Chris' Rally Car build / Rebuild

[cb_motorsport]

Hi Folks,

My name is Chris, I'm new to PNG (have been registered on migweb for a while) and thought I'd share my rally car build / rebuild with you.

I have been co-driving for the past 12 years up to National C'ship level, made my debut as a driver last year, got a good result, got hooked on the drivers seat and bought the Nova in October.

It's an ex-forest car so is far from mint, but the plan was to tidy it up a bit, convert it to Tarmac spec and go and have a play. It's now ended up as a full on rebuild, so thought I'd share it on here.

The car is a bit of a hybrid and I know some of you will frown.....it is running a Rover K Series engine in it, along with a close ratio Rover box and LSD. It was a standard engine with a GEMS ecu when I bought it, but I'm putting it on throttle bodies, a set of decent cams and adjustable pulleys, 4-2-1 manifold and OMEX ecu and an aircraft spec loom. Suspension wise it's running Bilstein adjustable coilovers on the front and Bilstein dampers and springs on the rear. Astra GTE front brakes and VW Golf discs on the rear.

Anyway, please see a few pics and I'll keep you updated as I go!

P.s I have got to know tomfromdelmonte through here, top bloke!

When I picked it up:

http://i1348.photobucket.com/albums/p727/ChrisGTI4/image_zps0b4306e0.jpg (http://s1348.photobucket.com/user/ChrisGTI4/media/image_zps0b4306e0.jpg.html)
http://i1348.photobucket.com/albums/p727/ChrisGTI4/image_zpsaeaf3e2d.jpg (http://s1348.photobucket.com/user/ChrisGTI4/media/image_zpsaeaf3e2d.jpg.html)
http://i1348.photobucket.com/albums/p727/ChrisGTI4/image_zps3418cc5f.jpg (http://s1348.photobucket.com/user/ChrisGTI4/media/image_zps3418cc5f.jpg.html)

Work I've done to it / how it sits today:
Cage boxed in & proper seat rails fitted
http://i1348.photobucket.com/albums/p727/ChrisGTI4/image_zpse6dea735.jpg (http://s1348.photobucket.com/user/ChrisGTI4/media/image_zpse6dea735.jpg.html)

Engine bay stripped
http://i1348.photobucket.com/albums/p727/ChrisGTI4/image_zps3ad9a970.jpg (http://s1348.photobucket.com/user/ChrisGTI4/media/image_zps3ad9a970.jpg.html)

Throttle bodies trial fitted
http://i1348.photobucket.com/albums/p727/ChrisGTI4/image_zpsae53c769.jpg (http://s1348.photobucket.com/user/ChrisGTI4/media/image_zpsae53c769.jpg.html)

Interior as it stands today (note MK2 flocked dash, stack dials, carbon dash inserts etc etc, massive change to how the inside was before!)
http://i1348.photobucket.com/albums/p727/ChrisGTI4/image_zpscad219e2.jpg (http://s1348.photobucket.com/user/ChrisGTI4/media/image_zpscad219e2.jpg.html)

[burgo]

No mk1 left now :( poor little A reg. Although knowing the rallying world I doubt they are the plates for that shell anyway lol

Anywho im going to say good choice of engine in my opinion and now sit back and watch all the experts bang on about head gaskets because that's so hilarious and we've never heard it before

[cb_motorsport]

I was confused as to why it had a K Series engine fitted to start with, but apparently as standard it's one of the most powerful and lightest 1400 engines made. Yes the head gaskets are fragile if they are not warmed up and looked after properly etc, but on the whole they are not a bad engine (well the 1400 version anyway!).

Besides, it's something a bit different too ;)

[Benn]

Nice car, is random to have that lump fitted. But then again they are prob cheap to buy too.
Nice dash, mk2 is so much nicer.

[chrisd1986]

No mk1 left now :( poor little A reg. Although knowing the rallying world I doubt they are the plates for that shell anyway lol

Anywho im going to say good choice of engine in my opinion and now sit back and watch all the experts bang on about head gaskets because that's so hilarious and we've never heard it before

Coming from the man with a nova chop shop lol

[Connor]

Never seen that combo before but i'm suprised no-one has done it before, those lil 1400 k series are good and class competitive with the right car and setup.
Be interested to know how it compared to a 14xe. Will be watching this one :thumb:

[chrisd1986]

Never seen that combo before but i'm suprised no-one has done it before, those lil 1400 k series are good and class competitive with the right car and setup.
Be interested to know how it compared to a 14xe. Will be watching this one :thumb:

Its definitely different I was going to chuck in a head gasket comment but he has obviously thought of that. I wouldn't mind seeing it head to head with a 14xe with similar mods and see how much of a difference there is

[cb_motorsport]

Never seen that combo before but i'm suprised no-one has done it before, those lil 1400 k series are good and class competitive with the right car and setup.
Be interested to know how it compared to a 14xe. Will be watching this one :thumb:

Hoping it will be fairly competitive. Near standard 1400 MG ZR's are reasonable competitive in the class, this should hopefully have around the 140/150bhp mark and weigh around 800kg which is a couple of hundred kg less than a ZR!

[cb_motorsport]

Regarding going head to head with a 14xe, I know of quite a few people who obviously rally with this engine, a good friend of mine competes with with one that is on DTH Jenvey 'bodies and decent management, will be interesting to see side by side. Trouble with comparing them though is that there are so many variables in engine spec, gear ratio's, weight etc etc and on a rally stage you're not side by side racing either. And driver skill comes into play too (to a certain extent!)

[Connor]

I'm not saying 14xe vs k series, think it was just the way i wrote it, i just would be interested to compare how well they compare to similar modifications and headwork etc, never played around with a 1400 k series before but i might have to get one into work and have a play :p I'm doing alot of development with 1400 engines this year at work, and at autosport people were screaming for bits for 1400 vaux ford rover all kinds of engines as the 1400 classes are going to be more competitive and people are doing new things with them.
Yea will be a very good setup with 150bhp and 800kg and will be easily achievable with throttle bodies and decent mapping. I serviced for someone at rockingham the in december who was running a 1400 in a rover metro, that has around 150bhp on jenveys and flys he had gearbox issues though but we did an overnight gearbox change from a gearbox we sourced from the local scrappy lol ! Either way its looks to be a decent put together car, and will go well. You competing in any tarmac championships, hopefully will see it out in the near future, would love a nosey about it :thumb:
Next rally i'm off to is eypnt in march. :thumb:

[cb_motorsport]

I see. I would like to get it ready for Tour of Epynt in March but can't see it happening at the moment as I'm codriving on the Wyedean in a couple of weeks and again at Weston Park in March. Will certainly be up there watching if I'm not competing though. I want to test it before taking it out too, I've got a couple of local events by me so will probably use those as a bit of a shakedown then plan on Mini-Epynt and then the Mewla up on Epynt later on in the year, love the place! Will be signing up for National Tarmac C'ship anyway, so we'll see what happens.

[Connor]

Yea i love eypnt too, i only service for friends, but hopefully i will be competing in a few years once i have some spare funds.
Well if you're signing up to the national tarmac champoinship i'll probably see you at a few events as that's mostly where i go, so i'll look out for you :thumb:

[burgo]

Even if you have a 14xe with 150bhp and a 1400 k series with 150bhp the k series is going to be about 15kgs lighter due to being all ally so that wins.

The whole head gasket thing was with the original gaskets. The amount of gaskets out there now which have fixed the problem means its a non issue

[stuartp]

I see. I would like to get it ready for Tour of Epynt in March but can't see it happening at the moment as I'm codriving on the Wyedean in a couple of weeks and again at Weston Park in March. Will certainly be up there watching if I'm not competing though. I want to test it before taking it out too, I've got a couple of local events by me so will probably use those as a bit of a shakedown then plan on Mini-Epynt and then the Mewla up on Epynt later on in the year, love the place! Will be signing up for National Tarmac C'ship anyway, so we'll see what happens.

will be at weston to pal. im the spanner man for the car i look after and helped build. il come and introduce my self when your free. were team douglas a white x16xe nova

[cb_motorsport]

will be at weston to pal. im the spanner man for the car i look after and helped build. il come and introduce my self when your free. were team douglas a white x16xe nova

Tidy, I'm co driving for my old man in his Suzuki Swift GTI....now that's a hell of a 1400!

[stuartp]

Tidy, I'm co driving for my old man in his Suzuki Swift GTI....now that's a hell of a 1400!
What club you in...

[cb_motorsport]

What club you in...

Mixture of Forest of Dean Motor Club & Cleeve Motorsport Club!

[stuartp]

Cool cool. Will catch you there then. Were doing heart of England championship.

[cb_motorsport]

Spent a bit of time at the workshop today. Couple more jobs ticked off the list:

Battery mounted correctly / securely
http://i1348.photobucket.com/albums/p727/ChrisGTI4/image_zpsec8c75fd.jpg (http://s1348.photobucket.com/user/ChrisGTI4/media/image_zpsec8c75fd.jpg.html)

Extra roll cage tubes measured and cut ready to be welded in shortly
http://i1348.photobucket.com/albums/p727/ChrisGTI4/image_zps3d663251.jpg (http://s1348.photobucket.com/user/ChrisGTI4/media/image_zps3d663251.jpg.html)

Making up double door bars and another diagonal for the back, can't put a price on safety!

Cylinder head is off to the machine shop on Tuesday morning to be played with, dropping my throttle bodies off to have the billet fuel rail mounted tomorrow and seats will be delivered on Monday! If all goes to plan this week then the cage will be finished, engine will be done and seats will be in!

[tomfromdelmonte]

Looking good there Chris! adding the extra bars to the cage is the right way to go.

[cb_motorsport]

Another afternoon spent on the car today, unfortunately the guy who was going to weld the cage bits in has had to rearrange so hopefully they will be done one eve this week. Today's jobs included: wiring up electric extinguisher, bolting wings & bumper back on (and rivnutting a 'quick release' way of removing the bumper) and I also got a load of carbon wrap so started to have a play about with that too! Starting to look a little bit more like a car now!

http://i1348.photobucket.com/albums/p727/ChrisGTI4/image_zps0721a424.jpg (http://s1348.photobucket.com/user/ChrisGTI4/media/image_zps0721a424.jpg.html)
http://i1348.photobucket.com/albums/p727/ChrisGTI4/image_zps799c6c1e.jpg (http://s1348.photobucket.com/user/ChrisGTI4/media/image_zps799c6c1e.jpg.html)

[tomfromdelmonte]

Lol Chris, cant believe you carbon wrapped that!!!

If you still need that welding doing by the weekend give me a shout and ill be happy to do it for you :)

[cb_motorsport]

Cheers Tom, will let you know! Yep the wrap on that post is a bit pointless, wanted to try it in an inconspicuous area, though I'm now thinking a mesh grille so you can see it as it doesn't look too bad lol Itching to get it ready, hopefully it'll be ready for wiring next weekend :)

[zeifer33]

Vauxhall chassis and Rover engine, curious combination. I tested the Rover 114 GTi and I was quite surprised, I'm sure with a decent chassis is a bomb. Good job mate.

[tomfromdelmonte]

Chris i bought a 5 metre roll of that carbon wrap stuff. It is pretty damn cool and does look really good with the 3d texturing and the way it reflects like. Only thing is when you have a hammer, everything looks like a nail!!!!

Pretty soon ill probably wrap my whole car and the wheels in it :P

[cb_motorsport]

Haha, good man! I plan to do the front slam panel one eve this week. Luckily as it's removable I have bought it home to do in the warm! Head and cams are off to the engine builders in Cardiff tomorrow morning, seats will be here tomorrow :)

[cb_motorsport]

Seats turned up today :)
http://i1348.photobucket.com/albums/p727/ChrisGTI4/image_zpsbd0622db.jpg (http://s1348.photobucket.com/user/ChrisGTI4/media/image_zpsbd0622db.jpg.html)

Also dropped the head off to the machine shop in Cardiff this morning (and got caught up in the nasty smash on the M4 at Newport on the way back!) they reckon the head may even be ready late tomorrow afternoon.

[zeifer33]

Nice seats, I hope that they dont have problems as the GPRace seats. i like to buy a pair of them for me.

[cb_motorsport]

Hi zeifer33, these are excellent seats, light and very comfy. I sat in them up on the Pirelli International rally over here in UK last year as was impressed with them. I bought these 2 (and 2 others but with side head restraints for my 'old mans rally car) direct from Atech in Italy, they did some fantastic prices (much cheaper than I could get in the UK!) and are good to deal with. These seats are supplied to the Skoda Fabia S2000 and Citroen DS3 works cars etc in the European Rally Championship so have got a good reputation.

[zeifer33]

Dam it!direct online shop!!! I need to check these seats:eek:

[cb_motorsport]

Had a call today to say the head is finished, collecting it tomorrow! Photos to follow :)

[cb_motorsport]

Picked up the head this morning and dry fitted this afternoon! Doesn't look to out of place does it?

http://i1348.photobucket.com/albums/p727/ChrisGTI4/image_zps997260be.jpg (http://s1348.photobucket.com/user/ChrisGTI4/media/image_zps997260be.jpg.html)


http://i1348.photobucket.com/albums/p727/ChrisGTI4/image_zps04dcbd19.jpg (http://s1348.photobucket.com/user/ChrisGTI4/media/image_zps04dcbd19.jpg.html)

Will fit it properly during the week as well as fit the throttle bodies and rad :-)

Cage tubes have been trimmed to fit and will be welded in one eve next week too.

The light at the end of the tunnel is getting closer!

[tomfromdelmonte]

Looks tidy Chris. Be awesome when she's ready to fire up!

[cb_motorsport]

Not too far away now Tom, think your's will be ready before mine though!

I'm after an alloy header tank if anybody has one for sale? Not worried about condition, cash waiting!

[cb_motorsport]

Been a while since I updated this, the car has moved on a bit since my last post. Today was the first day it has seen the great outdoors since I bought it! Anyway, throttle bodies / fuel rail are now mounted, head is on and timed up with the new cams. Rad has been modified to fit correctly and the exhaust manifold has been wrapped and also fitted a nice ally header tank. Only a few bits left in the engine bay now - Hoses, Adjustable FPR, sort throttle body trumpets and mount the catch can. Moving it to a fully kitted out workshop next weekend where the rest of the cage extras will be welded.

Few pics from as it stands today (sorry for so many pics!)
http://i1348.photobucket.com/albums/p727/ChrisGTI4/image_zps46849d3a.jpg (http://s1348.photobucket.com/user/ChrisGTI4/media/image_zps46849d3a.jpg.html)
http://i1348.photobucket.com/albums/p727/ChrisGTI4/image_zpsdc8876aa.jpg (http://s1348.photobucket.com/user/ChrisGTI4/media/image_zpsdc8876aa.jpg.html)
http://i1348.photobucket.com/albums/p727/ChrisGTI4/image_zpsb6efc325.jpg (http://s1348.photobucket.com/user/ChrisGTI4/media/image_zpsb6efc325.jpg.html)
http://i1348.photobucket.com/albums/p727/ChrisGTI4/image_zps4e4861ef.jpg (http://s1348.photobucket.com/user/ChrisGTI4/media/image_zps4e4861ef.jpg.html)
http://i1348.photobucket.com/albums/p727/ChrisGTI4/image_zps46560a08.jpg (http://s1348.photobucket.com/user/ChrisGTI4/media/image_zps46560a08.jpg.html)
http://i1348.photobucket.com/albums/p727/ChrisGTI4/image_zps7828d5eb.jpg (http://s1348.photobucket.com/user/ChrisGTI4/media/image_zps7828d5eb.jpg.html)
http://i1348.photobucket.com/albums/p727/ChrisGTI4/image_zpsa2054aa7.jpg (http://s1348.photobucket.com/user/ChrisGTI4/media/image_zpsa2054aa7.jpg.html)
http://i1348.photobucket.com/albums/p727/ChrisGTI4/image_zps4aca9f9d.jpg (http://s1348.photobucket.com/user/ChrisGTI4/media/image_zps4aca9f9d.jpg.html)

[tomfromdelmonte]

Looks awesome Chris, how long til youre ready to fire up the engine and what cams did you go for?

[cb_motorsport]

Cheers Tom, still a few weeks off being wired up and running but got a few things to be getting on with In between time. Cams are Piper 633 (also using adjustable pulleys) which are ultimate fast road and the highest spec cam available to use on hydraulic lifters.

[cb_motorsport]

Been a little while since my last update - done quite a bit to the car including moving to a new workshop! Extra diagonal brace welded in the back along with extra diagonal bracing on the door bars too for added strength should the worst ever happen. Also have fitted the bonnet corner pieces.


Throttle body trumpets are almost ready and should have them next week. The big process of wiring it all up begins on Monday too!


Putting an entry in for an event at the end of May so the deadline is mid-May to get it finished and tested, no pressure!
http://i1348.photobucket.com/albums/p727/ChrisGTI4/image_zps5b67a95a.jpg (http://s1348.photobucket.com/user/ChrisGTI4/media/image_zps5b67a95a.jpg.html)
http://i1348.photobucket.com/albums/p727/ChrisGTI4/image_zpsb8c8b3a3.jpg (http://s1348.photobucket.com/user/ChrisGTI4/media/image_zpsb8c8b3a3.jpg.html)
http://i1348.photobucket.com/albums/p727/ChrisGTI4/image_zps42f548c4.jpg (http://s1348.photobucket.com/user/ChrisGTI4/media/image_zps42f548c4.jpg.html)

[tomfromdelmonte]

X-bars FTW!!!!!

looking good now mate, im trying to get mine done for mid may aswell! almost ready for mot now, just need to do a few little jobs.

What is that triangular piece on the bonnet for?

[cb_motorsport]

Cheers bud :-) bits on the bonnet are to keep it down, it hasn't got any hinges (the bonnet comes off for ease of working on it) so without those bits it would be flapping around!

[stuartp]

where you off in may? red dragon IT stages?? ;-) looking good

[cb_motorsport]

Yep that's the one mate :)

[cb_motorsport]

Good day on the car yesterday! Seats now fitted, grill has been meshed, started installing the FPR, removed the brake calipers to have a look over them & needed a pair of dust covers which I have ordered today.


Still waiting on the throttle body trumpets to arrive, hope they will be here this week. Car was measured up last week for the custom loom, hopefully it might even be running by the end of the month! This weeks plan is to finish the FPR, get the seat positioning spot on (May change the steering wheel to a flat type - if anybody wants to buy a Sabelt Suede wheel with a small dish then PM me!) and modify the bonnet as I'm going for a Manta 400 bonnet vent(s) not one of those awful looking Subaru vents!


http://i1348.photobucket.com/albums/p727/ChrisGTI4/imagejpg3_zps8fec619d.jpg (http://s1348.photobucket.com/user/ChrisGTI4/media/imagejpg3_zps8fec619d.jpg.html)
http://i1348.photobucket.com/albums/p727/ChrisGTI4/imagejpg1_zps90695fae.jpg (http://s1348.photobucket.com/user/ChrisGTI4/media/imagejpg1_zps90695fae.jpg.html)
http://i1348.photobucket.com/albums/p727/ChrisGTI4/imagejpg2_zpsf7129222.jpg (http://s1348.photobucket.com/user/ChrisGTI4/media/imagejpg2_zpsf7129222.jpg.html)
http://i1348.photobucket.com/albums/p727/ChrisGTI4/imagejpg5_zps87ef22f5.jpg (http://s1348.photobucket.com/user/ChrisGTI4/media/imagejpg5_zps87ef22f5.jpg.html)
http://i1348.photobucket.com/albums/p727/ChrisGTI4/imagejpg4_zpsf0a9472c.jpg (http://s1348.photobucket.com/user/ChrisGTI4/media/imagejpg4_zpsf0a9472c.jpg.html)

[tomfromdelmonte]

Not bad at all Mr B!

[cb_motorsport]

Good couple of days spent on it this weekend. Throttle body trumpets turned up and fitted them, made a carbon fibre bracket for the coil pack to mount on and mounts for the grille, fitted handheld extinguisher and cut the bonnet vent(s) a-la Manta 400 style! Co driver seat position set, new steering wheel ordered so I can sort my driving position this week. Got an issue with the brakes (Calipers not releasing) which I also need to sort this week. The list of jobs is getting smaller!


Few pictures:
http://i1348.photobucket.com/albums/p727/ChrisGTI4/imagejpg1_zps44ea8f2b.jpg (http://s1348.photobucket.com/user/ChrisGTI4/media/imagejpg1_zps44ea8f2b.jpg.html)
http://i1348.photobucket.com/albums/p727/ChrisGTI4/imagejpg3_zps04501a36.jpg (http://s1348.photobucket.com/user/ChrisGTI4/media/imagejpg3_zps04501a36.jpg.html)
http://i1348.photobucket.com/albums/p727/ChrisGTI4/imagejpg4_zps9641671c.jpg (http://s1348.photobucket.com/user/ChrisGTI4/media/imagejpg4_zps9641671c.jpg.html)
http://i1348.photobucket.com/albums/p727/ChrisGTI4/imagejpg5_zps41fe3c08.jpg (http://s1348.photobucket.com/user/ChrisGTI4/media/imagejpg5_zps41fe3c08.jpg.html)
http://i1348.photobucket.com/albums/p727/ChrisGTI4/imagejpg6_zps1c30c825.jpg (http://s1348.photobucket.com/user/ChrisGTI4/media/imagejpg6_zps1c30c825.jpg.html)

[phunkynova]

Looking Good
P.S. I use a Subaru type inlet.

[cb_motorsport]

Looking Good
P.S. I use a Subaru type inlet.


Thanks :thumb:

Im not a fan of the Subaru vent, it's looks good on a Subaru but not anything else. I wasn't sure what to do, played around with a few ideas and the thought the Manta 400 style looked the most subtle and smartest!

[phunkynova]

The only problem is that the 400 style vent was only used at the front of the bonnet to let hot air out and NOT cold air in, so putting one in at the point where the air intake for the induction is will not work as all the hot air in the engine bay will be exiting there so you will have only hot air in this area and not cool air.
You need some way to force/bring cold/cool air in to the intake and the 400 vent will not do this.
The big give away is in the name VENT as in venting not intake.
Sorry.

[cb_motorsport]

Another weekend spent on the car, another weekend closer to getting it on the stages.


Things done this weekend included fitting fuel tank, fuel pressure regulator & -6 fittings (what a pain in the **** that little lot was!). Rebuilt exhaust system and refitted that, made and fitted carbon panel for the ecu to mount on and also secured the rear springs (this was a recommendation as going over jumps may cause the springs to dislocate from their mountings causing problems - simply cable tying them in sorts this).


ECU and engine loom is done so that will be going in shortly then (hopefully!) it should start and then go off for mapping. Ordered Kevlar sill guards and Carbon driver & codriver foot trays and should be here this week. Entry is also in for a rally on the 22nd June at a venue in the South!


Anyway, latest pictures!
http://i1348.photobucket.com/albums/p727/ChrisGTI4/imagejpg1_zps1d381f7c.jpg (http://s1348.photobucket.com/user/ChrisGTI4/media/imagejpg1_zps1d381f7c.jpg.html)
http://i1348.photobucket.com/albums/p727/ChrisGTI4/imagejpg2_zps90793a34.jpg (http://s1348.photobucket.com/user/ChrisGTI4/media/imagejpg2_zps90793a34.jpg.html)
http://i1348.photobucket.com/albums/p727/ChrisGTI4/imagejpg3_zpsfce8d1f0.jpg (http://s1348.photobucket.com/user/ChrisGTI4/media/imagejpg3_zpsfce8d1f0.jpg.html)
http://i1348.photobucket.com/albums/p727/ChrisGTI4/imagejpg4_zps504f3702.jpg (http://s1348.photobucket.com/user/ChrisGTI4/media/imagejpg4_zps504f3702.jpg.html)
http://i1348.photobucket.com/albums/p727/ChrisGTI4/imagejpg5_zps5c4475bd.jpg (http://s1348.photobucket.com/user/ChrisGTI4/media/imagejpg5_zps5c4475bd.jpg.html)http://i1348.photobucket.com/albums/p727/ChrisGTI4/imagejpg6_zps62868488.jpg (http://s1348.photobucket.com/user/ChrisGTI4/media/imagejpg6_zps62868488.jpg.html)

[tomfromdelmonte]

That carbon stuff looks awesome. My wife likes this car more than mine :P

[Connor]

Awesome stuff! Cracking build.

[cb_motorsport]

Latest update, its almost finished! Carbon floor trays, engine loom and silicon hoses fitted. Gave it a good buff with a rotary polisher yesterday eve, then a full polish afterwards and it's looking sweet. Took it to the guy who is doing the wiring today & picking up a pair of Kevlar sill guards tomorrow. Jobs list is getting smaller! Latest pics:


http://i1348.photobucket.com/albums/p727/ChrisGTI4/imagejpg1_zps1da52c57.jpg (http://s1348.photobucket.com/user/ChrisGTI4/media/imagejpg1_zps1da52c57.jpg.html)
http://i1348.photobucket.com/albums/p727/ChrisGTI4/imagejpg1_zpsb3f993ab.jpg (http://s1348.photobucket.com/user/ChrisGTI4/media/imagejpg1_zpsb3f993ab.jpg.html)
http://i1348.photobucket.com/albums/p727/ChrisGTI4/imagejpg3_zps9f05d4ca.jpg (http://s1348.photobucket.com/user/ChrisGTI4/media/imagejpg3_zps9f05d4ca.jpg.html)
http://i1348.photobucket.com/albums/p727/ChrisGTI4/imagejpg2_zps5c3ef221.jpg (http://s1348.photobucket.com/user/ChrisGTI4/media/imagejpg2_zps5c3ef221.jpg.html)
http://i1348.photobucket.com/albums/p727/ChrisGTI4/imagejpg4_zps75aee852.jpg (http://s1348.photobucket.com/user/ChrisGTI4/media/imagejpg4_zps75aee852.jpg.html)

[AndrewC]

Seeing other projects reach this stage is a real motivator...but it still feels a million miles away. Great stuff! Do you have a first event in mind?

[cb_motorsport]

Little update - car is now in my garage, having been away for a couple of months (and I have moved house inbetween time and now have a lovely big garage!) having a full bespoke wiring loom fitted. Cracking on with the last few bits and then it's off for mapping. 1st event will be the Regency Stages at Bath & West Showground on the 29th November (http://www.pngclub.com/forum/x-apple-data-detectors://0).
http://s1348.photobucket.com/user/ChrisGTI4/media/imagejpg3_zps78b25867.jpg.html] (http://i1348.photobucket.com/albums/p727/ChrisGTI4/imagejpg3_zps78b25867.jpg[/IMG]
http://s1348.photobucket.com/user/ChrisGTI4/media/imagejpg1_zps102d730c.jpg.html] (http://i1348.photobucket.com/albums/p727/ChrisGTI4/imagejpg1_zps102d730c.jpg[/IMG]
http://s1348.photobucket.com/user/ChrisGTI4/media/imagejpg2_zpsd86153c0.jpg.html] (http://i1348.photobucket.com/albums/p727/ChrisGTI4/imagejpg2_zpsd86153c0.jpg[/IMG]

[boffer8]

Where did you get the Atech seats from? Also, being cheeky, if you don't mind me asking (or pm me) how much were they?

[cb_motorsport]

You have PM

Cheers

Chris

[RallyMarshal]

Update?

[TallDave]

Looks like Chris finished the Regency Stages OK, 53 O/A and 6th in class. I would have been there but I was busy marshalling on the Great Bustard Enduro Rally taking place on the doorstep of Shepton Mallet. I passed the showground several times but never saw a car in action...

Keep that Mk2 Astra build coming along, I need something to motivate me!

[cb_motorsport]

Thanks for the interest guys.

The car is obviously finished, rolling roaded (where it produced 145bhp and 116 lb/ft torque - which I was very happy with). As mentioned above, I put an entry in for the Regency Stages for a bit of a test.

What a nightmare day it was....though we did finish, albeit somewhere near the back and way off the pace.

First issue was a major fuel leak - to the point we were going to be excluded. I have no idea where it is leaking from, tank is coming out this week. We just covered the tank in rags to try and stop the leak, luckily we managed to carry on.

Second issue was a major handling problem - the back end was stepping out at every occasion, including in a straight line. We had a few near misses including a very big moment heading towards a copse of trees. (See this link for the in-car, big moment is around 7:50 (http://www.pngclub.com/forum/x-apple-data-detectors://0) https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=TvdoU7bYAFw - Yes it's slow and boring, I just couldn't push it).

The rear ended kicking out also meant I ****ted the beam. The back end is now stripped and new beam bought along with Powerflex bushes and a rear ARB, as well as softer rear springs (as I have been recommended by probably the fastest Nova rally driver in the UK). Will put it all back together and see what the back end does.

Third issue is the steering rack - at the start of each stage the steering wheel is straight, at the end of the stage it's around 60-90 degrees out, must be something worn!

Final issue is the diff - it has an ATB diff in it, what an absolute load of ****e! It's coming out and a plate type from Gripper is going in after Xmas!

I'm replacing all bushes on the car with poly bushes and will be giving it a good test somewhere before the next event as I have absolutely no confidence in it at all at the moment and the car is undriveable as is. The only reason I didn't pull out of the rally was because I wanted to get a finish in it!

Cheers

Chris

[TallDave]

Crikey, the handling looked distinctly interesting and rather scary... I assume the avoidance of the big chicane at the split/finish was purely involuntary, though the avoidance of the tree looked like it might have had an element of luck, thankfully! By this time in the event I suppose you were suffering a bit or unwanted rear steer due to the b*ggered rear geometry brought about by a bent rear beam?
If your tank is anything like mine was, you'll probably find the breather pipe no longer requires a pipe at it is no longer attached to the tank, ah rust don't you just love it...
Your comment about the ATB diff supports other such comments, probably OK in a road/track day car, but for serious motorsport the plate diff seems to be the way to go.
I look forward to seeing you out on an event somewhere next year.
Cheers
Dave

[TallDave]

It looks like this car is up for grabs here (http://britishrally.co.uk/classifieds_view.php?id=17605) on the BritishRally.co.uk website?

Of course I might be mistaken, but the ad seems to match this car pretty darn well!

[cb_motorsport]

It looks like this car is up for grabs here (http://britishrally.co.uk/classifieds_view.php?id=17605) on the BritishRally.co.uk website?

Of course I might be mistaken, but the ad seems to match this car pretty darn well!

Yes that is correct, a new project beckons so I'm reluctantly putting it up for sale. I really don't want to sell it but can't afford to run both cars. I just in the process doing a bit of work to it and it will be officially up for sale, keep an eye on the ads on here. Obviously anybody reading this who is interested then please give me a shout.

Cheers

Chris