4x4 VXR Nova

[Aron 6pot]

I have decided to pull my old V6 nova out from the garage after 10 years in hibernation.
I have been collecting some parts together to do something a little special with it as I have had the car for a very long time and I feel it deserves it.
My goal is to fit the fully forged z20 with f28 Gearbox and all drive train from a Cav 4x4. I will be using a MX5 rear subframe with the Cav rear diff.
The engine was running some nice numbers before it was removed so it should all add up to a pretty fun car once completed.
I plan on using it this summer so I will be trying to get as much time on it as possible. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200110/ae5115c11fb7d35a3bc0745189a6d7df.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200110/bb0700fc9570b7406489a64183903512.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200110/fc34a54e603a2566d2fc1141215fd1ce.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200110/16eb25c7cb2d7d9e8488bfd5a496138a.jpg

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[totalnova]

Sounds good, look forward to seeing this come together.
Nick

[Aron 6pot]

Update
Removed the z20 sump ready for the c20let sump, possibly going to make a custom girdle as I'm not sure if the LEH one is going to fit under. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200120/e93ad692d27ea323e316f8fced01b1db.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200120/ef5f89282b9ad7370aebf210a6c17efa.jpg

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[Aron 6pot]

Managed to get the front portion of the rollcage mocked in position.
I have cut the rear section off for now as I will be tying it in to the rear subframe mounts once I have cut the boot floor out. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200120/f12eb611cc0ced4f154a830869f7caca.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200120/9adf03e9974062427cbdda2f46d11228.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200120/32452025799042d6e8ed2df7c9aa722b.jpg

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[Aron 6pot]

Removed the dash for ease of rollcage fitment.
Forgot what a mess it was after all the years of poor add-ons when I was young, back in the days of has to be finished ready to use daily. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200120/205fd081be1429b698d2c3ef653b4360.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200120/4a8e12809fe144766c1c1b2b5819f727.jpg

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[millworm]

Know too well about them, constantly finding and fixing stupid shit I done on my car when I was clueless

[Aron 6pot]

A little break in the weather has allowed me to make some small progress today, fingers crossed the rain holds off so I can get some more done this week. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200303/bedbd2015b5b7e953525a55a857de876.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200303/a5240f45a01cacdb78d74f4dfb2beca1.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200303/0ed125018e01c35b8e719c51510c7adc.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200303/9075ebb6805e30f76212130d27d31486.jpg

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[Aron 6pot]

Next up is to cut the boot floor out and mount the rear subframe.

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[Iain]

Liking the front engine mount, MX5 rear subframe idea sounds spot on too. No benefit keeping the MX5 diff?

[Aron 6pot]

No mate, it's got the wrong gear ratio and only good for around 350 lbf.
I have the matching diff from the Cav 4x4 and they are built a lot heavier so should put up with the power level I'm thinking about running.

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[millworm]

Been tempted to go the same way with my corssmember for exhaust, turbo, intercooler clearance. Good work mate keep it up

[mitchell.mills.1]

Nice build if ever come selling stepdown give me shout cheers

[Benn]

Great project.

[The Simps]

Any further updates to this?

[Aron 6pot]

Some more progress today.
Transfer box fitted to the engine and box and all fitted to the car.
Rear gearbox mount made, cars back on the floor.
It's all just tack welded for now incase I need to move anything later on.
Going to get alot more done this week providing the weather holds up. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200330/0287a97584b767e7d6b52e9fb5484953.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200330/303c7ae8d0fc113f30d13dd0f4bbde60.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200330/d36d97ff5fa6bc4bb00cb9285867e4c3.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200330/b9649be0064ee595978577374a792f6b.jpg

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[Aron 6pot]

A couple of oldest pictures I forgot to post. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200330/330e9dd15fbf045e552e29252fc2eefe.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200330/28637518f0ffee11347704727e6626ff.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200330/ba6a812c7c829833125553506c2a4399.jpg

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[The Simps]

Nice milestone to have it all in, you must be pleased.

[Aron 6pot]

Yes mate that's what I'm saying is the hardest part done, the rear should be just more straight forward as there's a lot more space to work with. Plus it's just 4 bolts that holds the subframe and it's flat.

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[torquey]

Looking good this gonna be a weapon when it's done.

[Stuart]

Fabulous work!!
This is by no means a criticism, more a discussion piece :)
I never realised the transfer box came off the diff drive output (maybe because I've never seen a GM 4WD setup before), soooo without an LSD, if the passenger side wheel lost traction there would be next to zero drive to the rear? Also if the drivers side lost traction, there would be some crazy shaft speeds to the rear?

[Aron 6pot]

The transfer box has a clutch that in standard format is locked by the power steering pressure, there is a kit available to lock this clutch given a 50/50 split between front and rear (someone please correct me if I'm wrong) so if a front wheel spins it will act like a open diff but still giving the full 50% drive to the rear.

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[Aron 6pot]

Also the gearbox has a double spline output to the transfer box, one driving the O/S drive shaft and the other spline drives the transfer box.
Hope that helps you understand.

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[Aron 6pot]

Daily update.
Boot floor cut, chassis legs cut and a quick mock up to see how it all looks.
Bearing in mind this shell has never been welded untill I started this.
It has hard putting the plasma torch to it. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200331/4b73a33678a08d17ef5102410ecae35a.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200331/6a978e9c9b710b8e576010db62847ce6.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200331/981c090375f39c4dfe002d7ea8fa5042.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200331/7f082b48cc38410ce5119ae1e3548a74.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200331/505907cfd3f96cf92eab426dcc3995b6.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200331/93dc5a43692d4889a677b4be70d60525.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200331/10a435fba91d5452dfc0661c8e81d61f.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200331/38f9b987d80f1958d866816ff9725681.jpg

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[Stuart]

Also the gearbox has a double spline output to the transfer box, one driving the O/S drive shaft and the other spline drives the transfer box.
Hope that helps you understand.

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That makes more sense :) I had kind of assumed it was simply a diff output to the TXB etc. cool stuff

[Rickyb]

This is a very cool project, I hope you get lots of progress on it great work.
Seing great projects like this will make this lockdown fly by.

[Aron 6pot]

Update!
After fitting the rear subframe I found it to be a little to wide.
As I'm going for the stock look, I decided to cut 3" out from the centre of the subframe before reinstalling it.
I am much happier with how it looks now, from the outside view you can't see anything is any different to a stock nova.
I now have some upper suspension arm clearance issues but nothing that the cutting can't fix. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200402/ca333baf1374a2683044cdbb8d321bf0.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200402/6d22ccb16b7997b696c917d9714218ed.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200402/6e6842a9fce201aa88119c1644df4b05.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200402/e359e971854cb5ad861dfd39be66a4e0.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200402/ff8ef06149d5c3b7a46f95275e3a32a8.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200402/8b4a9e709248d70acc23bd22e7842bbe.jpg

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[The Simps]

Nice work around [emoji108]

I take it diff still has plenty of room?

[nova_niek]

Brave man for putting the plasma torch to a solid shell. But needs must etc. so it's all good. [emoji41]

Also thanks for explaining the transfer box double shaft layout, this was new to me too. [emoji1362]

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[ben doodar]

Love it dude. I've been dreaming of building a 4x4 nova recently I'll be keeping an eye on this. ��

[Aron 6pot]

Nice work around [emoji108]

I take it diff still has plenty of room?I am using the cav rear diff so need to make mounts anyway but yes still fits. To be honest it's done me a favour as now I can use the original Cav rear drive shafts and have them machine down to fit the outer mx5 CV joints.

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[Aron 6pot]

Biggest part of all the fab work finished today. Just need to tie it all in together now, OS nearly complete.
Had the rear back on the floor for a brief moment and it's safe to say I'm going to need coilovers.

To do list:
Tidy up loose welding ends
Mount rear diff
Drive shafts
Prop shaft
Brakes
Finish cage........

That will do for now.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200414/9c1142c292e7e6c234fb0a2b50b9818c.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200414/25a1eacd4d24ff3b11f6e449d3faeb32.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200414/71dea5ea55eef854eeb482c06beeab06.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200414/36eb89704ca32cbf42ae8ac291ec9ab9.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200414/2e90af1f0432495b1a516c49c10fc63d.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200414/6849e904c24976584e6b1587a55fbe96.jpg

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[Will F]

Love it.

[Aron 6pot]

Progresshttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200415/c72bd1da85e2f23a05e628fed86875a5.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200415/7330333c5481872ade9afcd4ad6c746d.jpg

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[The Simps]

Lovin the regular updates!

Out of interest, what thickness material did you use on the turret top sides, the vertical bits?

[Aron 6pot]

Lovin the regular updates!

Out of interest, what thickness material did you use on the turret top sides, the vertical bits?4mm wall tube cut in half with a 2" stretch and 3mm tops made. I would have used 3mm wall tube if I could have got it. All the steel sheet is 3mm for mounts and 1.5mm for structure.
Most of the strength will be in the roll cage hence the plates beside the turrets.

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[The Simps]

4mm wall tube cut in half with a 2" stretch and 3mm tops made. I would have used 3mm wall tube if I could have got it. All the steel sheet is 3mm for mounts and 1.5mm for structure.
Most of the strength will be in the roll cage hence the plates beside the turrets.

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Sweet [emoji106]

I never did my turret tops thick & strong enough so I am redoing them again (3rd time lucky!).

[Aron 6pot]

Sweet [emoji106]

I never did my turret tops thick & strong enough so I am redoing them again (3rd time lucky!).3mm might be a little overkill but rather that than redo later on

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[The Simps]

3mm might be a little overkill but rather that than redo later on

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I’m having some one piece mild steel billet ones cnc’d with 10mm top & 5mm sides. Think that might be overkill! [emoji1787]

[Aron 6pot]

I’m having some one piece mild steel billet ones cnc’d with 10mm top & 5mm sides. Think that might be overkill! [emoji1787]Shit yes, that will do the job [emoji1360]

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[Aron 6pot]

Started mocking up the rear diff mounts.
I have decided to just solid mount it because strangely enough I like the way it sounds also the response it gives when clutching. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200417/666dc8ffc149d951f72b5be8d9fcceb6.jpg

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[Aron 6pot]

Got a little more done to the cage today. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200420/a1f24f685bfee43a347a8e83c11eca4d.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200420/d20141c5cad429f3aae92195a95d3344.jpg

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[millworm]

Looks good mate

[ktown]

Top job mate love it

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[Aron 6pot]

Adding bars https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200427/5b435ad50f525b5c8fb99a4ea67dce47.jpg

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[totalnova]

Is there any reason you havent tubbed the rear arches? With all the work you've done in the rear, I'm surprised you havent.
Nick

[Aron 6pot]

Is there any reason you havent tubbed the rear arches? With all the work you've done in the rear, I'm surprised you havent.
NickI just don't see the need to pal, I'm not running the car silly low or going to run ridiculously wide wheels so there will be no advantages to doing so.

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[totalnova]

Ah that's fair enough, I just know it can be tight inside the standard wheel wells. Crack on you're doing a good job with this :thumb:

[The Simps]

Adding bars https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200427/5b435ad50f525b5c8fb99a4ea67dce47.jpg

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Looking great!

[Aron 6pot]

Nice to have it back on all 4 againhttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200513/b6c802325483a29a84961ab08a0247d2.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200513/6ee31f3dbe638d9c0efaec5d2ff89ed8.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200513/f58d2cc4e0a70702a3c53c7d986c38a5.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200513/ff9b75381c41cdf1055899143303d7bb.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200513/ab1875ea3b25aaeb3b464a07d0aacf9a.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200513/8df8dbcefb3b997b437c31e12da31204.jpg

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[Aron 6pot]

One of the many jobs I have been putting offhttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200513/f807924c7ea2e33b7cb3d22cb095ff9c.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200513/df0ee5210bbc7f2ba4d2cdd68668ce20.jpg

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[The Simps]

Excellent tube work! Its a good feeling every time its back on wheels isn’t it.

What’s next?

[Aron 6pot]

Excellent tube work! Its a good feeling every time its back on wheels isn’t it.

What’s next?Thanks pal.
Just working through all the parts I have already before filling my already full garage with more.
Going to spend some time in side the car. Corsa EPS, try and work out some form of gear connection ( trying to go cable on a F28), hand brake as it's a mx5 one to suit the rest on the rear end and just keep removed all of that dead weight.

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[The Simps]

I look forward to further updates! :)

[Aron 6pot]

More dead weight removedhttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200514/f8a692ec4a729b03c1bbaa6ccea98b7c.jpg

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[Aron 6pot]

.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200514/a866187b7813aff7ca45dcabbaa18373.jpg

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[torquey]

Looking well pal good work.

[The Simps]

Looks like you got at it today too!

[The Simps]

Good to see them properly removed out with spot weld drill too [emoji108]

[Iain]

Love a bit of spot weld drilling. The rear floor looks great too.

[Nova_Tek]

Just like this Nova once done, this thread doesn't hang about!

Very interesting build!

[Aron 6pot]

Thanks for your support chaps

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[Danb1987]

Did this ever get finished?

[KaimoPathy]

What modifications are you planning for the gear connection and handbrake in your project, considering the removal of dead weight?

[GaroFUT]

Did you receive any updates or information regarding the completion status of the project you mentioned your support for?

[nova_niek]

Did you receive any updates or information regarding the completion status of the project you mentioned your support for?
It's not like someone else already asked the same question, is it?

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[Daccamug]

What specific aspects or details about the modifications in the gear connection and handbrake are you considering, especially in the context of optimizing the project by removing dead weight?

[House]

This forum has been trashed by AI spam bots

[Marc]

I couldn’t agree more. Needs more admin and first posts need to be held until approved.

it’s a shame to se it get like this.

[Nairmax]

Considering the modifications you're planning for the gear connection and handbrake, especially in the context of optimizing the project by removing dead weight, could you share specific aspects or details you're considering for these adjustments?