Mk2 1.6 16v Rally Car.

[mk1nova_rich]

This came up for sale on eBay in mid-January, it was local to me so I went to view it - I had already met the bloke selling it before as I had bought a Kevlar tank guard from him last year. I arranged a viewing date and left a deposit there and then as it seemed a good buy...

http://i669.photobucket.com/albums/vv57/mk1nova_rich/DSCF0065.jpg
http://i669.photobucket.com/albums/vv57/mk1nova_rich/DSCF0074.jpg
http://i669.photobucket.com/albums/vv57/mk1nova_rich/DSCF0072.jpg
http://i669.photobucket.com/albums/vv57/mk1nova_rich/DSCF0073.jpg
http://i669.photobucket.com/albums/vv57/mk1nova_rich/DSCF0067.jpg
http://i669.photobucket.com/albums/vv57/mk1nova_rich/DSCF0066.jpg
http://i669.photobucket.com/albums/vv57/mk1nova_rich/DSCF0069.jpg
http://i669.photobucket.com/albums/vv57/mk1nova_rich/DSCF0070.jpg
http://i669.photobucket.com/albums/vv57/mk1nova_rich/DSCF0068.jpg
http://i669.photobucket.com/albums/vv57/mk1nova_rich/DSCF0071.jpg

We agreed a price on the shell plus a few extras so the current spec is:

MSA logbooked stitch-welded Nova Mk2 shell
Harry Hockly strengthening kit fitted
Rollcenter 6 point cage with harness bar and front triangulation
Seat rails welded in
Harness eyebolts and spreader plates
Rear disc beam
Fuel and brake lines run through car
Full wiring loom and dash with fusebox and relays in centre
Bumpers and headlights
Roof vent
Rear screen and rear quarter windows
10mm sump guard and mounts

[mk1nova_rich]

Yesterday morning I went down to the garage where it lives and with the help of Matt, the previous owner we got the suspension and brakes all fitted up then got some wheels on to get the shell rolling. We then got it outside and gave it a good jetwash underneath to remove the mud from its last event.

http://i669.photobucket.com/albums/vv57/mk1nova_rich/2012-02-11110843.jpg
http://i669.photobucket.com/albums/vv57/mk1nova_rich/2012-02-11110816.jpg
http://i669.photobucket.com/albums/vv57/mk1nova_rich/2012-02-11122915.jpg

This is how it stands now

http://i669.photobucket.com/albums/vv57/mk1nova_rich/2012-02-11121457.jpg

As you can see it has the rear windows all re-fitted back into the shell. Im really excited about getting it all built back up as a lot of the hard work is already done :)

[martsnova]

all the hard works been done what spec engine and box are you thinking

[maddogdaz666]

sweet! GOOD BUY!

[mk1nova_rich]

1.6 16v ;)

[maddogdaz666]

The TH's look so at home on that vehicle rich.

[Spudly]

Ive seen that before somewhere, has it done the trackrod yorkshire before Rich, ive just looked through my pics but cant find it in any but im certain ive seen it there!

[mk1nova_rich]

He did the Riponian last year...not sure about Trackrod

[novasrikev]

looking good fella

[mk1nova_rich]

Just dropped some doors off at the garage this afternoon...lad will be swapping the windows and regulators over into the shell for me :d next on the list is to fit my Quaife quick rack and the steering column

[Rickyb]

this looks a good project, i hope you dont give up on this one lol, im sure ive seen this somewere before lmao

[Southie]

Looks bloody nasty you traitor, I jest mate and that's ideal for what you've been wanting to do for quite a while now... I expect a blast out in it when it's on the road :p

Glad to know all my hard work with the engine and parts I bought for the old shiity MK1 will live on mate lol

[mk1nova_rich]

Cheers Southie ;) as you said all the engine and mechanicals will live on in this shell

[autoworksnovasport]

looks a good start should come out nice in the end

[mk1nova_rich]

Here is the pair of doors I dropped off yesterday so hopefully next time I see the car it will have all the door glass fitted :thumb:

http://i669.photobucket.com/albums/vv57/mk1nova_rich/2012-02-12154935.jpg

This parcel arrived the other day from autoworksnovasport... Steering rack clamps and the dashplug. It used to have a Stack dash fitted so its being rewired to fit GSi clocks.

http://i669.photobucket.com/albums/vv57/mk1nova_rich/2012-02-12151143.jpg
http://i669.photobucket.com/albums/vv57/mk1nova_rich/2012-02-11121550.jpg

[mk1nova_rich]

A few more pics that were taken on Saturday...

http://i669.photobucket.com/albums/vv57/mk1nova_rich/2012-02-11113003.jpg
http://i669.photobucket.com/albums/vv57/mk1nova_rich/2012-02-11113128.jpg
http://i669.photobucket.com/albums/vv57/mk1nova_rich/2012-02-11121616.jpg
http://i669.photobucket.com/albums/vv57/mk1nova_rich/2012-02-11113145.jpg

Once all the windows are all re-fitted and the signwriting has been removed it will be treated to a good wash lol

[autoworksnovasport]

glad they turned up quikly for you

[mk1nova_rich]

http://i669.photobucket.com/albums/vv57/mk1nova_rich/2012-02-08123131.jpg

I bought a steering column off Brucer, so set about removing the ignition barrel as the car has push-button start wired into the dash. It has a bit of surface rust but still turns freely so no problems there. I may try giving it a rub down with some ScotchBrite before fitting

http://i669.photobucket.com/albums/vv57/mk1nova_rich/2012-02-08123321.jpg
http://i669.photobucket.com/albums/vv57/mk1nova_rich/2012-02-08124256.jpg

How does the bottom bracket of the steering column attach to the shell? Is it a bolt or is there a stud in the shell?

[Rickyb]

theres a stud in the shell buddy

[mk1nova_rich]

Cheers mate, id best get some M8 nuts...enough for the rack clamps too

[mk1nova_rich]

Track rod ends, OMP side mounts and various nuts and bolts ordered...as soon as they all arrive I can get the quickrack and steering column fitted and the driving position set up :thumb:

Next on the list is the hydraulic handbrake and bias pedal box to finish off the braking system. It would have been cheaper to fit a standard servo and M/C but the brake lines are still in place so its going to be a lot easier to replicate the setup the previous owner used. I missed out on the bias box Colin Smith was selling by £2 :(

[mk1nova_rich]

Went down to the car this afternoon to get a bit more done...Matt had kindly fitted the door glass and winder mechanisms...

http://i669.photobucket.com/albums/vv57/mk1nova_rich/2012-02-18144645.jpg
http://i669.photobucket.com/albums/vv57/mk1nova_rich/2012-02-18144654.jpg

maddogdaz666 came to give me a hand to get the Quaife quick rack and steering column fitted. At least with it on wheels with working steering its a lot easier to move about for working on

http://i669.photobucket.com/albums/vv57/mk1nova_rich/2012-02-18145105.jpg
http://i669.photobucket.com/albums/vv57/mk1nova_rich/2012-02-18150614.jpg

We got the brake calipers bolted up too which will eventually need bleeding once a bias box has been bought and fitted :thumb:

http://i669.photobucket.com/albums/vv57/mk1nova_rich/2012-02-18152454.jpg
http://i669.photobucket.com/albums/vv57/mk1nova_rich/2012-02-18155804.jpg

Steering column bolted in place then the steering wheel and boss fitted with brand new M5 bolts, then a cheesy pic of my excitement with progess :tard:lol

http://i669.photobucket.com/albums/vv57/mk1nova_rich/2012-02-18155632.jpg

That is all for now :)

[mk1nova_rich]

One of my other current considerations is the routing of the fuel lines. Below is a picture of the current setup...

http://i669.photobucket.com/albums/vv57/mk1nova_rich/2012-02-18153706.jpg

The previous owner was running a 1.4 8 valve on bike carbs so had no return line. My plan is to fit the C16XE from 'Bessie' so I will need to fit a return line through the car.

In the photo you can see the fuel line comes from the tank through the bulkhead and up to the fuel pump housing where the back seats would be. Then out and down along the drivers sill to the engine bay

What I'm planning is to use the current feed line as the return and re-route it as the picture below then run a whole new feed line from the pump housing with a hole drilled in the floor behind it to pass the tank-to-pump hose through

http://i669.photobucket.com/albums/vv57/mk1nova_rich/1329638949135.jpg

[mk1nova_rich]

All comments and feedback are welcome and appreciated :thumb:

[scott.parker]

User name change, MK2Nova_Bitch! lol

Looks a good shell if you wanted a rally car mate, shame to see the mk1 go though, are you going to be stripping the mk1 of it's parts?

Scott

[mk1nova_rich]

It is a real shame mate but I've always wanted to get into rallying so this makes sense financially. The Mk1 is donating its mechanicals including the engine and gearbox then the shell has already been sold to reshell an SR so its worked out quite well :)

[scott.parker]

Mate i totally understand, i did the same with my old GSi when i got the Apache shell..

Is there any parts like door cards front rear still available (if OEM brown) etc?

[mk1nova_rich]

They are available but are grey lol

[scott.parker]

Gay grey! lol ah well, flocking it is then!

[maddogdaz666]

wheres the really cheesy smile pic!!!

[Rickyb]

i cant wait to see this done buddy get your finger out lol

[mk1nova_rich]

It is out mate lol 16v should be coming out of Bessie this week or next :thumb:

I think I deleted it lol

[maddogdaz666]

User name change, MK2Nova_Bitch! lol

Scott

:thumb:

[mk1nova_rich]

A quick question...does the fuel pump need to be wired up to the ECU or can I run separate pump wiring?

[Dayle_]

Hey dude, just a quick one if you can try and run the fuel lines down the inside centre of the car rather than down the, they are out of the way then side impacts and all that :-).

[Dayle_]

We run our fuel pump through the Autolec, its always running when ignition on, you could put it on a switch too.

[mk1nova_rich]

Cheers mate, fuel feed will be going along exhaust tunnel :)

The reason I ask is that the pump(s) are wired to an on/off switch on the dash...it would be easier and simpler to retain this if I dont need to link the fuel pump with the ECU??

[Dayle_]

Yes it won't need to be linked to the ECU, Yes fuel lines always down exhaust tunnel if possible, same go for anything else you can run down there, extinguisher hose etc.

[maddogdaz666]

is it running yet???? lol

[mk1nova_rich]

Nooooo lol but engine is coming out of Bessie tomorrow whatever the weather :thumb:

[Spudly]

Booooo, you suck, youre killing a mk1 for a mk2, hang your head in shame!!!!

[novasrikev]

Booooo, you suck, youre killing a mk1 for a mk2, hang your head in shame!!!!

hahaha but it will live on so its all good

[mk1nova_rich]

I got up bright and early this morning to remove my C16XE engine from my Mk1, found the wiring loom was fairly easy to disconnect and trace back...I've labelled things up and made notes so should be reasonably straightforward to wire into the rally car.

The suspension parts and steering rack had already been taken off the car so the engine removal process was quite smooth due to the extra working space. I borrowed an engine hoist from work yesterday. I lowered the engine onto a wooden pallet then lifted the car up to slide the engine out...

http://i669.photobucket.com/albums/vv57/mk1nova_rich/2012-02-25113112.jpg
http://i669.photobucket.com/albums/vv57/mk1nova_rich/2012-02-25113437.jpg

Then lowered the car back down onto the axle stands. It went well to say my driveway is like a wind tunnel today lol

http://i669.photobucket.com/albums/vv57/mk1nova_rich/2012-02-25113729.jpg

I will miss this car a lot but its at that stage now where I just want it gone so I can tidy up and sort out the parts that are left

[Rickyb]

it still looks quite clean on the front panel lol im glad your striping a mk1 to build a mk2 you are my idol. :D

[mk1nova_rich]

Got my OMP side mounts bolted up to my Corbeau Forza bucket seat...

http://i669.photobucket.com/albums/vv57/mk1nova_rich/2012-02-28172839.jpg

Can't wait to get it bolted in the car and set up my driving position. Unfortunately these mounts are shorter in length than the Motordrive items the previous owner had used, this means that the seat rails in the car are too far apart for these mounts to bolt to. So we will be cutting one of the rails out and rewelding it closer to the other rail.

Its a bit of a pain in the **** but these side mounts are considerably cheaper than the Motordrive mounts :thumb:

[tonytoc11]

Any chance you could get a few pics of the engine up, like the mounts and how you sorted the alternator and pulleys?

[mk1nova_rich]

Im using competition mounts but aside from that the baby XE uses normal 8 valve Nova mounts.

Using a single pulley, but will get some close up pics...hope this helps :thumb:

[Southie]

This not running yet, I've an ECU I need to tryout lol

[mk1nova_rich]

Cheeky sod lol hopefully will get some progress made next weekend...the windscreen is being removed from Bessie to go into the Mk2 and hopefully can make a start on sorting the seat rails out

[matt_vaughan]

Looks a good car mate. Solid shell. Sure I've seen it out on a rally somewhere before, the livery rings a bell.

[mk1nova_rich]

A little bit more progress...

http://i669.photobucket.com/albums/vv57/mk1nova_rich/2012-03-05171558.jpg

We got the windscreen removed from Bessie one night last week. It went surprisingly well to say it has been in for 25 years lol the seal actually split as we eased the top edge of the seal out. We then just ripped off the outer part of the seal and lifted the screen straight out

Then it was fitted into the rally car which was a piece of piss :thumb:

http://i669.photobucket.com/albums/vv57/mk1nova_rich/2012-03-10145117.jpg
http://i669.photobucket.com/albums/vv57/mk1nova_rich/2012-03-10145129.jpg

It now has all the windows fitted so its starting to look a lot more like a car :) once I have given the car a good wash I will be able to fit a sunstrip to the windscreen - the one I have bought might be slightly too deep for the wipers.

Today we managed to re-weld the drivers side seat rails to suit my bucket seat. I had bought some OMP side mounts to use but even on their lowest setting my head was very close to the roof and rollcage :( so I have made the decision to do away with them and bolt the seat straight to the rails

http://i669.photobucket.com/albums/vv57/mk1nova_rich/2012-03-10151216.jpg

In an ideal world I would have replicated the setup the previous owner used but as I'm on a tighter budget composite seats and alloy mounts are out of the question really. My phone died so no more photos today...will be going down on Monday to get some more done though.

I fitted the fan, radiator and header tank today also, which helped clear some room at home lol that is all for now but more soon with a bit of luck :thumb:

[Connor]

I got forza's welded and bolted straight to sri/gsi seat rails, its lowered the driving position perfectly, mine however are in terrible condition compared lol.
Crap picture and hard to see but if you look where the part you sit on is like 2 odd inches lower compared to standard.
http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/225161_10150164911494926_637964925_6961144_6851191 _n.jpg

[mk1nova_rich]

Cheers Connor, but the standard mounting brackets/guides on the shell have already been removed and rails welded in as its a proper ex-Stage Rally car.

Bolting the seat directly to the rails will be perfect for me as I'm tall :thumb:

[mk1nova_rich]

I went down to the car this afternoon to get a little more done, and started by jacking up the rear end and supporting it on axle stands...

http://i669.photobucket.com/albums/vv57/mk1nova_rich/2012-03-12163510.jpg

Then got my GTE tank along with my Kevlar tank guard which ironically I bought last year off the same bloke the rally car is from and got it fitted :thumb:

http://i669.photobucket.com/albums/vv57/mk1nova_rich/2012-03-12164346.jpg
http://i669.photobucket.com/albums/vv57/mk1nova_rich/2012-03-12174328.jpg

[Dave A]

Dont want to dampen things but if your planning on doing stage rallies those seats are not allowed anymore. Seats have to be homolgated and date stamped. Depends a little on when the log book was issued, as if its recent they have to be actually in date as well! Adds considerably to the costs unfortunately.

[Southie]

He's doing road rallying which won't have the same seat regs iirc.

[Dave A]

For road rally's literally any seat will do! So no probe there then.

[mk1nova_rich]

Dont want to dampen things but if your planning on doing stage rallies those seats are not allowed anymore. Seats have to be homolgated and date stamped. Depends a little on when the log book was issued, as if its recent they have to be actually in date as well! Adds considerably to the costs unfortunately.

Seat is homologated and date-stamped anyway :thumb: it was MSA logbooked in 2008...

But as Southie said its only going to be used for road rallying for the foreseeable future

[mk1nova_rich]

Well a change of plans again...it was decided that bolting the seat directly to the rails would mean having the drill the holes absolutely bang on, and this would have interfered with one of the holes previously drilled in the seat rail. So I have decided to use the OMP mounts I bought but somewhat modified lol although I didnt take before and after pictures so it may be hard to see!!

First of all I lined the mounts up with the holes in the rail and they lined up OK...

http://i669.photobucket.com/albums/vv57/mk1nova_rich/2012-03-13164940.jpg
http://i669.photobucket.com/albums/vv57/mk1nova_rich/2012-03-16171641.jpg

In the above photo you can see the seriously cut down seat mounts lol which hold the seat approximately 15mm above the rails so the bolts are very fiddly!

http://i669.photobucket.com/albums/vv57/mk1nova_rich/2012-03-16171650.jpg

Bolted in place :thumb:

[autoworksnovasport]

looking good rich keep up the good work

[Rickyb]

looking good fella.
oh and still havnt got that link ;-D

[phunkynova]

Keep up the good work. when do you hope to have it finished by.

[mk1nova_rich]

**** sorry pal, will send it today :thumb:

Phunkynova...its MOT'd until July so it would be nice to have it done by then so I can get it straight on the road, but I don't want to set myself a date then get frustrated when its not finished so in a sense it will be done when its done. Money is a bit tight at the minute so I'm getting slowed down with buying parts for it such as a bias box etc. The garage where it is staying is only a temporary home so I need to start looking into somewhere a bit more permanent.

[matt_vaughan]

great progress rich looks like it's going to be a lovely car once its done. dont rush it though like you said just to get it out, you'll only regret it if you cut corners and they cause problems later on

[Rickyb]

**** sorry pal, will send it today :thumb:



i look forward to it chap.

[mk1nova_rich]

A small update...

http://i669.photobucket.com/albums/vv57/mk1nova_rich/2012-03-30153502.jpg

This is my latest purchase - a brand new Compbrake bias pedal box with 0.625 (front) and 0.700 (rear) master cylinders and balance bar. It will look out of place on the car as everything else is a bit rough and ready lol

I'm off down to the rally car in the morning to get it bolted up to the bulkhead, and to the brake lines too if I can find all the gubbins. All I will need now are the fluid reservoirs and a hydraulic handbrake then thats all the braking system sorted :thumb:

[Rickyb]

looks nice but wee ned more real updates :D get it done and on the road.

[mk1nova_rich]

Went down to the garage yesterday morning to get a few bits done on the car...

http://i669.photobucket.com/albums/vv57/mk1nova_rich/2012-03-31083117.jpg

Firstly I bolted the bias pedal box up to the bulkhead. Im missing the pin that connects it to the brake pedal linkage so I will need to source one of them, along with the bolts to fit the brake lines to the master cylinders. I've ordered a pair of fluid reservoirs from JJC so hopefully they will arrive soon.

http://i669.photobucket.com/albums/vv57/mk1nova_rich/2012-03-31085307.jpg

I fitted the rear view mirror in too, another big job out of the way lol

I'd wanted to remove the front coilovers as they are too stiff and skittish to be suitable, so I bought these back off Matt Vaughan...

http://i669.photobucket.com/albums/vv57/mk1nova_rich/2012-03-31085325.jpg
http://i669.photobucket.com/albums/vv57/mk1nova_rich/2012-03-31090805.jpg

Got them bolted up, they are a mix of Spax and KW and the springs are progressive IIRC so will be much better over bumpy surfaces than the coilovers, as well as being around 20mm higher. The coilovers along with concentric top mounts will be up for sale...

http://i669.photobucket.com/albums/vv57/mk1nova_rich/2012-03-31090819.jpg

I got the back end jacked up and on axle stands to fit the fuel lines onto the tank, and connect the tank sender...I'd totally forgotten when I fitted the tank and its impossible to access the fuel outlets or sender plug with the guard on lol

http://i669.photobucket.com/albums/vv57/mk1nova_rich/2012-03-31094825.jpg
http://i669.photobucket.com/albums/vv57/mk1nova_rich/2012-03-31111433.jpg

And here is just a quick photo of how the inside looks now, I'm quite happy with how its going but still a lot left to do. Fitting the engine loom is next on the list so all the clocks and ignition wiring can be completed...just need to drill the bulkhead first.

http://i669.photobucket.com/albums/vv57/mk1nova_rich/2012-03-31094438.jpg

Any comments are appreciated :thumb:

[Lambo]

Looking good mate.
If its the standard pin you need for the brake peddle linkage I can drop you one over.

[mk1nova_rich]

Yeh just standard one mate, with the little clip on the end. Ill try get over this week with documents etc for car

[Southie]

I like the look of this now, quite interested to find out what rally graphics your having... you still working delivering pizzas :d

Prefer the MK1 you had though.

[mk1nova_rich]

Hi Mr Souf lol

Nah jacked that in October...I prefer the Mk1 too :(

[mk1nova_rich]

http://i669.photobucket.com/albums/vv57/mk1nova_rich/2012-04-13185120.jpg

Some more goodies the postman has brought me over the last week or so while I've been away...

Some 6 dial clocks so I can get the engine wiring loom put in soon, some banjo bolts for the master cylinders - complete with copper washers. And also a pair of OBP fluid reservoirs for the pedal box :)

Plus a 52mm holesaw to drill the bulkhead for the loom, can someone confirm this is the correct size?

[mk1nova_rich]

It was my birthday yesterday so this was one of my presents...

http://i669.photobucket.com/albums/vv57/mk1nova_rich/2012-04-16162119.jpg

A hydraulic handbrake conversion kit. These are now required to meet new MSA regulations for road rallying - separate purpose built hydraulic handbrakes are now no longer allowed so these must be used to convert the existing standard handbrake lever into hydraulic operation, retaining the original cables also. Which is a bit of a pain in the **** considering the standard handbrake was chopped out and plated over.

I was wondering whats the purpose of these two bits?

http://i669.photobucket.com/albums/vv57/mk1nova_rich/2012-04-16162136.jpg

The small half-moon thick washer and the passivated plate. Looking at pictures on ebay the plate fits over the piston rod of the master cylinder and bolts up to the bracket...but surely this would require removal of the rubber gaitor?!!

Any pictures or information would be greatly appreciated :thumb::cool:

[Southie]

Happy Birthday for yesterday ;)

This may help regarding the handbrake CLICKME (http://obpltd.wordpress.com/2010/09/07/how-to-fit-an-obp-hydraulic-handbrake-fitting-instructions-tech-session/)

[mk1nova_rich]

Happy Birthday for yesterday ;)

This may help regarding the handbrake CLICKME (http://obpltd.wordpress.com/2010/09/07/how-to-fit-an-obp-hydraulic-handbrake-fitting-instructions-tech-session/)

Cheers :)

Unfortunately, it doesn't really show any more detailed pics and the write-up is quite basic but thanks anyway :thumb:

[kent14sr]

Rich - how did the previous owner get it through an MOT and the MSA logbook?

Its nothing new that there must be two seperate braking systems - ie the cables must still operate the handbrake regardless of whether a hydraulic device is fitted - so if this was used as a stage rally car it would require an MSA logbook and an MOT. With only a hydraulic handbrake it would fit the criteria for neither so surely the previous owner can assist you?

[mk1nova_rich]

He used a hydraulic handbrake with cable attachments...but I was under the impression I need to use a standard lever converted to hydraulic operation.

Thats what I'm doing now as I've got the parts lol

[mk1nova_rich]

It seems like an eternity since I've last seen my Nova or done anything with it lol I got some much needed motivation at the National weekend so progress has been made. On Saturday the car was trailered back to mine...

http://i669.photobucket.com/albums/vv57/mk1nova_rich/2012-06-02084041.jpg

I had some spare doorcards so I fitted them once I'd removed the doorbins and handles. Eventually I'll fit some lightweight alloy handles or possibly just some straps.

http://i669.photobucket.com/albums/vv57/mk1nova_rich/2012-06-02093457.jpg
http://i669.photobucket.com/albums/vv57/mk1nova_rich/2012-06-02093513.jpg
http://i669.photobucket.com/albums/vv57/mk1nova_rich/2012-06-02094245.jpg
http://i669.photobucket.com/albums/vv57/mk1nova_rich/2012-06-02094609.jpg

[mk1nova_rich]

I gave the inside a bit of a tidy up so I can work in the car

http://i669.photobucket.com/albums/vv57/mk1nova_rich/2012-06-02102906.jpg

I also drilled a hole in the bulkhead to allow the C16XE loom to be passed through. Im hoping to get some white Hammerite and give the engine bay a lick of paint to freshen it up, then the loom can be fitted :thumb:

http://i669.photobucket.com/albums/vv57/mk1nova_rich/2012-06-04133343.jpg

http://i669.photobucket.com/albums/vv57/mk1nova_rich/2012-06-04110329.jpg

A quick photo of the car as it stands now. I've been doing a lot of wiring work so I will update again soon :)

[Rickyb]

About time you got cracking buddy keep up the good work

[mk1nova_rich]

Cheers Ricky, now its at home it hopefully means progress will be made more often as I can just nip out for 10 mins here and there to get little bits done :thumb:

[mk1nova_rich]

http://i669.photobucket.com/albums/vv57/mk1nova_rich/2012-06-08094311.jpg

I ordered a metre length of 12mm ID braided fuel hose, jubilee clips and a hose joiner which came today :) also got some rubber grommets to fit to the shell before the hose is fitted. I had previously ordered some 10mm ID hose which is the wrong size to suit the GTE tank and pump :tard: I left a bit of rubber hose on the tank outlet as its inaccessible now that the Kevlar tank guard is on, hence the reason for using a joiner as I didn't want to run rubber hose inside the car

I started a thread in General Car Chat the other day regarding the best method of removing decals. So I went out and bought myself a heat gun and got to work on removing the decals which were put on by the previous owner - road rallying regulations prohibit advertising so they had to come off :thumb:

Before...

http://i669.photobucket.com/albums/vv57/mk1nova_rich/2012-06-08130756.jpg
http://i669.photobucket.com/albums/vv57/mk1nova_rich/2012-06-08130809.jpg
http://i669.photobucket.com/albums/vv57/mk1nova_rich/2012-06-08130818.jpg
http://i669.photobucket.com/albums/vv57/mk1nova_rich/2012-06-08130830.jpg

And after...

http://i669.photobucket.com/albums/vv57/mk1nova_rich/2012-06-08132518.jpg
http://i669.photobucket.com/albums/vv57/mk1nova_rich/2012-06-08135959.jpg
http://i669.photobucket.com/albums/vv57/mk1nova_rich/2012-06-08135950.jpg
http://i669.photobucket.com/albums/vv57/mk1nova_rich/2012-06-08140009.jpg
http://i669.photobucket.com/albums/vv57/mk1nova_rich/2012-06-08140018.jpg

Came off really easily and cleanly, only needing the heat gun holding over it for a matter of seconds. I'm quite impressed with how quickly I got it all off, and pleased with the results. It still needs a few glue remains cleaning off with white spirit, then I'll probably give the car a wash and see how it looks then.

The only area which gave me any problems was the drivers door, which the decal took a fair bit of paint off with it (in last pic)... I used exactly the same technique as on the rest of the car so I'm guessing the door has had a poor respray at some point. I'm not too bothered as its hardly going to win any show prizes lol

Any comments are welcome and much appreciated :thumb:

[Iain]

Nice work on the decal removals, yeah shame it highlights the door a bit more! No point in replacing it if it's solid I guess!

[Spudly]

All that time and effort and you missed the dot from the url on the tailgate, and its still a mk2, fail :p






lol

[kent14sr]

Dont forget for road rallying you need headlining, carpets and rear seats fitted.

Looks very good Rich!!

[mk1nova_rich]

All that time and effort and you missed the dot from the url on the tailgate, and its still a mk2, fail :p

Its the wiper blank ya fool lol:p

Cheers Chris, yeh im aware of that just want to get all the jobs inside the car done so I can clean it then fit some trim :thumb:

[kent14sr]

Excellent!

Have you looked into hillclimbing at Harewood? The regs and licence requirements are far more favourable than stage rallying with all the fun/and a fraction of the cost!

[mk1nova_rich]

Stage rallying is well down the agenda lol...way out of my budget for the foreseeable future. Ill be sticking to 12 car/scatters, autotests and road rallies.

I did quite a lot of investigating into competing at Harewood actually - so its still something I'll be considering once the car is built :)

[Southie]

Looks well without the stickers mate, battle scars show up lovely now lol

Have you tallied up the rebuild on the engine yet then Rich?

[Spudly]

Its the wiper blank ya fool lol:p




No, thats the black thing top right of the grab handle, im talking about the dot far left on the tailgate, im not that much of a fool, you goat :p

[Southie]

Spud I think that's a paint fleck rather than a dot as its on the www part in the original pic.

[mk1nova_rich]

Yep its where the top coat has come off, was already there when I bought the car :thumb:

[Spudly]

Ahhh i see, well its still a mk2 :p

[mk1nova_rich]

After a couple of months of absolutely nothing getting done, mainly due to a recent lack of time and money but also zero motivation I thought I'd start cracking on with it again lol I've decided to sell the Compomotives...I know they looked the part but more importantly their sale will help fund progress with the build. So from Compomotive THs...

http://i669.photobucket.com/albums/vv57/mk1nova_rich/2012-08-30162218.jpg

...to Astra GTE teardrops

http://i669.photobucket.com/albums/vv57/mk1nova_rich/2012-08-30163105.jpg
http://i669.photobucket.com/albums/vv57/mk1nova_rich/2012-08-30193317.jpg

Bit of a comedown I know lol but I do like the teardrop alloys. I will be taking the Yokohama A509s off the Comps before I sell them. I noticed that both front wheel bearings could do with replacing so thats another job to do

One of the wheel studs had come out with the nut attached so I borrowed some high-strength Loctite from work to refit it:

http://i669.photobucket.com/albums/vv57/mk1nova_rich/2012-08-30164238.jpg
http://i669.photobucket.com/albums/vv57/mk1nova_rich/2012-08-30164530.jpg

Left it about an hour and the **** came back out when I tried undoing the nut, so I will have to buy another stud and nut.

I refitted the header tank and washer bottle from when I had painted the engine bay...

http://i669.photobucket.com/albums/vv57/mk1nova_rich/2012-08-30181501.jpg

I broke the pipe on the pump so could anyone identify the bottle or pump for me please??

I managed the prise apart the brake linkage bar and get the master cylinder connector to fit. I do need the pin and clip if anybody can help me out? The screwdriver is only temporary lol

http://i669.photobucket.com/albums/vv57/mk1nova_rich/2012-08-30175531.jpg
http://i669.photobucket.com/albums/vv57/mk1nova_rich/2012-08-30180031.jpg

I also bolted the footrest back in place and tidied up the ECU and wiring around it and behind the dash. I also refitted the foot-operated horn button...

I cleaned the spare wheel well out with some soapy water followed by a bit of WD40 and a rag so its looking a tad cleaner than before.

http://i669.photobucket.com/albums/vv57/mk1nova_rich/2012-08-30191358.jpg

So thought I might as well fit the spare wheel rather than it taking up space somewhere else...

http://i669.photobucket.com/albums/vv57/mk1nova_rich/2012-08-30191932.jpg
http://i669.photobucket.com/albums/vv57/mk1nova_rich/2012-08-30193305-1.jpg

Thats all I've really done today apart from a few other tidying up jobs. Im desperately in need of a standard handbrake to weld into the shell so I can get the seat rails and fuel line in. I've also bought a pair of harnesses so hopefully they will arrive soon too :)

[Southie]

Glad to see your getting motivation again mate, you just need the engine rebuilt and then all is good ;)

[mk1nova_rich]

If I could have a few days off work and someone bought me all the bits I'd have it done lollol

[Southie]

Well today's your lucky day...












... I've bought a lottery ticket so get your fingers crossed lol

[mk1nova_rich]

lol

also does anyone know what cables I need to run for Astra GTE rear discs?

[Southie]

I'm off out but have a quick look at this mate:
http://www.migweb.co.uk/forums/other-mechanical-electrical/240889-nova-rear-disc-conversion.html

[Rickyb]

Glad this is still on the go keep up the good work mate

[maddogdaz666]

The front bearings will be loose as driveshafts arnt in and tightened remember bud.

[mk1nova_rich]

There is a LOT of play, I didnt think they were that much looser with the shafts out lol

[Rickyb]

any updates boyo?

[maddogdaz666]

Think he's sold it on :(

[Southie]

Yep he sold it last year, that's what happens when you have a baby on the way :(

[maddogdaz666]

I hate growing up

[Rickyb]

holy crap thats no good he was well excited when he got it lol

[Southie]

holy crap thats no good he was well excited when he got it lol
He realised he was a silly billy for selling the MK1 tbh lol

[maddogdaz666]

He realised he was a silly billy for selling the MK1 tbh lol

True :thumb: