ex road rally car

[martstdvan]

i recently acquired this car from Colin Smith after a long search for a decent shell to turn into a track toy,
i dont intend to go the xe/let route it will stay as a small block car for now,
the car has a full safety devices bolt in cage,
de-carbon fornt shocks,
bilstein rears
springs are unknown
everything except the rear axle is poly bushed


Right onto the pics

the car as it was delivered
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v217/martstdvan/shed/Untitled-1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v217/martstdvan/shed/DSCF0115.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v217/martstdvan/shed/Untitled.jpg


the arches before and after being wire brushed and undersealed
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v217/martstdvan/shed/DSCF0136-2.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v217/martstdvan/shed/DSCF0134-2.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v217/martstdvan/shed/DSCF0126.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v217/martstdvan/shed/DSCF0128.jpg

the brakes also had a clean up and a paint
and both rear brake cylinders were replacred due to being siezed solid :(

onto the engine it did run but off a cylinder, after a quick compression check it seemed number 1 cylinder was down on compression
so off with it's head!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v217/martstdvan/shed/DSCF0119.jpg

all the valves were lapped in and im now waiting for the new hydraulic lifters so the head can be rebuilt and re-fitted.

the engine is only going to be used to run the car and see what the suspension is like then it will be replaced with a c14se which is currently sat in colins workshop until funds allow me to get started and a 1.6 16 valve engine.

the interior was complete but is now stripped out and ive started fitting the omp seats and harness'
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v217/martstdvan/shed/DSCF0117.jpg

at this point my camera gave up on me,
ill try and keep this thread up to date as best i can
thanks for reading.
Martin.

[gteben]

Really nice little find there keep me updated mate

[martstdvan]

just a small update again with no pics
the engine is back together and running well, looks like someone had been playing with the carb mixture and tickover screws
got those sorted set the ignition timing added a set of new plugs and she ran on 4 cylinders for the first time

ive also fitted some seat rails and got the bucket seats mounted and harness' fixed in place, then moved back to striiping off bits

the alloy sump guard is off along with the tanks guards, all the carpets and trim and rear seats are out.
now its going to get a wash and polish then its time to test it and see what else needs to be sorted,

Big thanks to Colin again for supplying all the parts needed, handy him only living down the road.

[Balley]

Nice build, where you from pal?

[martstdvan]

Nice build, where you from pal?

horncastle :)

[martstdvan]

a few more bits done this week
the wiring needed a good sorting as it had all the extra wires for map lights, spot lights, etc

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v217/martstdvan/DSCF0018.jpg

cover removed revealing
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v217/martstdvan/DSCF0041-2.jpg

all tidied up
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v217/martstdvan/DSCF0043.jpg

the box of wires removed
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v217/martstdvan/DSCF0044-1.jpg

re-covered altho the vinyl bubbled so this will be removed again and probably left in plain ally
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v217/martstdvan/DSCF0045-1.jpg

the kind garage owner also added a new sticker to the car (this may have to go tho)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v217/martstdvan/Untitled.jpg

seats are now in alonmg with harness'
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v217/martstdvan/DSCF0017.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v217/martstdvan/DSCF0029.jpg

started to tidy up the few rusty bits on the car altho no final pics as my camera died yet again
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v217/martstdvan/DSCF0031-3.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v217/martstdvan/DSCF0033-2.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v217/martstdvan/DSCF0019-1.jpg

[martstdvan]

ive just found some more pictures
after a polish the paint work doesnt look too bad,
it will have to do for now anyway
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v217/martstdvan/DSCF0039.jpg

the wing pictured in my last post after paint (arond the indicator)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v217/martstdvan/DSCF0038-1.jpg

minor repair needed on the drivers door (doors and wings will be replaced at a later date)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v217/martstdvan/DSCF0037-1.jpg

[Andy]

have you repaired the rust round the turret?

[martstdvan]

have you repaired the rust round the turret?

?? the only bit is in the pics and it was just surface rust. it was rubbed down and undersealed
:)

[martstdvan]

another small update
i spent the morning at Colin Smiths yesterday collecting various bits and pieces so yesterday afternoon was spent on the nova

c14se just fitted in the bck of my van
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v217/martstdvan/DSCF0047-2.jpg

the x16xe which may get fitted to the c14se block but that will be a later project
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v217/martstdvan/DSCF0048-2.jpg

old door cards
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v217/martstdvan/DSCF0050-1.jpg

new one made and fitted, the doors need a really good clean next
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v217/martstdvan/DSCF0051.jpg

also a new steering wheel was fitted
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v217/martstdvan/DSCF0049-3.jpg

the other bits i need to fit are
rear axle poly bushes
bonnet pins
boot pins
black for the rear wiper hole
wheels (these need cleaning and painting first)
clear side repeaters (wings need some attention before i fit these)
the engine, im looking to make up a loom and get an ecu for it as the car is a carb model and the engine didnt come with a loom altho colin let me take an x16xe loom and a c16se loom to play about with
(made more difficult by the fact im a complete novice when it comes to vehicle wiring)

anyway BIG thanks to colin once again top bloke, he even gave me a lesson in gearboxes so a gearbox will eventually be specced to the engine.
thats all for now, maybe more later if my motivation makes an appearance

[martstdvan]

these are the two part looms i have
x16xe
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v217/martstdvan/DSCF0054.jpg

c16se
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v217/martstdvan/DSCF0052-1.jpg

not sure they will be of any use , plus i might be easier to buy a nova sri loom and ecu, if i can find one.

[martstdvan]

managed to do a bit on the 1400 engine altho im feeling under the weather so didnt get on as well as id hoped,
suprised to find this when starting to strip the engine
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v217/martstdvan/DSCF0052-2.jpg

starter off in need of a clean
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v217/martstdvan/DSCF0054-1.jpg

cleaned
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v217/martstdvan/DSCF0056-1.jpg

got the throttle body off i=and noticed it had a screw missing from the butterfly, im guessing it will appear inside the engine :(
also notuced the ICV has been blanked off, im not too sure why all i do know is the engine was on stand alone management
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v217/martstdvan/DSCF0055.jpg
thanks for reading folks

[Iain]

Nice work, doorcards look pretty swish

[martstdvan]

Nice work, doorcards look pretty swish

thank you
its getting there slowly :)

[novarally]

supreised to find this when starting to strip the engine
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v217/martstdvan/DSCF0052-2.jpg

My invoice will be in the post soon.........

[martstdvan]

im sure this paddle clutch will be in my van when i head back to your place Colin :)

[martstdvan]

another small update
started to strip down the 1400 engine tonight, luckily my old man was on hand as i still feel awful :(

pistons look a tad dirty
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v217/martstdvan/DSCF0058.jpg

as do the valves
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v217/martstdvan/DSCF0061.jpg

rockers and lifters before beig soaked in a cleaning solution
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v217/martstdvan/DSCF0060.jpg

bores are slightly glazed but they will be honed anyway
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v217/martstdvan/DSCF0059-1.jpg

inlet ports have had a little work done previously
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v217/martstdvan/DSCF0062.jpg

i wanted this pic to turn out better as i noticed the exhaust valve guides have been ground down to match the port, im unsure if this is standard or not?
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v217/martstdvan/DSCF0067.jpg

the valves are all in good orders as are the valve seats the valves are all numbered too, also they seem to have been smoothed on the stems
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v217/martstdvan/DSCF0063.jpg

thats all for now. fingers crossed i feel more lively tomorrow as i want to get the engine completely stripped down and sent for machining this week.

[martstdvan]

mini update had a few hours tonight strippingthe rest of the 1400 engine down

sump off, lots of black sealant around the gasket
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v217/martstdvan/DSCF0069-1.jpg

found this little lot in the oil pick up :(
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v217/martstdvan/DSCF0071-1.jpg

on the flywheel end of the crank i noticed there is a place for a locating lug, im not sure if the flywheel should have one but it doesn't
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v217/martstdvan/DSCF0075-1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v217/martstdvan/DSCF0076-1.jpg

the block which i will try to get cleaned down tomorrow
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v217/martstdvan/DSCF0077.jpg

and the oil pump which is also in need of a clean, again i will try to get all this done tomorrow if i have time
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v217/martstdvan/DSCF0078.jpg

the plan for the engine is;
hone the bore, new piston rings and all the seals and gaskets to be replaced,
the head is going away to be ported and polished hopefully next week,
source an uprated cam,
possibly throttle bodies but as yet in udecided,
standalone ecu possible omex 600

then the 16 valve head will be stripped and sent away for port work and cams
but that may not be until the end of the years when the car comes back off the road for a full strip down and rebuild.

ive also got an F13 gearbox which is going for cleaning and painting tomorrow along with the new wheels.
on top of that little list ive also got all the bits to make up a new wiring loom for the engine and the car (so the engine loom can be unplugged and removed with the change of engines)

if i manage to stay away from Colins (novarally) collection of nova goodies i might actually get more done ;)

[martstdvan]

onother day another session wirking on the nova
the crank is away for a regrind
the head has been sent for the port work to be done and a skim
the block is being honed tomorrow then its away to have the deck skimmed (no point have a lovely skimmed head and bolting to a rough block)
all the other left over parts are being plasted and painted (including the gearbox casing)
tomorrow the shell will get some more attention

[Dayle_]

I was going to ask what ECU you are running. Some standalone management systems don't like IAC valves. The likes of DTA can only use for example one that was found on a C20XE the one that is on a C16XE is useless so I bypassed this and opened the butterfly slightly.

[martstdvan]

i dont as yet have any form of ecu altho i should have the standard sri one soon.
future plans are to run the omex 600 unit but as yet im undecided
also the throttle body i have (standard c14se) has the icv hole sealed off so i guess ill have to make some form of butterfly stop or buy a different throttle body entirely. (i do have a set of bmw k1200 throttle bodies which may get used)
as things progress ill keep this thread updated
thank you for the info.

[martstdvan]

i managed to pick up some bits today, the head is another spare as the one im using is away having work done still,
the block has been honed out cleaned and painted, i also managed to find a gear cluster (hopefully) when i popped to see a mate earlier and he showed me racks of them, im going to pop again next week and hunt through his collection to find the one i want,
anyway a piccy of the engine
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v217/martstdvan/Picture059.jpg

more soon hopefully

[loggyboy]

Found this thread through locosters, so thought if post up here regarding the Loom (not sure if im teaching you to suck eggs) but if my memory serves me correctly the Nova Sri loom was a 1 peice loom, unlike GTE/GSI etc that had seperate car/engine looms. However the Corsa 1.4 8v SRi did have seperate looms, but was DISPAC only (some late Nova SRis were too), however looking at your lump, its a DISPAC lump anyway, so if your still loom hunting, a Corsa one may be the answer.

[martstdvan]

Found this thread through locosters, so thought if post up here regarding the Loom (not sure if im teaching you to suck eggs) but if my memory serves me correctly the Nova Sri loom was a 1 peice loom, unlike GTE/GSI etc that had seperate car/engine looms. However the Corsa 1.4 8v SRi did have seperate looms, but was DISPAC only (some late Nova SRis were too), however looking at your lump, its a DISPAC lump anyway, so if your still loom hunting, a Corsa one may be the answer.

i didnt realise the corsa loom was seperate, i'll see how i get on building a loom with the bits i have if it doesnt go well ill hunt round for a corsa one, thanks for the info
:)

[mk1dave]

Corsa loom is a good call if you can find one as I am running a c14se from a corsa sri with the corsa engine loom in my rally car.

[martstdvan]

just a small update, i managed to get my throttle body put back together and rebuilt the inlet manifold while i was in the mood

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v217/martstdvan/Picture.jpg

ive also started to clean down a set of wheels ready for paint no pics of those tho they are only standard astra ones nothing special
:)

[martstdvan]

managed to paint the wheels today, hopefully ill fit the tyres this week
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v217/martstdvan/Picture016.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v217/martstdvan/Picture017.jpg


i'll post a pic when they appear on the car
hopefully more updates tomorrow

[martstdvan]

another mini update all the engine bits are being delivered this week so fingers crossed i will have a running engine soon :)

[7ova]

looking good mate

[BRoadGhost]

Love the grey :)

[martstdvan]

thank you for the kind comments.
the engine parts are back now so it should be built by the weekend, i had a change of plan and its now going to run twin 40dcoe webers and a distributor,
i also acquired (thank you Colin) an exhaust this week.
fingers crossed i will have some pics for the weekend
:)

[martstdvan]

just a few pictures of whats been happening to the nova
titanium and stainless exhaust added
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v217/martstdvan/shed006.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v217/martstdvan/shed007.jpg

moved into Dr Motorsport's workshop
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v217/martstdvan/shed001.jpg
along with one of his projects
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v217/martstdvan/shed003.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v217/martstdvan/shed004.jpg

some mud flaps added oltho these are coming off again soon
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v217/martstdvan/shed008.jpg

we made the decision to give the 1.2 a nice send off
by adding the twin 40 dcoe webers
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v217/martstdvan/shed002.jpg

the project is now slowing down while Novarally's car is being repaired.
more pictures and info as soon as the project starts up again

[martstdvan]

i managed to get a day on the nova yesterday with the kind help of "The corner weight kid" aka Colin Smith
we managed to get the corner weights very close to equal from left to right
i cant remember what the front to rear ratio was :(
more updates soon
:)

[martstdvan]

As Colin Smith's project has had a few delays i managed to get a little bit more done to the nova over the last week with the help of Colin (Many thanks again)
the c14se is now fitted along with the F13 CR gearbox,
a new alloy front panel has been fitted too (kindly donated by Colin's car)
also fitted was the larger corsa radiator, and a master switch.

All that remains now is to finish the wiring, replace the fuel tank (we are using a corsa sri one along with the fuel pump and sender unit)
fingers crossed it WILL be running tomorrow and i'll remember to take my camera with me!

[martstdvan]

a few pictures at long last.
the c14se needs a speed sensor to idle properly, as this is part of the clocks i removed the speedo from the corsa cluster and fitted it to the nova cluster
this then mean wiring the sensor into the nova loom and corsa ecu.
corsa speedo fitted
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v217/martstdvan/shed23002.jpg

next a pic of the alloy slam panel, you will notice the lights wouldn't fit so alloy covers were made for now (it isn't being used on the road yet)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v217/martstdvan/Untitled-3.jpg

also the rubber pipe from the throttle body to the filter housing is only temporary
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v217/martstdvan/shed23003.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v217/martstdvan/Untitled-4.jpg

the chap who painted the rocker cover also did the gear selector housing to match
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v217/martstdvan/shed23005.jpg


a quick pic of the car it will stay like this until it gets painted next year
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v217/martstdvan/Untitled-5.jpg

an old pic
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v217/martstdvan/shed/DSCF0115.jpg

[mk1nova_rich]

Its come a long way since you bought it mate, well done :thumb: I actually really like those Astra wheels although I've never been a huge fan of gloss black.

Keep up the good work!

[martstdvan]

many thanks for the comments
i am not a huge fan of black bumpers or wheels either but the bumpers were that colour anyway (when they weree donated) so i decided the wheels would just be painted to match.
Thankfully the car will be resprayed white and the full works (Bernard Munster) decals will be added hopefully early next year


Its come a long way since you bought it mate, well done :thumb: I actually really like those Astra wheels although I've never been a huge fan of gloss black.

Keep up the good work!

[mk1nova_rich]

That sounds like a plan. I have some Compomotive THs which will be for sale soon...I reckon they would suit it to a tee ;)

[martstdvan]

pm on it's way

That sounds like a plan. I have some Compomotive THs which will be for sale soon...I reckon they would suit it to a tee ;)

[mk1nova_rich]

Clear your inbox please pal :thumb:

[Rickyb]

has this had any updates

[novarally]

There is an update...........Martin (the owner of this Nova) has decided to sell it, and has asked me to undertake this on his behalf.

The car is now residing at my place in Poole, and I will be listing it on EBAY once I've had a chance to give it a clean and prepare the full specification details.

I will let people know the moment it goes up for auction.

[novarally]

This Nova will be up for sale on EBAY from approximately 9pm tonight (you won't be able to see the link below until that time!);

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/310613155622?ssPageName=STRK:MESCX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1554.l2649