nova Z20 !

[heds]

After selling my nova c20let <clicky> (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G9eEsZ36m3Y) i played with a couple of newer cars including an astra coupe turbo <clicky> (http://img16.imageshack.us/img16/2488/imagebzk.jpg) which i liked but didnt really see the point in spending money on making such a heavy car faster so i decided to start a new nova project, but this time using the newer Z20lex engine<clicky>. (http://img192.imageshack.us/img192/54/imageogy.jpg)

As i now work away from home i knew i didnt have time to start from a completely standard nova and doing all the stitch welding/strengthening etc... so i got a head start with a previously well known car which i bought as a bare shell but was all ready for a big block & f28.
http://img29.imageshack.us/img29/2397/p1000534dw.jpg
By heds28 (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/heds28) at 2011-07-04
ok so it really doesnt look like this now but its almost looking like a car again already
once built by rick draper as a c20let it was broken for parts and the shell sold to a friend of mine, he had it garaged for a few year and it inherited the name 'the neva'.

So now the fun begins, ive already sourced the majority of the parts i need.
Ive got a low mileage z20 engine which is away having work done to it, ive got low comp pistons, steel rods, all ARP bolts, balancer shafts deleted, vxr crank, under piston squirters, a garret T60-1,875cc injectors, f28 with gripper diff, lightweight flywheel etc...
http://img812.imageshack.us/img812/6494/imageau.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/812/imageau.jpg/)
http://img121.imageshack.us/img121/3938/21887719854458388871325.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/121/21887719854458388871325.jpg/)
http://img824.imageshack.us/img824/9424/imageebp.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/824/imageebp.jpg/)
http://img3.imageshack.us/img3/5127/imagekab.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/3/imagekab.jpg/)
http://img28.imageshack.us/img28/4458/img0305yb.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/28/img0305yb.jpg/)
http://img695.imageshack.us/img695/7280/imagevvs.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/695/imagevvs.jpg/)
http://img831.imageshack.us/img831/8225/imageylo.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/831/imageylo.jpg/)
http://img11.imageshack.us/img11/5673/imagejrw.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/11/imagejrw.jpg/)
http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/1331/imagevgoq.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/9/imagevgoq.jpg/)
http://img853.imageshack.us/img853/8425/imagejfa.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/853/imagejfa.jpg/)
http://img692.imageshack.us/img692/2961/imagebyqn.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/692/imagebyqn.jpg/)
http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/5822/imagexqz.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/20/imagexqz.jpg/)
http://img52.imageshack.us/img52/4845/imagecqnu.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/52/imagecqnu.jpg/)
http://img594.imageshack.us/img594/768/imagejaw.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/594/imagejaw.jpg/)

[heds]

inside the car has a safety devices full cage, 2 side mounted cobra bucket seats a steering wheel and a nitrous bottle, thats all I need in there! oh and full carbon panel kit.

Now onto the main work, the engine bay, starts like this
http://img69.imageshack.us/img69/7048/imageobq.jpg
By heds28 (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/heds28) at 2011-07-19
http://img845.imageshack.us/img845/5042/imagetbm.jpg
By heds28 (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/heds28) at 2011-07-19
http://img197.imageshack.us/img197/4230/imagehws.jpg
By heds28 (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/heds28) at 2011-07-19

[Nobby]

look forward to this mate loved you miami blue LET

[Brasso93]

Bout time you got a thread up did my gaybook status inspire you ?? haha lol lol

[heds]

got an empty mock up block to trial fit
http://img191.imageshack.us/img191/4887/imagezxh.jpg
By heds28 (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/heds28) at 2011-10-02
it fits!
http://img41.imageshack.us/img41/1927/imageisi.jpg
By heds28 (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/heds28) at 2011-10-02
now to build it all up and make sure everything else fits and is gonna work so i know if i need to do any cutting/welding/painting
http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/7606/imagecio.jpg
By heds28 (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/heds28) at 2011-10-02
so far so good

[heds]

http://img841.imageshack.us/img841/3434/imagefyu.jpg
By heds28 (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/heds28) at 2011-10-10

http://img823.imageshack.us/img823/9773/imagerrk.jpg
By heds28 (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/heds28) at 2011-10-10

http://img26.imageshack.us/img26/5206/imagefgw.jpg
By heds28 (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/heds28) at 2011-10-10

trial fit the intercooler, ideally id like it to fill the gaps in the bumper so i might either get a custom intercooler made or make the bumper fit tighter to the intercooler
http://img684.imageshack.us/img684/7671/imagecmbk.jpg
By heds28 (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/heds28) at 2011-10-10

[Mazz]

wow - that lump looks really at home in there..

[heds]

id better make sure its gonna be able to stop
http://img804.imageshack.us/img804/352/imageflr.jpg
By heds28 (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/heds28) at 2011-10-10

and give it something to roll on
http://img805.imageshack.us/img805/9858/imageind.jpg
By heds28 (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/heds28) at 2011-10-10

[wwmnw]

Liking the lower front panel, interesting idea!

[boss]

that looks nice mate al have to have a look wen a drop ur roller off

[MK999]

What exactly is the LEX engine? I'm aware of the LET and LEH, but X is new to me? Or is it X as in, same block etc so I could be using either and it doesn't really matter which?

[gunny]

That looks snug in there

[gunny]

What exactly is the LEX engine? I'm aware of the LET and LEH, but X is new to me? Or is it X as in, same block etc so I could be using either and it doesn't really matter which?

SRi Z20 maybe?

[scott.parker]

Another Zlet/h pops up! cool..

Humm this is starting to look so tempting on the mk1 when it's time to do something.

Keep the pics coming.

Scott

[Mieran]

What exactly is the LEX engine? I'm aware of the LET and LEH, but X is new to me? Or is it X as in, same block etc so I could be using either and it doesn't really matter which?
LEX is like saying Z20LET/Z20LEH if that makes sense

[MK999]

That looks snug in there

Smallblock ftw? lol

Also meant to ask, is that a painted turbo? :confused:

Looks an awesome build btw :thumb:

[MK999]

LEX is like saying Z20LET/Z20LEH if that makes sense

Yeah that makes sense, was aware they were very very similar engines.

[gunny]

Another Zlet/h pops up! cool..

Another, guess I'm missing something :/ lol


Smallblock ftw? lol

FTW?? Mines a small block with the same box and it looks like he's got more room than me! Lol

[pie]

looking good buddy

i got the wheels of that lol

[christurboo]

liking the look of this keep cracking

[scott.parker]

Another, guess I'm missing something :/ lol


FTW?? Mines a small block with the same box and it looks like he's got more room than me! Lol

Lad in Netherlands has had one for a bit now, was linked yesterday on here.

[Edd]

That looks stunning

[Connor]

Good shell to start with, hope its not cursed lol.
Build looks to be a cracker will be watching it closely, keep up the work ;)

[heds]

cant believe i just wrote a big long post and the forum crashed again!

anyway yes turbo is powder coated candy blue, z20lex is just a collective term for the z20let/leh/ler/lel engines

next thing i need is a tubular manifold so i can get the turbo hung and work out the boost pipes and get the intercooler brackets made.
if i get home this weekend im gonna get the suspension on and fit the compomotives and get it on the floor, then maybe start making the in car harness :-(

[chrisnovaturbo]

always liked this nova, makes me want to re paint my one red. did you make the front cross member? looks good how its been done. i also think zlet/zleh are a better engine when tuned.

[gunny]

Agreed, that front crossmember looks the shiznit, I may liberate the idea lol

[krobinson]

I didnt realise you could mount the Z20LEH/T like that, Awesome stuff!

[heds]

Gutted that lad in holland has his running before me :-( ah well let's see if I can be first in uk

[arjo]

http://i537.photobucket.com/albums/ff332/arjo_photo/P1020073Small.jpg

how manny bhp are you going to run,my is now 312bhp and 468 nm

i am going to sante pod nex year for the vauxhall meeting

[gunny]

That looks awesome, there'll be a couple of z powered nova's there next year then :D

[TeddyThom]

That looks awesome, there'll be a couple of z powered nova's there next year then :D
Nissan will be p!ssed when they find out that us Vuax boys have started to use the term z car lollol

[Mazz]

Ajro > PV show? I'd love to see car up close..

[matt_vaughan]

Looks a good project mate. Cant wait to see the finished article.

[heds]

should be around 500bhp'ish. just need to knuckle down and stop thinking about 4 wheel driving it too ;-)

[Adam]

500bhp and 4wd does speak some sense tbh lol lol

Interesting project, engine looks well in there. Good to see Ricks shell lives on too :)

[heds]

it just so happens my entire rear floor pan has been cut out :-0
do i weld it back in or wack a 4x4 setup under there.........

[Rs1]

WANDERING SPEC SYNDROME ALERT!!!!

Er...... technically this is still my car:d

Quite like the look of what ive done but i'm kinda miss cutting bits of it. Can pop round with the air saw and take the rest of the floor out if you like..... RWD:thumb:

Stick with 2wd and get it done mate:cool:

[heds]

log book is not proof of ownership rob, possesion is 9/10ths of the law, i think this car has had enough wandering spec syndrome to last a lifetime, i might just fit a 4x4 rear setup for it to roll on and mess about with the prop & tx box fitting at a later date.

[andy_mk3]

That looks very cool indeed! Surely 4WD is going to be needed to get the power down?

[lomas]

looking good heds, wonder wot the 1/4 mile outcome will be!!!

[Chrishowes]

I love this!!

[heds]

got a little bit done this week.
got the corsa b carriers machined and fitted bigger bearings, then pressed in the big block hubs.
http://img841.imageshack.us/img841/3982/img0911ss.jpg
By heds28 (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/heds28) at 2011-11-17
http://img830.imageshack.us/img830/4056/img0910oa.jpg
By heds28 (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/heds28) at 2011-11-17
http://img694.imageshack.us/img694/1371/img0909h.jpg
By heds28 (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/heds28) at 2011-11-17

[heds]

fitted the suspension and wheels and finally got it on the floor. 80mm springs just didnt cut it
http://img412.imageshack.us/img412/8128/img0912d.jpg
By heds28 (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/heds28) at 2011-11-17
80mm rears vs 110mm rears ;-)
http://img35.imageshack.us/img35/7027/img0914eu.jpg
By heds28 (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/heds28) at 2011-11-17
that looks better
http://img338.imageshack.us/img338/8308/img0915ds.jpg
By heds28 (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/heds28) at 2011-11-17
http://img85.imageshack.us/img85/4870/img0924b.jpg
By heds28 (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/heds28) at 2011-11-17
http://img805.imageshack.us/img805/4169/img0916a.jpg
By heds28 (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/heds28) at 2011-11-17

just need to get some work done in here now
http://img840.imageshack.us/img840/3193/img0921wb.jpg
By heds28 (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/heds28) at 2011-11-17

[heds]

did i mention the purchase of some comps ;-) and got something from nortech on the way

[pie]

that looks sweet slammed on comps :thumb:

[christurboo]

that looks sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet mate keep at it.

this going to be road legal aswell? loved the miami blue one was a rocket

[Connor]

Thats got some serious slammage, looks sweet.
Some impressive work going into this, keep it up :thumb:

[Vlietje]

Subscribed! This is pure Nova p*rn mate!

[gunny]

Looking good heds, my fav ride hight on my fav rims, winner lol

[heds]

thanks for the comments guys, yes will be road legal, well it will have tax n mot lol

[shed-on-wheels]

this looks stunning mate well done so far

[thedjse]

Brilliant project mate loving the wheels and lowering especially

[heds]

today i had a bit play about with an old dash board i had laying around from a mk4 astra, got the grinder out and spent about an hour to see if i could make it fit. looks like it might work
http://img696.imageshack.us/img696/9610/imagedic.jpg
By heds28 (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/heds28) at 2011-11-18
http://img847.imageshack.us/img847/6599/imagewwzv.jpg
By heds28 (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/heds28) at 2011-11-18
and finally my new nortech tubular manifold has been delivered
http://img32.imageshack.us/img32/746/imagehyc.jpg
By heds28 (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/heds28) at 2011-11-18
http://img600.imageshack.us/img600/9508/imageyeo.jpg
By heds28 (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/heds28) at 2011-11-18

[josh-sri]

Dash looks made for the job mate and that manifold is a work of art, keep progress up this is going to be a monster:thumb:. Got to be a TV feature in the making??:)

[gunny]

Dash looks sh1t hot mate, get the turbo bolted up :p

[andy_mk3]

That dash looks the t1ts! :)

[NOV4_SPORT]

Looks impressive mate, loving the dash conversion, keep it up !

[pyromaniac_yeti]

Has that setup with the front panel/crossmember been tested before on the road with regards to handling?

Had the crossmember on my MK1 split once and it realy caused some serious problems. That said, if it does work - it would make work on my TD a lot lot easier as radiator removal is a right pain in the **** at the minute. Ideally a bolt off bottom bar would be the icing on the cake so to speak, engine out work would be a million times easier without a hoist!!

[ECO16V]

That looks awesome mate, look forward to seeing it finished

[gary_126]

Always loved this car! Looking great so far! Mk4 dash looks right at home (but then again im completely biased to both novas and mk4 astras lol)

[nova_saloon]

mint i love it, looks like better access to everything. tempted to do one myself but expensive!

[christurboo]

you will have to let me come have a look at this mate its pure porn, that dash is a nice touch(first time any1 done it?)

[heds]

anytime chris, never seen any dash conversion on a nova if im honest, good thing is i stripped the dash down and removed the metal work so im left with a carcass which is nice and lightweight.

Bottom front bar works great, i did the same on my last nova, makes access to everything so much easier especially when youve got a big turbo/manifold setup it really helps.

just remember before cutting out everything that holds your front end together to brace it elsewhere, on this one a bar was made and mounted onto the 2 front engine and gearbox mountings which held the front end in place while the work/welding was carried out.

things should be able to progress a bit now ive got the expensive manifold, but then again its gonna cost me that again to have a exhaust system made :-(
im tempted to just fit a full mk4 car harness now so ive got the full dash working ???? as i was gonna fit the mk4 clocks anyway and would make it easier to plug the harness in instead of wiring it into the nova loom.

[Connor]

Dash looks minted, suprisly looks right at home in there. Would be quality if you can get it all working correctly, with the trip computer and that lol

[boss]

alreet mate did you get the back end of the floor welded back in scott said it was cut out dash looks mint

[Old man Jimbo]

That dash does look very cool in there.. I'd also be tempted to just fit the MK4 loom you may aswell if you're going to run all the clocks etc. Be a first.

[L33 LEG]

Car looks ace. Perfect wheels and height for it aswell! The dash is looking good, would definetly keep it in!

[heds]

boot floors not welded yet bossy, might still 4x4 it yet.

just went and got a full mk4 wiring harness
http://img835.imageshack.us/img835/272/imagepij.jpg
By heds28 (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/heds28) at 2011-11-19

and collected 'the bars of doom', these hopefully will tie in from the wishbone mounts on the chassis to the front crossmember giving a lot more strength and rigidity.
http://img3.imageshack.us/img3/4659/imagexje.jpg
By heds28 (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/heds28) at 2011-11-19
http://img822.imageshack.us/img822/6419/imageolg.jpg
By heds28 (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/heds28) at 2011-11-19

so gonna fit the full car harness the next few days and try n finish the dash off then work out how im gonna do the engine bay harness, obviously im not gonna run abs or air con so some of the wiring may be removed from the harness at a later date, im also wanting to keep the engine bay as clean as possible and hide whatever wiring i can.

[shed-on-wheels]

its mad how simple mods on a nova used to be enough and now fair play people are finding new stuff to do with them well done bud rep added!

[Balley]

Looking good as ever.

[Connor]

When we z20let'd my mates astra, he fitted an aircon deleter pulley kit and also chose not to run abs, if your using the mk4 dials? the speedo didnt work and something else (i cant remember off the top of my head) so he had to replug in the abs computer that sits inder the brake m/c thing just to get around the problem.
I know you can get around getting rid of the air-con a different way but heres the aircon deleter, gen gm product aswell iirc.
Gets rid of that condensor that weighs approximately double the weight of the moon lol
http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/225218_10150188722374926_637964925_7181385_617210_ n.jpg

[boss]

4x4 yes have you seen the 4x4 sport turbo i

[gunny]

When I put the Z16 in my nova I took the pas pump off, cut the belt down to an ish length, went to my local 'back street' motor factors and got a couple of belts around the same length, tried and fitted the one I wanted and took the other back.

[heds]

dont want to give too much away and tell people how easy this is until its running and sorted, but a mix of old vauxhall parts make it very easy, it never ceases to amaze me how so many old & new parts fit so well together, it has to be my fav thing about vauxhalls, who would have thought the old 1980's redtop engine would power the chevrolet btcc car to win 30 yrs later, and a crankshaft from an old 80's 2ltr 8v would be in the great astra vxr of 2011.

so why not put a 2011 engine with a 1980's crank into a 1992 nova with a 1995 cavalier 4x4 system (maybe) with a 2002 astra coupe wiring harness and ecu. gotta love the vauxhall scene dont you ?

right im off out to play with a harness, wish me luck

[heds]

got a little problem :-(
the turbo is a bit too big
http://img593.imageshack.us/img593/866/imageoul.jpg
By heds28 (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/heds28) at 2011-11-20

[gunny]

Saw your pic on Facebook of it the other way round, seems the best solution and you could maybe use an angled packing plate in the flange to bring the turbo back towards the block?

[Balley]

ouchh, why wont she go in?

[gunny]

Coz she'z a hoooge b1tch lol

[t45_ste]

Great project. Some tasty parts being used to a high standard. Keep it up :)

[heds]

if i spin the turbo round it hangs like this
http://img830.imageshack.us/img830/2717/imagecjg.jpg
By heds28 (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/heds28) at 2011-11-20


which sits the compressor housing very close to where the engine numbers are, it would allow plenty room for the intake side of things, exhaust looks like it might work.
http://img510.imageshack.us/img510/7678/imagevw.jpg
By heds28 (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/heds28) at 2011-11-20
It may allow me to have the outlet of the turbo straight onto the intercooler and have the in/out of the intercooler on the same side of the intercooler like one of these
http://img821.imageshack.us/img821/6849/1sidedintercooler.jpg
By heds28 (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/heds28) at 2011-11-20
that would keep the charge pipes short but wouldnt allow for a very big radiator if it allows for one at all

[thedjse]

Loving the progress matey TURBO is massive!!!

[Connor]

Out of interest, have you any pictures of your old miami blue nova?

[Old man Jimbo]

Could fit a rad in the boot? Had a look at civic rads? They're so small but efficient. Half the size of a Vauxhall one.. Just a thought..

[Rs1]

£300 for the bars of doom though matelol If you do want em i'll throw in..... some carbon:thumb:
Did you pick up the tear drops to mount them? iirc theres 2 sizes depending on how you want to do it.... or atleast on how i was going to do it. If you terminate engine side with a single tie in use the 5mm tear drops then you can cut the rest of the bar off. If you go beyond then tie in front and back and use he 3mm tear drops. If going beyond then the tube should realy have a plate in it but tbh once the tear drops are welded it'll make the bridge redundant.... it'll just look better:cool:
Dash is mint mate, dunno why i dint try one in, tried everything elselol
Dont worry about picking the logbook up, ive a new red one at home anyhow:eek:
Before you do owt drastic have a butchers at a t3-t3 intermediate angle section that may put the turbo in a better location.

[heds]

no rob never got any tear drops, im going to see chris on wed i think, could you give him a call and let him know where they are please, is the carbon there too ;-)

[Rs1]

Where to find them,lol. **** knows mate, likly to be in the blue trays behind Stevens car i rekon. Carbon only comes with purchasing BARS OF DOOM!!!!!
Have a fuel cap that'll cover that hole nicely aswell.

[saloonwoody]

Out of interest, have you any pictures of your old miami blue nova?
this one i do believe
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcVZx8Qe25A

[Connor]

Yer thats the one, it looks good in the video but just wondered if there were any more pics floating about of it

[pastry]

nice project! It's a good thing more and more nova z20let come.... Good thing I've got a old 84 nova and a z20let in the shed. ;)

[heds]

i dont seem to have many pics of my old nova, im making sure i take plenty of this one though
http://img97.imageshack.us/img97/299/08032010237.jpg
By heds28 (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/heds28) at 2010-03-12
http://img85.imageshack.us/img85/3583/21012010198.jpg
By heds28 (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/heds28) at 2010-02-07
http://img638.imageshack.us/img638/9750/09052010033.jpg
By heds28 (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/heds28) at 2010-05-09

wish id never sold it tbh

[heds]

decided the turbo wasnt gonna work the wrong way round and i refused to start chopping up a rather expensive bit of manifold so set about making an adapter plate.
went to see dave dixon at griffin autosport for a t28 & t25 flange then went for a small piece of angled 5mm wall 314 stainless. tacked it up and took it to be tig'd
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/6315/imagenrd.jpg
By heds28 (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/heds28) at 2011-11-24

few hours later i picked it up but the heat had warped the flanges rather badly
http://img804.imageshack.us/img804/5825/imagebbg.jpg
By heds28 (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/heds28) at 2011-11-24

soooo dropped it off with my mate at the machine shop to have it faced

http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/224/imagekag.jpg
By heds28 (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/heds28) at 2011-11-24

well done little pete for sorting the flange out!

got it mounted up and works a treat so set about piping up the intercooler, ideally id like to keep the charge pipes at 3" but ive used some 2 1/4" stainless piping i had to trial fit everything
http://img710.imageshack.us/img710/9277/imagektt.jpg
By heds28 (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/heds28) at 2011-11-24


its going well, id love to keep the engine bay looking like this with no wiring/pipework
http://img46.imageshack.us/img46/452/imagehs.jpg
By heds28 (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/heds28) at 2011-11-24

[nova_saloon]

woah thats going to be so good to see running what you predicting on power outputs? n that exhaust on the blue one was massive!?

[heds]

ha ha i loved the back box on the blue one, was a bit of a comedy thing, people would look at it and laugh like i was a 17yr old in his first car with a big cherry bomb on, occasionaly id give it some beans and watch there jaws drop other times id just sit there and let them laugh ;-)

power wise the turbo is good for 500 apparently and the engine should be upto that so as long as i can get someone to map the **** out of it it should see good figures

[Balley]

Both the cars look beautiful, well done Sir!

[heds]

ordered a civic rad today to try and free up a bit room up front and hopefully allow me to not have a header tank and keep the engine bay nice and neat, intake is going to go down over and up into the drivers side arch, ill weld a box in there to protect the filter from tyre splash and to create an air box, i already have an air intake on the front bumper for it so thats a bonus.
ive ordered a couple of black silicone hoses to finish off the boost pipes that are on show up top and the intercooler is all piped up now just need to make some brackets to support it.

ill pick up the engine bay harness tomorrow and get it plugged into the in car harness and see if i have power to the starter motor then set about reworking the harness so its invisible

[Edd]

What mk civic rad you got?

I looked into a civic rad and couldn't work how it could be plumbed into a nova bay

Also looked at 106 ones to get rid of the header tank

[heds]

not sure, went on ebay found one that was about to finish and bought it lol, it might need a little bit of modding on the water pipe locations but its still gonna be cheaper than a full custom rad setup

[pie]

looking good buddy :)

seen vid of it on youtube launching you old nova off the spot :)

[16v]

credit to you mate. the blue one was beutifull but words cant describe how nice the red one will be :)

[Connor]

Coming along nicely mate, good work.
And taa for the pics of your old beast, looks a nice example, looks and sounds epic on the vids on youtube, especially the launch one :p

[Rs1]

Heds throw that shonky top pipe in the bin:mad:
2.5" hard pipe with tb relocation so you can bring it tighter toward and square with the cam cover:thumb: Doooooo it:cool:
Dare you to get the loom down the legs, double stealth ftw:cool:

[scorge01]

i dont seem to have many pics of my old nova, im making sure i take plenty of this one though
http://img97.imageshack.us/img97/299/08032010237.jpg
By heds28 (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/heds28) at 2010-03-12
http://img85.imageshack.us/img85/3583/21012010198.jpg
By heds28 (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/heds28) at 2010-02-07
http://img638.imageshack.us/img638/9750/09052010033.jpg
By heds28 (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/heds28) at 2010-05-09

wish id never sold it tbh

is this the nova off of the vid on youtube doing the ring? if so what spec was it also did it have a diff as seemed to do really well :)

[gunny]

Heds wouldnt you be better going for a custom inlet like a Swedish or something for the figures your after?

[heds]

my blue nova never made it to the ring im afraid.

inlet i do have an idea in my head, id like an upside down one almost, keep it hidden at the back of the block nearly out of site and just a pipe coming round the side of the rocker cover. i wish i could TIG weld!

harness im just gonna chuck it in and make sure i can get the thing running but if theres one thing i hate its wires! so i will be trying to hide any wires i can.

[NOV4_SPORT]

Loving the progress matey, your old blue nova looked and went really well but iam sure this one will be even better mate, keep it up.

+rep :thumb:

[heds]

went and got a corsa c EPS column today so tried it in place with the dash and fitted a seat in place to see how it works before any brackets are made or cutting is done.
Ive set the seat position as low down and as far back as possible and with a longer column and deeper dash this helps keep the driving position as far back as poss which is ideal.
next task is to make some brackets to hold the dash in place then make that column fit :-(
http://img41.imageshack.us/img41/8355/imagexny.jpg
By heds28 (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/heds28) at 2011-11-28

http://img713.imageshack.us/img713/940/imagelcu.jpg
By heds28 (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/heds28) at 2011-11-28

was a bit worried about the front half of the cage fouling the dash but looks like it will be fine

http://img23.imageshack.us/img23/6540/imageapy.jpg
By heds28 (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/heds28) at 2011-11-28

then pushed it out for a daylight pic
http://img21.imageshack.us/img21/2722/imagehch.jpg
By heds28 (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/heds28) at 2011-11-28

[Cle]

LOVE how low that is :d

[Edd]

Nice work

interested to see how the dash/column works out

[heds]

not done much the last few days, but got my hands on a civic ally rad to try in place.
http://img43.imageshack.us/img43/4464/imagezavl.jpg
By heds28 (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/heds28) at 2011-12-02
http://img607.imageshack.us/img607/9973/imageqfk.jpg
By heds28 (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/heds28) at 2011-12-02

and a carbon fiber scuttle panel cover
http://img851.imageshack.us/img851/4425/imagegef.jpg
By heds28 (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/heds28) at 2011-11-28

[Old man Jimbo]

Hurry up with the civic rad! I've meant to try it for years but never got round to it lol

[heds]

im just wondering how to do it, obviously ill not be using a header tank anymore, ill still run the pipe out of the thermostat to the top of the rad, and the out the bottom of rad up onto the water rail above gearbox, metal water rail abouve exhaust onto breather on rad? 2x matrix straight off back of plastic water rail???

[craig green]

Nice build, sacriledge putting GM's worst dashboard in there though.

[heds]

worst dashboard??? you ever been in a corsa b/tigra, or even a corsa c in fact nova dash boards arnt exactly epic are they, only reason i tried the astra dash was cos i had one laying in the garden, but the centre consoles on them have room for at least 9 gauges.

[Old man Jimbo]

im just wondering how to do it, obviously ill not be using a header tank anymore, ill still run the pipe out of the thermostat to the top of the rad, and the out the bottom of rad up onto the water rail above gearbox, metal water rail abouve exhaust onto breather on rad? 2x matrix straight off back of plastic water rail???

Yeah sounds about right. Does it look like it'll give you much more space for the turbo? I never thought of getting a uprated one TBF I just remembered form my bodyshop days thinking how small and compact they were in Lsi and the like. I thought they'd sit over to the side of the turbo maybe?

Whatching with great interest and +rep as that seems the thing to do on here!

[heds]

what is this +rep everyone keeps saying? lol
thats the idea with the rad it should sit over to one side giving more room in front of the manifold and turbo, should allow more air to cool the block/manifold/turbo and not heat up the rad as much, someone mentioned using a civic rad so looked on ebay and the first item in the list was a brand new civic ally rad finishin in 5 mins with 0 bids starting at £29, so a cheeky last second bid secured that. ill try it in place tomorrow and get a couple of pics up, shame now my black silicone TX hoses wont be any good lol

[Old man Jimbo]

what is this +rep everyone keeps saying? lol
thats the idea with the rad it should sit over to one side giving more room in front of the manifold and turbo, should allow more air to cool the block/manifold/turbo and not heat up the rad as much, someone mentioned using a civic rad so looked on ebay and the first item in the list was a brand new civic ally rad finishin in 5 mins with 0 bids starting at £29, so a cheeky last second bid secured that. ill try it in place tomorrow and get a couple of pics up, shame now my black silicone TX hoses wont be any good lol

Yeah it was me who mentioned it! lol That was the thinking I had that it would be great for extra clearance if it sits over enough to one side.

This rep lark is the little green bars under your name. I had no idea what they where either but acquired a few lol so I thought you might like some aswell. It's nice to try and fit in.

Look forward to the pictures etc when you trial fit the rad.:thumb:

[heds]

ah right, in that case give me some rep guys if you like the project, ive only got one green bar.

[Rs1]

Heds that pipe under the cap is for overflow and should only be open if the system pressure overcomes the cap pressure.
If your running a matrix then pipe it up as normal if not then just blank/loop the matrix out/inlet. Tbh even if yo not running a heater box and matrix i'd be temted to put a small rad in to regain capacity youve lost with the civic rad etc. If you do that..... then yo might aswell chuck some clowling on it, a bit ducting and a fan, hey presto 1 pikey screen demister/feet warmer. Hmm, saying that yo might aswell chuck the full astra heater box in then,lol...... **** sake just buy an astra and bin off that shonky nova.

[scott.parker]

I quite like the Astra MK4 Dash, i know i wouldn't want a Nova one in My Astra! lol

Interesting to see how the rad works out...

[heds]

well just been out and sat the rad in place, looks like it could work, ill probably have to get the in/outlets moved on the top and bottom to suit but theres plenty room around it and plenty room for a nice big fan.
http://img855.imageshack.us/img855/2940/img1048u.jpg
By heds28 (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/heds28) at 2011-12-04
http://img838.imageshack.us/img838/937/img1056t.jpg
By heds28 (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/heds28) at 2011-12-04
http://img843.imageshack.us/img843/336/img1050cc.jpg
By heds28 (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/heds28) at 2011-12-04

also thinking about moving the intercooler off centre and over to the right which would allow the intake to the turbo to come straight off turbo and out front of bumper, would look a bit odd not having the cooler centred but would work great, what you lot think?
its still centred in the pics but shows how the intake can point straight forward
http://img843.imageshack.us/img843/8652/img1055s.jpg
By heds28 (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/heds28) at 2011-12-04
http://img84.imageshack.us/img84/6008/img1052jj.jpg
By heds28 (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/heds28) at 2011-12-04

[shed-on-wheels]

nice update bud

[arjo]

lot off work ,keep it up :thumb:

[Old man Jimbo]

You're a good lad heds I couldn't of asked for better pictures! It's all I hoped it would be. The clearance look excellent. I'd be tempted to try the cooler to one side. Mock it up and see if your happy with the looks of it.

Then it's a case of if you more bothered about looks or function.;)

Nice work. :thumb:

[Balley]

I like the look of the Rad.

[heds]

ive now got room for a chargecooler rad hmmmmmm

[Mieran]

Why not just run a charge cooler?

Get a universal ally rad (for the charge cooler) of ebay to fill up the bumper cut-out and get a massive pwr charge cooler

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/UNIVERSAL-WATER-AIR-HEAT-EXCHANGER-ALUMINIUM-RADIATOR-/120708910982?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item1c1acfcf86

[mcgee.m]

this is looking really nice good work

[gunny]

Don't think it would look odd as you'd have the filter there so it'd be clear as to why the cooler is off centre.

[heds]

the thing i dont want to do is make it all out function over looks drag car, i like my cars to be visually satisfying. like speckys tigra, its an awesome epic car but looks a bit messy in the engine bay, i like neat hidden tucked wiring etc.

but i still want mega power, but i want it lookin cool
ive got a pwr chargecooler in my sights but at over £1000 its killing me, ive managed so far to build this car on a budget compared to my last nova which cost £10k to build. so far im only upto about £5k.
lets see what happens ;-) santa might be good

[John]

liking the mk4 dash!

[Rick Draper]

ive got a pwr chargecooler in my sights but at over £1000 its killing me,

IIRC When Norris ran one he soon removed it and chucked it away so no one had the misfortune of using it again....

[Connor]

A chargecooler setup has just been put up for sale in the for sale section, dont know if its of any interest for you mate?
>CLICKY< (http://www.pngclub.com/forum/showthread.php?180017-WRC-Spec-Chargecooler-System-Complete-Kit)

[Old man Jimbo]

IMHO don't use a charge cooler.

Although in fairness the PWR is the only one I've heard of that work okay. But at that price I''d funking hope it would!

[heds]

well not a lot going on at the minute, just had some metal work removed from my foot so im kind of out of action at the minute.
i did pick up an z20leh block last week
http://img818.imageshack.us/img818/7364/imageazpi.jpg
By heds28 (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/heds28) at 2011-12-18

might set about building this up in the new year once this heals up
http://img220.imageshack.us/img220/3810/imagezwq.jpg
By heds28 (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/heds28) at 2011-12-18

in the mean time why not pop over and sign up to www.vauxsausage.com its my forum i started a while back intended mainly for buying and selling vauxhall parts and by no means am i trying to take users from this forum ;-)

[Mike]

Cheers for the calipers bossman, pleasure to meet you mate even though it was farking freezing!

Foot looks gory man :/ bit early in the morn for pics like that lol

[Alex J]

what the **** did you do to that! and as for a pwr charge cooler, dont bother imo, they are ****, i had one on my renault 5 gt turbo, and it did nothing to the charge temps, and cost me almost a grand . waste of money.

[brainsnova]

Ouch engine on the foot. Nice idea with the mix of parts for the engine and transmission set up. The astra dash is a tidy addition :thumb:

[heds]

i broke 6 bones in my foot last year tripping over a broken pavement and had 3 screws in it since, its never felt right so we decided it would be best to have them removed, so i did, then got home from hospital to find a letter from the solicitors to say that they cant continue trying to make a claim as they dont think id win pffft ba$tards was hoping for a nice lump of cash to put a deposit on the new astra gtc vxr next year :-(.

[heds]

anyone on facebook? search 'vauxsausage nova vxr' and hit the like button to keep an eye on progress, cheers

[heds]

http://img33.imageshack.us/img33/3028/imageipr.jpg
By heds28 (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/heds28) at 2011-12-21

well thats it for this year, my mates just been over and we have stripped the car down and put all the goodies up in the loft, so its pretty much a bare shell again now lol.
once the bad weather comes n goes ill crack on again but ill continue to gather parts.
hope you all have a great christmas and new year!
cheers

[SimonTW]

Awesome looking project and a wicked starting point in that shell.

Hope your foot heals soon. Looks nasty that!

[matthew172]

looks awesome

[kirky_boy87]

brilliant project, super clean cant wait for more progress m8

[richz_nova]

sweet project mate keep up the good work

[nova_niek]

Good luck on the foot mate. Welcome to the broken bones club.

http://i537.photobucket.com/albums/ff333/nova_niek/niek/broken%20leg%202008/gebroken_been_1a_klein.jpg
http://i537.photobucket.com/albums/ff333/nova_niek/niek/broken%20leg%202008/gipsdriepuntnulvoor.jpg

This is what happens when you have 500kg worth of steel plates dropped on your lower leg. Safety shoes are always a good idea, just need to wear leg protectors next time! LOL

[pie]

looks nasty fella

[heds]

you guys on facebook?
ive made a page for my car if you wouldnt mind hitting the 'like' button that would be great
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Vauxsausage-Nova-VXR/238269476246345

hopefully get cracking again in a couple of weeks and ill be sure to update, dont forget that rep button too ^

[Connor]

Done and done :thumb: i expect updates :p

[arjo]

looks good

i will see you the 10 june att santa pod

[heds]

certainly will arjo! be great to meet you and compare setup's and maybe even a little race ;-)

[arjo]

are there up-date's

[heds]

not just yet, engine bay is empty now hopefully get an engine in there tomorrow, i messaged you on facebook arjo, did you get it?

[arjo]

not just yet, engine bay is empty now hopefully get an engine in there tomorrow, i messaged you on facebook arjo, did you get it?


i messaged you back.

[heds]

little update, cant remember where i finished off lol

ive ripped everything out of the engine bay now to start with putting a real engine in so whilst all the parts where out ive cleaned/rebuilt/painted them, coated metal parts with galvanising spray for protection (and its a great primer) and then a couple coats of satin black, i think the black is working well with the red.

empty bay again :-)
http://i1127.photobucket.com/albums/l630/Marc_Hedley/f0c92531.jpg
http://i1127.photobucket.com/albums/l630/Marc_Hedley/64aaa7e8.jpg

brill stuff that galv spray
http://i1127.photobucket.com/albums/l630/Marc_Hedley/79d8a080.jpg
http://i1127.photobucket.com/albums/l630/Marc_Hedley/fa3e782b.jpg
http://i1127.photobucket.com/albums/l630/Marc_Hedley/5f2eedef.jpg
http://i1127.photobucket.com/albums/l630/Marc_Hedley/3d3c8ee0.jpg
http://i1127.photobucket.com/albums/l630/Marc_Hedley/170d93da.jpg

and incase anyone was wondering, alternators arnt easy to dismantle, ended up masking off the insides with bog roll lmao
http://i1127.photobucket.com/albums/l630/Marc_Hedley/2ab54ada.jpg
http://i1127.photobucket.com/albums/l630/Marc_Hedley/9b66e6ac.jpg

got one of the engines ready and bolted box up
http://i1127.photobucket.com/albums/l630/Marc_Hedley/429578de.jpg

[heds]

gathered a few more parts too
http://i1127.photobucket.com/albums/l630/Marc_Hedley/IMG_1164.jpg
http://i1127.photobucket.com/albums/l630/Marc_Hedley/IMG_1182.jpg
http://i1127.photobucket.com/albums/l630/Marc_Hedley/IMG_1252.jpg
http://i1127.photobucket.com/albums/l630/Marc_Hedley/IMG_1250.jpg
http://i1127.photobucket.com/albums/l630/Marc_Hedley/IMG_1251.jpg

not easy putting engines in on your own, no slidey no likey
http://i1127.photobucket.com/albums/l630/Marc_Hedley/7856c4c0.jpg
http://i1127.photobucket.com/albums/l630/Marc_Hedley/94278053.jpg
http://i1127.photobucket.com/albums/l630/Marc_Hedley/55c9e450.jpg
http://i1127.photobucket.com/albums/l630/Marc_Hedley/50984f9b.jpg

and thats where i left it last weekend, hopefully get the head gasket on this weekend, head on and torqued up, then fit rest of engine up.
For the time being im gonna ditch a couple of plans to make sure the car is ready for PVS, Im not gonna bother fitting the astra dash or corsa column as thats something i dont want on my mind when I should be concentrating on the engine bay.

[heds]

and i need to ask you all a favour, if your on facebook could you please vote for my to become the north east regional organiser for SFS performance.
simply type "marc hedley for north east REO" on the comments of this picture
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150530449738062&set=a.10150530446968062.376336.79927063061&type=3&permPage=1

would be a massive help guys, you can also follow the updates of the car on facebook just search 'vauxsausage nova vxr' (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Vauxsausage-Nova-VXR/238269476246345) or click that, dont forget to hit the like button to follow.

[M Sutton]

Looks awesome! Will be very nice when its done ;)

[Iain]

Looks like there's nothing to the front end with those crossmember/slam panel mods! Gonna give the crossmember a quick lick of paint while you're there?

Looks sweet though, you get all the braided lines made up already?

[josh-sri]

Update required! :thumb:

[heds]

sorry ive not been on much, really dont think im gonna have it ready for PVS12, which im a bit gutted about but working away from home i just dont have the time, Ive got the engine in place and most parts on it, just need to make my mind up what to do with the rad/water pipes and the intercooler.
but I got the corsa b servo put in place yesterday, reduced the pedal box down to just a clutch pedal and mounted the electronic throttle pedal.
couple of pics
http://i1127.photobucket.com/albums/l630/Marc_Hedley/bd7e4a4d.jpg
http://i1127.photobucket.com/albums/l630/Marc_Hedley/e7d5f8bd.jpg
http://i1127.photobucket.com/albums/l630/Marc_Hedley/8b68307a.jpg
http://i1127.photobucket.com/albums/l630/Marc_Hedley/6ffaed83.jpg
http://i1127.photobucket.com/albums/l630/Marc_Hedley/ef3f3566.jpg
http://i1127.photobucket.com/albums/l630/Marc_Hedley/c88529ac.jpg
http://i1127.photobucket.com/albums/l630/Marc_Hedley/43956982.jpg
http://i1127.photobucket.com/albums/l630/Marc_Hedley/3715ed66.jpg

decided just to put the nova dash and harness in for now to keep it simple as i just want it running now, may make some changes in the winter though.

[M Sutton]

Awesome!will be great when it's done ;)

[heds]

been playing around with the front end, i was trying to keep the boost pipes as short as possible and have the turbo joining straight onto the intercooler, i was going to get the end tanks on the cooler modified to suit, but this setup would mean an off centre intercooler which i just didnt like the look of
http://i1127.photobucket.com/albums/l630/Marc_Hedley/IMG_16101.jpg
http://i1127.photobucket.com/albums/l630/Marc_Hedley/IMG_16131.jpg
so had to go the traditional route and take the pipes around the legs which im not too happy with but will do for now.
http://i1127.photobucket.com/albums/l630/Marc_Hedley/IMG_16171.jpg
http://i1127.photobucket.com/albums/l630/Marc_Hedley/IMG_16181.jpg

[gary_126]

Comming along well!! The red/satin black combo really works on this!

[heds]

its not moving along as quick as id like, its not going to be at PVS either, i even had to turn down the offer from Total Vauxhall of putting it on their main stand :-(

[Nova_Tek]

Very interesting location for the air filter. Hope it doesn't suffer from water and dirt issues.

Like the colour scheme too :thumb:

[BRoadGhost]

You wanna make up a proper inlet manifold if you're aiming for some high horse power; the standard inlet won't flow right.

[heds]

a new inlet is on the cards but the standard one will surprise most

[SimonTW]

That engine bay install is looking superb!

[Kev Turbo]

What ever happened to this?

[Alex J]

What ever happened to this?was thinking the same!

[joey17]

Was sold to a lad in Scotland, Heds now has his old Miami blue nova back

[pastry]

Does the car drive already?

[joey17]

Nah was sold without the engine. He kept the engine iirc then sold the car rolling

[pastry]

Ok... to bad. I'm the owner now off the orange corsa turbo, its runs but not yet drivable. Work in progress there. ;-)

[dgbnova#1]

Ok... to bad. I'm the owner now off the orange corsa turbo, its runs but not yet drivable. Work in progress there. ;-)
You got a build thread for the Corsa mate ?

[shaunboy84]

Donald bowness owns it???

[pastry]

You got a build thread for the Corsa mate ?

I swapped cars with my m8 Arjo. So he has build this carand its 90% finished, runs etc. Just some "little" last things. http://www.pngclub.com/forum/showthread.php?155121-z20let-f23&highlight=arjo

and the total tread (in Dutch) http://corsaa.forum2go.nl/pastry-s-corsa-a-z20let-t131.html

[heds]

sorry chaps, should probably have left a note to say what had happened with the car, but yes its sold as I managed to track down my old miami blue nova which i build from around 2008>.
A huge project is underway on the blue one now, not a lot to show just yet as just buying the parts is crazy money, put it this way, the cylinder head for the new zlet build alone is costing more than what the entire car cost to build as a c20let in the first place!

heres a before and now
http://i1127.photobucket.com/albums/l630/Marc_Hedley/IMG_6241_zps0cac0cb2.jpg (http://s1127.photobucket.com/user/Marc_Hedley/media/IMG_6241_zps0cac0cb2.jpg.html)

but expect ridiculous power to weight ratio!

[Southie]

Nice to meet you sort of at totb Heds, I was with Chris, didn't realise who you were till later on lol

Some of the parts you were carrying around looked useful ;)

[Connor]

Ohh liking the sound of the new build. Subscribed :thumb:

[Southie]

Any updates on this then Mark?