My old novas and my present GSI 2.0 16v

[ASH GSI]

I would love to hear if any one knows anything about the cars before or after I had them. Thanks

My nova obsession started when i was 16 and i got a 1.3 SR for my first car it came from a salvage yard as it had light damage, it cost £900 at the time a good one was £3k and being only 16 i didnt have that sort of money!
a few months later i was 17 and just over a month after that i had passed my test and was on the road insurance was just over £1k back then. I didnt drink or smoke so all of my money at the time went into this car but it was more than worth it IMO.
http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a450/ash-gt/nova13sr1_zps6d92a3ea.jpg (http://s1036.photobucket.com/user/ash-gt/media/nova13sr1_zps6d92a3ea.jpg.html)
After a year of ownership
http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a450/ash-gt/PICT0006.jpg (http://s1036.photobucket.com/user/ash-gt/media/PICT0006.jpg.html)
After aprox 2 & 1/2 years of ownership the car had 16ich alloys, EBC 16v brakes, RS2000 skirts, Nova dose bumpers, webber carb, pmc exhaust system, gmax kit, griffiths quick shift, sound system, 4x cav gsi head rests and many other mods
http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a450/ash-gt/nova13sr2_zpsa56475c9.jpg (http://s1036.photobucket.com/user/ash-gt/media/nova13sr2_zpsa56475c9.jpg.html)


I sold my SR for just under £2k to a lad who lived in dartford, this was to be his first car, I didnt see the car again.
I changed to the white R5 Turbo aprox 180 BHP at 19 kept me happy but poor after that came a rover 216 GTI.

[ASH GSI]

My 2nd nova was a Red Gsi that came from new romney, i paid £600 for the car as it was in a bit of a bad way at the time a nice Gsi would have been around £2k.
When i got the car
http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a450/ash-gt/redgsi1_zps2012bf25.jpg (http://s1036.photobucket.com/user/ash-gt/media/redgsi1_zps2012bf25.jpg.html)
It went into the body shop for 3 months, i went to visit the project every week
http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a450/ash-gt/redgsi2_zps8aaa44e6.jpg (http://s1036.photobucket.com/user/ash-gt/media/redgsi2_zps8aaa44e6.jpg.html)
Finished result with hand made metal rear arches just a bit wider than standard, smooth tailgate that was as good as a mirror. the novadose kit was even smoothed more.
http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a450/ash-gt/redgsi3_zpsb06c2d3d.jpg (http://s1036.photobucket.com/user/ash-gt/media/redgsi3_zpsb06c2d3d.jpg.html)
I sold the car for around £2.5k after aprox a year and over the years to come it was seen online for sale a few more times. I think one of the new owners fitted quad rear lights and a bonnet scoop not to my taste but i suppose it was that sort of car lol

[ASH GSI]

At the same time as the Red GSI i also had a 2.0 16v SR with a star chip, head work and cams.
I got this car from a friend, Marc smith.
http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a450/ash-gt/bluenova2_zpsabe18d9c.jpg (http://s1036.photobucket.com/user/ash-gt/media/bluenova2_zpsabe18d9c.jpg.html)
http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a450/ash-gt/bluenova1_zps065734bb.jpg (http://s1036.photobucket.com/user/ash-gt/media/bluenova1_zps065734bb.jpg.html)

At this point i was 21 and wanted a change from novas so i swapped this SR for a 16v mk 2 golf gti that was a demo car for a powerflow dealer on the south coast area. I think the car went on to also be used as a demo/track car but i may be wrong.
I went on to own a rover 220 coupe and by 22 i had a porsche :)

[ASH GSI]

After owning many interesting cars and now 30 years old i had been thinking about going back to a nova just for a bit of fun (not as a main car just a toy), i kept looking online and one day this GSI came up aprox october 2012, it was just what i was looking for i had even insured the car before i went to look at it. the car came from Frank Henderson in wiltshire (a member on here) who had the car for many years and wanted it to go to a good home.

unlike my other novas this one will not be subject to a body kit, them days are long gone but they were fun at the time.

I now plan to just keep up Franks good work and keep the car as a nice clean example.

Engine
1998 C20XE
Twin Weber 45 Carburettors
Webcon engine management system
Solid state fuel pump
Magnecor competition plug leads
Magnex Full Stainless exhaust
Heat wrapped exhaust manifold
Roose motorsport coolant hose kit
Cool running thermostat
Uprated alloy engine mounts

Transmission
F20 Gearbox
Uprated drive shafts
Rose jointed gear linkage

Suspension / Chassis
FK coil over kit with higher poundage C20XE front springs
Powerflex bush kit front & rear
Harry Hockley engine bay strengthening kit & seam welding

Brakes
Vectra V6 288mm front brakes with drilled & grooved discs
Goodridge brake hoses

Wheels & Tyres
Speedline Alessio alloys

Exterior
Vectra rear door handles fitted flush in front doors
Removed front side repeaters
Novatech Alloy fuel filler cap

Interior
Momo Course steering wheel

http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a450/ash-gt/DSCN1555.jpg (http://s1036.photobucket.com/user/ash-gt/media/DSCN1555.jpg.html)
http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a450/ash-gt/DSCN1558.jpg (http://s1036.photobucket.com/user/ash-gt/media/DSCN1558.jpg.html)
http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a450/ash-gt/DSCN1565.jpg (http://s1036.photobucket.com/user/ash-gt/media/DSCN1565.jpg.html)
http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a450/ash-gt/DSCN1592.jpg (http://s1036.photobucket.com/user/ash-gt/media/DSCN1592.jpg.html)

[smitsturbo]

stunning mate, im the same i had a few novas and corsa's about 6 years ago, now just baught myself a 2.0l 16v gsi...soo to have LET, i honestly think novas are going to go up in price nowadays

[ASH GSI]

stunning mate, im the same i had a few novas and corsa's about 6 years ago, now just baught myself a 2.0l 16v gsi...soo to have LET, i honestly think novas are going to go up in price nowadays

Thanks mate, yes i wanted to get one before they all rust away or go silly in price, i dont have the time to build one so when this came up i had to have it.
ive not used it this year yet but will get it out ofthe garage soon!

[scott.parker]

Franks old car, lovely car, hope you enjoy it and don't do anything to stupid, as it's one of not many left now.

[staggy_gsi]

Beautiful car mate, take care of it! The only thing i dont agree with are the door handles, never thought they look right on a nova!

Im another one looking to return to nova ownership. Sold (well, swapped) my white gsi back in '08 and it didnt take me long to regret it!

[ASH GSI]

Beautiful car mate, take care of it! The only thing i dont agree with are the door handles, never thought they look right on a nova!

Im another one looking to return to nova ownership. Sold (well, swapped) my white gsi back in '08 and it didnt take me long to regret it!

Thanks, I must admit I would rather have the standard nova door handles but the car was too good to pass up.
The longer you leave it the harder it will be to get a good one so start looking :)

[Paul16v]

Loving the mg maestro in the first pic!! Very nice silk violet gsi that though.

[ASH GSI]

not very exciting progress with the nova but ive changed the sump gasket for an 8v one also changed oil and filter, fitted a new set of plugs and put a adjustment bung back in the gear box so now the oil should stay inside the engine and box lol.
http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a450/ash-gt/DSC_0471_zpsc3d95881.jpg (http://s1036.photobucket.com/user/ash-gt/media/DSC_0471_zpsc3d95881.jpg.html)
http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a450/ash-gt/DSC_0463_zps2d98e9c7.jpg (http://s1036.photobucket.com/user/ash-gt/media/DSC_0463_zps2d98e9c7.jpg.html)
GSI badge was looking a bit tired so i hand painted it, not perfect but much cleaner.
Before
http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a450/ash-gt/DSC_0460_zps9e7f5ddb.jpg (http://s1036.photobucket.com/user/ash-gt/media/DSC_0460_zps9e7f5ddb.jpg.html)
After
http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a450/ash-gt/DSC_0461_zps62a04298.jpg (http://s1036.photobucket.com/user/ash-gt/media/DSC_0461_zps62a04298.jpg.html)

[ASH GSI]

The tyres on the car were 13 years old and had quite a few cracks so it was time to replace even though they were not worn out.
I went for a set of 195 45 16 yokohama S drive from blackcircles.
http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a450/ash-gt/novatyresjuly2013_zps3d5f81aa.jpg (http://s1036.photobucket.com/user/ash-gt/media/novatyresjuly2013_zps3d5f81aa.jpg.html)
With the new tyres on they were catching the front arch lip quite a bit so I have rolled the arches and set the camber from 0 degree to just under 1.5 degree negative allowing me to lower the front a few more mm with no catching on the arch lips :)
Also had the tracking done, the guys had to modify the alignment gear to fit on the car, she does drive a lot better now.
Camber gauge
http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a450/ash-gt/DSC_0655_zpsc7ae0645.jpg (http://s1036.photobucket.com/user/ash-gt/media/DSC_0655_zpsc7ae0645.jpg.html)

http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a450/ash-gt/DSC_0791_zpse990686a.jpg (http://s1036.photobucket.com/user/ash-gt/media/DSC_0791_zpse990686a.jpg.html)

[ASH GSI]

As the road tax runs out at the end of September I have now SORN the nova for the winter as I don't want to give rust an invitation and could do with spending time and money on my other 2 cars (astra vxr and starlet turbo)
The plan is to tax the nova again around April time ready for shows.
http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a450/ash-gt/DSC_07981_zps20a613a8.jpg (http://s1036.photobucket.com/user/ash-gt/media/DSC_07981_zps20a613a8.jpg.html)

[NathanKirkpatrick]

Gorgeous.. I just had my last evening run tonight in my nova and boy it was sad. Heading away later on tonight to pick up my nissan micra... going to be such a difference in power lol...

[Alex J]

very nice! would love to own this!

[ASH GSI]

Gorgeous.. I just had my last evening run tonight in my nova and boy it was sad. Heading away later on tonight to pick up my nissan micra... going to be such a difference in power lol...

lol micra I feel your pain

[ASH GSI]

I had not touched the car since the end of September so thought it best to make sure all was well. I went down to the lock up and was shocked to find the battery was not dead! a few pumps of the throttle and a couple of turns of the key and she started, a bit grumpy but no there was no tapping. drove it up and down the garage compound, all was good so put her back away again with a better quality cover.

[murph-gsi]

Really like this GSi, the color is class and it looks really clean. Fair play, more pics:thumb:

[novadave24]

very nice mate looks very clean :)

[craig green]

Good to hear 'Silky' is still being cherished.

[ASH GSI]

Thanks guys, there is quit a lot of things I want to get sorted on the car but at the moment this one is on the back burner as putting quite a lot of time and money into my other 2 toys.

[ASH GSI]

2 years since the last update, the car is still not being used but I have eventually found a really good condition GSI steering wheel to replace the momo, several moths of it laying around and it eventually got fitted to the car :)
http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a450/ash-gt/Mobile%20Uploads/DSC_0758_zpsherh81ci.jpg (http://s1036.photobucket.com/user/ash-gt/media/Mobile%20Uploads/DSC_0758_zpsherh81ci.jpg.html)
http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a450/ash-gt/Mobile%20Uploads/DSC_0522_zpshzfibvpj.jpg (http://s1036.photobucket.com/user/ash-gt/media/Mobile%20Uploads/DSC_0522_zpshzfibvpj.jpg.html)

[krobinson]

Nice :)

[millworm]

Spot on, looking forward to seeing it this year!

[ASH GSI]

Spot on, looking forward to seeing it this year!

The VXR is still sapping money at an extreme rate, once that's done its all hands on deck for the nova

[scott.parker]

Blast from the past! Nice to see its still alive.. :thumb:

[ASH GSI]

Blast from the past! Nice to see its still alive.. :thumb:

Shes just about alive the carbs are in desperate need of setting up, also a good service is in order.

[ASH GSI]

http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a450/ash-gt/Mobile%20Uploads/DSC_0884_zpszntpy4gf.jpg (http://s1036.photobucket.com/user/ash-gt/media/Mobile%20Uploads/DSC_0884_zpszntpy4gf.jpg.html)

This weekend I've finally got around to insuring the gsi and getting an mot & oil change done with 10w40, still got other service related bits to do.
There are lots of bits that I want to sort out on the car so not taxed it yet, I'm looking forward to hopefully having it on the road in may.

[millworm]

gonna be doing pvs and billing then?

[ASH GSI]

gonna be doing pvs and billing then?
Possibly billing, other half wants to take her car to pvs this year, we need a southeast meet

[millworm]

I know lol , bug Connor and if he don't sort somthing I will

[ASH GSI]

Quick update, after getting the mot done last month the alarm, battery and central locking all gave up.
I was lucky enough to find a direct replacement alarm so that saved a lot of hassle, the central locking fault was found to be the drivers side motor, that's now been replaced and a new battery has been fitted.
I've also fitted an oil catch tank as before the carbs kept getting a mist of oil on them from the breather.
Today it had the corsa b steering rack fitted and alignment done. It drives loads better now.

[ASH GSI]

New header tank and coolant change done today to finish off the engine bay
Before
http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a450/ash-gt/Mobile%20Uploads/DSC_1206_zpse4ddlyvh.jpg (http://s1036.photobucket.com/user/ash-gt/media/Mobile%20Uploads/DSC_1206_zpse4ddlyvh.jpg.html)

After
http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a450/ash-gt/Mobile%20Uploads/DSC_1207_zpsq6q4pgpu.jpg (http://s1036.photobucket.com/user/ash-gt/media/Mobile%20Uploads/DSC_1207_zpsq6q4pgpu.jpg.html)


http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a450/ash-gt/Mobile%20Uploads/DSC_1211_zpsnytmbx2f.jpg (http://s1036.photobucket.com/user/ash-gt/media/Mobile%20Uploads/DSC_1211_zpsnytmbx2f.jpg.html)

http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a450/ash-gt/Mobile%20Uploads/DSC_1212_zpsfsnbokzb.jpg (http://s1036.photobucket.com/user/ash-gt/media/Mobile%20Uploads/DSC_1212_zpsfsnbokzb.jpg.html)

Gutter trims have also been replaced with mini trim

http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a450/ash-gt/Mobile%20Uploads/DSC_1215_zpsdzfdvzl1.jpg (http://s1036.photobucket.com/user/ash-gt/media/Mobile%20Uploads/DSC_1215_zpsdzfdvzl1.jpg.html)

http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a450/ash-gt/Mobile%20Uploads/DSC_1214_zpsxmvsfcjo.jpg (http://s1036.photobucket.com/user/ash-gt/media/Mobile%20Uploads/DSC_1214_zpsxmvsfcjo.jpg.html)

[ASH GSI]

http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a450/ash-gt/DSC00967_zpsdtb3xprb.jpg (http://s1036.photobucket.com/user/ash-gt/media/DSC00967_zpsdtb3xprb.jpg.html)

[millworm]

Looking spot on as usual

[ASH GSI]

Unfortunately the gsi will soon be for sale as I've had problems with car storage, if anyone is interested please send me a pm.