Novavan

[andyredtop83]

Bought this van off the bay last October. Its been sitting in my girlfriends garage since then as its SORN but now the nice weathers finally here im going to pull my finger out and get it on the road at last. I work in the construction trade and im using my A reg redtop for work and im having to put all my tools in which is a pain so i thought to myself buy a novavan, problem solved :d

Its got:
redtop with F16 box
laguna front splitter
side skirts
mk 1 spoiler
clear rear lights
momo wheel
astra digi dash
bucket seats
blue antibes carpet

Its pretty solid as well :d


http://i1250.photobucket.com/albums/hh525/andyredtop/100_0992_1.jpg (http://s1250.photobucket.com/user/andyredtop/media/100_0992_1.jpg.html)
http://i1250.photobucket.com/albums/hh525/andyredtop/100_0991.jpg (http://s1250.photobucket.com/user/andyredtop/media/100_0991.jpg.html)
http://i1250.photobucket.com/albums/hh525/andyredtop/100_0993_2.jpg (http://s1250.photobucket.com/user/andyredtop/media/100_0993_2.jpg.html)

[leon whitehead]

this for sale?

[burgo]

this for sale?

in the projects section?

[andyredtop83]

No sorry not for sale :(

[steviegsi]

this for sale?


in the projects section?

To be fair it wouldn't be the first now for sale in the projects section , rarely on the first page i suppose! lol

edit- tidy van by the way!

[_Jake]

that the one from southend?

[andyredtop83]

Could be, i bought it from Ipswich but the owner had only had it about 3 months or so.

[andyredtop83]

I have an update on my redtop van :), managed to save up some money and take it to the local bodyshop which a mate of my dads runs so he dont charge me top dollar if i get any bits done :thumb:

The previous owner had sprayed the bumpers black but the paint was starting to come off so i had those resprayed and they sealed the gap on the front bumper between the bumper and the splitter so it looks like its part of the bumper and not just like its been screwed on with a couple of self taps lol The grill had broken on one side but the bodyshop had a brand new one lying in their store room (i couldnt believe this until they showed me it) so i had that sprayed blue and fitted

http://i1250.photobucket.com/albums/hh525/andyredtop/100_1238.jpg (http://s1250.photobucket.com/user/andyredtop/media/100_1238.jpg.html)

http://i1250.photobucket.com/albums/hh525/andyredtop/100_1233.jpg (http://s1250.photobucket.com/user/andyredtop/media/100_1233.jpg.html)

The side skirts had paint coming off them as well and they had been attached with mastic :tard: so i got the proper clips and then had those sprayed in matching satin black

http://i1250.photobucket.com/albums/hh525/andyredtop/100_1239.jpg (http://s1250.photobucket.com/user/andyredtop/media/100_1239.jpg.html)

[andyredtop83]

The van had a mk1 SR/GTE spoiler which was black but i prefer them to be colour coded so that was sprayed in blue then sprayed with laquer to make it shiny

http://i1250.photobucket.com/albums/hh525/andyredtop/100_1236.jpg (http://s1250.photobucket.com/user/andyredtop/media/100_1236.jpg.html)

The wing mirrors had small holes drilled in them and had LEDs in them for the side repeaters but i cant stand that sort of thing so i sourced some wing mirror covers and also had those sprayed in blue then laquered

http://i1250.photobucket.com/albums/hh525/andyredtop/100_1237.jpg (http://s1250.photobucket.com/user/andyredtop/media/100_1237.jpg.html)

The whole van then had the paint compounded to bring the colour back up

http://i1250.photobucket.com/albums/hh525/andyredtop/100_1241.jpg (http://s1250.photobucket.com/user/andyredtop/media/100_1241.jpg.html)

Also when i bought the van it had a soppy little tailpipe but i wanted something with a bit more girth lol so i fitted this ashley backbox

http://i1250.photobucket.com/albums/hh525/andyredtop/100_1235.jpg (http://s1250.photobucket.com/user/andyredtop/media/100_1235.jpg.html)

I have a GSi dash, electric windows, cav slabs and calibra leathers to fit next and should have it out on the road in early spring fingers crossed :thumb:

[blue_peg_16v]

Get it to national weekend next year my let van will be there this year

[_Jake]

get them seats and dash in ;) looking good mate! love the vans!

[andyredtop83]

Get it to national weekend next year my let van will be there this year

Yer i should be there with it mate fingers crossed :thumb:

[andyredtop83]

get them seats and dash in ;) looking good mate! love the vans!

Cheers Jake, your seats and dash will be put to good use lol

[Balley]

Yum, I want it!

[blue_peg_16v]

But it hasn't got at td balley

[simonm]

I no where there is one of these it's White is it worth picking up or are they worth much I really like the thoughts of a small cc van think there pretty cool

[Balley]

But it hasn't got at td balley

Yes but it never did. My next Nova will be petrol!

[andyredtop83]

I was hoping to have this van on the road by now but I never seem to have enough time or money to get things done, which most of you can probably relate to lol Anyway now the nice weathers finally here at last im pulling my finger out :thumb:

I've taken the dash out as it was a bit of a mess with a load of screws in the top and some switches which had holes that had been drilled in random places and I do have a black GSi dash to go in which I think looks a lot better than the standard grey

http://i1250.photobucket.com/albums/hh525/andyredtop/100_1340_1.jpg (http://s1250.photobucket.com/user/andyredtop/media/100_1340_1.jpg.html)

As the vans blue I thought it would be nice to have illuminated blue/grey sunvisors from a mk2 flair/sr/sri so I sourced some, I had to cut the plug off and fitted some spade terminals to the end of the cables

http://i1250.photobucket.com/albums/hh525/andyredtop/100_1341.jpg (http://s1250.photobucket.com/user/andyredtop/media/100_1341.jpg.html)

I removed the plastic a pillar trim and run 2 cables, one joining the circuit that feeds the clock, interior light etc and the other to an earth I made

http://i1250.photobucket.com/albums/hh525/andyredtop/100_1342.jpg (http://s1250.photobucket.com/user/andyredtop/media/100_1342.jpg.html)

I did this for both sides and hey presto illuminated sunvisors :d

http://i1250.photobucket.com/albums/hh525/andyredtop/100_1344.jpg (http://s1250.photobucket.com/user/andyredtop/media/100_1344.jpg.html)

[Rage]

looks smart mate wish my vans paint work was that tidy

[andyredtop83]

looks smart mate wish my vans paint work was that tidy

Thanks mate, what you actually got a novavan or just a van?

[andyredtop83]

Dug my GSi dash out the garage and gave it a good clean today and it came up quite tidy

http://i1250.photobucket.com/albums/hh525/andyredtop/100_1350.jpg (http://s1250.photobucket.com/user/andyredtop/media/100_1350.jpg.html)

While I had the dash out I thought id fit new front speakers to it as its so awkward when the dash is in place so I bought some Alpine 10cm speakers which I thought would be a nice snug fit

http://i1250.photobucket.com/albums/hh525/andyredtop/100_1351.jpg (http://s1250.photobucket.com/user/andyredtop/media/100_1351.jpg.html)

They were still a nightmare to fit though, I bolted them in and used quite large washers so when I tightened them up I didn't just pull the nut through the material as its quite thin :thumb:

http://i1250.photobucket.com/albums/hh525/andyredtop/100_1353.jpg (http://s1250.photobucket.com/user/andyredtop/media/100_1353.jpg.html)

I thought there's no point me going to all that trouble and then connecting the speakers to the original cheap GM speaker cables so I bought new good quality speaker cables and ran that from the headunit to the speakers.

http://i1250.photobucket.com/albums/hh525/andyredtop/100_1355.jpg (http://s1250.photobucket.com/user/andyredtop/media/100_1355.jpg.html)

[andyredtop83]

Been busy with this over the bank holiday weekend, managed to fit the GSi dash in

http://i1250.photobucket.com/albums/hh525/andyredtop/100_1367.jpg (http://s1250.photobucket.com/user/andyredtop/media/100_1367.jpg.html)

The only problem fitting a black dash is it then looks strange having grey door handles, window winders etc so I went the whole way and changed the door handles to black as well

http://i1250.photobucket.com/albums/hh525/andyredtop/100_1365.jpg (http://s1250.photobucket.com/user/andyredtop/media/100_1365.jpg.html)

I got hold of some GSi black door cappings and fitted those with industrial strength double sided tape that I borrowed from work lol and while I was at it I fitted normal OE door locking pins, I think that's what you call them as it had Halfords ripspeed metal ones in there and I cant stand that sort of thing

http://i1250.photobucket.com/albums/hh525/andyredtop/100_1366.jpg (http://s1250.photobucket.com/user/andyredtop/media/100_1366.jpg.html)

While I had the door card off I had a look inside the door and its quite tidy as I know doors seem to be a problem for rust on the nova but to be on the safe side I gave them both a blast with this stuff which my local bodyshop swear by

http://i1250.photobucket.com/albums/hh525/andyredtop/100_1363.jpg (http://s1250.photobucket.com/user/andyredtop/media/100_1363.jpg.html)

Also the side repeaters had been fitted to the wing mirrors and there were aftermarket side repeaters in the wings which had been stuck in place with no wires behind so I ran some new cable for the side repeaters which im going to fit standard nova ones. You may be able to see where the old side repeater was as it has left a mark on the paint :(

http://i1250.photobucket.com/albums/hh525/andyredtop/100_1368.jpg (http://s1250.photobucket.com/user/andyredtop/media/100_1368.jpg.html)

[Rage]

Thanks mate, what you actually got a novavan or just a van?

i've got a white k reg novavan with it's original 1.5 n/a diesel on 73500 miles

[andyredtop83]

i've got a white k reg novavan with it's original 1.5 n/a diesel on 73500 miles

Nice :thumb: Any future plans for it?

[Rage]

tidy her up and possible put a 1.5 turbo diesel in it to help her along

[andyredtop83]

I thought i'd modernise this with electric windows, I managed to get hold of a complete mk2 central locking/electric window loom so I thought it would be easy peesy :d

http://img826.imageshack.us/img826/1214/lcxk.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/826/lcxk.jpg/)

I didn't need the central locking part as I already had that with the alarm but when I opened the fuse box there was no provision to plug the little black plug into to get the feed :( even though its a J reg and when I fitted leccy windows to a J reg trip it had the socket to take it :confused:

I was going to run a cable straight off the battery but then it would be permanently live so I ran it off the ignition (via a 30 amp fuse of course!) so its only live when the keys turned. I had to make the holes bigger in the doors to accommodate the cables for the leccy windows, central locking and speakers. I painted some primer around the bare metal to try and stop the dreaded rust and fitted rubber wiring grommets so the wire don't rub through on the metal

http://img826.imageshack.us/img826/6721/e62l.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/826/e62l.jpg/)

Then I drilled out the old regulator and was going to rivet the electric one in but my rivet gun is a cheap one from a market stool at a carboot sale for about a fiver so I played safe and bolted it in instead which will probably hold better anyway and gave the regulator a nice coating of grease on all the moving parts

http://img94.imageshack.us/img94/3829/ax9k.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/94/ax9k.jpg/)

After putting the GSi dash back I went to fit black heater controls but after having a look at my collection of nova parts in the garage I dug these blue ones out from a flair/SR/SRi I wasn't sure how they would look with the black but after a quick clean they look pretty good and as a bonus I also found a matching UNBROKEN blue headlight switch!!!

http://img94.imageshack.us/img94/6261/ytsa.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/94/ytsa.jpg/)

For some reason I put my headunit back and it wouldn't work so I bought this Alpine one and fitted that and as a bonus it lights up blue when I turn it on :d

http://img692.imageshack.us/img692/999/lm4f.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/692/lm4f.jpg/)

[Rage]

looks like it's coming along nicely i've just put dab in mine cos i can't get to the ariel and i don't really listen to fm now i 'm just saving for a 1.5td lump. maybe find some toys at vboa are you going? don't know whether to go in my van or my cav

[gary_126]

This is comming on well. Any problems with the speaker clearance with the bulkhead?

[andyredtop83]

looks like it's coming along nicely i've just put dab in mine cos i can't get to the ariel and i don't really listen to fm now i 'm just saving for a 1.5td lump. maybe find some toys at vboa are you going? don't know whether to go in my van or my cav

Yer im going, you should bring the van along and park it on the PNG stand

[andyredtop83]

This is comming on well. Any problems with the speaker clearance with the bulkhead?

Its touching on one side, cant remember but im sure its the passenger side, luckily it sounded ok when I turned the radio on though.

[Rage]

Yer im going, you should bring the van along and park it on the PNG stand

that could be a plan i'm thinking of bringing my little box trailer that ive painted to match my van and i'm getting a sticker made up saying novatrailer just for the crack so you should know who it is when i turn up lol

[andyredtop83]

When I bought the van it had bucket seats in, I not really a fan of these unless its for track use but as it will be my daily driver I wanted to take them out. The drivers side had been bolted in so came out quite easily but the passenger side had been welded in, im glad I did remove it as the welds weren't the strongest I had seen

http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/3227/nmcd.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/7/nmcd.jpg/)

I didn't want to resort to getting my angle grinder out and having sparks flying everywhere, but using my club hammer, bolster, hacksaw and file and a lot of shouting and swearing I had it out :thumb:

Im going to be fitting black calibra leather seats and as they came out of a car with heated seats I thought it would be nice to have heated seats in the van for those cold winter mornings :)

So I ran two cables, one to earth and the other to the center console where im going to mount the switches. I then had to bring myself to cut a small slit in the carpet to feed the cables through which I didn't want to do as its a rare blue Antibes one but it was the only way of making it look neat :thumb:

http://img834.imageshack.us/img834/6187/nl6x.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/834/nl6x.jpg/)

[andyredtop83]

I wasn't sure what seats to fit but I went for black Calibra leather in the end. I know a lot of people don't like these but there still quite easy to get hold of, usually cheap, fairly easy to fit and as a bonus there heated :thumb: I've only fitted the passenger side so far but before I fitted it I gave it a clean with some leather conditioner and it came up like new

http://img69.imageshack.us/img69/5227/gc6x.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/69/gc6x.jpg/)


As usual the gear gaiter had split

http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/6310/evwr.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/7/evwr.jpg/)

So I got a nearly new un-split one

http://img687.imageshack.us/img687/4288/vpeu.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/687/vpeu.jpg/)

I fitted that with a black matching GSi center console and mounted the electric window and heated seat switches in there. And after a lot of hard searching I managed to get hold of a blue gearknob and fitted that to match the blue heater controls :thumb:

http://img5.imageshack.us/img5/9154/3kmo.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/5/3kmo.jpg/)

This may look a bit chavish lol but I had the switches fitted with blue LED's

http://img818.imageshack.us/img818/2222/5bdw.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/818/5bdw.jpg/)

And when you turn the heated seats on they come on so bright you need to wear sunglasses lol

http://img703.imageshack.us/img703/5839/hq0s.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/703/hq0s.jpg/)

[andyredtop83]

I almost forgot this as well, the previous owner had removed the rear wiper but left the hole with just a grommet in there

http://img845.imageshack.us/img845/3834/pdeu.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/845/pdeu.jpg/)

This looked rubbish so I was going to had it filled properly and sprayed but to save some money I found an old rear wiper motor in my collection of nova parts and fitted that. Now I know this must have been done thousands of times already but I then went and fitted a Toyota yaris wiper arm as I think it looks a lot more modern than a standard one and also suits the nova perfectly

http://img853.imageshack.us/img853/8730/kz16.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/853/kz16.jpg/)

[Iain]

OMG scary alien face

http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/6310/evwr.jpg

[16v]

OMG scary alien face

http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/6310/evwr.jpg

Lol

[andyredtop83]

OMG scary alien face

http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/6310/evwr.jpg

lol Yer it does look a bit like that lol

[andyredtop83]

What with all the rain over the last few months I haven't done a lot to this, but I have pulled my finger out again lately. As the van has been used to carry goods in the past the wheel arches and floor were scratched and dented so I smarted them up a bit. I stuck on GTE arch carpets

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/1600x1200q90/801/dc5w.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/m9dc5wj)

At work we had some blue carpet tiles left over from a job so I decided to give them a good home and stuck them down on the floor

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/1600x1200q90/801/3an1.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/m93an1j)

I did remove the floor first and used it as a template on the tiles to get them as neat as possible around the arches

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/1600x1200q90/571/kk8m.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/fvkk8mj)


I've always liked the GTE/GSi black boot vinyl so decided to fit one of these but im not trying to turn the van into a GSi lookalike. I bought the vinyl and was going to have a go myself but I knew I start off well probably start getting air bubbles in it and it not lining up then end up losing my temper and ripping it off in a rage so I left it to the professionals

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/1600x1200q90/853/4zng.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/np4zngj)

Im glad I did as they made a really good job and I was well pleased with it

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/1600x1200q90/32/yh49.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/0wyh49j)


I was feeling like I was getting somewhere with the van now then the alarm starting playing up so I got an autoelectrican round to have a look. The van has a Piranha alarm fitted. God knows how old that is as he says they went out of business in the mid 1990's !!! so next on the list is a new Cat 1 alarm.

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/1600x1200q90/163/0b02.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/4j0b02j)

[andyredtop83]

I bought a Cobra cat1 alarm for the van. There is a mobile autoelectrican that lives near me who always does a good job and as a bonus his very cheap but that means his always busy. I phoned him up but as the vans SORN he kept putting me at the bottom of his list as he thought I could wait. I started phoning him everyday though until he was so p****d he gave in and came and fitted it for me

http://i1250.photobucket.com/albums/hh525/andyredtop/100_3609.jpg (http://s1250.photobucket.com/user/andyredtop/media/100_3609.jpg.html)

[andyredtop83]

The front of the van looked a bit rough

http://i1250.photobucket.com/albums/hh525/andyredtop/100_3610.jpg (http://s1250.photobucket.com/user/andyredtop/media/100_3610.jpg.html)

Both the headlights had gone black inside, I had some in my garage that had been removed from a low mileage mk2 a few years back

http://i1250.photobucket.com/albums/hh525/andyredtop/100_3614.jpg (http://s1250.photobucket.com/user/andyredtop/media/100_3614.jpg.html)
http://i1250.photobucket.com/albums/hh525/andyredtop/100_3616.jpg (http://s1250.photobucket.com/user/andyredtop/media/100_3616.jpg.html)

[andyredtop83]

I also had some new number plates made up with the Vauxhall griffin on

http://i1250.photobucket.com/albums/hh525/andyredtop/100_3612.jpg (http://s1250.photobucket.com/user/andyredtop/media/100_3612.jpg.html)

I've yet to remove a mk2 headlight without breaking the clip but I did have several spare

http://i1250.photobucket.com/albums/hh525/andyredtop/100_3615.jpg (http://s1250.photobucket.com/user/andyredtop/media/100_3615.jpg.html)

I fitted these back on the van and it does look a lot smarter

http://i1250.photobucket.com/albums/hh525/andyredtop/100_3618.jpg (http://s1250.photobucket.com/user/andyredtop/media/100_3618.jpg.html)

[andyredtop83]

Next was the wheels, it had 14 steels on when I bought it and there still on there. I think the best looking alloy on a nova is the speedline alessios 2 16inch but these always seem to be very expensive even second hand so I went for my second favourite alloys. The good old cav slabs :thumb:
I bought a set that had been powdercoated in white and bought some center caps then sprayed those white. Its not the same white but you have to get really near to notice the difference in colour. The van has been lowered a bit but its not exactly sitting on the floor as its going to be my daily driver so I fitted 195/50 Toyo Proxes instead of 195/45's

What a difference alloys make to a car, before:

http://i1250.photobucket.com/albums/hh525/andyredtop/100_3619.jpg (http://s1250.photobucket.com/user/andyredtop/media/100_3619.jpg.html)

And after:

http://i1250.photobucket.com/albums/hh525/andyredtop/100_3621.jpg (http://s1250.photobucket.com/user/andyredtop/media/100_3621.jpg.html)

While I had the offside front wheel off i got it up on axle stands to fit this two pin oil pressure sender unit so my oil pressure gauge will now work on my digital dash instead of reading max all the time.

http://i1250.photobucket.com/albums/hh525/andyredtop/100_3622.jpg (http://s1250.photobucket.com/user/andyredtop/media/100_3622.jpg.html)

[andyredtop83]

This vans starting to take root now, so im going to pull my finger out and I now hope to have it on the road for late summer although I have said that for the last few years!!

I removed the digital dash because although the speedo, rev counter etc worked things like the indicators, ful beam etc didn't even though all the bulbs were ok and the wiring was a bit of a mess so I got it out and wired it in properly and fitted it back as neat as I could

http://i1250.photobucket.com/albums/hh525/andyredtop/100_3685.jpg (http://s1250.photobucket.com/user/andyredtop/media/100_3685.jpg.html)

http://i1250.photobucket.com/albums/hh525/andyredtop/100_3686.jpg (http://s1250.photobucket.com/user/andyredtop/media/100_3686.jpg.html)

[andyredtop83]

While I had the wheel off I added some new corsa b stalks to modernise it a bit

http://i1250.photobucket.com/albums/hh525/andyredtop/100_3687.jpg (http://s1250.photobucket.com/user/andyredtop/media/100_3687.jpg.html)

I wanted to keep the momo steering wheel but had a nightmare trying to get the horn to earth, even an autoelectrican couldn't do it so I had to wire in a separate switch for the horn but it kept getting stuck on so I lost my temper with it and fitted the a 3 spoke wheel with GSi horn push and found some mk2 steering column shrouds from the garage which I also fitted.

http://i1250.photobucket.com/albums/hh525/andyredtop/100_3747.jpg (http://s1250.photobucket.com/user/andyredtop/media/100_3747.jpg.html)
http://i1250.photobucket.com/albums/hh525/andyredtop/100_3751.jpg (http://s1250.photobucket.com/user/andyredtop/media/100_3751.jpg.html)
http://i1250.photobucket.com/albums/hh525/andyredtop/100_3750.jpg (http://s1250.photobucket.com/user/andyredtop/media/100_3750.jpg.html)

[andyredtop83]

The heater was a bit hit and miss, low speed didn't work and the middle speed sometimes worked. I had a play around with the resistor but ended up buying a nice new one, not the cheapest thing but at least I wont have any problems with it and it wont keep squeaking either everytime i put the blower on!

http://i1250.photobucket.com/albums/hh525/andyredtop/100_3836.jpg (http://s1250.photobucket.com/user/andyredtop/media/100_3836.jpg.html)

The cover that goes over the heater, the scuttle panel i think its called was missing so after much searching i got one and it even had the little block thing that goes on top of it. I gave it a clean up and fitted that. Stuff like this seems to be so hard to find now in good condition!!

http://i1250.photobucket.com/albums/hh525/andyredtop/100_3838.jpg (http://s1250.photobucket.com/user/andyredtop/media/100_3838.jpg.html)
http://i1250.photobucket.com/albums/hh525/andyredtop/100_3840.jpg (http://s1250.photobucket.com/user/andyredtop/media/100_3840.jpg.html)

The coolant was a bit mucky so i flushed it through but some of the hoses looked a bit perished so i treated the van to new ones, i was only going to buy cooling hoses but i went a bit mad and bought breather ones as well. Luckily i wanted blue to match the van colour and this seems to be the standard colour for most manufactures!

http://i1250.photobucket.com/albums/hh525/andyredtop/100_3842.jpg (http://s1250.photobucket.com/user/andyredtop/media/100_3842.jpg.html)

[andyredtop83]

The van was missing the bulkhead behind the seats, i thought about trying to source one but i doubt theres many novavans being broken so i made my own up. I wasn't going to fit one but everytime i braked i didn't want stuff in the back flying into the seats.

http://i1250.photobucket.com/albums/hh525/andyredtop/100_3701.jpg (http://s1250.photobucket.com/user/andyredtop/media/100_3701.jpg.html)

We had some moisture resistant MDF at work so i cut that to size and primed it then glossed it with oil based black gloss so its quite hard wearing.

http://i1250.photobucket.com/albums/hh525/andyredtop/100_3749.jpg (http://s1250.photobucket.com/user/andyredtop/media/100_3749.jpg.html)

I then got some L brackets and bolted it all up in place.

http://i1250.photobucket.com/albums/hh525/andyredtop/100_3865.jpg (http://s1250.photobucket.com/user/andyredtop/media/100_3865.jpg.html)

http://i1250.photobucket.com/albums/hh525/andyredtop/100_3867.jpg (http://s1250.photobucket.com/user/andyredtop/media/100_3867.jpg.html)

If theres enough MDF left over im going to try and make a small shelf on it as well.

[andyredtop83]

When I bought the van it had poverty spec mk2 door cards in that had seen better days, so I wanted to fit something a bit nicer. I went for the blue/grey SR/SRi ones. I managed to find two sets but unfortunately they had both been molested. One set had holes for window winders and the other big speaker holes :(

http://i1250.photobucket.com/albums/hh525/andyredtop/100_3868.jpg (http://s1250.photobucket.com/user/andyredtop/media/100_3868.jpg.html)

As the van now has electric windows I had to fit the ones with the speaker holes so I ran some speaker cable from the back of the headunit into the doors and then bought these 6inch fli speakers. I had fli on one of my other novas, there not the best you can buy but they sound ok for the money and look pretty smart when fitted :)

http://i1250.photobucket.com/albums/hh525/andyredtop/100_3872.jpg (http://s1250.photobucket.com/user/andyredtop/media/100_3872.jpg.html)

I gave the door cards a good clean and fitted them both!

http://i1250.photobucket.com/albums/hh525/andyredtop/100_3873.jpg (http://s1250.photobucket.com/user/andyredtop/media/100_3873.jpg.html)
http://i1250.photobucket.com/albums/hh525/andyredtop/100_3874.jpg (http://s1250.photobucket.com/user/andyredtop/media/100_3874.jpg.html)

[chadders]

Top work mate looks great :thumb:

[andyredtop83]

Top work mate looks great :thumb:

Thanks mate, its slowly coming along

[andyredtop83]

Finally got round to fitting my new hoses, the only one I didn't have was the 3 way which goes into the inlet manifold but as you can buy this one on its own I thought it would be rude of me not to buy this one as well.

http://i1250.photobucket.com/albums/hh525/andyredtop/100_3886.jpg (http://s1250.photobucket.com/user/andyredtop/media/100_3886.jpg.html)

[andyredtop83]

To make it easier fitting the 3 way hose I removed the inlet manifold, the throttle body was also removed, standard size for these are 64mm so I sent it off to be machined out to 68mm

Before:

http://i1250.photobucket.com/albums/hh525/andyredtop/100_3882.jpg (http://s1250.photobucket.com/user/andyredtop/media/100_3882.jpg.html)

After:

http://i1250.photobucket.com/albums/hh525/andyredtop/100_3885.jpg (http://s1250.photobucket.com/user/andyredtop/media/100_3885.jpg.html)

While I had the inlet manifold off I carefully enlarged the opening where the throttle body sits so it matches up to the work that had been carried out on the throttle body.

http://i1250.photobucket.com/albums/hh525/andyredtop/100_3891.jpg (http://s1250.photobucket.com/user/andyredtop/media/100_3891.jpg.html)

[andyredtop83]

I removed the fuel rail and took out the 4 injectors, I had these tested and they came back with a clean bill of health so I then had them ultrasonic cleaned

http://i1250.photobucket.com/albums/hh525/andyredtop/100_3893.jpg (http://s1250.photobucket.com/user/andyredtop/media/100_3893.jpg.html)

The fuel hoses to the fuel rail looked like they had seen better days so I replaced them to be on the safe side

http://i1250.photobucket.com/albums/hh525/andyredtop/100_3898.jpg (http://s1250.photobucket.com/user/andyredtop/media/100_3898.jpg.html)

[andyredtop83]

After I had fitted my hoses I then assembled it all back together with a new inlet manifold and throttle body gasket

http://i1250.photobucket.com/albums/hh525/andyredtop/100_3892.jpg (http://s1250.photobucket.com/user/andyredtop/media/100_3892.jpg.html)

http://i1250.photobucket.com/albums/hh525/andyredtop/100_3902.jpg (http://s1250.photobucket.com/user/andyredtop/media/100_3902.jpg.html)

[ben doodar]

Great project mate. Have you still got the other pair of door cards you didn't fit?

[andyredtop83]

This project has come to a bit of a stand still although I have been tinkering with my other nova as well (83 xe)
Here it is a few years back with my old GTE and mk2 trip.

http://i1250.photobucket.com/albums/hh525/andyredtop/100_0842.jpg (http://s1250.photobucket.com/user/andyredtop/media/100_0842.jpg.html)


Anyways back to the van, as it had been sat for a while I gave it a full service, I know a lot of people use GM oil but it does seem to be expensive so I use Castrol GTX magnatec although I always use GM filters. I always put in an engine flush before and an oil additive after

http://i1250.photobucket.com/albums/hh525/andyredtop/100_3917.jpg (http://s1250.photobucket.com/user/andyredtop/media/100_3917.jpg.html)

My other xe seems to run better when I fitted NGK iridium plugs so I fitted 4 of those and treated it to some new HT leads as they had seen better days

http://i1250.photobucket.com/albums/hh525/andyredtop/100_3911.jpg (http://s1250.photobucket.com/user/andyredtop/media/100_3911.jpg.html)

The induction kit was filthy so I bought a K&N filter cleaning kit and cleaned it twice

http://i1250.photobucket.com/albums/hh525/andyredtop/100_3918.jpg (http://s1250.photobucket.com/user/andyredtop/media/100_3918.jpg.html)

I also changed the fuel filter (didn't take a picture of that as it isn't very interesting lol)

[andyredtop83]

I fitted the cleaned induction kit back and fitted a new blue hose from the induction kit to the AFM to match all the other blue hoses

http://i1250.photobucket.com/albums/hh525/andyredtop/100_3976.jpg (http://s1250.photobucket.com/user/andyredtop/media/100_3976.jpg.html)

I think some people call this a doughnut but where the AFM joins to the powercap/airbox mine had started to split but I found LMF Vauxhall had some new GM ones in stock so I bought one of those as well.

http://i1250.photobucket.com/albums/hh525/andyredtop/100_3913.jpg (http://s1250.photobucket.com/user/andyredtop/media/100_3913.jpg.html)

Few other goodies I bought, a new shiny exhaust manifold heat shield

http://i1250.photobucket.com/albums/hh525/andyredtop/100_3908.jpg (http://s1250.photobucket.com/user/andyredtop/media/100_3908.jpg.html)

Also was looking on ebay and found you can still buy new mk2 indicators. I bought both for £16 the pair and they were Lucas. I like fitting new parts when I can even better when there good quality and fairly cheap!

http://i1250.photobucket.com/albums/hh525/andyredtop/100_3912.jpg (http://s1250.photobucket.com/user/andyredtop/media/100_3912.jpg.html)

[andyredtop83]

Started tinkering with this again. Made a shelf up in MDF, glossed it black and fitted it in with blue carpet tiles to match the rest of the back of the van.

http://i1250.photobucket.com/albums/hh525/andyredtop/100_4166.jpg (http://s1250.photobucket.com/user/andyredtop/media/100_4166.jpg.html)

[andyredtop83]

The van had been lowered before I bought it (not sure how much, looks about 30mm) I wanted it sitting lower though and the shocks looked old so I bought a Bilstein suspension kit (shocks and springs). This lowers 60mm at the front and 40mm at the rear so the van sits a lot nicer now

http://i1250.photobucket.com/albums/hh525/andyredtop/100_4035.jpg (http://s1250.photobucket.com/user/andyredtop/media/100_4035.jpg.html)
http://i1250.photobucket.com/albums/hh525/andyredtop/100_4074.jpg (http://s1250.photobucket.com/user/andyredtop/media/100_4074.jpg.html)

[andyredtop83]

I fitted the front suspension back with new top mounts, support bearings and bump stops

http://i1250.photobucket.com/albums/hh525/andyredtop/100_4036.jpg (http://s1250.photobucket.com/user/andyredtop/media/100_4036.jpg.html)


I also wired brushed under the wheel arches and sprayed them all with spray on underseal

http://i1250.photobucket.com/albums/hh525/andyredtop/100_4033.jpg (http://s1250.photobucket.com/user/andyredtop/media/100_4033.jpg.html)

[andyredtop83]

While I was doing the nearside rear I noticed the rubber exhaust hanger was perishing so I changed all 3 for poly ones

http://i1250.photobucket.com/albums/hh525/andyredtop/100_4072.jpg (http://s1250.photobucket.com/user/andyredtop/media/100_4072.jpg.html)

[andyredtop83]

A couple of other NOS parts I bought

Boot handle as one on there had been sprayed black and paint was coming off

http://i1250.photobucket.com/albums/hh525/andyredtop/100_4031.jpg (http://s1250.photobucket.com/user/andyredtop/media/100_4031.jpg.html)


Horn push for steering wheel with correct griffin for mk2 nova and the blue insert to match blue door cards, heater controls etc.

http://i1250.photobucket.com/albums/hh525/andyredtop/100_4028.jpg (http://s1250.photobucket.com/user/andyredtop/media/100_4028.jpg.html)

[andyredtop83]

Theres still loads I want to do to the van but most of them are cosmetic now. If I don't get it back on the road now I never will so I took it for an MOT. I was expecting it to fail as its been SORN for nearly 6 years but it passed with flying colours. Only one advisory and that was the exhaust was a bit smokey but ive now done 20 odd miles and that's cleared so its just probably where it hadnt run. The tester even commented on how clean it was underneath. Next on the cards is a cambelt change. I changed it 4 and a half years ago and its only done 20 odd miles since but I cant risk it snapping on me!

[andyredtop83]

Got round to changing the cambelt and gave it another full service.

[andyredtop83]

http://i1250.photobucket.com/albums/hh525/andyredtop/100_4167.jpg (http://s1250.photobucket.com/user/andyredtop/media/100_4167.jpg.html)

[andyredtop83]

The van had clear rear lights on but after a lot of searching I tracked down some smoked ones. These are the ones Demon Tweeks used to sell back in the day, not ones that somebody has sprayed themselves. I waited until after the MOT as I thought the tester might not approve

http://i1250.photobucket.com/albums/hh525/andyredtop/100_4168.jpg (http://s1250.photobucket.com/user/andyredtop/media/100_4168.jpg.html)

[andyredtop83]

After fitting I found all the lights show white when you brake, indicate etc so I fitted coloured bulbs to solve it

http://i1250.photobucket.com/albums/hh525/andyredtop/100_4179.jpg (http://s1250.photobucket.com/user/andyredtop/media/100_4179.jpg.html)

[millworm]

Looking smart mate

[andyredtop83]

Looking smart mate

Thanks mate, I might even get round to fitting your single wiper one day!

[leggattr]

Surly due a meet soon, must have been a year since the last one. Would be good to see this

[andyredtop83]

To have it matching I also fitted smoked side repeaters, again with orange bulbs. Not very exciting but here's a before and after shot

http://i1250.photobucket.com/albums/hh525/andyredtop/100_4169.jpg (http://s1250.photobucket.com/user/andyredtop/media/100_4169.jpg.html)

http://i1250.photobucket.com/albums/hh525/andyredtop/100_4171.jpg (http://s1250.photobucket.com/user/andyredtop/media/100_4171.jpg.html)

[andyredtop83]

I stole the cav slabs off the van for my other nova so it was sitting on 14" steels. Now I know its been done thousands of times before but I couldn't resist fitting Speedline Alessios

Offside:


http://i1250.photobucket.com/albums/hh525/andyredtop/100_4174.jpg (http://s1250.photobucket.com/user/andyredtop/media/100_4174.jpg.html)
http://i1250.photobucket.com/albums/hh525/andyredtop/100_4180.jpg (http://s1250.photobucket.com/user/andyredtop/media/100_4180.jpg.html)

[andyredtop83]

And nearside:


http://i1250.photobucket.com/albums/hh525/andyredtop/100_4172.jpg (http://s1250.photobucket.com/user/andyredtop/media/100_4172.jpg.html)
http://i1250.photobucket.com/albums/hh525/andyredtop/100_4173.jpg (http://s1250.photobucket.com/user/andyredtop/media/100_4173.jpg.html)

[andyredtop83]

I went for 195/45 tyres and they fit the arches spot on as she's lowered but not slammed to the floor. I do have the center caps for the wheels but they wouldn't fit on the rear so I used spacers. I had to use spacers on the front as the tyre was fouling the gearbox on full lock. There are some good deals on ebay where you can buy 2x spacers for Vauxhall 4 or 5 stud fitment and you get the proper wheel bolts which are longer to match the thickness of the spacers. I remember buying spacers years ago but then trying to find longer wheel bolts was a nightmare and I don't fancy fitting standard ones knowing there's going to be 5mm less thread holding them on!

http://i1250.photobucket.com/albums/hh525/andyredtop/100_4181.jpg (http://s1250.photobucket.com/user/andyredtop/media/100_4181.jpg.html)

[millworm]

Thanks mate, I might even get round to fitting your single wiper one day!

One day lol


Surly due a meet soon, must have been a year since the last one. Would be good to see this

I'm sure I can squeeze something in next month?

[torquey]

Looks well ! Nice to see a van for a change.

[andyredtop83]

Surly due a meet soon, must have been a year since the last one. Would be good to see this

Looks like Millworm the South East events organiser is sorting a date out unless his busy with the VW boys lol

[andyredtop83]

Looks well ! Nice to see a van for a change.

Thanks, I know novas are rare now days but I haven't seen another van on the road for at least 10+ years

[andyredtop83]

Almost forgot this. I bought this a few years back and left it in the back of the garage and then couldn't find it when I needed it. This is the bigger rear anti rollbar as fitted to GTE/GSi models. I have heard SRi and TD's had the bigger diameter one as well unless that's just a myth?

http://i1250.photobucket.com/albums/hh525/andyredtop/100_4176.jpg (http://s1250.photobucket.com/user/andyredtop/media/100_4176.jpg.html)


It was a bit rough though which you have to expect as its probably at least 25+ years old. I sent it off to be shotblasted and then had it powdercoated in gloss black. This was then fitted back on the van with new bolts and new bushes

http://i1250.photobucket.com/albums/hh525/andyredtop/100_4182.jpg (http://s1250.photobucket.com/user/andyredtop/media/100_4182.jpg.html)

[Iain]

I'm sure they were bigger yes. Try not to scratch it too much while fitting!