First Project

[tappingt]

Iam looking for some guidance on my first project at 16 years old, im now 9 months away from starting to learn to drive and have got some spare cash i would like to put into a Nova for my first car. First of all i have found a couple of 1.2's with low mileage at around ?150 with minimal rust around the usual door panels and wheel arches. I have been looking at the GSi bodykit on POTN just to give the car a better look and i suppose fool people eventhough in the future a 2.0l lump might have to be put in. Please could you give me some guidance on whats best to start with iam obviously looking at lowering springs and shocks and rims probably off a cavalier or something. Also please could you tell me the difference from SRI's, SR's, GTE's and GSi's thankyou tom!

[womble sri]

sr's come in a 1.3 and 1.4 and are fuelled by carbs you cand get mk1 and mk2 1.4 but only mk1 1.3.
sri are 1.4 and have multi point injection mk 2 only
gsi mk2 1.6 multi point injection
gte mk1 1.6 multi point injection

[novamadcars]

welcome newbie hope you get all you answers off the site
:D

[Jack]

I had a post somewhere on how to spot your nova lol, pics of the different models... i'll see if I can find the link in a bit. on second thoughts this post has turned out more informative, lol

A quick overview of your options:

MK1 1983Y - 1991H. Facelift in 1988.
:arrow: 1.0, 1.2, 1.3 - base models along with various 'styled' models (sting, swing, luxe etc), some of which borrowed the odd bit from the SR/GTE range. Comes in 3/4dr hatch, or 2/4dr saloon flavours.
1.0 carb, 45bhp. Insurance Group 3
1.2 carb, 55bhp. Insurance Group 4.
1.3 carb, 72bhp. Insurance Group 5.
http://www.novaload.net/images/car_images/650big.jpg
Post-facelift 1.2 Mk1 Nova

:arrow: 1.3SR- sported up model. Bigger bumpers, wrap around spoiler, central locking, metal window frames, sports seats and sports dials. 3dr hatch only.
1.3 carb engine, 72bhp. Insurance Group 5
http://www.novaload.net/images/car_images/2316big3.jpg
Post-facelift 1.3SR Mk1, with optional 3-spoke 14" alloys

:arrow: 1.4SR 1990G -1991H - same look as 1.3SR but with the 1400 carb engine. again, 3dr hatch only.
1.4 carb, 74bhp. Insurance Group 7.
http://www.novaload.net/images/car_images/2098big.jpg
1.4SR Mk1, again fitted with optional 3-spoke 14" alloys

:arrow: 1.6GTE 1988E - 1991H - Painted bumpers, painted spoiler, larger valance on rear bumper, sideskirts. 3dr hatch only.
1.6 mpi, 100bhp. Insurance Group 11
http://www.novaload.net/images/car_images/2652big4.jpg
1.6GTE Mk1. Note painted rear wraparound spoiler and bumpers, along with tailgate vinyl.


MK2 1991H - 1993K.
Mk2 includes updated dashboard, interior trim, front end (lights, grille, wings) and bumper. Later Mk2's also included injection engines with catalytic converters rather than carbs (which had no cat). Mk2 also saw the introduction of the derv engines.

:arrow: 1.0, 1.2 - as with Mk1, base models along with various 'styled' models. Early (H,J) tend to be carb, whilst later (J,K) tend to be injection (except 1.0 - always carb). Comes in 3/4dr hatch, or 4dr only saloon flavours (note 2dr saloon dropped).
1.0 carb, 45bhp. Insurance Group 3
1.2 carb, 55bhp. Insurance Group 4
1.4 carb, 74bhp. Insurance Group 6
1.2 spi, 45bhp. Insurance Group 3-4
1.4 spi, 60bhp. Insurance Group 5
1.5D, 50bhp. Insurance Group 5
1.5TD, 70bhp. Insurance Group 6.
http://www.novaload.net/images/car_images/3009big2.jpg
1.2i Mk2 Nova

:arrow: 1.4SR 1991H -1992J - same engine as 1.4SR Mk1 but in the Mk2 shell. Same bumpers as standard range, additional rooftip spoiler, sports seats and sports dials.
1.4 carb, 74bhp. Insurance Group 7.
http://www.novaload.net/images/car_images/2396big6.jpg
1.4SR Mk2, fitted with aftermarket alloys.

:arrow: 1.4SRi 1992J -1993K - Same bodystyling and interior as 1.4SR Mk2, but this time with the 1.4 multi point injection engine.
1.4mpi, 82bhp. Insurance Group 7.
http://www.novaload.net/images/car_images/2770big6.jpg
1.4SRi Mk2. This example has had the lower side vinyl removed

:arrow: 1.6GSi 1991H -1992K - Mk2 version of the GTE. Painted bumpers, rooftip spoiler, central locking, electric windows, sports interior and sports dials.
1.6mpi, 100bhp. Insurance Group 11.
http://www.novaload.net/images/car_images/3022big2.jpg
1.6GSi Mk2. Note design of GSi bumper

[boredbloke]

wonder whether jacks done this before...?

[Jack]

Don't know what you're talking about.... 8)

[scott.parker]

Don't know what you're talking about.... 8)

Phah you have just been waiting for the right time to do this again! :lol:

Welcome to the site enjoy..

Oh and that reminds me i have a pic of a total standard mk1SR with a 1.4 in C plate!! :P

Scott

[Jack]

Don't know what you're talking about.... 8)

Phah you have just been waiting for the right time to do this again! :lol:
Yeah maybe admin will sticky it this time... :lol: :lol: :lol:


Oh and that reminds me i have a pic of a total standard mk1SR with a 1.4 in C plate!! :P

Scott
Oh thats right, throw a spanner in the works!

Might add in a pic of the saloon, 5dr, sport, spider and hutch as well... when i can be arsed :P

[ade]

ok - your 1st priority is to pass your test.

Your 2nd/3rd priority is to keep your license - points wise - for 2 yrs and and crash wise for as long as you can.

Forget the "mods" (body kits etc) and get fully comp insurance - it'll set you back well over ?1200 for a basic 1.2 mk2 merit! Maybe more...

Average 1.2 nova with okayish body work will set you back anywhere between ?350 - ?1000 depending where you look.

And as for body kits (GSI look alike upgrades etc) just ask on here - forget "body shop websites" - you'll get a gsi facelift from Will F or Ben or others who are breaking novas all the time.

You'll be lucky is an insurance company will cover you for body kit mods mind - I'd just stick with keeping the motor/license clean - just derust it and tidy it up.

Save up and then mod the feck out of it!

:wink:

[Jim]

ok - your 1st priority is to pass your test.

Your 2nd/3rd priority is to keep your license - points wise - for 2 yrs and and crash wise for as long as you can.

Forget the "mods" (body kits etc) and get fully comp insurance - it'll set you back well over ?1200 for a basic 1.2 mk2 merit! Maybe more...

Average 1.2 nova with okayish body work will set you back anywhere between ?350 - ?1000 depending where you look.

And as for body kits (GSI look alike upgrades etc) just ask on here - forget "body shop websites" - you'll get a gsi facelift from Will F or Ben or others who are breaking novas all the time.

You'll be lucky is an insurance company will cover you for body kit mods mind - I'd just stick with keeping the motor/license clean - just derust it and tidy it up.

Save up and then mod the feck out of it!

:wink:

Couldn't have put it better myself. Young drivers + modifications = Very high Insurance.

Jim

[Rexy]

DONT GET A 1.0l. . . .


You'll hate it, I ensure you....Feel the power!

[womble sri]

yeah i had an sri for my first two cars and the insurance was 800 in my mums name dont get fully compinsurance just a nice alarm and a steering
lock