Project Merit Plus

[PicklesSE8]

Hi all, I've been on here for a while so thought I'd get a few pics up. This isn't a huge project as it's my daily runner, just a few upgrades for now :) The starting point was this 1.2 Merit +, bought cheap off Ebay with no tax or MOT (listed in the Parts section)

http://imageshack.com/a/img713/7330/rjoj.jpg

http://imageshack.com/a/img547/8387/nova3d.jpg

Apart from a bit of hassle getting it through the emissions, the only thing needed for the MOT was both rear spring seats which were replaced

http://imageshack.com/a/img850/3/nova11.jpg

http://imageshack.com/a/img27/8048/nova13.jpg

Next job was to get rid of the rubbing strips and crappy limo tints

http://imageshack.com/a/img580/1624/nova10.jpg

And replace the clocks with GSi ones

http://imageshack.com/a/img812/5418/nova7.jpg

Next to go was the manky steels, took a while to find the right wheels

http://imageshack.com/a/img96/4789/nova19.jpg

http://imageshack.com/a/img248/48/nova20.jpg

http://imageshack.com/a/img28/4885/nova22i.jpg

But finally managed to find a set of 14" RFX's

http://imageshack.com/a/img849/703/nova24.jpg

And a GSi front bumper

http://imageshack.com/a/img534/1588/nova27.jpg

[PicklesSE8]

The grubby interior was the next thing to go

http://imageshack.com/a/img716/7844/rzc7.jpg

http://imageshack.com/a/img189/7455/ntbo.jpg

Replaced with a blue SR interior, I removed the carpets and steam cleaned them while the seats were out

http://imageshack.com/a/img4/5311/mnl8.jpg

I'm going to get it resprayed next year, for now just had the front bumper and tailgate done, and fitted a GSi spoiler

http://imageshack.com/a/img829/6599/9ihz.jpg

http://imageshack.com/a/img827/1224/ijnr.jpg

http://imageshack.com/a/img546/8210/y2fr.jpg

40mm Gmax shocks and springs and a quick rack have got it handling like a go-kart

http://imageshack.com/a/img853/9238/dn7d.jpg

http://imageshack.com/a/img13/1545/mvi2.jpg

http://imageshack.com/a/img801/5125/4ye4.jpg

http://imageshack.com/a/img51/8325/4gov.jpg

And the next upgrade is some Astra GTE brakes

http://imageshack.com/a/img96/33/ezuc.jpg

[novadave24]

Looks good mate a nice project

[jafanan]

well done on the progress so far!

respray will do it a world of good

[chadders]

nice little project keep up the good work

[Spudly]

Looks like good progress, and youve lined up a breaker to XE it aswell by the looks of the background lol

[PicklesSE8]

Thanks for the comments! Leave my Calibra alone, it's never getting broken :(

http://imageshack.com/a/img248/4385/se856.jpg

http://imageshack.com/a/img191/6741/se857.jpg

[mikey093]

Looks a good little project. Just a gsi bumper painted white and different interior makes a bigger difference

[pie]

looking good :)

I aint a calibra lover im with spud they all donor's lol lol :)

buts that's nice looking one ? oem bumper? liking the the bbs's to

[PicklesSE8]

looking good :)

I aint a calibre lover im with spud they all donor's lol lol :)

buts that's nice looking one ? oem bumper? liking the the bbs's toI'll ignore any more donor quotes :) Cheers, it's an Irmscher front bumper, the BBS's are pretty rare to find in a 17" 4 stud. Would like to be doing more to the Nova but not easy when its used every day

[mk1nova_rich]

Looks a tidy little car, the plate seems familiar though...did you buy it from someone off the forum?

The RFXs are a good choice, not so common on Novas these days :) personally I'd have painted the rear bumper grey to match the GSi instead of painting that white but I guess thats a personal preference. As already said its amazing how much difference a bit of cleaning and a few subtle mods can make :thumb:

[PicklesSE8]

I've owned the plate for about 10 years now, it's been on a few cars most recently my Calibra DTM and Vectra Estate. I'm eventually going to be going for a bit of a rally look which is why I went for the RFX's and the white bumpers, I've got some GSi sideskirts to go on at some point and maybe some stripes like the Dave Metcalfe Novas

[mk1nova_rich]

Sounds a good plan...how far you gona take the rally look? Cage and buckets etc?

[PicklesSE8]

Not at the moment, the plan is to just use it as is for now, just wanted to get it looking and handling right and hopefully get a bit more power at some point in the next few months. Once that's happened I'd like to do some track days but don't think 50 odd bhp will cut it :D

[mk1nova_rich]

Sounds good mate :) a decent handling Nova will go quickly without massive amounts of power

[PicklesSE8]

That's what I'm thinking, I'm not looking to go any bigger than 1.6, nothing too drastic. I'm loving the difference in the handling :)

[Martin.p]

Looking good bud! :)

Pickles has had enough stick about breaking his Calibra for the nova from me as well :D
(It is a very nice example of a Calibra really, and would be a waste to brake. And I've seen the work go into it over the last few yrs)

The nova is looking cool as,chap!!
Look forward to seeing it done.

[PicklesSE8]

Haven't done much lately but taking a little road trip tomorrow to go and pick these up:

http://imageshack.com/a/img854/1411/d5ax.jpg

:)

[Martin.p]

Im envious.
:(

Dibs on them if you change your mind after fitting.

[PicklesSE8]

Fair do's mate :thumb: If I keep them I'll be getting rid of the RFX's (probably), can't wait to get them on. Well done on the MOT mate, you must be chuffed!

[Martin.p]

You better get pic's of car with new wheels up ASAP.

Yeah, well chuffed, thanks. :)

[PicklesSE8]

Yea I'll get some pics up tomorrow, not sure if I'll get them on tomorrow or not though! Now you're MOT'd we'll have to meet up for a photo shoot sometime :thumb:

[Martin.p]

Still waiting for log book :(
Got a insurance quote that im happy with
Got money for tax sat here.
Mot'd

:cry:

But yes, we'll have to meet up.

[PicklesSE8]

Oh yea, forgot about all that other stuff :(

[PicklesSE8]

New wheels on:

http://imageshack.com/a/img844/5417/uden.jpg

Not sure if I prefer them to the RFX's or not:

http://imageshack.com/a/img801/5125/4ye4.jpg

:confused:

[pie]

oz rims for me :thumb:

[jimbob-mcgrew]

pickles the alloy wheel rapist lol

[millworm]

Revolutions all the way!

[PicklesSE8]

pickles the alloy wheel rapist lol

Eh? :d Thanks for the comments, the OZs are starting to grow on me! Astra GTE front brakes are now on, bit of a squeeze under the wheels though:

http://imageshack.com/a/img42/1405/vbqx.jpg

[jimbob-mcgrew]

they look brand new ! or have you done an epic job of cleaning them up ?

[PicklesSE8]

I wish I could have made them look like new! I bought a complete set up very cheaply but turned out that the calipers were seized, so managed to exchange them for a pair of recon ones for £60 each :)