Longitudily Mounted XE in Nova

[Chris S]

i know it will have been done somewhere before, but interested in doing it this winter,

First off thinking chevette rear axel,diff,maybe prop and front subframe, thinking manta will be too wide,
Manta 1800 sump and getrag box.

Will i have to use the manta clutch, pressure plate and flywheel?

My XE is an early 1 with the plug leads that come out at 90' to the plug cover.

been thinking sierra/escort steering column,

Anyone any more gen?

Pics of Floorpan of chevette?

:roll: :roll:

[Rick Draper]

Austin Nova is doing this to his. He is running a old english rear axle and there are pics of it on RB. It looks rad. Rick

[Chris S]

yeah, seen the pics rick, no detailed ones though, dont think i'd do it in as much depth as his though

[mowgli]

I would recommend using the 1.8 manta box simply because it is a straight fit. I think you may have to get the manta 1.8 engine as well for donor parts.
the chevette axle is not worth it, use a ford axle.

some years ago, I was mucking about in a scrap yard, and actually measured up a ford escort mk2 & a nova saloon. the track & wheelbase were the same. maybe getting a scrap escort and cutting its floor out, and having someone weld it into a nova would be the way to go.

[m.d.]

im doing this one next year sometime too. all im doing is using a front sub frame from a mk2 escort to mount the engine and take the steering rack, using the tunnel from a ford capri a rear axle from a mk2 escort and using a 5 link system and my coilovers to fit it. the only hard bit about the whole conversion is the steering rack and front hubs. as the rack goes under the engine rather than behind it like a normal nova, oh you will have to fit a fule tank in the boot and remove the spare wheel well

[Philsutton]

can you not use a carlton box as the came with 2lts, im using a bedford cf box on mine

[m.d.]

yep you can i think. anyone got a link to the blokes car on roybacer as i cant find it

[Anonymous]

Can i just ask lads, But whats the benfit?

I guess its going to be rear wheel drive?

[m.d.]

novas dont handle too well with the heavy xe in the front so by moving it in the way you would have to to rear wheel drive it to you put more weight to the middle of the car. also you can put much more power down to the back wheels without them spinning. so you get better acceleration.

and above all...... can you imagine seeing a nova sideways arround a corner :D :wink:

[_Ben_]

and above all...... can you imagine seeing a nova sideways arround a corner :D :wink:

I reckon the wheelbase will be too short for this.... will be interesting to see it happen.

[m.d.]

its not much different from a talbot sunbeam which love going sideways. very twitchy though. all the more fun