Possible Front Engine RWD Project - Ideas and Help PLEASE

[redtopbinx]

I've had an idea to use a Omega as donor car for a front engined rear wheel drive Nova. I think there must be a lot of useful parts including front suspension, engine mounts, brakes and steering set-up. Engine (maybe get a c16xe or c20xe instead, don't really want a V6(well hum, maybe )), gearbox, prop shaft and tunnel, rear axle, independent suspension set-up (I'm guessing it might be), brakes and rear subframe. I've got the space, the tools and some help from willing volunteers in the mechanical, rally and engineering fields and I am reading motor-sport engineering at university myself but haven't tried something like this before and was looking for some useful suggestions and any other options open to me. Ideally I want to keep it Vauxhall so that is why I think a Omega would make good donor car and also you can pick them up for peanuts in good condition unlike Sierras. I should also mention I'm trying to do this on a budget so any expensive donor cars are out of the question. Looking forward to some useful replies.

[General Baxter]

mega engineering, and budget, dont go hand in hand

[redtopbinx]

mega engineering, and budget, dont go hand in hand

I have time and a drip budget starting with about 2500 quid and a friend with several breaking Astra GSi's. I have a two post lift on order and that's where I've spent some of my cash. I can do this with the right advice. Also I can design parts on CAD and have them made on a CNC machine at university if necessary and have my own lathes, mills and various other machinery so I don't want for much in that department.

[jonn]

what do u plan on using the car for?

[The Simps]

I looked at omegas, senators & the likes before starting mine. I didnt like the fact the ran a steering box & not a rack for starters.

I then prefered the idea on converting to double wishbone utilising kit car components. I was then pointed in the direction of the early mx5s. Front & rear are all part of subframe that can easily be shortened to suit although from memory width is VERY close! Another perk is the mazda stuff is also 4x100.

I've gone with a custom setup purely cos i've got time, money & good support on the design front from lads doing motorsport engineering.

If i were doing it again and on a budget i'd get a complete mx5 as a donor over the omega. Would stick with vaux running gear tho.

[redtopbinx]

I just want to do it for the experience and got nothing better to do!! I think it would be a good show car.

[redtopbinx]

Thanks Simps, hadn't thought about a Germanese (or Japanish if you concider the Nova Spanish) conversion before. Makes sense but wont people hunt me down and murder me for my sacrilege? lol. Wouldn't the MX5 engine and box be any good? Seems I'm thinking of possibly doing a 1.6 anyway and a 1.8 Mazda block would be fun.

[The Simps]

Cant see why not, bung the lot in!

[redtopbinx]

just had a look and I can pick one up locally for about 500-800. Might go for that idea.

[Plug]

where abouts in the southwest are you?

Interested in some bits off one of your mates Astra gsi :)

[redtopbinx]

where abouts in the southwest are you?

Interested in some bits off one of your mates Astra gsi :)

Near Exeter, think he's happy to keep hold of most of the bits and pieces for our projects but can ask if you've got something specific your after.:thumb:

[Plug]

local guy im in dawlish, im after a drivers seat mate

[craig green]

MX-5 donor is an excellent idea IMO. A mate has just bought one & they are fantastic little things. The motors are pretty good too.


im after a drivers seat mate

Shouldnt that be a passengers (on a drivers frame) for a minty mint new seat? :thumb:

[redtopbinx]

local guy im in dawlish, im after a drivers seat mate

I can ask him and let you know.

[Plug]

Shouldnt that be a passengers (on a drivers frame) for a minty mint new seat? :thumb:

his frame on the seat has snapped

Ok mate drop me a pm

[redtopbinx]

his frame on the seat has snapped

Ok mate drop me a pm

He said he would sell a complete interior but the drivers seat is worn as usual!

[Plug]

How much? and as long as its to to bad i dont think it will matter that much

[theoriginalGhostman]

id say an mx5 would be a better idea, closer in dimensions, and havent they got proper rear suspension on them? probably lighter than the omega subframe/diff etc. too

Lots more trick and drifty parts about for them, get it built and skidding!!

edit. wiki says double wishbones all round

[craig green]

We put some GAZ coilovers on a ates MX-5 the other weekend. Dbl wishbone allround indeed, really simple to work on & all the geometry is adjustable on eccentric bolts from factory. Will help dial it all in.

[redtopbinx]

Think I might build a tubular chassis incorporating the Nova main body, add the MX-5 bits and then might have something a bit fun. Will start a new thread when starting out and upload pictures along the way. Think I can do it for about a couple grand, will drive it for a few months and sell it on to start something even madder. I was thinking about a Nova cut in half with a bike sticking out the back like that Peugeot thing Tiff drove on 5th Gear!

[matt_vaughan]

Cut body off MX-5, weld on Nova body (with chassis modifications where applicable) bobs your uncle. If the Width isn't far out, as mentioned above, surely this would be an option...as you'd have MX-5 like handling, with old school Nova body.

^^Thinking about it that's mucho mucho work, but would be my first thought.

[Sloth]

id plasma a mx-5 floor out, find a 2 dr loon and fit it. oh and the mx-5 motor responds very well to a turbo...

[buzbi]

e30 beemer, cheep as chips! get 325i sport and get 6 cylinders, 170bhp and lsd in a nova!

[redtopbinx]

All possibilities, I like what Andy Burton did with the 306 but might not go quite as mental on the engine front! I almost bought a 3 series for a Nova conversion a year ago but just stuck with the redtop. I'm just starting to do some sketches on CAD for some possible chassis designs but like the idea also of just making a Frankenstein from at least a couple cars. I have also thought a MR2 might make an interesting donor for a mid engine nova but not so sure if I want the weight distribution at the back but not ruling it out.