Newbie to PNG with Nova diesel van project...

[gregster]

Wotcha fellas...

Great forum, loads of info, ideas and inspiration...well done everyone.

My first post, and my first nova...

Have has loads of Vauxhalls in the past, from a 105e with a 1760c/f on 40's, a manta exclusive coupe, a droop snoot firenza and countless cavs....Sadly this was years back when they were worth nothing...:confused:
More into 4x4's these days, am involved with the running of fronteraowners.co.uk and Se rep for them, and a fair few modded fronteras and other 4x4's...
These are some of my fronteras.
http://i690.photobucket.com/albums/vv264/teamxtreme4x4/green%20lwb/DSC00126.jpg
http://i690.photobucket.com/albums/vv264/teamxtreme4x4/woods%20may%202011/06052011573.jpg
http://i690.photobucket.com/albums/vv264/teamxtreme4x4/28%20lwb/27042011552.jpg
http://i690.photobucket.com/albums/vv264/teamxtreme4x4/fronterror/17_06_200510_40_0001.jpg
http://i690.photobucket.com/albums/vv264/teamxtreme4x4/chevy/DSC00600.jpg
http://i690.photobucket.com/albums/vv264/teamxtreme4x4/sals%20fronty%20build/DSC00343.jpg
http://i690.photobucket.com/albums/vv264/teamxtreme4x4/Wokday%20nov2011%20and%20wrecker/06112011024.jpg
http://i924.photobucket.com/albums/ad90/RandomRoss/FOG%20SE%20Weekender%2024th%20to%2026th%20Sept%202 010/26d86477.jpg
http://i754.photobucket.com/albums/xx184/DanMargasPhotography/At%20the%20woods%2027%20-%2029th%20Aug%2011/DSCF6507.jpg

So the Nova project is a bit different for me!lol

[gregster]

The plan being is that is gonna be a cool looking works hack to run back and forth to my workshop and being an "oil burner" it should be good on juice, and save me running the 4x4's everywhere.
Its gonna get paint, so it looks fresh again...simple white through, nothing mad as I think these look right like that...of course slammed with some big rimmage though...
Might paint the bumpers, and replace the side mouldings with some MK1 2 piece skirts, but not body colour though...thinking a dark anthrocite and the wheels the same colour.
Needs some welding, theres a hole behind the NSF suspension turret, and the front panel needs work too behind the bumper. Wants a NSF wing also and some minor repairs to the rear archs, and roll them at the same time for more clearance. Body is pretty straight though, for a van anyway...

So here is the "beast"...1500cc's of raw unturbo'ed heavy oil power...
http://i690.photobucket.com/albums/vv264/teamxtreme4x4/Nova/28122011249.jpg
http://i690.photobucket.com/albums/vv264/teamxtreme4x4/Nova/28122011250.jpg
http://i690.photobucket.com/albums/vv264/teamxtreme4x4/Nova/28122011251.jpg
http://i690.photobucket.com/albums/vv264/teamxtreme4x4/Nova/28122011252.jpg
http://i690.photobucket.com/albums/vv264/teamxtreme4x4/Nova/28122011253.jpg
http://i690.photobucket.com/albums/vv264/teamxtreme4x4/Nova/28122011254.jpg
http://i690.photobucket.com/albums/vv264/teamxtreme4x4/Nova/28122011255.jpg
http://i690.photobucket.com/albums/vv264/teamxtreme4x4/Nova/28122011256.jpg
http://i690.photobucket.com/albums/vv264/teamxtreme4x4/Nova/28122011257.jpg
http://i690.photobucket.com/albums/vv264/teamxtreme4x4/Nova/28122011258.jpg
http://i690.photobucket.com/albums/vv264/teamxtreme4x4/Nova/28122011260.jpg
http://i690.photobucket.com/albums/vv264/teamxtreme4x4/Nova/28122011261.jpg
http://i690.photobucket.com/albums/vv264/teamxtreme4x4/Nova/28122011262.jpg
http://i690.photobucket.com/albums/vv264/teamxtreme4x4/Nova/28122011263.jpg
http://i690.photobucket.com/albums/vv264/teamxtreme4x4/Nova/28122011264.jpg

[gregster]

http://i690.photobucket.com/albums/vv264/teamxtreme4x4/Nova/28122011265.jpg
http://i690.photobucket.com/albums/vv264/teamxtreme4x4/Nova/28122011266.jpg
http://i690.photobucket.com/albums/vv264/teamxtreme4x4/Nova/28122011267.jpg
http://i690.photobucket.com/albums/vv264/teamxtreme4x4/Nova/28122011268.jpg
http://i690.photobucket.com/albums/vv264/teamxtreme4x4/Nova/28122011269.jpg
I have a set of 17's that aint to horrid in themselves, other than being multifit...but they were the right price and seem to fit ok...Not planning to slam it too low, as it needs to be practical still and although vans dont carry fat chicks in the back, my dog weighs 13st...
Thinking of going 205 40 17's on them...what do you think?
Mocked up on the car to check clearances (roughly...with no tyres!)...
http://i690.photobucket.com/albums/vv264/teamxtreme4x4/Nova/28122011270.jpg
http://i690.photobucket.com/albums/vv264/teamxtreme4x4/Nova/28122011276.jpg
http://i690.photobucket.com/albums/vv264/teamxtreme4x4/Nova/28122011271.jpg
http://i690.photobucket.com/albums/vv264/teamxtreme4x4/Nova/28122011279.jpg
http://i690.photobucket.com/albums/vv264/teamxtreme4x4/Nova/28122011273.jpg
http://i690.photobucket.com/albums/vv264/teamxtreme4x4/Nova/28122011272.jpg

Any advice/suggestions etc would be welcomed, as would a NSF wing or some 205/40/17 tyres!

Thanks for reading...and again thanks for a great site...

Lets see if I can make this Van look 1/2 as bad-ass as the cars you have on here.

[Bubba]

17s with 3dr arches will require a fair amount of arch work.

[TeddyThom]

Wotcha fellas...

Great forum, loads of info, ideas and inspiration...well done everyone.

These are some of my fronteras.
http://i690.photobucket.com/albums/vv264/teamxtreme4x4/green%20lwb/DSC00126.jpg
http://i690.photobucket.com/albums/vv264/teamxtreme4x4/chevy/DSC00600.jpg
http://i690.photobucket.com/albums/vv264/teamxtreme4x4/Wokday%20nov2011%20and%20wrecker/06112011024.jpg


Welcome to the forum.

Love those fonteras!!

How long will it be before you turbo the oil burner then?? :d

[gregster]

Cheers bubba...
When you say "fair amount"...how much???
I have got to sort the rust bubbling in the edges anyway, so was going to fold the inner lip right up to gain a bit of space. Thinking of dropping it probably 60mm, maybe a bit more..am I gonna run into major hassles then?

[gregster]

Thanks for reply TeddyThom ,they are good trucks the fronteras...especially the 2.8's with 4jb1 isuzu lumps...got 5 2.8's, 2x c20ne's and a 2.4i at the mo! Even better with their diffs welded up!

As for turbo'ing the van...I dunno...its tempting, but the idea of it really is for it to be cheap to run...I know turbo lumps also give good mpg but if it goes quicker then I will drive it quicker and rag it...and use loads of juice, which kinda defeats the object of the exercise. I know I cant be trusted, so slug power its gonna stay for now!
LOL

[TeddyThom]

Thanks for reply TeddyThom ,they are good trucks the fronteras...especially the 2.8's with 4jb1 isuzu lumps...got 5 2.8's, 2x c20ne's and a 2.4i at the mo! Even better with their diffs welded up!

As for turbo'ing the van...I dunno...its tempting, but the idea of it really is for it to be cheap to run...I know turbo lumps also give good mpg but if it goes quicker then I will drive it quicker and rag it...and use loads of juice, which kinda defeats the object of the exercise. I know I cant be trusted, so slug power its gonna stay for now!
LOL
Haha.

I give it a week of you being loaded up then trying to overtake something... Then you'll realise how much you miss the turbo ;)

[maddogdaz666]

Haha.

I give it a week of you being loaded up then trying to overtake something... Then you'll realise how much you miss the turbo ;)

This is so true, ive binned my 1.7d corsa vans engine in favour of a V6 :)

Good luck on the project tho, looks a very tidy base to start on.
Personnaly id get smaller rims as for driveability if its gonna be a daily hack, and less hassle too, although they look like they fit ok.

[Graeme]

Looks like an ok base there and loved on here for some reason, fronteras look excellent, I'm not a big fan of those 17s though look too modern

[Tim]

hi and welcome.

Are you the guy that took his frontera up snowdon and waited for them to get it down for him .........then took it back up there lol.

[Mike]

I used to have one of these.

The Van of DEATH!

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j181/mikenova/109_0352.jpg

[Bubba]

well i had a 5door which everyone knows can take bigger wheels and i had to take a hammer to my arches when it was dropped 60mm. im not exactly sure how much is needed but i expect someone will tell you how much. :)

[Balley]

Ohh another Derv :) I will be watching this :)

[blue_peg_16v]

With 17s it will depend on offset and the width of the rim, my old van vas on 17in team dynamics monzas they were a 7j 45mm offset and ran 205 40 17s all 4 lips were folded back and it was a 60mm drop only problem I had was on harsh bumps they would catch on the inside of the arch a few love taps from sledgy tho and all was sorted wouldn't go more than 60 though as wi the dog in the sack they will probably catch in the top of the arch

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm71/richardmee/15052009029.jpg

The none turbo is excellent on juice too used to go to Dorset regular to see Heather 500 mile round trip and when I got back I'd still have a quarter of a tank left

[Balley]

Do you plan on painting it Glacier white again, if so there is an offer on ebay at the minute. 5 litres of 2 pack with hardener for £70. I emailed him to ask why it was so cheap and the reply was basically he buys it in bulk and because it is designed for fleet use its not a perfect match. Yet its still a very shiny and durable finish!

Any way this is what I plan to respray mine with!

[gary_126]

Welcome to the forum! Some mental looking frontera's there :D The nova looks a really clean wee van!

[gregster]

Cheers guys for your welcomes and advice. My mate, who's a member on here (sr jack), came up to have a gander at the new Van...he seemed impressed and convinced it was well worth saving...(also told me that I was wrong doing 17's on it...we'll see!)
He whipped the front bumper off in quicker than it would have taken me to locate the fixings, revealing that Mr Tinworm has been binge eating on the front panel.
Nothing irreparable though, but was worse than I had anticipated...The main structural stuff is solid though, its just the curved outer bit that has suffered.
He had a gander over the rest of it and nothing too much else to do really welding wise other than the inner wing behind the turret on the n/s and some arch work.

Have decided on the colour scheme for it...body, door inners and shuts I am going to repaint in the stock glacier white...Dunno yet whether to hit it 2k solid or base n clear it, probably go solid though. The side trims are going as they dont look right (although they are stock)...My thinking is to look right the should look like the corresponding section of the bumpers, not be the multi ridged things that they are that dont match anything else on the car. I dont know what VX was thinking with these. Considered using some side moldings of something else that was a simple flat shape, the same width as the flat band round the bumpers, but that wont work with the side skirts...As Jack agreed its skirts OR trims, not both.
So the body will all be super straight and shiny white, and the bumpers, skirts and wheels I am going to etch,hibuild and paint a dark anthracite colour (almost black) and clear. kinda like the colour they come in fresh plastic, but painted so they dont need silconing every week (I hate silicon, as do airbrush artwork, and I just dont wanna be anywhere near the stuff...)

So thats the plan...
but a load of cutting and welding first...think my plasma cutter is going to earn its money on this car!LOL

Thanks for the pointer re. the cheap 2k, will have a gander as thats a pretty good price depending on what it is.

Like the other van pics...gotta say the blue van of bluepeg16vkinda convinced me that my wheels need to be low key...dont get me wrong you car looks cool, but I dont want the wheels to stand out so much as they do in silver (they are multifits remember...the shame of it), so I think the same anthracite as the bumpers and skirts should do the trick.

Hope fully will have a couple of 205/40/17s scrappers to throw on the wheels in the next few days, to get a better idea of the issues I am gonna run into. Dont want to really lay out on a new set of tyres if they arent going to work.

Thanks again for all you welcomes and advise...the advice is much needed, or I will end up doing a 3" lift on it, and fitting mud tyres and a winch!

[TeddyThom]

I will end up doing a 3" lift on it, and fitting mud tyres and a winch!

DO IT!! lol

[NoVaBoOt26]

Welcome mate, car looks like a great project good luck

[gregster]

Thanks guys...

I am having a dilemma fellas...
Seeing as there is a fair amount of welding work to do already and the rear arches need some work, and the van is going to end up being fully painted anyway...I am thinking of maybe going wide body with it having looked at some of the cars on here...
I dont want a fibreglass kit as dont want to have to repair it constantly where they crack...so thinking of something different.

I did this to a frontera sport a while back...
http://i690.photobucket.com/albums/vv264/teamxtreme4x4/breaking/14092011893.jpg
And have the rear quarters still and a couple of pairs of front wings.

Dunno how familiar you guys are with the fronty sports, but they have luverly flared wings and quarters....and I think you can probably guess by now what I am thinking!
Arches are like this...
http://i690.photobucket.com/albums/vv264/teamxtreme4x4/sals%20fronty%20build/DSC00340.jpg
http://i690.photobucket.com/albums/vv264/teamxtreme4x4/sals%20fronty%20build/nov31134.jpg
http://i690.photobucket.com/albums/vv264/teamxtreme4x4/sals%20fronty%20build/nov31133.jpg
Much much wider...
They are not quite as sharp angled as on the nova, the the rear quarters might be too long to the point that i need to use 4 wings instead..

I know it will be a lot of fab, as the wheel arch diameter is much larger on the frontera than the nova so it will mean grafting the upper sections of the frontera panels to the arch edges of the nova ones...but its doable...
Just want to get some feedback from you guys as to how you think it will look?

Has anyone dont this before? Will be nice to be all Vauxhall I reckon if its doable...well 50% Vauxhall, 25%parkers sheet steel and 25% Upol LOL...

[_Jake]

Dont do it... flares will look mahoosive compared to the car imo

[Iain]

Mock it up with some tape first, I've eyeballed those arches too before but I guess it's all down to how they're fitted.

[gregster]

Good new or not good news, depending on how you look at it really...
It looks like I might have got me a Mk2 escort van, and as much as like the Nova van, I cant justify the two of them, but the lure of rear wheel drive is winning through.
I wise fella who I knew who traded in cars once told me that he, never traded in cars he hated (as he couldnt be motivated to work on them) but never traded in cars he liked (as he never wanted to get rid of them once finished)....And he was soooo right...
I cant help thinking how cool this little van would be slammed with some fresh paint, so I having a dilemma as to whether to get it done and then try and justify having both this and the scort, or whether to part with it as is.
Dilemmas dilemmas...