Stan's Nova track car

[Stan Wrecked]

Hi this is my track car, its a Nova 1.2 trip, fitted with a 1.6 8 valve astra engine and f13 gear box. Ive taken the car to bits and started again due to a poor build first time round.
http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd282/stanwrecked/Nova%20build/novaside.jpg
A couple of faults to sort, massive fuel leak and poor drivablility. Suspention is Spax RSX coilovers with solid top mounts.
http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd282/stanwrecked/Nova%20build/brakensf.jpg
Calibra 16valve brakes with Ferodo DS 2500 pads, rear on drums.
http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd282/stanwrecked/Nova%20build/brakensf.jpg
http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd282/stanwrecked/Nova%20build/reardrumosclean.jpg
Removed all sound proofing and stripped car for welding and painting
http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd282/stanwrecked/Nova%20build/driversseatout.jpg
http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd282/stanwrecked/Nova%20build/windowsout.jpg
Glass pulled out, just waiting for pollys
http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd282/stanwrecked/Nova%20build/sandingns.jpg

[Stan Wrecked]

Cage from custom cages turns up and a first time fit with zip ties.
http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd282/stanwrecked/Nova%20build/trialfitrollcage.jpg
http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd282/stanwrecked/Nova%20build/rollcageinpakage.jpg
http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd282/stanwrecked/Nova%20build/trialfitx2.jpg
Time for some paint, going for white because my mum had a 1990 gsi in white when i was a teen.
http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd282/stanwrecked/Nova%20build/100_0631.jpg
http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd282/stanwrecked/Nova%20build/whitenova11.jpg
http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd282/stanwrecked/Nova%20build/whitenova13.jpg

[Stan Wrecked]

http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd282/stanwrecked/Nova%20build/100_0762.jpg
Built up and ready for a track day
First trackday was Angelsey gp November 2008
http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd282/stanwrecked/Nova%20build/Angelsey2008.jpg
Swapped road tyres for toyo 888, what a massive change in grip.
http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd282/stanwrecked/Nova%20build/100_0929.jpg

[Stan Wrecked]

http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd282/stanwrecked/Nova%20build/Angelsey2008x3.jpg
Car ran well all day with only one black flag for a fuel leak. Fixed fuel leak and back on track for the rest of the day with no faults.
The rear tyres need spacers due to catching a little when the 888s get warm.
http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd282/stanwrecked/Nova%20build/aftermath.jpg
Cadwell park was the next outing in June 2009
http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd282/stanwrecked/Nova%20build/100_1271.jpg
http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd282/stanwrecked/Nova%20build/100_1273.jpg
The Nova was good as gold all day and lots of people chatting with me in the pits said the car runs great. One chap said are you running a red top? I said no, i had to open the bonnet for him to believe me.

[Stan Wrecked]

This chap dropped oil on the entry to the mountian and set on fire at the bottom of the big hill. I hit the oil and ended up on the grass, my first big moment on track ( new pants please)
http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd282/stanwrecked/Nova%20build/100_1275.jpg

[Stan Wrecked]

This clip is me chasing a Saxo vts with no passenger. Had a word with him at lunch about indicating and not lifting the throttle.
http://www.vimeo.com/23528340

[thedjse]

excellent nova mate really nice colour

[RossRog]

Nice car mate, good clips from the trackdays too!

[Stan Wrecked]

My Dellorto twin 40s tipped up this week. Looking into jetting and setting them up over winter then a quick rolling road session to iron out any bugs. Hope that this mod will bring the power up to about 115 bhp with lots more torque low down.

[Stan Wrecked]

Fitted the twin 40s today, old girl started first turn. Bloody thing made me jump its that loud.

[scott.parker]

Nice project, just seen that saxo, what a plank! if I'm on track and don't think I'm as capable/fast as other cars/drivers i let them past, as then i can push my self in my own time without worrying theres a car close behind if i mess up, some people are just plain dumb!

Get some vids of it on 40's mate.

Scott

[Stan Wrecked]

http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd282/stanwrecked/0snowfitted.jpg

[Stan Wrecked]

I have a issue with the ecu moving the timing so now on the look out for a new dizzy and coil to get round the issue. Just picked up a new 13 row oil cooler. Found the engine mount had snapped aftter Angelsey Track day so on the look out for a new one.

[Rickyb]

i love this its an awsome car.

[Stan Wrecked]

Replaced the engine mount and found the bolts pulling the bush from the mount. Going to make a 5 mm spacer to solve the issue. Saving the brass for the hose kit for the new oil cooler. Picked up some used Toyo 888 tyres, going to fit these to my spare track day wheels. If I have a spin and wreck a set of tyres I now have a spare set to fit just in case. My pal span at Donnington park and his tyres looked like fifty pence coins, massive vibration after.

[nick_nova]

got some good videos there mate, makes me want to get mine sorted as soon as possible!
nice track day weapon.. i bet theres not many 1.6s out there that can keep up with your nova :)

[Stan Wrecked]

A chap with a 350 bhp impreza followed my at angelsey and after he came over to have a chat. He was very impressed by the speed the nova can carry through the corners and how late I can brake. He said he could reel me back in on the straights but after a couple of corners he was a long way back again. His brakes would over heat after 5 laps at speed. My nova will do 45 laps and only needs to pit due to lack of fuel. She should take some more scalps at Cadwell next year now she has twin 40s fitted.

[Stan Wrecked]

Got the results back from the car going on the scales, 722.5 kg with half a tank of fuel. VERY HAPPY !

[Rickyb]

any updates on this and do the seats mount to nova frames or have you had bars welded in to mount the seats?
rick

[Stan Wrecked]

The seat has a rail at the front that sits in the standard fixings but the rear of the seat needed feet making. It doesnt adjust but It fits me fine ( lucky boy) .

[Stan Wrecked]

Looks like I need to rejet the twin 40s to the bigger size, engine pulls well untill 5k then goes flat. Need a spacer for the engine mount and need a smaller alternator drive belt due to it catching the modified mounting. I will be doing a trackday at Cadwell park in June this year. Camping over a couple of nights so hope for good weather. BBQ and beers then a trackday then more BBQ and beers sounds like a plan to me. Did this at Angelsey in 2011 and had a great time, Ill post some pics.

[MK999]

If it's going flat at high revs you wanna go easy on it as lean under load high up is into the range of engine melty fun. Get them set up by someone who knows what they're doing and it will run like a different car :thumb:

[Stan Wrecked]

This my friends report enjoy
http://www.northloop.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?36812-Anglesey-Coastal-29th-June-2011-Trip-report.

[Southie]

Looks like you had a good adventure that day Stan, especially love this picture lol

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b207/wh00sher/UK%20TRACKDAYS/Anglesey%20062011/P1100195.jpg

[Stan Wrecked]

Lol pit of planking

[Southie]

Plenty of planking by the looks of it lol

Out of interest what camera software is your mate Nige running on his track camera on this video to show all the track details?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=msTVBJFlrdM&feature=player_embedded#%21
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=msTVBJFlrdM&feature=player_embedded

[MK999]

Oooh, datalogging with video, swoon :d

[Southie]

I take it that's a fancy bit of kit then Mark? lol

[MK999]

Pretty sure there's some inexpensive stuff to go with the GoPro style cameras, datalogging just makes me horny. Gotta love a bit of MoTec: http://www.racedatasystems.co.uk/motec-video-capture-system-vcs.html#

[Southie]

Wow not cheap that kit is it :eek: It does make watching someones track video more interesting though being able to see the rev range to try and get a feel of how fast they're going.

[Stan Wrecked]

Im not sure how Nige does it but he uses a normal video cam then puts the race chrono bits on later with his lap top. Ill just ask him about it when I see him.

[Stan Wrecked]

Not going to mess about with the carbs any longer, booked her with Bogg brothers on the 9th. Full re-jet and balance with a rolling road set up to iron out any bugs. Hope to get 110bhp with a standard cam and no head work. That will be fine for me, I dont need much power to have sideways fun. Hope to book Blighton track day for 4th June and Cadwell park for the end of July. Oil cooler going on next week to sort the temp issue I had at Angelsey last year. A couple of small mods and all should be fine for some happy days.

[Stan Wrecked]

Oil cooler now fitted and replaced aux drive belt for a slightly smaller one. Car now on the trailer ready for Bogg brothers in the morning.

[Stan Wrecked]

The Landy pulling the Nova to Bogg brothers had a complete fail in the steering dept and snapped the mounting to the front axel. This caused me to brown my pants and scream like a girl for a while. After some epic steering input from my pal Macca we managed to not die and limp to the side of the road. A quick run round the car and trailer and it was plain to see the Landy was dead as a dodo. Got recoverd to Bogg brothers and left the trailer and nova to be sorted out. Then got recoved to Leeds with the broken landy at 56 mph, wow thats slow. Got a call from bogg brothers to say the plastic O rings needed changing to compertition alloy jobbies due to leaking air and all should be well, happy days. Have now stopped shaking after 6 hrs and 5 pints.

[MK999]

That is the most awesome project thread update I have ever read, may rep shower you from the heavens.

[Stan Wrecked]

Engine now running on 4 pots and making good power up to 4k revs. But not making any more power after 4k due to the ECU. The ECU is stopping the dizzy from advancing the timing past 12degs. Looks like it needs a dizzy and a coil to get round this issue. Bogg brothers are fitting a second hand dizzy and coil this week. The old ECU was from a astra auto, that explains why it never wants to pull in the high revs. Fingers crossed all the issues are now sorted and the car will be ready for Blyton park on the 9th April.

[Stan Wrecked]

Well its been a very busy summer and the car has had a few quid spent on it. If I could turn back time then I would have just replaced the engine for a twin cam. But things didnt work out the way I hoped. I sent the car to a co called Bogg Bros in Malton. Dave was very helpfull but had his work cut out to get the car running right. Turns out the engine had low compression and various other faults. Dizzy and coil not working past 12 deg advance. Only thing to do was have the head rebuilt with new cam and guids and a new H&H race dizzy and coil set up fitted. After a rolling road session the car still ran like a dog and heads needed scratching as to why. I later found a wiring fault and lots of issue's with the loom. I had no chioce but to take the car to Bylton Park with the running faults and hope she held together. So with 2 days to go untill Bylton the car needed a new starter motor and a battery and the clutch was on its last legs. I was also planning to build and fit a splitter but that had to wait till after Blyton.
New clutch starter and battery fitted and car on trailer ready for the track day at Bylton Park, I was cream crackerd.

[Stan Wrecked]

At Bylton we had to tow start the car due to the new starter failing. This turned out to be the wrong starter motor with incorrect amout of teeth on the pinion. It was also suffering with electrical gremlins all day. Only had one break down all day caused by my going off road in the wet and then the Dizzy cap fell off. The clip for the cap had gone so tape and zip ties put her back together. Had loads of fun after that but the car was starting to suffer from failing brakes. The Ferodo DS2500 pads had killed another set of discs, thats 2 sets in 400 mile. My tyres had also seen better days and the o/s/f/ tyre was now a slick toyo 888. Ive now fixed the engine running issue with a new fuse box and loom and have also made and fit a splitter. Looking forward to Bylton again this year and I will post the new updated video when I have it so you can compare poor running laps with clean running engine with a splitter fitted.

[Stan Wrecked]

Blyton Park June 2012 with Javelin track days
https://vimeo.com/49907671

[Stan Wrecked]

This is the new splitter with side plates to help stop air getting into the wheel arches and lifting the car. Im also planning to add a flat floor with rubber sides and then a fibreglass defuser at the back with 3 fins. This will clean the air flow under the car and make her more stable at speed. Im hoping it will also increase the top end slightly. My pal fitted a board to the back of his pug 306 to cover the spare wheel area. He said he was 6 mph faster on hanger straight with the board fitted.
http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd282/stanwrecked/IMG00538-20120701-1433.jpg

[Stan Wrecked]

After a drive up the road I found the grill and bumper hanging off. Refitted then and had a run up the road and same again, bumper and grill dropping off again. Turns out the splitter is pushing the bumper down so far that the grill pops out then the bumper works its way from the hangers. I fixed this by drilling a hole in the splitter then using a threaded bar and a flat bit of 4mm steel with a captive nut. Ive then hooked the steel over the cross member to stop the splitter from moving down. Next job was to make a cold air feed for the carbs. I was going to make a funnel from fibre glass then had the idea of cutting the head lamp in half. Using a plasma cutting wheel I removed the glass from the lamp and then removed the internals. Cleaned the lamp with panel wipe then painted it with texture paint. I then found some foil flexi tube and routed it through the engine bay to the carbs. This should help with heat soak from the engine.

[Stan Wrecked]

Replaced the worn Ferodo DS2500 pads with new EBC yellow stuff. Ive done this because the Ferodo pads keep eating brake discs. Ive also replaced the discs for new. The car is ready for Blyton Park on the 11th Nov. Ive even given the old girl a wash wow.

[Stan Wrecked]

Blyton park was a cracking day out with a small issue in the morning. Found a cracked spark plug and a bad earth on the alternator so soon fixed. Loads of people asking if I had a red top fitted. Took loads of scalps and had a blast. I will up load some video later when I can be botherd.

[Mieran]

What did you think of the yellow stuff compared to the ds2500 mate?

[Stan Wrecked]

The yellow stuff pads had poor pedal feel and I was grabbing a wheel for 30 mile or so but they did settle down after that. For the money they are cracking pads and I will stick with them just due to cost. They didnt kill the brake discs like the Ferodo's did every track day.
Some pics from Blyton
The splitter was working very well and made high speed corner understeer a thing of the past. Only issue was the rear is now very loose and lift over steer is easy to obtain.
[/URL]http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd282/stanwrecked/Blytonfirstcorneronthemother.jpg
I was able to out brake most cars at Blyton, I put this down to a light car and the splitter working hard.
Loads of cars kept using the escape road on the last corner.
(http://s226.beta.photobucket.com/user/stanwrecked/media/Blytonfirstcorneronthemother.jpg.html?sort=3&o=5)http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd282/stanwrecked/outbrakedthebmwthen.jpg
Did you run out of brakes Mr
http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd282/stanwrecked/Outbrakedthewesty.jpg
Ok so I did kill a couple of cones during the day
http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd282/stanwrecked/oksoIdideatacoupleofcones.jpg
[URL="http://s226.beta.photobucket.com/user/stanwrecked/media/oksoIdideatacoupleofcones.jpg.html?sort=3&o=4"] (http://s226.beta.photobucket.com/user/stanwrecked/media/Outbrakedthewesty.jpg.html?sort=3&o=2)

[Mieran]

Looking at this pic, looks like your suspension is a bit soft. What setup are you running?

http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd282/stanwrecked/outbrakedthebmwthen.jpg

[Iain]

The yellow stuff pads had poor pedal feel and I was grabbing a wheel for 30 mile or so but they did settle down after that. For the money they are cracking pads and I will stick with them just due to cost. They didnt kill the brake discs like the Ferodo's did every track day.

I feel the same about Yellowstuffs, there's a poor pedal feel and not much 'initial bite' compared to the Ferodos/other pads. The leaflet with the pads does say they take a while to bed in, it took me driving there and several sessions at Blyton to make them inspire any confidence.

[16xe_chris]

Looks a nice example of a nova being used properly ;-)

[Stan Wrecked]

Looking at this pic, looks like your suspension is a bit soft. What setup are you running?

http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd282/stanwrecked/outbrakedthebmwthen.jpg

Im on Spax RSX coilovers but im not running any anti roll bars yet. Hence the body roll. It looks loads because I run a high trim hight on the suspention. 1" travel works out 2" at the other side and looks loads but its hardly moving at all.

[Stan Wrecked]

This year I managed to get hold of a C18XE engine from a MK4 Astra GSi. Ive also just picked up a F20 gear box from a pal in Sheffield. I hope to get all the bits together next year and do a engine swap. Im also ditching the standard fuel injection for some ITB's. People who know this engine say the power should be around 170 bhp on bodies. A small increase of around 65 horses or so. Not sure what other bits I need to get her running. Has any one done this swap ? and could I have a list of items to keep a look out for on flebay. I think I need MK2 cav inner cv joints to make the shafts fit the box. Thanks in advance Stan.

[Mieran]

Are you sure its from a MK4?

MK4 Gsi came with z20let and very early ones had x20xev

[Mazz]

Some mk3's GSI's had the 1800 16v jobbie, not mk4's afaik..

Have a look a Peesters WIP for his *18XE on ITB's

[Stan Wrecked]

Sorry MK3 I think. Its the engine that Vauxhall put in to sell the Gsi range when the insurance on the red tops went crackers. Vauxhall told some porkys about the output and said something like 121bhp. It also says ecotec on the cam cover and thats also not true. This info was given to me by a chap who knows lots about Vauxhall engines. I know bugger all about Vauxhall engines, but hope to learn lots quickly.

[8valve-craig]

I really like the splitter, is that something you have made yourself?

Or is there a mould for it?

Rear ARB is probably the best mod i ever did to my Nova. The difference in body roll since it was fitted is immense.

[Stan Wrecked]

Yes I made the splitter from marine ply. Just cut out a rough shape to follow the front of the bumper and then just cut out a T shape to clear the wheels and suspention. Made a new down piece from ally then used rivets and small bits fo L shape ally to stop the rivets pulling through the plastic bumper. The issue I found was at high speed the bumper would bend and try to pop off the hangers and the grill would work loose. Fixed this with a support in the middle of the splitter that hooks over the cross member. Now the splitter is unable to bend and pull the bumper off. The side plates are ally and stop air from entering the wheel arches and lifting the front of the car. They also help with high pressure build up in the front wheel arches witch was causing the brakes to over heat. My next mod was to cut gills in the front wings to let hot air escape from the brakes.

[Stan Wrecked]

The change in handling is like night and day with the splitter. The car turns in far better and braking is better also. Only thing I would say is its made the rear lively and lift over steer was a new thing to get used to. I plan to fit a flat floor and rear defuser in ally and glass fibre. It will have rubber side skirts to stop air flow escape from the sides. This makes the defuser work harder and rear grip will improve. Might have to make the front splitter bigger if this set up increases under steer.

[peester]

c18xe is an early to mid 90's big block that wasnt very common - like a destroked c20xe essentially.. not bad motors, lots of potential but one of those 'may as well get a c20xe' as its same size fitment etc..
mk3 astra gsi yes, after they dropped the redtop c20xe from it.
I think the only tricky part for mr Stan is going to be a DCOE manifold for the ITB's. Or if you try to find internally uprated engine parts, cams/pistons/rods etc.
Otherwise the rest should be like with c20xe so lots available. But itll always shadow the redtop for power/torque.

Have a read:
http://www.mk3oc.com/forum/showthread.php?49210-The-definitive-C18XE-tuning-thread

[troy88]

I'm liking this, keep up the good work and keep us updated

[thedjse]

brilliant thread just read it all excellent work and ideas!!! :)

[Stan Wrecked]

I have a set of part worn Toyo 888s in 195/55/15. Im going to fit 2 to the front of the car to replace the bald 195/50/15 tyres fitted. I did have catching issue on the front on full turn with the old set when they were new, but this has not been a issue for a while. I would put this down to the tyre being worn. My guess is the 55s will catch just the same as a new set of 50 profile tyres. Im unable to fit them to the rear as the 50s have always had catching issues even when they are worn out. They tend to catch when full of fuel and have a fat passenger on board.

[Stan Wrecked]

Well Ive removed 50.5 kg from the car over the last few weeks and have also made a GRP front end. Made some new door cards and started on the flat floor and rear defuser.
http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd282/stanwrecked/IMG00856-20130525-1315_zps8672a0d2.jpg (http://s226.photobucket.com/user/stanwrecked/media/IMG00856-20130525-1315_zps8672a0d2.jpg.html)

http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd282/stanwrecked/IMG00857-20130525-1344_zps3e7e9959.jpg (http://s226.photobucket.com/user/stanwrecked/media/IMG00857-20130525-1344_zps3e7e9959.jpg.html)
http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd282/stanwrecked/IMG00858-20130525-1602_zps8b52428c.jpg (http://s226.photobucket.com/user/stanwrecked/media/IMG00858-20130525-1602_zps8b52428c.jpg.html)
http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd282/stanwrecked/IMG00859-20130526-1033_zps962366a1.jpg (http://s226.photobucket.com/user/stanwrecked/media/IMG00859-20130526-1033_zps962366a1.jpg.html)

http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd282/stanwrecked/IMG00861-20130526-1033_zps112bf147.jpg (http://s226.photobucket.com/user/stanwrecked/media/IMG00861-20130526-1033_zps112bf147.jpg.html)

[Stan Wrecked]

2013 Nova updates inc flat floor nd rear defuser, new wiring loom and grp front end saving around 40kg.
http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd282/stanwrecked/2013novaupdates_zpsc99bda35.jpg (http://s226.photobucket.com/user/stanwrecked/media/2013novaupdates_zpsc99bda35.jpg.html)

[Mieran]

Looking good stan

[Stan Wrecked]

Need more power so fitting the xe ive had sat waiting for a year or so.
http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd282/stanwrecked/Facebook/Mobile%20Uploads/1069392_10151568181369065_2008676605_n.jpg (http://s226.photobucket.com/user/stanwrecked/media/Facebook/Mobile%20Uploads/1069392_10151568181369065_2008676605_n.jpg.html)
Its a c18xe and should be good for 140 bhp. Ive just orderd a phase 3 chipped ecu to run it.
http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd282/stanwrecked/Facebook/Mobile%20Uploads/1006144_10151569932654065_875088254_n.jpg (http://s226.photobucket.com/user/stanwrecked/media/Facebook/Mobile%20Uploads/1006144_10151569932654065_875088254_n.jpg.html)
F20 is a bit tall but it will give me the legs at silverstone.

[Stan Wrecked]

The ecu turned up last week, its a phase 3 motorsport jobby.

[jimbob-mcgrew]

nice work stan. she's turning into a little beast :)

[Iain]

Loving the home made front end, looks like a bit of a track weapon now.

Any pics of the floor/diffuser work you've done fitted?

[Stan Wrecked]

The floor is just flat with a 2" flat edge. It turns in at the front and rear to clear the jacking points. The mistake I made was to have a defuser angel of 24deg. Ive remade the defuser to 7deg. I will fit a 5" rubber cover to both sides, this will help to seal the flat floor and make the defuser work harder. The rubber will catch the floor for a while till the track rubs it away. 11deg is the max for this type of defuser or you will cause the defuser to cause drag or worse lift.

The car was much better to drive with the defuser fitted. I found over steer to be much less and the brakes had more feel. The car seems to be able to brake later and harder with ease. The balance of the car much better and after checking the tyres the deg is also better. Last year the splitter made the car turn in great but over steer robbed me of speed. The car also felt twitchy under hard braking and over steer was a issue all day.

[Stan Wrecked]

.

[brucer]

I love that front end, top work.