1988 mk1 nova

[Llew]

After 7 long months of wear and tear, i've finally decided to start refurbing my first car. I've started with the simple things, replaced a broken indicator, rubbed down all rust, primed and sprayed it, cleaned out the radiator (filthy with rusted grimey water), replaced the knackered head gasket, and put a nice set of 15 inch fiat alloys on it.

I've still got years of work to do, and was wondering on what to focus on next. The engine is a 1ltr manufacturer engine, which runs really smooth and needs no direct attention (although i'd love to switch it out for an 1.6 16v from a corsa). I was thinking either the brakes or the suspension.

Any ideas ? where did everyone else start ?
(ps. i'll get some pictures up when I can get something decent to photograph with)

[marc69]

In all honesty, a completely original 1.0 in good condition is quite rare, good enough for everyday driving and cheap.

If you are going to change things, with such a small engine, big brakes are not needed so I would perhaps upgrade the suspension but, buy an upgrade that will take a bigger engine too because if you are bored with it now, it won't be long till you want more acceleration (I'll take the carb and dizzy if they are good lol)

[Llew]

Well the idea is to upgrade the brakes and suspension before i go for a heart transplant so that the car will still handle and be ready for the bigger 1.6 engine, it's just money that's the problem ! probably won't get any major updates until i get my study leave in 3 weeks and can start working full time and saving some money !

[Plug]

any pics? What Colour ?

im probs not all that far from you lol

my bmw came from south brent a dealers called tillys or something like that had a lovely cossie in there

[Llew]

It's in nordic blue ! http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/543/130427153213.jpg/ pictures arent the best quality, note the rust on the front lower bumper, it's all been treated and painted now ! http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/40/130427153254.jpg/ Awh cool man, we should meet together some time

[Plug]

well my nova isnt on the road, it lives on a trailer haha

you'll be better off using photobucket for pic's

nice clean nova mind, is that no sun roof i see?

Whats the arches and boot floor like?

[Llew]

Awh shame !

[Llew]

yeah no silly leaky sun roof ! the front two arches are slightly rusting but i've already re-welded plates onto the back ones to pass it's mot last year, not looked at the boot floor !

I'm on the lookout for cheap/decent parts for it now, namely decent shocks springs, possibly a X16XE( full engine, with 5 speed box etc.) and some decent brakes

[oVerboost]

Ebay is your best bet for a lot of the stuff your looking for, or on this forum or MIG. :)

[Plug]

or my garage hahaha

ive probs got a set of 256mm's and calipers in the garage they are the brakes you want to be going for, Also you got wheels?

Them brakes wouldnt fit over the steely's currently on the car,

Ive got a set of Tatty cav slabs in the garage, and some 16" vectra sri alloys ( rare 4 stud) aswell i may part with none with tyres unfortunatly

[Llew]

I'll probably sort out my shocks and springs first, then get those brakes off of you ? Might come up and take a look at the wheels too, or search around for some others.

[oVerboost]

Cav slabs resprayed in anthracite could look pretty good tbh :)

[Llew]

More keen on the vectra sri's tbh, always liked alot of space between spokes on alloys, once I get some money together I'll start work and upload pics !