Nova springs help and advice

[sjb6268]

On my little project car I have the standard springs from my 1.3 nova, was wondering if the Sr, gte/gsi or any other model had stiffer/ longer rear springs as standard? Any advice would be much appreciated

[conza123]

Nope pretty much all nova had the same rubbish shocks and springs,

best upgrade is the bilstein shocks and eibach spring set up but if your on a budget the gmax stuff I had on my sr wernt to bad :)

[sjb6268]

Ah I've got koni adjustables on there just clearance is my issue, as when it's me in the car it's fine just a little rub on speed bumps but anyone else in the car as well means problems on bends bumps and probably stones on the road :/

[jimbob-mcgrew]

is that a -60 drop ?

what size tyres is it running ?

[sjb6268]

Nope standard ride height, problem is extended arches, and mk1 escort alleycats 13" which during the project was fine but, now it's Sat on the road with load and people in its a problem, and when the wheels stick out from the standard arches by an inch and a half - 2 inches that's what's thrown a spanner in the works :/
http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/12/16/3fb2d0e40d8065a7013ce3770eff82a2.jpg

[craig green]

That looks laughable, put the proper wheels on it for gawds (if not the wheel bearings) sake.

[jimbob-mcgrew]

youll have to chop the body up, and fit wider arches, to accomodate that much width.

unless your after extreme handling, it'd be much easier to stick some GM rims on it.

what tyres are they ? yoko a539 in 185/60/13 ?

[Southie]

He's updated the arches since that early picture.

http://www.pngclub.com/forum/showthread.php?208012-nova-saloon-project&p=2252350&viewfull=1#post2252350

[jimbob-mcgrew]

this things crazy, lol
how long have you had it ?

http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/12/09/86439e00cfcf2f6e4611d1586ff0794c.jpg

[jimbob-mcgrew]

so youve got koni shocks, with standard GM nova springs ?

[sjb6268]

Yep, that's it, and southie is right I only pit that pic up to show they stick out from standard arches

[jimbob-mcgrew]

the problem is the position of the wheels.
that design of rim is a hell of alot wider than the standard shell can handle.
the centre of the tyre is in-line with the arch lip, so any bounce or impact is going to scuff the arch straight against the tyre.

ways to solve this :

option 1) get some vauxhall wheels with the correct ET rating, preferebly not too big in diameter 14" or 15", with no larger than 185 width tyres, to avoid possible scrub.

option 2) install different suspension, to adjust the cars height / reduce its movement. (compulsory rally mudflaps needed)

option 3) make room for the wheels you have, which involves chopping a fair amount of metal out of the wings, and custom welding/patching the panels back to suit.

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option 3, would be nice for a dedicated track car, to maximise its handling, but it involves a lot of work, and probably replacement wheel bearings every 6 months.

option 2, is only masking the issue, and stopping the tyre contact. also, being so high up, the handling will suffer a bit.

option 1, personally i think is the way to go. with some correct fitting wheels, youll instantly benefit from the outside of the wheel being on the inside of the arch lip, so no more scrubbage. after that youll then be able to drop the car down lower with some springs, to gain back its lost handling, and with larger wheels youll have extra room to upgrade the brakes as well, so the car can stop better. unless your running some sly 4 pot calipers under those 13's, id highly recommend some better stoppers for your turbo lol
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are the front and back hubs still the standard 4 x 100 pcd ?