-11-10, 07:52 PM

TBH I sometimes feel that brake cleaner, engine degreaser and carb cleaner are pretty much the same thing (they all smell pretty much the same lol )

brucer

10-11-10, 08:04 PM

yeh you probably are right. there much difference in price?

Nova_Tek

10-11-10, 08:24 PM

Dunno, the carb cleaner I got was Â£4. They're all around that price but in saying that engine degreaser from a pound shop does the trick and costs way less lol

brucer

10-11-10, 09:03 PM

and at a quid it doesnt matter about wasting it. think ill be investing in a box load when i come to engine building.

keep up the work anyway mate.

Nova_Tek

10-11-10, 09:10 PM

Very true, need to go pass through some ghetto areas and pop into a pound shop see if I can grab some bargains.

Should have some updates soon but work is beginning to really get in the way of the project :cry:

AlexW

10-11-10, 11:54 PM

Is that a wedge on the throttle butterfly?, Is that just a LET thing? Seems a bit gay!

Lee H

11-11-10, 07:01 AM

Dizzy XE's have the wedge as well, the dispack ones don't for some reason.

Nova_Tek

11-11-10, 07:10 PM

Cle

11-11-10, 07:17 PM

cool project this should be smart when its done :thumb: but i hope your tools are spotless or them painted nuts and bolts are going to get dirty lol

Damo

11-11-10, 07:18 PM

Wonder what the reason for the wedge is but I found it a bit unusual. Also didn't realise there was two flaps, one small and one large. The little one opens first then the larger one at a given throttle position.

You can replace the wedge''d one with one from the later dispack the wedge apparently reduces mid range drivabilty but improves with it removed.

Ichanged mine for a dispak butterfly and it seems more resposive between 2000-4000rpm.

Damo.

Nice progress buy the way tek did you manage to sort the c.vs for the shafts i sold you?

Nova_Tek

11-11-10, 07:21 PM

Damo

11-11-10, 07:24 PM

Sounds interesting, I may do that mod but would like to see how it drives before I consider it.

As for the CV's... NO :(

Had a few people say that they can get me a pair for a great price from their factors blah blah etc but unfortunately they've all been dead ends.

Tek P.M david dixon i saw a post earlier offering some 22 spline inner conversion C.V to somebody in parts wanted may worth a try?

Damo.

AlexW

11-11-10, 07:24 PM

Id change the butterfly while its easy to do.

Damo

11-11-10, 07:26 PM

Id change the butterfly while its easy to do.

Yea im glad i did the mod now anyway give a bit better economy too as you need less throttle to maintain a steady speed.

Nova_Tek

11-11-10, 07:26 PM

Tek P.M david dixon i saw a post earlier offering some 22 spline inner conversion C.V to somebody in parts wanted may worth a try?

Damo.

Will pm him cheers Damen :thumb:

Id change the butterfly while its easy to do.

But I won't know if theres actually any difference. Not exactly difficult to change when the engine is fitted.

Damo

11-11-10, 08:27 PM

Did you P.M dave dixon mate?

Nova_Tek

11-11-10, 08:29 PM

yeah did thanks :thumb:

Damo

11-11-10, 08:30 PM

yeah did thanks :thumb:

No worries hope he's still got some for you mate.

Nova_Tek

11-11-10, 08:31 PM

Think he may do :)

Damo

11-11-10, 08:33 PM

Think he may do :)

Good good ;) .

Nova_Tek

11-11-10, 08:34 PM

+rep to you for informing me :thumb:

Damo

11-11-10, 08:35 PM

+rep to you for informing me :thumb:

Many thanks sir. :thumb:

Nova_Tek

16-11-10, 09:40 PM

Update

I started off by wrapping my rear bumper as it's been sold. Took absolute ages but the outcome was nice.

I then got a few bits today via the post and Vauxhall.

First up was the starter motors off eBay that I won the other day (yes I bought two. The price was great and it's always worth having a spare) and the sump gasket
https://images2.imgbox.com/e0/c2/pgqZUM3Q_o.jpg

https://images2.imgbox.com/6c/21/LErWYRwo_o.jpg
http://img530.imageshack.us/img530/506/1002074.jpg

Then I popped to Vauxhall to get the gaskets I ordered last week. Have had no free time to go pick them up so thought today was an opportunity. There are, 2 x throttle body to inlet manifold gasket, Tophat to throttle body gasket, oil pick up seal, crank breather/dipstick gasket. Got all that for Â£5 (thanks to the trade account :d )
https://images2.imgbox.com/47/88/170MdbLL_o.jpg

Really need to make a move on this project but somehow I don't see it happening uber soon due to real busy work schedule.

Nova_Tek

19-11-10, 07:44 PM

Update

Had a spare couple hours so I went and finished off the fuel rail I started a few updates ago.

Tried my best to clean it up and it ended like this
https://images2.imgbox.com/6b/99/OIlfEqBb_o.jpg

And then gave it a few coats of the usual VHT Aluminium silver paint and it ended up like this
https://images2.imgbox.com/9c/81/O7xYYSTi_o.jpg

(pics aren't great as I had to use the phone)
I then thought I'd quickly see how all that wiring has come out by testing things. Connected up a battery I borrowed from the Cav.
Alarm works fine, cd player/speakers/amp work fine, the rear wiper stalk needs going over as it doesn't work exactly how it should. Have an odd problem with some of the little dash illumination bulbs staying on when the battery is connected and headlamps don't come on for a reason but everything else is ok. I know that a few switches/plugs were removed and put back so I'm assuming the faults are there. Need me some days off work to get back into the vibe of wiring

Nova_Tek

22-11-10, 09:42 PM

Update

Spent some time on the Nova today. First emptied the tank of fuel, it filled up two jerry cans to the brim... and got a fair bit on the floor, on my gloves and down my sleeve so I thought it's be a great time to have a smoke lol Don't worry I don't smoke!

After a late lunch, I went back and started to investigate why more than half the electrics weren't working properly and tried to sus out how to wire up the rear wiper to the stalk. Using the multimeter, I tested each free terminal on the back of the stalk to see which does what when switched on, and then tried each wire individually till I got the desired operation. Finally sussed it out and have got the rear wiper working from the stalk (Cav Mk3 hatchback wiper stalk) looks like one wire isn't actually needed.

I then plugged in the rear clusters, and checked the operation of all the electrics. Managed to sort out some of the gremlins that have occurred (mainly coz some stuff wasn't connected and coz of that had undesired affect on the operation of things). So it's looking good. Need to just wire up the perm live to the boot popper and if I'm not mistaken everything will be done and working (bar the engine loom).

The fuel rail has dried and looks spot on together with the inlet all assembled. Wanted to ask if there was a way of cleaning injectors? While they are out I thought I'd give them a clean (if there's a home-made method) and get them back on the rail.

brucer

22-11-10, 09:52 PM

glad youre making the inside all slick and factory looking with that rear wiper stalk. very nice touch buddy.

Nova_Tek

22-11-10, 10:11 PM

Thanks pal, it's so much more practicle too. Will never need to reach over to the toggle switch, it's all at the finger tips so to speak.

The interior, I hope, will end up looking fairly OE with a few added enhancements, but at the moment it looks like a bomb's gone off, stuff everywhere.

Need a garage like yours mate with plenty of room, mine's getting way too crowded to do anything :(

brucer

22-11-10, 10:22 PM

a nova always needs enhancements, other wise who would own a nova? lol.

fortunately i got 2, so the car has one and the other all the crap! its great when you start building the car back up because you start getting more room where you been storing parts. lol

Nova_Tek

22-11-10, 10:27 PM

You are lucky with two, to much crap in mine and most of the crap isn't even mine so I can't just go chuck it or brun it. Makes the big tasks that bit more difficult to work on.

Really need a pit of some sort, or a 2 poster.

Nova_Tek

02-12-10, 09:41 PM

Update

Haven't had much time on the Nova since the last update. Weather has been blitz, the two days I off were spent sorting out the Cav's cooling system and what not.

I found some time in the afternoon to go back and complete some bits in the Nova. Garage was fairly cold so the electric heater came in very handy.

It had been a while since I last was doing some wiring. I wanted to connect up the popper to see if it worked. Done the usual crimping and soldering of connections and I know it was gonna be simple; one wire to earth and one to live, but I sat for 10 minutes or so trying to figure out how to wire up the popper to the rear wiper toggle switch (as that was now redundant) so I can operate it using that when it's in the washer jet position. Sat and thought about it and then it hit me. Connected it up and ta daa... it worked!

Well chuffed, got it in one and even the polarity was right. Such a satisfying sight seeing the boot open on it's own. Now it's a case of flicking the switch to on and pushing the switch up for a split second and pop!

Wired up the speakers into the passenger door, all that was fine and put back most interior trim bar a couple bits. Only odd thing I saw was the dash lights. They would constantly be on very dim when the door is shut i.e. interior light is off. Open the door and they go off. Stick the headlights on and they light up full as they should. Really cannot, for the life of me, think why they would do that especially as I didn't really mess with the original loom. Must be a rogue wire or earth.

Need to buy a few in-line fuses and a relay for the heated front screen and then the interior is done :d

Oh... sorry for the lack of pics :)

Damo

02-12-10, 09:45 PM

Nice to see an update tek did you get the C.V's sorted.

Nova_Tek

02-12-10, 09:47 PM

Na mate, have totally forgotten about them lol Think I need to drop some hints for a xmas present.

Had so much shizzle on my plate that I've forgotten what I need to buy. Will be getting the turbo and engine loom this month.

Damo

02-12-10, 09:48 PM

Nova_Tek

02-12-10, 09:56 PM

I'll let you know mate, have arranged to get one from a fellow PNG'er mid month together with the turbo when my PayPal limits are reset lol Should I still need one I'll drop you a PM.

:thumb:

Damo

02-12-10, 09:57 PM

I'll let you know mate, have arranged to get one from a fellow PNG'er mid month when my PayPal limits are reset lol SHould I still need one I'll drop you a PM.

:thumb:

No probs mate.:)

bakerznova

04-12-10, 09:13 PM

any updates on this bud ?

Nova_Tek

04-12-10, 09:22 PM

Apart from the on the other day... no.

I bought a headset which was listed wrong so I gotta sort that out. I did however get a plug cover which I'm looking to gold plate :d Also bought some inline fuse holders from Maplins. Need to buy a relay for the heated screen. Just need to wire up the heated screen and we're done for all the internal wiring :D Thank god. Then should be getting the turbo and engine loom this month too.

Got two days off during the week so should get that sorted.

:thumb:

How the exhaust mate? You fitted it? Any pics? ;)

bakerznova

04-12-10, 09:27 PM

Nova_Tek

04-12-10, 09:33 PM

Cool mate, will try get some pics up (will need to take one of the plug cover anyway).

But the stuff I'm doing now is a bit difficult to get pics of as it's just wires and stuff. The interesting stuff should be quite soon (aiming to get the engine fitted for the new year) as I've had enough of public transport in this freezing weather lol

bakerznova

04-12-10, 09:35 PM

Nova_Tek

04-12-10, 09:37 PM

Latest January mate, really want it on the road for then, miss driving it.

bakerznova

04-12-10, 09:41 PM

fair enough
bet you carnt wait

Nova_Tek

04-12-10, 09:46 PM

No mate really cannot. Firstly, for the fact that I'll be driving my own car after 2 and a half years and not someone else's and the fact that it'll have a bit more power lol.

Just wanna drive it though, even if it was a 1.2.

bakerznova

04-12-10, 09:50 PM

Nova_Tek

08-12-10, 07:33 PM

Update

Bit of an annoying one as I've got a bit pissed off and just left working on it.

Went in to start wiring up the heated screen. But before I did that I thought I'd just check that the rear popper which I finished wiring up was ok before I put back the steering column covers.

The popper worked wonders but upon putting on the indicators the rear wiper came on lol :wtf: Checked that I didn't accidentally wire something up incorrectly and for damaged wires. Everything looked ok but still getting the wiper operation on indicator operation. So I checked the hazard switch and the same thing would happen. So I delved deeper. Put the heater fan on and the rear wiper would come on :wtf: Stick the sidelights on and all is ok, switch to dipped beam on headlight switch and rear wiper comes on :mad:

What on earth is going on?

I thought back to when I was wiring up the popper (as everything was ok before I did). So I disconnected the popper so it would not operate... same thing. I then disconnected the extended wiring to the wiper stalk for the rear wiper... same thing. I then plugged back the original wiper switch to the original plug... still the same.

This has got me rather baffled as I haven't modified the original wiring. All I did for the rear wiper to work on the stalk was to extend 2 wires from the original rear wiper plug to the stalk. And for the popper I took a live feed from stereo switch to the popper live and an earth. If they were the problem upon, reverting back to the original wiring should have stopped giving me the gremlins.

After really getting cheesed off I left it as is and came in lol .

Anyone hazard a guess as to why it's going crazy? Like I said I haven't modified, cut or removed original wiring only extended the rear wiper wires from the plug. All the other wiring work I did was stereo and alarm which work fine.

AlexW

08-12-10, 08:17 PM

Earth fault

Nova_Tek

08-12-10, 08:40 PM

would the fact that a lot of the earth points in the engine bay arent fitted, could these be causing these problems?

Benn

08-12-10, 10:16 PM

I'd start with them yes.

Nova_Tek

08-12-10, 10:26 PM

Well no engine means that almost all the bay earths are not fastened to the chassis the only earths fitted now are the ones in the cabin.

Benn

08-12-10, 10:29 PM

Ones in the boot fitted? Ones behind the dash fitted?

Nova_Tek

08-12-10, 10:30 PM

yeah ones behind the dash and in the boot as far as I'm aware are fitted. I only removed the loom from the bay and then put it back. Didn't undo any earth behind the dash or in the car unless I was working on something and even then put it back.

dj_wudgey

08-12-10, 10:46 PM

hope you get this done soon matey!! its a nice motor will be nice to see her back on the road!!

Nova_Tek

08-12-10, 11:46 PM

Thanks dude, but I'm a bit frustrated about these minor gremlins. Dunno how they came about. Needs sorting, but the way things are with work may have to settle for xmas to finish for me to be able to buckle down and get it done. Want it done for Jan by the latest.

maddogdaz666

09-12-10, 11:03 AM

any recent pics? i cant wait to see this project finished.

Nova_Tek

09-12-10, 08:23 PM

Na mate, no pics of recent. Just boring electrical work and boy is it boring.

I'm currently wishing that a day had 48 hours in it. 8 hours for work 8 hours to sleep and the rest on the Nova lol

maddogdaz666

10-12-10, 05:59 PM

i know exactly how u feel! Im trying to fit about 48 hours of work in a day, 7 days a week!!

auzzy-b

10-12-10, 07:22 PM

Looks like it's going to be a stunning car this mate

Nova_Tek

10-12-10, 07:40 PM

Southie

10-12-10, 08:17 PM

Ain't this gold rust heap finished yet lol

Glad you've kept going on this chief, looking forward to seeing some piccies of the Midas beauty ;)

Nova_Tek

10-12-10, 08:46 PM

Cheers Sir Southie. Rust heap? You must be on about the Nova lol

Looking forward to xmas just finishing so I can spend some time finishing it off.

auzzy-b

10-12-10, 11:13 PM

Cheers Auzzy, think when I see it all done I'll be forgiving all the electrical problems that have come about. Can't wait to see it finished.

You have left me well behind with your project lol Bet you're loving using your Nova now.
lol i still havn't started on the bodywork yet thou... to busy enjoying it because its loadsa fun:d ! and gets plenty of attention:thumb:

Nova_Tek

11-12-10, 09:01 PM

Oh right, didn't notice. Looks clean on the face of it. Makes me feel a bit better then lol

moffat

11-12-10, 09:42 PM

any more progress buddy?

Nova_Tek

11-12-10, 09:43 PM

no mate, work getting in the way of free time.

moffat

11-12-10, 09:45 PM

ahh i used to the feeling. weather bad up here atm

Nova_Tek

11-12-10, 09:50 PM

Weather has actually been fairly mild for winter standards (about 6 degrees tonight). Just work been rather busy.

A spot of mild weather and a few days off back to back should see the copper fuel pipes get fitted and the electrics sorted out.

Nova_Tek

11-12-10, 10:04 PM

Opinion on these wheels people?

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aGmtmdBDWps/Sw_9NzsM8lI/AAAAAAAAAVM/lk6lOJfQjdQ/s1600/LM_DSPK_sm.jpg

http://i41.tinypic.com/6qjupw.jpg

http://image24.webshots.com/24/4/80/8/36348008QuAaBG_fs.jpg

Looking for this look on the Nova this style polished. There's one problem though... they only start off from 18" :cry:

BenL

11-12-10, 10:29 PM

Reps or genuine?

maddogdaz666

11-12-10, 10:30 PM

if they do em in 15'' or 16'', GET EM!

Nova_Tek

11-12-10, 10:40 PM

Don't care about reps or genuine, obviously genuine would be cool but as long as they look like the above rims I'd be well happy. Really want to find them in 15" or 16". They are just sex!

BenL

11-12-10, 10:47 PM

Don't think you can get them in anything other than 17"+ in reps.

Nova_Tek

11-12-10, 10:48 PM

I know, so far only wound them in 18". But I won't give up. Lathe FTW lol

novacabrio

11-12-10, 11:08 PM

BBS LMs, I dont think you will find them narrow enough for a Novawith outmajor archmods. Or else there would be a set in 16" on my car!! The moment they do I will have some! You may be worth considering VW Polo GTI rims if you want a BBS style, 6.5x16 et42

Polo rims
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Genuine-VW-BBS-16-alloy-wheels-MK4-Golf-/330506488817?pt=UK_CarParts_Acc_Wheels_tyres_Rims_ Car_Wheels_ET&hash=item4cf3b8cbf1

16inch BBS LMs replicas (7J wide!!)
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/16-SILVER-BBS-LM-STYLE-ALLOYS-VW-Polo-Golf-Corrado-/260678373864?pt=UK_CarParts_Acc_Wheels_tyres_Trims _Car_Rims_ET&hash=item3cb1a451e8

Need a bit of arch work or live with the rubbing!

Buy them and fit them and I will for ever admire this car!

ETA: Polo rims are 5 stud but you can get a 4 stud version, and the LMs are et35!!

Nova_Tek

11-12-10, 11:11 PM

Thanks for the links mate. Don't like them Polo wheels. The 2nd link is good but 7j and 35ET is gonna rub like a fat birds inner thighs lol

Looks like I'm still on the search for some wheels but I'm really feeling the BBS split rim wheel designs.

novacabrio

11-12-10, 11:17 PM

Main reason to find wheels before bodyshop work comences! I think you will be looking for a long time to find anything like this that will go straight on with no work after you've had the car painted. I have hunted to death for some but theyre all 7J wide + and not ET compatable. The easiest, quickest and only real solution for this type of work will be to send the car back for more paint and have them adjust the arches to fit around the wheels. Something I can't see happening.

Like I say I have spent years looking for a BBS style rim in 16" to go straight on a Nova

Nova_Tek

11-12-10, 11:22 PM

Have had the arches rolled all the way literally flat. I want to maintain the Nova's current handling, the wheels are ET42 so don't want to go any further away from the magic 49. So any wheels needing huge work or silly offsets I wont get and I've said that from the start. As a style though, that's what I'm looking for. Tis a shame but that's life.

novacabrio

11-12-10, 11:24 PM

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/16-CADES-EROS-set-4-silver-alloy-wheels-vauxhall-/300436854948?pt=UK_CarParts_Acc_Wheels_tyres_Trims _Car_Rims_ET&hash=item45f36e98a4

closest you'll get!

Nova_Tek

11-12-10, 11:31 PM

Cheers for the link fella, but that offset isn't for me. The search will continue for something else.

Current wheels are 6.5j ET42 and easily fit under the new arches, so I got a benchmark at least. Hey ho, I shall search for other nice wheels.

Nova_Tek

22-12-10, 07:37 PM

UPDATE

I was hoping to put up a pretty meaty update as it's been a while but unfortunately this isn't one.

Had a few days off but the freezing cold really didn't motivate me to do anything. As today was much milder I popped in the garage to see what's gwaanin'.

First was to put back the wiring for the wiper stalk and boot popper to how they were as I had reverted the wiring back to factory due to an earth problem. I then tidied up my boot and rearranged things so I could get some more bits in there. I also realised that I made a silly mistake when wiring up the boot popper. Rather then just picking an earth in the boot I extended 3 metres of wire just to earth it somewhere else. I cut down the wire and earthed it to the boot.

Still haven't been able to figure out which earth is messing me about and operating the rear wiper when I use the headlamps, indicators, fan blower, high beam etc.

Here's a pic of the plug cover I got recently
https://images2.imgbox.com/88/fa/biqBhVg4_o.jpg

Maybe my next update will be more interesting.

Novasport

23-12-10, 12:02 AM

AlexW

23-12-10, 12:05 AM

I saw those wheels on a BM today, Thought they looked good.

Nova_Tek

23-12-10, 12:42 AM

^ BBS LM's?

The Simps

23-12-10, 02:15 AM

LMs rock! I have 8.5x18s on my vectra. Love em. That is all lol

Edd

23-12-10, 02:18 AM

Those BBS' look ok, would not suit a Nova tho IMO

dj_wudgey

23-12-10, 12:43 PM

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/16-CADES-EROS-set-4-silver-alloy-wheels-vauxhall-/300436854948?pt=UK_CarParts_Acc_Wheels_tyres_Trims _Car_Rims_ET&hash=item45f36e98a4

closest you'll get!

they are well nice!! they would look good on the nova!!!

mayhem

23-12-10, 05:17 PM

it's (almost) impossible to find small bbs splits in a high offset.

RM starts at 6.5 et33. you could rebuild a set of 3 piece RS's to 6j. but that wont be cheap.

Nova_Tek

23-12-10, 07:27 PM

^ yeah it looks like it mate.

All the uber cool BBS rims are just silly offset non-Nova friendly :(

mayhem

24-12-10, 09:08 AM

i did a quick google...

hunt down a set of BBS RS 189.
from what i've read, they where designed for honda's and are 6j et38.

mayhem

24-12-10, 09:26 AM

or run 5stud...

http://cgi.ebay.de/BBS-RM024-rs-16-6-5j-satz-/220713227871?pt=Auto_Felgen&hash=item336388965f

Nova_Tek

24-12-10, 08:09 PM

Cheers for that Mayhem, appreciate all the research you're doing. Wheels are my very last priority tbh but I know it'll take a long time to find wheels that will suit the Nova down to the ground and that fit, hence why I'm looking now.

shed-on-wheels

24-12-10, 08:23 PM

this is certainly a guy with eye for detail well done dude will be a stunning show car keep it up and merry christmas :D

Nova_Tek

24-12-10, 08:35 PM

Thanks you mate :thumb:

Show car maybe, daily deffo :)

shed-on-wheels

24-12-10, 08:38 PM

thats the same im hoping to do with F100 SAB daily driver but attend shows to :)

Nova_Tek

24-12-10, 08:39 PM

It's always nice to have a show car but I'd be so wanting to drive it and enjoy the hard work I've put into it not just at shows/ a few times per year

shed-on-wheels

24-12-10, 08:41 PM

yes fella my point exactly but this is a really nice colour and thegte and snowplough in that high gloss black just sets it right off dude

Nova_Tek

24-12-10, 08:46 PM

Thank you, glad you like it too.

If you read the whole thread, you'll know that I was a bit apprehensive about doing the bumpers in black gloss but I knew it was something different and not seen much. I am so glad I did choose black as it really suits it down to the ground. The front end looks proper mean and with the engine fitted and sitting at it's lower ride height it should just finish the stance right off.

It's amazing how the rear bumper has given the Nova more of a planted look too. Just want it finished now. New years resolution (well one of them) get the Nova done asap! :)

shed-on-wheels

24-12-10, 08:55 PM

well i have alot of work to do but im finding it hard to source parts how hard is it to find a steering colum and a gsi car loom lol

Nova_Tek

24-12-10, 08:57 PM

You got a project thread? Just put up wanted ad's on here mate I'm sure someone will have some. Or email Novarally, he has untold parts normally.

shed-on-wheels

24-12-10, 08:59 PM

yes dude its called F100 SAB and yeah i have but no one replied for the loom or colum and also pm'd nova ralley dude

dj_wudgey

24-12-10, 09:04 PM

or run 5stud...

http://cgi.ebay.de/BBS-RM024-rs-16-6-5j-satz-/220713227871?pt=Auto_Felgen&hash=item336388965f

id love a set off these just dotn want to f*ck about with the arches ect well not on the sr any way!! if i get a saloon im defo after some bbs badboys lol

Nova_Tek

24-12-10, 09:08 PM

yes dude its called F100 SAB and yeah i have but no one replied for the loom or colum and also pm'd nova ralley dude

Cool, I shall check it out.

Don't PM Novarally mate, only emails will do for him. I'd email him and you'll get a reply for sure. :)

shed-on-wheels

24-12-10, 10:32 PM

emailed nova rally and got a reply lol maybe having a steering column and 1.6 8v from him but not got a gsi loom lol

Nova_Tek

24-12-10, 10:34 PM

Email is the way with him... still a bit of a result :thumb:

shed-on-wheels

27-12-10, 01:17 AM

any update dude im itching to see this lol

Nova_Tek

27-12-10, 07:05 PM

Sorry mate, Started back at work today so no time to do any work on it :(

Nova_Tek

18-01-11, 07:28 PM

UPDATE

It's certainly been a while, busy with work even after xmas and had too shoot off abroad for 10 days to sort some things out.

Got back today to find a few bits that I had actually forgot about, which arrived whilst I was away.

Turbo & manifold
https://images2.imgbox.com/25/63/F93Hcfj5_o.jpg
http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/113/1002093e.jpg

The turbo could do with a clean, considering if it's worth giving it a lick of VHT paint like the rest of the engine has had. I'll be inspecting all the hoses for their condition and probably will look for a new actuator.

Wiring loom in with all wires and plugs in great condition, uncut, undamaged
https://images2.imgbox.com/0c/86/ga5oMXZp_o.jpg
http://img529.imageshack.us/img529/6296/1002094y.jpg

Will probably wrap some of the loom where the fabric tape has deteriorated. Come to think of it, apart from the inner CV's (which I'll be getting next month) I'm pretty sure that's all the parts present to get it running and driving.

I just need to get cracking!

L14MNP

19-01-11, 12:19 PM

Sounds great dude. Free up some time and get the LET in. :)

Nova_Tek

19-01-11, 09:01 PM

Those are the plans dude, think Feb may be the month ;)

kevster

19-01-11, 09:44 PM

what a thread just , well hat off to you !!!!!
cant wait to she her all done !:)

Nova_Tek

19-01-11, 09:51 PM

Cheers Kevster, thanks for reading it through. Hopefully the next update is one of me doing some work on it lol

Nova_Tek

26-01-11, 08:21 PM

UPDATE

Another tiny one though :( Just can't seem to find the time after work to make a start on anything.

I'm waiting on February to come round and my rota looks a lot more reasonable and should hopefully have all my colleagues back at work. I may be shooting off again in the next 10 days or so for a few days so unless I get a few days off before then I can't see much being done :mad:

But I did get something in the post today
https://images2.imgbox.com/85/3d/CeQGfzKa_o.jpg

http://img710.imageshack.us/img710/4960/1002099a.jpg
I so wanna get this done but time is of limited amount at the moment.

shed-on-wheels

26-01-11, 08:26 PM

very nice dude im stripping sab back down now fella going to start again not happy with it atall

Nova_Tek

26-01-11, 08:28 PM

Best to get it done to exactly how you want whilst it's at this stage dude, otherwise once it's done and put back together you'll regret anything that you didn't like.

shed-on-wheels

26-01-11, 09:07 PM

exactly well said dude well looks like il be taking the mighty 1.2 corsa c to pvs now then lol

Nova_Tek

26-01-11, 09:14 PM

That's why there are Corsa's. To take us places while the Nova is sorted lol

Count Vaux Alot

26-01-11, 09:35 PM

Good to see some progress. The actuator looks like its seen its best - VHT paint wont last long so prob not worth doing.

Nova_Tek

26-01-11, 09:55 PM

yeah the actuator deffo looks a bit crusty and it's probably a lot worse. Will be on the look out for a replacement. Is it worth going for an 'uprated' one?

May just do the VHT so it looks clean. If it burns off then it burns off. Just hate seeing it look manky. I think I've got Benn-itis! lol

shed-on-wheels

27-01-11, 01:45 AM

lol at the corsa bit and if your going uprated it all depends on what amount of bhp your wanting to run and isit worth spending more than an original would be

Nova_Tek

27-01-11, 08:20 PM

At the moment I"m not looking at any further BHP increase. All I'm thinking about is getting it all done and to drive it. Can I buy an uprated one and use it with it's standard power?

I guess it also depends on cost. If I can buy an uprated one for not much more than a standard one but it works better or handles more power then it may be worth doing.

brucer

27-01-11, 08:33 PM

theres this one...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Vauxhall-Cavalier-Turbo-4x4-16v-C20LET-Uprated-Actuator-/120673001999?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item1c18abe20f

i spoke to these people when i was down santa pod for some show, they said there very high quality and have had them running on phase 3. which if you wanted to go bigger power then you got the option.

or...

http://www.forgemotorsport.co.uk/content.asp?inc=product&cat=0001&product=FMACVCAL

which ive heard is great for higher boost levels. in the link it does state you can use it for standard or higher boost rates.

Nova_Tek

27-01-11, 08:36 PM

Cheers Brucer.

From the description they can both be used for standard and higher boost. Although there is a fair price difference. It'll probably cost as much as the TX one to buy a standard one new if not more expensive so it looks like a no brainer tbh.

Southie

27-01-11, 08:38 PM

Nice to see your still plodding along with this Mr Tek, any plans on some meets this year?

Keep going ;)

Nova_Tek

27-01-11, 08:43 PM

Only just about plodding along Southie. Any plans made will be after the completion of it so at the moment with it being in bits I've not thought about it.

Nova_Tek

31-01-11, 08:28 PM

UPDATE

Day off today, so after many hours of running around tryna get stuff sorted I had a couple free hours to try get some work done. I thought I'd crack on with the boot lid ex-lock hole. It needed to be sorted to protect it against rust and as far as the boot goes everything is order so I can just get that out the way.

I removed the boot popper out the way (which works absolute wonders) and got to the offending bit. Here's what it looked like:
https://images2.imgbox.com/aa/b7/7paErnZg_o.jpg

Some rubbing down with emery cloth to get the flakey stuff off got it to this point (was tough rubbing down the bit in the middle, ended up with grazed fingers )
https://images2.imgbox.com/61/4d/T28STaev_o.jpg

Masked up the local area
https://images2.imgbox.com/9b/dc/lhroe4mk_o.jpg

Blew away all the dust and debris from the rubbing down, gave it a wipe with solvents and proceeded to give it a couple coats of etch primer. (A bit runny oops!)
https://images2.imgbox.com/f7/94/KD0Uvt8o_o.jpg

I then raided the paints cupboard and found some gold hammerite. I have no idea how long it's been there for but I thought I'd use it... wasn't the best idea as it looked a bit weird when spraying! Very runny, the colour wasn't very consistent. I shook the can for what seemed like ages but no change, the nozzle must have been semi-blocked as it was spitting a lot too. Could've been the fact that the garage was also cold or just all those things combining together to make a rubbish coat. Luckily it's in a position that will not be seen at all so I gave it a extra coat and left it to dry. Not the best finish I know but not too bothered about it tbh:
https://images2.imgbox.com/78/fa/lsWmmSdx_o.jpg

Whilst it was drying, I did a spot of tidying up in the garage and decided to start some stuff on the engine. First port of call was to whip off the cam cover to see what it was like under there and to prepare the cover for paint.
Got out the correct hex bit and removed the cam cover bolts. Some were very easy to undo. A few however were very tight and I ended up breaking the handle trying to undo them and then dinner was ready

Roll on spring is all I say, really isn't the weather or the temperature to work on cars at the moment.

shed-on-wheels

01-02-11, 12:21 AM

looking good fella im going to start striping mine asap now

Nova_Tek

25-03-11, 08:00 PM

UPDATE

Had a day off yesterday so managed to fit in a bit of time to go look for a engine mount. Took the advise of a few people on here and popped into EuroCarParts. Finally they had a part which they actually did... O/S engine mount for Â£10.44 - Quality looks good can't complain to be honest.
https://images2.imgbox.com/1c/84/YDfJAa9Z_o.jpg

https://images2.imgbox.com/0a/87/2rXe5okE_o.jpg

The weather has been good for the past few days so I'm really hoping that it continues. Work should return to normal hours so I should have more normal time to start working on the Nova again.

The Cav going off to bodyshop should see some bits out the garage and free up some space on the drive to work a bit more freely.

Roll on pay day!

brucer

26-03-11, 09:06 AM

omg an update! lol

will the nova be out and about this show season tek?

Nova_Tek

26-03-11, 08:06 PM

We'll find out mate lol

Nova_Tek

10-04-11, 10:05 PM

UPDATE

Another part added to the parts bin. I bought it on Thursday night, off eBay, and it arrived Saturday morning. At first it didn't occur to me what it was as the box was light, but when I opened the box I saw this
https://images2.imgbox.com/b7/8c/1HeQOSFX_o.jpg

https://images2.imgbox.com/cd/4b/FmhICzqx_o.jpg

Got three days off in a row this week so should have time to start some work on the Nova (weather permitting... I've probably just jinxed myself)

Got some M6x20 bolts on it's way too.

maddogdaz666

11-04-11, 03:03 AM

surely you can start putting it together now? :) keep up the good work tho buddy :)

Nova_Tek

11-04-11, 12:24 PM

^ Yes mate I probably should start but it's a case of time and space. With the Cav going off to the bodyshop today that should now be a bit more possible.

:thumb:

maddogdaz666

11-04-11, 12:50 PM

yay!! :d !

AdamK

11-04-11, 04:13 PM

just read through the whole thread and it looks amazing what i want to do with mine eventually have some rep:d

brucer

11-04-11, 08:08 PM

that a tx bottom pulley tek?

Nova_Tek

12-04-11, 12:08 AM

yay!! :d !

Yay indeed :)

just read through the whole thread and it looks amazing what i want to do with mine eventually have some rep:d

Thanks Adam, appreciate the rep. I should start making more progress in the coming weeks so hopefully it continues to be of interest to you :thumb:

that a tx bottom pulley tek?

Yes pal, tx pulley. This is the plated one (which is actually cheaper than the non-plated one :confused:

Nova_Tek

12-04-11, 12:42 AM

UPDATE

Well it's been a while for sure so today was the day to continue what I started.

As the engine still needs to go in, I concentrated on the engine loom. This is how it looked when I first got it:
https://images2.imgbox.com/0c/86/ga5oMXZp_o.jpg
And this is how it looked after a damn good clean with some fairly liquid and foamed up sponge. I also made a start on taking off all the rubbish, sticky, worn out, peeling fabric loom tape and damaged and cracked plastic loom tubing. Boy did it make a mess of the floor!
https://images2.imgbox.com/5b/6f/XWUIzdzk_o.jpg

Here's the amount of crap removed
https://images2.imgbox.com/57/c0/mbMjhFBO_o.jpg

I then got down to business of re-taping up the loom but this time using self amalgamating tape. Real top stuff... sticks on to it self when wrapping and it becomes totally water proof. Before (with all the crappy tape removed and cleaned):
https://images2.imgbox.com/f9/94/ISpVqrZu_o.jpg

and after it's wrapped with self amalgamating
https://images2.imgbox.com/0e/a7/tI29TXup_o.jpg

The trick with the self amalgamating is to slightly stretch the tape whilst wrapping so it shrinks and seals on to the tape below. You really do need to have 3 hands to do this wrapping... unfortunately I only have 3 legs! And here's the end result after doing it all. Took a good 3 hours to clean, wipe, cut out the mess and re-wrap... I'm bushed!
https://images2.imgbox.com/00/4c/imQRjTiK_o.jpg

I've left the part of the loom that's in the cabin un-wrapped for now as I'll be wrapping that part in self extinguishing fabric loom tape (the same stuff I used for the rest of the interior wiring).

Now it's off to sleep!

brucer

12-04-11, 08:12 AM

excellent job on the loom, cant wait to see lots more progress.

the reason i asked if it was a tx pulley was because i placed an order with them before you and still havnt received nothing. they must take ebay purchases as priority. they'll be getting an email.

Nova_Tek

12-04-11, 12:50 PM

Oh right ok. Well this arrived super fast... in 24 hours. Maybe ebay is priority as feedback is probably of huge importance to them. Hope to do somemore work when I get home.

Nova_Tek

12-04-11, 09:34 PM

UPDATE

Had a few things to do this morning which took a few hours but mid-afternoon I was able to free up some time and go do some shopping.

Popped into AllParts to get some essentials. Sourced coolant sensor (temp gauge), rotor arm, thermostat.

Prices were crazy cheap:
Â£4+ vat for the coolant sensor
https://images2.imgbox.com/ec/35/xUHkF9eC_o.jpg

Â£7+ vat for the rotor arm
https://images2.imgbox.com/1c/87/Jyxi4zKi_o.jpg

Â£17 for the thermostat (92 Deg).
https://images2.imgbox.com/df/87/mrEz4ACH_o.jpg

Also went and got another couple cans of Halfords VHT Aluminium spray (some good sh*t ).
Still need to get a dizzy cap, cam and crank sensor, Coolant Temp Sensor (ECU), leads, plugs... think that's it.

Anyone recommend good sparks and leads to get don't wanna break the bank as I'm only gonna run standard power but still don't wanna buy cheap crap. I got home and got the thermostat stuff out. The housing was in good order just needed some minor limescale to be taken off and cleaned up. The one I bought came with the first part of the housing included (the bit that holds the actual stat not the one that bolts to the block) but the current one is the proper GM one which looks like it allows more water flow. So I decided to clean them up a bit. Here they are as they came off the block:
https://images2.imgbox.com/66/ef/uJrcNL5C_o.jpg

Started cleaning the main body of the housing, once dry, gave it a few coats of VHT aluminium paint. After a bit of a clean:
https://images2.imgbox.com/bb/7a/NPCGd2PQ_o.jpg

Then moved on to the actual stat housing. Removed most of the scaling around the opening and masked it up
and then gave that a couple coats too. Also did the bolts at the same time.
https://images2.imgbox.com/7c/00/gxdhB7jX_o.jpg

Here they are after they dried:
https://images2.imgbox.com/a4/a4/6GtSB4g7_o.jpg

I then tried to put the new stat into the original GM stat housing... oh dear... the new stat is slightly shorted so wont snap into place. No choice but to use the new stat with its own housing.

Quick question though... Where on the block is the actual Coolant Temp Sensor (ECU) (doesn't seem to be one on the block), where should the temp gauge sensor go? (can't find that either) and does the dizzy cap on the LET have a spacer or something bewteen it and the distributor housing?

Nova_Tek

13-04-11, 02:45 PM

UPDATE

Made my way over to another motorfactor to see if I could get hold of some more bits.

Got myself the CTS for the ECU
https://images2.imgbox.com/25/e1/Bz1OXAl3_o.jpg

Water pump with a metal impellor (none of the plastic nonsense)
https://images2.imgbox.com/d4/da/COPmILtn_o.jpg

And I also ordered in the dizzy as it was by far the cheapest I've been quotes. But I'l need to pop out and grab that a bit later as it's on order.
These also came in the post

10 x M6x20 - nuts, blots and washers.
https://images2.imgbox.com/0d/96/vpEg9K8r_o.jpg

So... first thing was to finish off the thermostat. Now that I've sussed where the CTS's go I fitted those to the housing. Trial fitted them both to make sure they'd tighten properly as there was a bit of scale in the threads.

Took them off and applied a drop of liquid gasket, this stuff
https://images2.imgbox.com/e3/4f/QB0zSA3l_o.jpg

I started adding this gasket sealant a while back as reassurance to help seal things up and have used it ever since. Once both sensors were in, I applied some of the above sealant to the mating surface of the housing and then tightened down the thermostat. The finished article (god I love it when things look new )
https://images2.imgbox.com/5a/d9/Av73PBvK_o.jpg

Think I deserve some lunch

Nova_Tek

13-04-11, 09:00 PM

UPDATE CONTINUED

Next up was the turbo. This is how it looked when I got it
https://images2.imgbox.com/80/ec/1uDKIIFo_o.jpg

I couldn't have it looking like that when everything will look clean and new. So I removed all the hoses and the actuator which I'll be replacing as it's well crusty. Most of the hoses are in good condition but a couple have perished so new ones will be needed. I gave it a good going over with a wire bush, emery cloth and wire wool with a bit of detergent to remove grease and other residue.

I then tried my best to mask it made a bit of a hash of it but it done the trick
https://images2.imgbox.com/1b/7b/73nKPCfd_o.jpg

I then gave it a wipe with some thinners to remove any left over rubbish and applied a good few coats of VHT paint. Let it dry properly and removed the masking:
https://images2.imgbox.com/f8/2c/0AI6q1X2_o.jpg

Didn't have time to go pick up the dizzy and I'm working from tomorrow through to Sunday so only thing I can do for now is shop for more bits

Rich

13-04-11, 09:38 PM

theres no need for sealant on the sensors, thats what the copper washers are for lol

Looking good, i havent got the patience for stuff like that

Lee H

13-04-11, 09:59 PM

That looks like the wrong rotor arm, never seen one like that before with the two screws in, just slides on to the distributor normally.

Also good look with the motorfactors coolant temp sensor, I fitted one once and gave me no end of problems. Genuine GM ones are only Â£10.

http://www.max-boost.co.uk/max-boost/images/LET/fuelling_ignition_cooling/DizzyRotor.jpg

Rich

13-04-11, 10:04 PM

is the temp sensor bosch? if it is sure it will be fine and lee is right on the rotor arm. Why didnt you just get a used dizzy? or do you mean just the cap?

Nova_Tek

14-04-11, 01:44 AM

^ I know that's why they have copper washers but it's just an extra precaution really. Never done any harm. The CTS is bosch. I meant the dizzy cap.

That looks like the wrong rotor arm, never seen one like that before with the two screws in, just slides on to the distributor normally.

Also good look with the motorfactors coolant temp sensor, I fitted one once and gave me no end of problems. Genuine GM ones are only Â£10.

http://www.max-boost.co.uk/max-boost/images/LET/fuelling_ignition_cooling/DizzyRotor.jpg

I'll be checking the rotor arm tomorrow was gonna do it as this rotor arm looks very much like the ones on the SEH.

Nova_Tek

14-04-11, 07:53 PM

My brother went and picked up my dizzy today:
http://img403.imageshack.us/img403/4471/1002208i.jpg

was thinking to go do some more work but I've got one hell of a headache so I'm playing Forza instead lol

brucer

14-04-11, 08:15 PM

nice up date on the bits, im yet to source my sensors and tidy my turbo up. yours came out pretty nice. well done. :)

Nova_Tek

14-04-11, 08:21 PM

Cheers dude (still need to look for that hazard switch for you I'll probably find out over the weekend).

I've started sourcing bits now just to save time. But most of the stuff is well priced. In terms of parts all thats really left is cam belt and rollers, actuator, inner cv's (hopefully David Dixon will sort me out for those), sump baffle, leads & plugs, cam and crank sensors.

Where did you get your baffle from?

The turbo looked a mess so it had to get done, once you paint you can't stop really lol

brucer

14-04-11, 08:59 PM

my baffle was from autovaux in the bottem end gasket kit.

i got my plugs (ngk bcr8es) today from a local factors along with leads. leads were Â£20.30 with vat.

is yours and early or late engine?

Nova_Tek

14-04-11, 09:09 PM

true true, I did see a AutoVaux ad in TV which showed the baffle. Will have a look see. Did you get iridium plugs or normal ones? No idea if it's late or early tbh. What am I looking out for to determin if it's the late or early engine?

brucer

14-04-11, 09:15 PM

i got normal plugs.

square tooth pulleys are late and round tooth pulleys are early. most easiest way to determine. also the late has 2 guide pulleys near enough next to each other where as the early has one guide pulley.

Nova_Tek

14-04-11, 11:51 PM

Cheers pal, I'll go have a look in my free time. I found the AutoVaux ad in TV. Elring baffle Â£19.95 (without screws) I'm assuming the stainless steel sump kit screws and washers I got will work with it (am I right in thinking that one screw fixes the sump gaskest and baffle at the same time?)

brucer

15-04-11, 06:19 PM

the gasket is the baffle, you need to use m6 x 20mm bolts with this gasket/baffle and m6 x 25 for the 2 end ones.

Nova_Tek

15-04-11, 07:20 PM

I thought the baffle went in first then the gasket. I'm pretty sure it was either Vaux or one of the motorfactors that explained that to me. I purchased a stainless steels screw sump kit off ebay.

http://img19.imageshack.us/img19/6491/1002015w.jpg

Need to return the rotor arm as it is the wrong one :roll:

brucer

15-04-11, 11:22 PM

http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z24/bachilds1988/DSCN2504.jpg

this is my one, the gasket is part of the baffle. make sure you bend the correct tab out of the way before fitting it though.

Nova_Tek

16-04-11, 07:45 PM

So you saying that I don't need to fit a gasket? just the baffle with its own gasket?

Rich

16-04-11, 07:54 PM

If your fitting the gasket in the pic above yes. The let/xe us a metal one in between 2 cork gaskets which always leak, the rubber is the gasket with the baffle built into it so no need for anything else. You will need slightly shorter bolts so they dont bottom out.

Nova_Tek

16-04-11, 07:57 PM

Ahhh ok gotcha, must've misunderstood the chap at Vauxhall. So all I need is to buy the sump baffle with the rubber gasket and the correct bolts.

Cheers Rich :thumb:

Nova_Tek

17-04-11, 09:55 PM

UPDATE

Got home from work about 4:30 and as it was still daylight and sunny, I decided to crack on with some straight forward quick work. It was the turn of the crankcase breather/dipstick pipe. This is how it came off the engine:

https://images2.imgbox.com/68/2c/cXyqZ5hP_o.jpg

This is it after a rub town with 240 grit wet and dry and a wash with detergent
https://images2.imgbox.com/7d/d5/WvfUBpMd_o.jpg

This is it after a couple coats of acid etch (Please excuse the bad pics).
https://images2.imgbox.com/3d/75/buj8Jx6C_o.jpg

Left it to dry for 20 mins and rubbed it down with 800 grit ready for some satin black. Few coats of satin black spray (as it was drying)
https://images2.imgbox.com/91/31/slSPzzvI_o.jpg

Dry
https://images2.imgbox.com/87/6e/KlO0EWG7_o.jpg

Left it for a while to dry and gave it a few coats of Petrol/Oil resistant lacquer
https://images2.imgbox.com/3b/0e/1GjVcnuQ_o.jpg

Hung it up to dry in the garage before I start handling it. It was also an opportunity to check out the turbo hoses. A couple were past it but some were fine and I gave them the VHT paint treatment.
https://images2.imgbox.com/a0/18/twtyI0ua_o.jpg

I need to order a engine stand so I can start putting things back together and I should be getting a couple more things in the post soon. I'll also be getting a few bits needed and getting the rotor arm exchanged as well.

christurboo

18-04-11, 12:14 AM

been watching this for some time now mate and just signed up so i can now say i love it its came far from when i first seen this thread start, keep at it mate

wilson.

Nova_Tek

18-04-11, 11:42 AM

Thanks for the comment Wilson :thumb: Trying to use up as much of my free time lately to push it forward.

Nova_Tek

18-04-11, 11:54 AM

UPDATE

Woke up and went to check to see if the breather pipe had hardened. Great thing about my garage is that he boiler is located in there so in the evening when its on to give hot water it does get nice an toasty in there and with the weather being mild the garage probably hits 25 degrees easily.

It had dried properly and has come out real nice (bling, bling).
https://images2.imgbox.com/bc/b7/KUpJK5LZ_o.jpg0
http://img685.imageshack.us/img685/7087/1002217h.jpg

The postman also brought me a gift so I can now help protect a few more areas of the Nova, although reading the warning label has persuaded me to go buy some latex gloves before I use this stuff as 'it can harm the unborn child' :eek: Best not get pregnant!
https://images2.imgbox.com/06/51/WCWrIRwv_o.jpg

http://img594.imageshack.us/img594/5508/1002218l.jpg

Nova_Tek

18-04-11, 07:08 PM

UPDATE

Went and exchanged my rotor arm for the proper one
https://images2.imgbox.com/05/1a/zCsdjMd9_o.jpg
http://img191.imageshack.us/img191/8774/1002220a.jpg

and also remembered that I'll need a new one of these.
https://images2.imgbox.com/47/d4/bUPOB3eN_o.jpg
http://img848.imageshack.us/img848/558/1002221.jpg

Hoping to get some more work done in the garage but right now I'm absolutley starving and waiting for dinner to be ready lol

Nova_Tek

19-04-11, 06:57 PM

UPDATE

Woke up to the sound of the courier smashing my front door in... 'twas my engine stand. Got it on eBay for Â£42 rated for 750LBS, should make for much easier re-assembly of the LET.

Thought I'd get a move on and make good use of the lovely sunshine. After a bit of breakfast I popped over to Le Garage. Pushed out the Nova and got it up in the air in order to sort out the copper fuel line. The plan was to take the existing feed line and swap it with the return and for the copper line to take the feed lines' place.

After some fiddling I removed both the lines:
https://images2.imgbox.com/2b/66/H9tsBREs_o.jpg

I then got out the copper line. Seeing it coiled I thought 'hope this is enough' didn't realise how long it was, probably enough to do two lines. Then came the hard bit, getting it in shape of the old line. I masked the lines together and started to bend the copper line into shape, not 100% to shape but enough to give me an idea and roughly fit into place. Whilst fitting it I'd be able to fettle bits here and there to get it exact. I thought that was hard... the next bit was a right funking pain. Fitting the copper line back in. The worst bit was the part of the line that went into the bay. As the nylon lines were flexy they were dead easy to position and feed through the bottom of the chassis leg whereas the cooper one proved to be pain. I managed to go it fitted albeit slightly kinking it where it exits the bay and bends to run under the floor. I bent it back opposite way and got most of the kink out. There's still a slight kink but I doubt it'll have any effect as the copper pipe is 10mm (ID).

The next bit was dead easy, running it under the floor and fixing it in place. The plastic pipe clips were a big help and all that was needed was a slight bend here and there and it was done. A few pics:
https://images2.imgbox.com/27/bb/SPALIgNN_o.jpg

Next up was to re-apply some underseal as I managed to take some off with some of the tools I was using I made sure I put on many coats of the stuff. As I had also removed the exhaust I gave the exhaust tunnel a good going over too.
https://images2.imgbox.com/37/d7/xtCChohk_o.jpg

https://images2.imgbox.com/9b/2f/FITu4w0g_o.jpg

https://images2.imgbox.com/9e/f1/KV1FwbbK_o.jpg

There is a few cm's of copper line I need to trim in the bay as I left some just in case it was short. Need to pop over to my mate across the street and use his pipe cutter.

All in all a fairly productive day, just waiting for the angus steaks to cook on the BBQ mmmmm

brucer

19-04-11, 08:15 PM

le garage. lol

the copper pipe i used wasnt the best. was off ebay but very thin walled so kinked rather easy. i managed to half inch some other stuff from work for the second line.

pm on the way about the hazard switch.

Nova_Tek

19-04-11, 09:11 PM

^ This stuff was good quality, took some hand power to bend it, and it bent very uniformly. My mate across the street is a plumber and he had a look and said its good stuff (should've really asked him to get me some though).

I just finished off the last bit of the loom, found the fabric tape in 'le garage' but it was just short so I finished the rest with self- amalgamating :)
https://images2.imgbox.com/c1/94/kY6G9A1Y_o.jpg

http://img37.imageshack.us/img37/751/1002227m.jpg
Absolutely cream crackered. Those Angus steaks were proper yumm though!

Nova_Tek

20-04-11, 08:21 PM

UPDATE

Got another bit in the post today, unfortunately I had to go work so I couldn't check it but I had a good idea what it was
Got home and ripped it open like a man sized kid. It was the uprated TX Autosport actuator I got off eBay:
https://images2.imgbox.com/dd/d2/UgIeDnH1_o.jpg

Assembled it and thought I'd compare the old one to the new one
https://images2.imgbox.com/11/83/HdBaVqG2_o.jpg

And then fitted it to the turbo, I'm guessing I set it up right (took the screw positions as it was on the old actuator)
https://images2.imgbox.com/09/81/xEQfz4fs_o.jpg

This one deffo feels a lot tighter and stiffer compared to the original one. I could easily move the actuator rod on the old one and hardly move it on the new one.
I then found this in the garage (I'm guessing this is the spacer that sits in the dizzy cap, if someone can confirm)
https://images2.imgbox.com/35/d9/s1L9o22r_o.jpg

Day off tomorrow so as long as the weather is good I should be able to do some more work

brucer

20-04-11, 08:49 PM

any good to you?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Calibra-Cavalier-2-0-16v-Turbo-Clutch-Pressure-Plate-/230605342002?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item35b1264532

brainsnova

20-04-11, 08:54 PM

There's a wee pipe bender you could of used but 10mm copper is harder to bend by hand

Nova_Tek

20-04-11, 09:00 PM

any good to you?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Calibra-Cavalier-2-0-16v-Turbo-Clutch-Pressure-Plate-/230605342002?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item35b1264532

Cheers pal, I'll have a look.

There's a wee pipe bender you could of used but 10mm copper is harder to bend by hand

It wasn't that hard to bend it but it took some muscle. Good thing was that it bends uniformly rather than it just bending in half so no damage was done. But yeah, If I stopped for a sec and used some brain muscle I could've asked my plumber mate for a pipe bender lol

Nova_Tek

21-04-11, 10:57 PM

UPDATE

Another sunny day off so I thought I'd continue with the boring but somewhat satisfying outcome (when finished).

Started sifting through all the hoses. I put aside the two turbo hoses that need changing but the other hoses are perfectly fine, in fact the two I cleaned today look brand new. Here they are at the bottom of the turbo

After some good scrubbing with detergent and hot water this is how they turned out. I'm pretty certain that they are new hoses as they still have the part numbers on them nice and bright
https://images2.imgbox.com/88/81/fKaFsCR1_o.jpg

I then moved on to one of the starter motors. I bought two off eBay for a damn good price but they looked a bit battered I decided to sort one of them out. Did the usual clean, rub down with wet and dry, wipe, mask and paint.

Painted the bracket in aluminium silver
https://images2.imgbox.com/7e/81/6vNtWmP1_o.jpg

https://images2.imgbox.com/04/29/OksPLWTM_o.jpg

After a good clean and rub down:

The body of the starter masked up and painted in satin black
https://images2.imgbox.com/90/e0/6XcITsrM_o.jpg

I then masked the part I painted in black and painted the remaining parts of the starter in aluminium silver, then let it dry, Ã©t voila:
https://images2.imgbox.com/43/91/m1JQrzdh_o.jpg

Saw the dipstick looking sorry for itself, all crusty and rubbish. Had to give that a clean too and then a clean and rub down getting the crust off
https://images2.imgbox.com/f9/72/eYYrALOB_o.jpg

https://images2.imgbox.com/1d/ae/KRaCCaCG_o.jpg

Then a good coat of satin black and let to dry
https://images2.imgbox.com/6c/eb/bhdxYDEM_o.jpg

I then remembered the oil filler cap on the good old 1.2. I had to swap it for the one on the LET but here's how it looked before some elbow grease:
https://images2.imgbox.com/a0/f8/LF2x9ET1_o.jpg

And here it is after a good scrub with some detergent and sponge, a brillo pad, some 1200 & 1500 wet and dry and some paint renovator (couldn't find any T-Cut). Fairly pleased with the outcome miles better but it can be that bit shinier.
https://images2.imgbox.com/28/cb/z2crZbEG_o.jpg

Like I said, proper tedious and fairly boring stuff but I really want everything to look mint and be finished in a sense so I can just get the engine on the stand and put it all back together. That way I can concentrate on just one thing rather than many little jobs. I'll have to wait until Tuesday in order to pop down to Vaux and order the two turbo hoses. Still need to get some plugs, leads, sensors, cam belt and rollers, oil filter etc.

Still contemplating what air filter to get!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!... etc lol