Peesters Little Project: My return to novaism. (Lots of pics)

[NovaLad]

tyres are expensive dude!!
but its ok i ordered them on saturday :-)
will be here any days soon.

HIGH 5!

Is it expensive getting something like that done to ya rims?

If you don't mind me asking lol.

Maby get somethign done to my GSi 3 spokes.

[GTE999]

nice car. will look mean with the alloys on!

[vaughanmc]

Looks really tidy mate - I want coilovers now lol

[peester]

HIGH 5!

Is it expensive getting something like that done to ya rims?

If you don't mind me asking lol.

Maby get somethign done to my GSi 3 spokes.


Nah, to diamond cut the x4 15" wheels, full face - its around £180.
I get discount at work so paid a touch over £150..
The x4 tyres ive gone for, nothin special, cost the same amount..

[AlexW]

This nova looks awesome, i love it even with the seelies on lol

[Mazz]

Ruddy hell thats low Dave!

[peester]

Tbh those front coilovers with that spring combo, if u ask me, sits at -60mm/-65mm from std ride height, bout the same as usual gmax/pi/spax/whatever kits do.. It measures about 55cm from the floor to crest/top of arch lip anyway..
I want to see what it looks like, arch gap-wise, at the front, with the slabs and low pro's on. Im a bit finiky with lowering - want it to look right..
So if there becomes a bit of a gap, i may delv into buying some shorter springs to get it a smidge lower, if not then at least ill be able to wind the coilovers back up a bit.. We'll see. im sure it'll be fine.

[Adam]

Looking good

[NovaLad]

Nah, to diamond cut the x4 15" wheels, full face - its around £180.
I get discount at work so paid a touch over £150..
The x4 tyres ive gone for, nothin special, cost the same amount..

Thought it would have been more expensive than that :)

Do they do fully polished up front as in chrome style like benns fans.

[peester]

dont know about a full polish for the wheels, go into any halfords and ask..
pristine wheel refurbishment.

[SRimon]

can't wait to see the wheels on it!

Love it more and more. Wanna swap?

[John]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A1199.jpg

[/quote]

That dave looks fecking awsome! Top stuff! The more i see it the more i actually like those astra steels!

[peester]

lol @ john..

theyve gone now....

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A1211.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A1210.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A1209.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A1208.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A1207.jpg

[craig green]

Oooh that looks damn fine!

The grille mesh needs to match the anth or black on the wheels.

Ready for a photoshoot with a decent camera now!

[John]

Looks like i was wrong! The slabs rock! The stance is just superb! Hope you have a large grin on your face!
Do they clear ok? Just need an exhaust now!

[John]

I agree with craig on the grille!

[peester]

Thanks guys i am buzzing :-)
The wheels dont catch, yet lol.. as the 49 offset and rolled rears theres actually a fair bit of space,.. but i have (manouvring off our fairly steep driveway) managed to get the top flat/tread of the tyre to tickle the roof of the inside arch..
So u just have to take it steady on wonky roads..
Bouncy too..

[vaughanmc]

Looks stunning mate - There the nicest looking Cav GSi wheels I've seen :)

[TIDGE]

yeah nice twist on the classic cav slabs

[NovaLad]

Love stain in my pants!!

Yummy!

Get some decent quality pics!

[trackdaynova]

grrrr get some decent pics lol

[SRimon]

Awesome!

[Mazz]

Indeed, that makes cav slabs look good!

[burgo]

oooo ubber slammage, loving it fella

[Adam]

OMG, that looks awesome. The wheels suit it PERFECTLY :cool:

As said, go get some good quality pics ;)

[draper]

looks good but i dont like the wheels, although im not sure which would suit it better (imo of course)


you must be chuffed with it

[peester]

thanks guys, i am chuffed.. promise better pics soon, ..

hooting around in it as and when i can, getting the steering/suspension set up next week hopefully, see how it feels then..

The wheels are quite blingy, but it does just pull it off for me. Was worried theyde look a bit wheel trim ish..

Always wanted that stance/wheel combination for years. Had photo shopped all my novas wearing that look.. Finally got it for real now. :-)

[Nick J]

very nice fella! :)

[Matt GTE]

Stunning, rims look amazing.

[krobinson]

Looks great, really like that!

Agree with Craig though, the silver mesh grill has to go, I said the same when John had the car in TV. Spray it black or go back to old skool slats ;)

Keith

[Dave.]

they look spot on them dave.. suit it down to the ground! :thumb:

[scott.parker]

Davy, just checked in mate, im shocked, had no idea you hade done such nice things to the car...

As everyone said the wheels are ace! I recon the best thing on the car though is that sticker lo lol

Keep it updated mate.

Scott

[peester]

thanks scott lol.. were u at pv and i missed u??

*small update..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A1223.jpg
Ive been driving it about a bit a day, but havent given it a 'blast' or 'run' as yet..
Jobs: single wiper, sorting the rear farbon cibre cards and painting the rear, inside arches are next to do.. also from monday payday, i hope to be able to sort the exhaust too.. all in time for billing.
Ive bagsied mike's top rear shock poly bushes; those along with the front and rear braces will get fitted soon by the camber/castor setter-up man. lol

Went up the garage today and finished the single wiper kit (painting, cleaning it, was used) but stop start rain was peeing me off and i have a date.. lol.
Laters..

Thanks for all the comments peeps; im glad its going down well.. DOES make it all worthwhile, tho tbh, for me this project has been nice n easy, things have gone relatively well.. Guess ive been lucky there.
More to come.

[peester]

.. forgot to add.. the car doesnt drive too bad steering wise with the suspension as unsetup as it is.. but the ride is well bouncy n harsh lol. Hope i can soften it up a bit. Need to find out if the shocks adjust for damping there is a screw that pops out the bottom but im still not sure.
The chap who will align the car may be able to tell me.
Also it cuts out randomly when off the accelerator; so idle valve playing; needs cleaning, replacing.

[Sync]

so relly good work gone into that. love the color :)

[craig green]

Re the stalling etc. Has the gearbox got a speed sender to give the ECU a signal for idle control?

[Adam]

As above, sounds like no vss signal. Does the management light occasionally flick on?
if youve got a digidash, just splice into the speed wire on its transducer.

Are you showing at Billing?
I really want to have a good look round this, but it wont be the same in the public car park lol

[Mazz]

We have a plan hatched regarding Billing! ssshhhh

[Adam]

OOOoooooo :D

I need to go to meet Benn, so i should be there on at least one day.

[peester]

i am at billing with this, it depends on mazz if ill be actually showing or not, if i do it'll be with mazz and benn on mig..

The vss wire thing - ill check it out, but i may have forgotten to put that the fault is intermittant - sometimes it'll do it 7/10 times i slow/stop.. sometimes only once or twice on a small drive...

Thanks guys.

[peester]

*minor update..
Mats arrived..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A1224.jpg
Also in that pic, you can see the old headunit i had lying around, fitted.. Not overly keen on the contrast of its silver to the black dash so, with its value being virtually nill; im going to try to spray tint black, the facia and surround - i will mask the screen and bigger buttons of course, but with tint spray being transparent - i hope it'll work out.

Also did a bit more detailing; satin blacked the door handle and petrol cap..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A1247.jpg

Finally i went for the single wiper conversion. Offered it all up:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A1245.jpg
But then ran into a problem with the mounting that connects to the motor..
Single wiper the top one, of course..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A1241.jpg
The kit was a used (quite battered) ebay jobbie, didnt know what i was looking for, as you do, looks like a bracket to mount it to motor is missing.
So i may well be cutting and welding the correct nova one onto the single wiper arm.
This, along with some farbon cibre interior panelling still to do and bodging an exhaust trim onto the 'zaust is pretty much all ive to do for billing.
The suspension issues and setup, auxillary gauge and fitting of proper exhaust will wait 'till after billing now.
See you there.

[vaughanmc]

Looks really tidy mate, well done :)

[Adam]

Yes mate, your missing the end ball joint bracket for the single wiper.

Interior loooks cool as fook.

[Graeme]

Good progress mate really love the Cav slabs finished like that

[NovaLad]

Not keen on the mesh grille :p

Interior is looking sexual

[peester]

Not keep on the mesh grille :p


ooh yeah, thats another one im starting to sort..
It doesnt bother me, overly, but it would look better in black, no badge.. so doin that this week..

[NovaLad]

Sweet.

Looks like you have a dint in ya bonnet aswell where i do.

Sorry lol.

[peester]

nah, thats true.. was on the car when i bought it i think. I wont be sorting that for a few weeks/months yet lol.

[Adam]

I think everyones bonnet has a dent there.
Its were people push on them to shut it...

[NovaLad]

My mate kicked a ball at mine :(

Does my head in on pics.
Like on this 1. :(

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i319/MD_Crew/100_0205.jpg

[krobinson]

Awesome work mate, but please paint your mesh grill satin black too :)

[burgo]

your interior is fapping awesome, the flocked dash and blue carpet work so well

[peester]

*Update.
Getting ready for billing. Today didnt manage do as much as i wanted; ive shortly got to 'taxi' a relative from the airport so my day cut a bit shorter..
-The single wiper issue - i am waiting for a bracket ive ordered to turn up n see if that sorts the problem; if it doesnt make it in time or isnt the right thing ill just pop both with the original mechanism back on for now..
-Finished the two rear arches today, painting them up..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A1249.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A1251.jpg
-Changed the mesh in the grille.. yay lol..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A1254.jpg
Dark pic, but it is black..
Also, whilst the grille was off ive hidden the lighting wiring loom; tucking it under the slam panel out of sight.. bit nicer.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A1255.jpg
And, tho another dark pic, fitted another sticker.. woo.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A1256.jpg
Still have the boot lock to fit; got another one to replace my existing broken one.. Also faffing with the fake carbon panelling - which i can finish once the lock is fitted. Then just finally an exhaust trim- but i need to nip the tip off the o.e pea shooter with a grinder first.
Then wash wax and it should be a goer. All to do on saturday.. busy day it will be.

[Adam]

Mesh looks miles better.
Where are you parking at Billing?

[NovaLad]

Mesh looks alot better now.
What colour are the rear drums going?

[peester]

Mesh looks alot better now.
What colour are the rear drums going?

Thanks guys..

The top pic shows true colours ; still bright yellow - ignore the second pic - it all went too bluey on that shot..
Anywho with wheel on, such a full face wheel hides most of my hard work anyway lol..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A1253.jpg

Adam - i should be with MIG @ billing, but im not sure yet have no idea.. You'll find me no probs im sure; its only so big the show.

[Steve]

Sweet ride height dude, i'll lookout for it at billing, shame png won't have a stand, so I don't know where i'll be!?

[John]

get some grey vxr nut covers on them rusty wheel bolts!

[Aamir]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A1210.jpg


Phat wheels dude !

:thumb:

[ade]

Was gonna do aomething similar to my cav slabs as well as my current wheels on the SR (has 4 holes ratehr than 5).

they diamond cut? (you may have mentioned it earlier - but didnt see).

Ade

[peester]

yes diamond cut and lacquered. Any full face/ spoke less wheel (ronal turbo, cav slab -like) looks good polished/or diamond turned in my opinion..

My mate ben and rysmee off here (his white GTE is in features section) both did theyre cav slabs like this ages ago ; first saw the idea on those cars.

[Adam]

Thought you were off to Billing today Dave?

[peester]

had a number of issues, lol.
see milands room, billing thread.. or ur project thread, lol..

[Adam]

Ah right, your just going tomorrow then.

What issues? Nowt major i hope?

[peester]

well, the battery has been going flat this weekend, and it ran from cold quite mis-firey but should still be ok,..
But no, issues are mainly non-car related tbh mate.

[Adam]

Oh right.
Hope all is well for tomorrow then.

[Andy]

Just read this from start to finish.Truly stunning mate,absolutely first class work,saw this at billing last week.You should be proud of yourself

[peester]

UPDATE.
Ive been finding it tricky to explain how ive been feeling/do with feel with the car right now. Also, how to write this overdue update.
Ive manage to edit it down a fair bit and its still an essay lol.
To catch up, basically since last update: Billing, Edition 38, Trax shows and PNG Midlandz meets have been the highlights with the car this year. Ive enjoyed bombing about at weekends and on days off work during the summer too.
Because of its quirks/unfinished bits - a fair bit of the time ive been more glad to get to my destrination than the journey tho lol.
It looks a lot better than it is to drive lol. As ive said to any who have asked.
I have had my much needed a bit of a chill with the car since getting it roadworthy. Financially and personally..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A1369.jpg
So, anyway, onto the good bit now. We should have some funds to play with now. Finish ‘stage 1’ first.
Parts I have acquired during the summer, since last update..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A1266.jpg
9 inch front coilover springs from merlin motorsport (picturednext to what size are on the car).. then no pics but some stubby short poly bumpstops and Rear top mount poly bushes, thanks mike..
All purchased back in July lol. So since July ive not bought a thing..
Anywho.. to this, I hope to add Compbrake rose-jointed track rod ends. On the way soon. While theyre being fitted the front suspension will get stripped and the smaller poly-bumpstops and shorter coilover springs will go on and im hoping it will give the shocks more room for travel and improve the ride quality.
Then finally I can get the front suspension set up/aligned if all the above goes smoothly. Front strut brace ive had for ages will be fitted then too..
At the back, mikes rear top shock poly bushes will go on, then the rear strut brace ive had for even longer can be fitted lol..
Externally, I need to either buy a new complete exhaust system or try to finish the magnex backbox I have with a rest of the system.. I know theyve shut up shop but magnex’s still show up on ebay/colin every now n then so we’ll see.
Then the failed/incomplete single wiper kit I have, again; either buy in the bits to complete what it or go and buy a whole new kit (not new, used- cheap)
All the above, along with a 52mm gauge of some sort and x2 mk1 centre dash air vents will complete ‘stage1’ as ide planned it. The only thing ive actually done that wasn’t planned in stage 1 was the mk1 dash and flocking I did earlier in the summer.

[GTE999]

absolutely love the wheels. really nice subtle car, keep up the good work mate.

[~~joycey~~]

Looking awsome! :thumb:

[dj_wudgey]

looks awesome matey!!!

[scott.parker]

Good plans Dave, looking ace as ever! Ive tried to get my mate to his cav slabs the same,but he's decided to paint them white lol

Scott

[stevie-p]

stunning

[Riggy]

still looking mint dave mate :thumb:

[Benn]

Why not just run factor wipers? Still looks good!

[wilson_sri]

Looking great as usual bud. But that picture, really doesnt do it any justice lol

[peester]

Thanks for the comments :-)
ive always been a fan of single wipers, dont know why but still want to do one..
Dont pay too much attention to pics lol just taken with phone to show u its still all in one piece..
I felt ide rabbited on too much with the update to mention the next stage of new plans. Ill obviously finish the mentioned jobs to end 'stage 1' but i really wanna get 'stage 2' underway..
*Update again lol
Stage 2, which is what I hope to happen in time for next years shows, pv 09 being the deadline.
Throttle bodies
Rollcage
Maybe X18XE1/Z18XE conversion.
Im not sure if the X14XE will stay. For now, in its standard spec; I wanted to throttle body convert it and just see how it goes/ how I feel.
If I want a bit more I can then keep tuning; add cams etc..
If I want much more, ide sell it on and convert the smallblock 1.8- bolting t.bs onto that. It might even be cheaper to just use that instead of tuning x14xe..
Im not sure if to choose 40 or 45mm bodies as the 1.4 might stay or the 1.8 might go in..
Ive obviously yet to acquire a 1.8 engine..

The only other on-going thing is our (me and a mate) search for a small unit to rent to store and work on our cars. Quite tricky L
If we find one, there is a good chance that engine conversions and so on can take place.. But where we are at the mo there is little to no chance..?
More again soon anyway.

[krobinson]

Love the Car Dave. And this means no dis-respect to John, but you've totally transformed the car into a much better, more hardcore looking car, the subtle changes have had a big impact.

Love it and cant wait till your next update.

[Ash]

I think this maybe my favourite mk1 :) It's awesome as it stands now, but with the stage 2 plans it will be immense! Good work peester!

[Adam]

A bodied 1800 would be awesome in there :cool:

[adam c]

whats up with your backbox?i have both a mk1 and a mk2 magnex backbox here if needed?

[peester]

thanks again guys.. fingers crossed with the plans. It does get a bit scarey looking at costs of whats still to come but i plan to keep the car for years to come. Plus its what ive always meant to do to a nova.
Adam c - theres nowt wrong with my backbox- its just that i want the rest of the system i think. i dunno. lol.

[ben doodar]

on this first page, theres a pic of sum little metal clips that hold the brake flexi's in place, where did u get these from bud, n what do you call them? cheers.

[sulphur]

Just read this from the beginning. Stunning car, really awesome. Keep up the good work! Love it!:thumb:

[Adam]

on this first page, theres a pic of sum little metal clips that hold the brake flexi's in place, where did u get these from bud, n what do you call them? cheers.
Can get them new from vauxhall.

[draper]

where is peeser anyway ? havent heard from him for a while

[General Baxter]

hes been hiding lol

[draper]

hes been hiding lol

did you threaten to eat him again bax ??

i might have an engine after all if your interested ;)

[General Baxter]

did you threaten to eat him again bax ??

i might have an engine after all if your interested ;)

i think i embarrassed him at the last meet, i have no idea where that salt and chips went lol

[peester]

woah magic thread bump.. :-)
I have been hiding a bit, as you do during winter - but still been busy..

Between myself and a couple of mates we've finally got ourselves a unit yaaay! Its small, dirty crappy but not too dear and it is local and better than nothing.
So finally have somewhere decent to work on the car. Full steam ahead with the car plans. Once we've moved in.

Ive been on MIG mostly lately trying to get gen-ed up on these 1.8 small blocks. Lee303 has been a great help. Its all still a bit messy/confusing/in the air..
I keep researching.

Ill update the thread properly hopefully within the next few weeks.

[draper]

trying to get gen-ed up on these 1.8 small blocks.



good choice buddy ;)

[John]

Love the Car Dave. And this means no dis-respect to John, but you've totally transformed the car into a much better, more hardcore looking car, the subtle changes have had a big impact.

Love it and cant wait till your next update.

Lol, only just seen this, no disrespect felt keith! I love what dave has done with it. I'm really really glad it went to a good home!
So have you deffo decided on a 1.8 dave? spill the beanslol .

[peester]

thanks guys..

Its just funds really john,.. the t.b kit is for deffo(from Martin Bowyer) but yeah the plan is to buy a 1.8.. i just dont know if to buy a whole car or just the engine, then which one? Z18XE or X18XE1..? and when,.. lol.
Ive got an idea of prices n that so it should be ok..

Then it would be our only first ever engine conversion. eeck.

[Mike]

Then it would be our only first ever engine conversion. eeck.

No better way to learn then jump in at the deep end old bean :thumb:

[Mazz]

Some good plans there dude :) I'll have to come round and have a nose at the unit..

[scott.parker]

Hey Dave glad your still alive lol

Well there was a lad on here who kept on about the 1800 16v's i think it was x18xe1 that he said was best? not sure could try find it, think it was in baxters big v small block thread?

Good plans though dude, and glad to here you got a unit, i could do with one! hows your work situation going?

Scott

[peester]

cheers scott , lucky with the unit really,.. my best advice to anyone looking is to get talking to people/in with the right crowd, if poss.. just keep asking everyone lol. Word of mouth.
The lad on here you meant was dave franczak (sp) he suggests the X18XE1 if you need the o.e tb/inlet and management , which i dont..

Work well, tbh its ok - low £££ takings is the only change really, and although the company have made one or redundancies per store im well established, was on the way up -kinda level so im safe.. Just the 'on the way up' will be a bit on hold, lol. But no, can't complain. All well so far.

[ben doodar]

ah ha, cheers adam.
yh is a really nice car that bud love the polished slab's

[peester]

*Update.
We have an engine!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A1478.jpg
Looks like it made it in one piece, a 2001 vectra sri's Z18XE engine with 61K. Ive got 2 months to fit it and find out if it works before warrenty period is up.
£299.00 delivered it was.
Now on the hunt for an F15CR 'box and service bits for the engine.
Still waiting on Martin for a full n final price on the t.b kit.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A1476.jpg
Heres the pic, finally, of the compbrake rose-jointed trackrod ends - other than the conversion of the 1.8 ive also got the front suspension / steering as an on going project to sort out the issues i had from last year i was using it.

So slowly the bits are filtering through. Hopefully next week the engine will be on a stand at our unit where we can start prepping it for the conversion.
Like i say; 8 weeks to go and counting..

[Adam]

Excellent :D
Will make the car even cooler with such a rarely seen conversion :)

TBH you will be better off buying just the inlet from Bowyer and then sourcing everything else yourself, cutting out the middle men.

Get the engine unpackaged, check the timing marks are aligned, and give it a few turn overs by hand to make sure all is well. Are you doing a mini rebuild (hg etc etc), or just putting it in, as is?

Looking forward to seeing this going in
Could maybe have a bit of a mids meet at your unit sometime to see how its going? :)

[peester]

Cheers ad, what do you mean sourcing everything else myself? Go to Jenvey direct, MBE direct etc etc?

The engine is at work in the pic, ive yet to move into the unit tho we're doing the handover of keys/move in within the next few days - indeed it'll go onto a stand and we'll check it all out. Im not doing headgasket, but everything else will be redone.

Ha, a meet at the unit - well as long as we dont piss the neighbours off..

[Ernie]

Looking good fella keep it up.

[Adam]

Yeah, buy the bodies from Jenvey themselves etc, should save you some money

[scott.parker]

Nice going Dave, looks like your car will be one to keep an eye on then!

PS: where you get the R/J trackrod ends from?

Scott

[krobinson]

Looking forward to seeing this :)

[peester]

Nice going Dave, looks like your car will be one to keep an eye on then!

PS: where you get the R/J trackrod ends from?

Scott

cheers scott..

compbrake. Nice bits of kit.

[Peanut_119]

that colour is really nice, i wud prefare my nova that colour, always loved that blue,

[Adam]

Dave, where did you get those front doorcards from???

And the black window winders etc (did some mk1s have them black as standard) ?

[vaughanmc]

All Mk1 Nova's had black winders/door handles as standard as far as I know Adam...

[Adam]

Oh right?
Cheers Vaughan

[vaughanmc]

No problem fella :)

[AlexW]

Sorry to go off topic.

But ad if you want some black winders etc PM me.

[peester]

[quote=Adam]Dave, where did you get those front doorcards from???
[quote]

the fake carbon doorcards?? -ebay.. There are better ones outhere now for not much more ££..

Only mk1 thing i had to spray on the inner doors was the grab handle/armrest bit and the pockets.. Everything else was already black.

[peester]

*wee update..
Over the last few weeks we've been moving into the unit, ferrying our kit about.. the engine stand made it in at the end of last week so we just spent an hour yesterday fetching the z18xe out of its crate onto our stand..
Luckily the unit has a block n tackle (?) beam mounted crane lift thingy bob..
So hooked it up and heave ho'd..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A1492.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A1491.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A1495.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A1497.jpg

Im waiting for ordered parts to arrive so far just a cambelt kit and manifold gasket. But ive got the week off so hope to be fitting those as well as stripping the engine of bits i dont need and cleaning it up and so on..

[General Baxter]

ill check the gearbox code tonight :)

[peester]

:)

[craig green]

Big old inlet on that 1800?

[Adam]

Its one of those variable length jobbies

[craig green]

Aye. Needs ditching for TB's!

[peester]

^^ yup cg, thats the plan..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A1500.jpg
hence after a failed regional meet earlier today, i popped back to the unit to rid the lump of all the discussed-above junk..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A1498.jpg
lefty loosey..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A1501.jpg
Thats it. All stripped.
Next job is to drop the sump check all is well there and fit arp's.

[John]

Top stuff dave!

[General Baxter]

dave want a V pulley for that engine ?

[General Baxter]

dave iv had a look on the gearbox, and the only number on it is the F15 one :(

[Adam]

The CR etc is stamped in the end plate cover

[General Baxter]

nothing on it lol

[John]

I'm 100% certain it's cr, as it came out of a 1.6 16v corsa sport. What's the part no baxter?

[Adam]

nothing on it lol
It will be there, just very very hard to see.

[peester]

:-(

[peester]

*Update
Been to see mr bowyer this week..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A1510-1.jpg
Seeing as he'd offered, we took the 'rod ends off the lump and up with us to be sunk for arp's -saved us the bother of finding a pillar drill and all that faff..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A1514.jpg
Done. Hard to see in pic but its good.
1st box of goodies:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A1513.jpg
More to come next week when i go up again for the rest of the bits..
Now, we removed the rod ends in a bit of a hurry and mixed them up lol
Any pointers to how / where i can find info on the correct order to refit??

[krobinson]

Superb, looks like your going all out on this! Can't wait to see it :)

[John]

parrallel bodies then dave?

Check the rod caps fully, are they not stamped? (one dot for cyl 1, 2 dots for cyl 2 ect ect)

[Ash]

That box excites me :D This is quickly growing into my favourite nova, even with 'slabs.

[peester]

parrallel bodies then dave?

Check the rod caps fully, are they not stamped? (one dot for cyl 1, 2 dots for cyl 2 ect ect)

yeah, apparently has the upper hand on torque over taper bodies..? i wanted them in red but they only do them in black nowadays..
i wasnt even sure of availability of taper bodies for the 1800cc ...

just checked the rod ends; cant see any dots; on one side each have a two digit number; one says 40, another 53, another 59 and the last 60...?
theres another number on the opposite face side, hard to make out..
40 one says 151, 53 one says 151, 59 one says 161, last 60 one says 161..
wierd science.

[Adam]

THAts a nice box of bits there :cool:
Good stuff

[lee303]

the general consensus is that tapers have the upper hand on torque over parallels, but its a minimal difference, i remember D walker doing some back to backs in CCC years ago, anyways, looking forward to seeing this built, hope the caps are fractured as i said so they can be easily paired back up, as they are not marked from the factory, thought i'd relpy so i can be subscribed to make it easier to find and keep up with the progress:thumb:

[Mazz]

wow dave, you've been busy! love the goodies in the box!

[peester]

hope the caps are fractured as i said so they can be easily paired back up, as they are not marked from the factory, thought i'd relpy so i can be subscribed to make it easier to find and keep up with the progress:thumb:

cheers lee, nice one..:D

well here is a pic of a cap on a rod end with hopefully at the bottom, the fracture u speak of..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A1516.jpg
they are marked from the factory tho:
this one says 40
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A1517.jpg
the others say 53 59 and 60, as mentioned in the thread earlier..

We had a look today and we think it just goes in assending order; piston 1 = 40, piston 2 = 53, pist 3 = 59 and 4 = 60..
dunno lol.

[lee303]

fraid not, thats a batching number, just a coincidence they were in ascending numerical value
main thing is you can get them back in the right pairings now, not so easy with flat cut types!

[peester]

*Update
Previously; The rod ends indeed arent numbered arent in any order - they do fracture when you remove them- so each one is unique.
It was these fractures being unique that helped us piece together how they went back.
But non the less- Top Tip: Number them before hand. lol.
So we matched up each one back to its other half - fitting the arp's.. finally.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A1518.jpg
Then we went to refit the degreased sump back on but the last nut took the thread out of the block :-o grrr
We decided to torque-up the sealed sump reguardless and worry bout that thread another day.
I then just degreased the rest of the engine, prepping for some paint.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A1524.jpg

So it ought to be possible to rethread the one hole with the sump in place, wont it??
Anyway; we'll give it a go.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A1503.jpg
Next job CamBelt Kit. Picked this genuine new 'kit up for £50. Ace.
More again soon.

[lee303]

you'll easily helicoil that bolt in place, but you may need a dowty washer(washer with a rubber sealing ring inside it) to make it seal round the bolt hole once the helicoil is in place
good work on the caps!:thumb:

[peester]

^woo; glad to hear that lol

ill do the investigatay.

[peester]

picked up the 'box tonight..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A1548.jpg
thanks nick. (baxter) It is exactly the one i was after, wicked. Hope it works lol. Ive got a service kit for it , so Ill be fitting that plus degreasing and painting it up.
Then have to source a clutch (been recommended to at least get a helix cover) but o.e rest of kit should be ok.. ?

Since last update ive just been slowly cleaning painting the engine..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A1532.jpg
Coming along nicely enough.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A1546.jpg
With the sump thread issue; I have found a helicoil kit and will get it soon to sort that. Also, as seen in the last pic ive got hold of a cam locking tool to crack on with the cambelt kit change.

More soon.. hopefully including that 2nd trip to bowyers.

[General Baxter]

With the sump thread issue;


nicked a bolt of my garage floor lol

[peester]

:) yes,.. errr ta for that. Its the one sump bolt that thread got knackered..

[craig green]

Didnt realise this was having multiple throttles?

Should be good!

[peester]

^^ aye cg, i hope so too..

small update; 'box is ready for fitting. We decided to leave the gaskets from the service/overhaul kit we ordered, and just fit new seals.. Took aaaages to get it clean.. christ.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A1553.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A1556.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A1560.jpg
The engine block has had its last dose of cleaning and painting too..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A1557.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A1559.jpg
We also changed the cambelt, fitting the new kit. Hopefully that will all hold together ok. Went swimmingly tho really, with the engine being on a stand.
Next i still need to sort that one sump bolt that lost the thread - ive finally got a tapping kit.. Then fitting the rest of bowyers order. Which ive been told should be ready by the weekend for me to collect.

Thats it for now, should be gettin down to business soon.

[scott.parker]

Keep it coming dude!

[krobinson]

Good times ;)

[Adam]

I hope your swapping that pot fly

[Jay]

What bhp do you hope from the engine after boddies etc.

[scott.parker]

I hope your swapping that pot fly

It's massive aint it! :eek:

[Adam]

Yup

[peester]

Thanks for the comments guys.

This is the spec ive gone for, for now , to answer your queries :-)
z18xe short motor, bare, std spec.
x2 45mm jenvey parrallel throttle bodies kit with 90mm ram pipes
C20XE Cream injectors, reconditioned
Bowyer throttle linkage and inlet manifold
MBE 967 ECU and custom made loom
ARP Conrod Bolts
FSE Fuel Pressure Regulator w. gauge
F15CR 3.94 FD Gearbox
Helix cover plate; rest O.E spec. Clutch kit
GTE/GSi 8v Flywheel

Obviously not many/any(?) z18xe on t.bs in a near std. spec so little to go on to guess outputs.. but hope for 130+ lbft torque, 160+ bhp.

In future ill sort cams, headwork, peko injectors to finish on, hopefully, 150lbft 180bhp.

[AlexW]

Sounds like a awesome spec. Should sound preety cool too!

When you planning to take the car off the road (presuming it isnt already) and do the engine change?

[peester]

^^ very soon. Next weekend i hope to move the nova into our unit and make a proper start on the conversion. Im kinda stuck until bowyer provides the last of the bits i ordered. Which should be this week.
The rest of the weekend (here n there) was spent polishing! woop.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/DSC00032.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A1566.jpg
The longish wait for the parts has allowed me to do a bit more tarting-up to the engine than i thought id do. But all good, anyway.

[John]

Dave you'll be turning into Benn! Looking good though!

will you run a single v lower pulley and alternator set up? or the stuff off the 1.4.

[peester]

..was planning stuff off the 1.4.. should be the same aint it??

[John]

Yeah will be the same. Does it currently rub the chassis leg on the oe mounts?

[peester]

not that i can see.. ive not used the car in anger yet tho.
Mind you ive got uprated mounts now; theyre not the £150 top solid jobbies but a sub £100 inbetween version. But yeah, that should help keep it away from catching.

[John]

Sounds good, iirc there was a good gap anyway. You sourcing the mbe via mr bowyer?

[peester]

yeah, ive got the ecu here, but its gotta go back with me when i fetch the rest of the parts for him to upload a map to get the engine running. Its the loom thats taking the time. Gives it to someone other chap who makes them up for all the rally cars bowyer builds the engines for. Tbh with me having all that other work to do its great to have the loom made for me. Despite £100 cost.

[John]

That doesn't sound bad at all dave. Gets you a little piece of mind i suppose, plug in and start! Will a sausage type filter fit with the bulkhead?

[peester]

Amen. Need all the help i can get lol.
Glad he wasnt too impatient or dissinterested in me not being a motorsport customer, mind u i bet at the mo any customer will do.
Cheers John.

[Adam]

Spec sounds good!!!
Nice

[peester]

*Update.. Cant believe its been over a month :-o
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/DSC00053-2.jpg
Car passed MOT yesterday, so thought to give an update; (even though not that much has happened) as it will reside here for the next few weeks whilst we finally start this darn conversion.
The on going problem i have you see, is martin bowyer. A quote of two weeks, to have an mbe loom made up, is nigh on 9 weeks now.. i first went up , first week in march, remember..

Anyway; Only a clutch kit and some braided fuel hose are left to buy; then i should have everything.

Im turning my attention back to the engine itself again as it hasnt seen any work done to it in a while, as ive been getting the shell ready.
New bits are slowly being continually bolted on..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/DSC00040.jpg
Some of the bits are coming off the X14XE in nova, thats soon coming out.. I will also do a minor clean up of the engine bay whilst having the space; but as its still top notch anyway, doesnt need much effort.

Then hopefully, enlisting the help of an expert to see us through the tough parts of the conversion; mainly as time is now not on my side for the summer shows pv etc.

But wish me luck as i try to ring martin now, and get my bits sorted.

[AlexW]

Coming along nicey. You going to break the x14? or sell it as a whole?

Good luck.

[Mazz]

I take it the suspension was ok then? Glad it passed..

[peester]

yep dude, thanks.

X14XE will sell compete, far too good a runner to break. Tho it will be missing the odd starter, alternator etc.

[John]

Nice manifold dave! where's that from? what rest of the exhaust are you running?

[peester]

Piper Corsa C 1.8 Sri. From work, discounted and on 6 months pay later lol. It needed a small channel welding up nad the manufacturer welds needed a bit of smoothing out..

Im struggling to find an affordable magnex/scorpion system; theyre starting to command premuim prices, used ..
So at the mo, the existing exhaust. We do have a very good powerflow man nearby so might use him to sort the exhaust.

[Adam]

Shame you didnt want an exhaust few month ago, i sold my brand new SS Scorpion system.....

Manifold looks nice :cool:

[John]

Piper Corsa C 1.8 Sri. From work, discounted and on 6 months pay later lol. It needed a small channel welding up nad the manufacturer welds needed a bit of smoothing out..

Im struggling to find an affordable magnex/scorpion system; theyre starting to command premuim prices, used ..
So at the mo, the existing exhaust. We do have a very good powerflow man nearby so might use him to sort the exhaust.

Lol dave, i picked up a complete magnex from stafford a couple of weeks back, hardly used and only £45!

[peester]

:-o :-(
seem to be missing them all.. not had much luck with exhaust

This piper corsa c manifold doubtful it would be sold anywhere for peanuts - check theyre site its mega bucks

[peester]

:mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :cry:

[AlexW]

?????????????????????????????????????????????????? ???????????

[peester]

martin bowyer :-(

[AlexW]

Still not come through with the goods? **** man.

[peester]

lol. No. Ignores my calls for days now, too. Typical of him.
Looks like its all cancelled for now.

[Adam]

Sounds just like what other people have said about him TBH

[peester]

Yeah no ones ever gonna make stories up about a guy/company, its all true.
His pissing about is now gonna make me piss other people about..

[craig green]

I don't envy you at all waiting on Bowyer. It should all be worth it however.

[John]

Gutted to hear that dave, really wanted to see this at the shows with the 1.8 in. The guy (bowyer) bought some carbs off me on -bay, didn't collect for three months, then was a bit sh1tty when i re-sold them, after countless unanswered calls to him.

[Nick J]

Shame to hear your being messed about Dave with the big vaux shows fast approaching.... Lets hope Mr bowyer manages to pull one out of the bag so you can crack on and make billing at least. :)

[peester]

thanks guys, i mean on the monday am i did speak to him there was talk of out-of-hours meetin up maybe.. etc etc. So perhaps something can be salvaged.

[draper]

seems to messing you about too much imo, id tell him to shove it and take your business elsewhere, its always annoying waiting on other people

[peester]

martin rang me yesterday :eek:

Says the loom is being made as we speak (bit last minute eh?) but still thinks ill have it ready for fitting for sunday. :wtf:
And i might need to change my ecu for a dearer one :tard:
same as the one they use on the rallycross car.. lol
More on that today, i hope..

[John]

Fingers crossed for you Dave!

[peester]

ta john, everyone :-)

..turns out its ok with the first ecu i had; so thats good; less messing about and no more £££'s..

Its a bit mad but im supposed to be going down to bowyers tommorow at some point to get the bits; but im at work 9am till 6pm!! :-S

[peester]

*Update
Not going to make PV. Martin Bowyer took a final piss this weekend by doing another disappearing act i fell for again. So still no 2nd lot of parts; really nowt to do now but polish little bits n bobs.
I don’t want to cut corners for the first proper show of the year so ill admit defeat for June.
As a bit of a consolidation at least i will have these illusive parts in my possession by P.V weekend and the car will have the Z18XE sitting in the ‘bay.
So, as said before, these are not the updates i wanted to give at this stage; we iz well turbo-laggin’ behind. But to bring us up to date, this is the collection of pics taken over the last few weeks of progress whilst waiting for Bowyer.
Bits off..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/DSC00058.jpg
With some rust on t’ valence :-o
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/DSC00055.jpg
So sorted it..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/DSC00059.jpg
Try to stop it coming back with some underseal, whilst stripping the car down some more..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/DSC00065.jpg
So! Engine out time! This was a tricky job as we'de forgot to position the car better, under the block n tackle..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/DSC00072.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/DSC00073-2.jpg
Oooh-err
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/DSC00074.jpg

Ive no more pics of the engine drop as ive left the camera at the unit..
but yeah - all in all ; it could and should have gone smoother.

Away from the car, prepping the Z18XE:
I needed to sort the Corsa C Sri Z18 Piper Exhaust Manifold, from this:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/DSC00037.jpg
To this; blanking the vac (i think) channel..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A1583.jpg
Then wrapped it..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A1597.jpg
Trying another set of springs on da coillies.. hmm which ones..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A1589.jpg
Will be fitting the middle ones. Hope it helps improve the ride.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/DSC00067-1.jpg

So i shall be at pv in the vectra of fail. But at least ive now got used to knowing it wont be there and have more room and time for doing this job proper.
More again soon

[scott.parker]

Shame mate, was looking forward to seeing it, ah well as you say best not to rush.

What exactly is it your waiting on? any reason he's taking his time/messing about?

Scott

[Mazz]

What a pisser dude :( Real shame you are being messed about.
btw, you finished with my strut's? Might need them back for mine!

[peester]

Right the crack with Bowyer:
As scott and others have asked- its the MBE wiring loom. He obviously hasnt got his wiring-man to make the loom until last week when i started hassling.

He told me on tuesday last week it would be ready later that day and that i can collect any day that week. I told him saturday (just gone) and then although i didnt ring him all week to remind/check/etc until the friday before; he did a disappear. Nothing since the tuesday we last spoke.

Reason? - just prob that im a non- motorsport team customer i think..

The thing is i went as anyone would to get the inlet - only he makes a small block 1.8 t.b inlet. Then you learn only he knows how to really make small blocks sing; knows his stuff. Then, bottom line really, hes done me this whole kit for £1600.
Pair Of Jenvey 45mm Parrallel T.b's with Bowyer Linkage (uses O.E GM Throttle Cable) & rail/fixings/fittings
Bowyer T.b Inlet Manifold
Reconditioned XE Cream Injectors (x4 PEKO for 200bhp+ were only £150 more, but i wont be running that much)
MBE 967 ECU & Custom Loom all made up to spec for me. (i think by swindon engines staff...?) He will upload a start up map for me too, when i collect.
x4 Shiney alli Ram Pipes
ARP ConRod Bolts (he machined the ends down for me)
FSE Fuel Regulator
Possibly also a backplate for an air filter (need to see when i go down)
He's sorted me a good, used GM coil pack and getting me some nice braided fuel pipe end connectors.
All his advice..Its just all the motorsport-ness bout it, can be trusted to not be 'selling' to u all the time like most places do.
As said time and time again - If he just did customer service/concern a bit better lol..

[peester]

Yes mazz, struts are avail. You goin p.v?

[Mazz]

might do, sunday only though i think, really cba with camping there...

[General Baxter]

sign of getting old mazz lol

[FB_evolutions]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/8VDasH.jpg
how do you do these! are they as simple as changing just the bulbs? if so anybody know the best place for the bulbs!

sorry to spam your thread mate - just look smart and wudnt mind it in mine the colors wouldnt look so outta place like the all yellow lol

[scott.parker]

IIRC it's a plastic sheet that replaces the original, so it's got all the individual colors on it, you can make you own, take the dash apart, get some thin frosted plastic draw where everything goes on your new template one, then put what ever color you want in (search ebay for some semi-transparent plastic paints?)

Scott

[BRoadGhost]

I do the conversions inculding LED illumination and that's my image btw.

[peester]

^^ ha! busted.

the milometer has never worked :mad:

other than that its been sweet :)

[Mazz]

sign of getting old mazz lol

I know! But its an expensive few months with car and horse show's!

PNG National day, PVS, Jap show thing, Billing, TOTB!

[peester]

Just to add those vital missing engine out pics from last update:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/DSC00076-1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/DSC00077.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/DSC00078.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/DSC00080.jpg

Also just add; still no fecking bowyer crap. See you at pv.

[Mike]

As said time and time again - If he just did customer service/concern a bit better lol..

Sounds like youve been having fun with Martin then lol

Yea ok he lacks customer service qaulitys immensly, but i can tell you Dave, anything 8v & he knows his shiz!! My old SR engine (Pre Novaload member days) was from him, 138bhp carb'ed 8v, he built that with uber speck but warned me it wouldnt last long lol lol lol

[Adam]

Do you not run a heater matrix Dave??

[Jay]

I like this very much :)

[AlexW]

Should of left the 1400 in untill PV, I guessed its not your fault the 18 isnt in lol

[peester]

^^ lol, yeah it was his last stunt thats left me high n dry, until then it was still in one piece..

thanks for the comments guys

ad; yeah john removed all that heater gubbins before i bought it, i wont bother putting it all back.

[peester]

Spent some of today taking the bits i need to keep off the x14xe. Will give it all a clean and a paint.
This tho, i wanna rose joint; put onto the short-shift with the new bushes.. or have have it all done for me :-) lol
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A1604.jpg

[John]

Nice work dave, there's been a new magnex for sale on here, you seen it? not all that cheap tho iirc.

http://www.pngclub.com/forum/showthread.php?t=122996

[peester]

john is the exhaust on the car really that bad? i have got a magnex back box to go on it remember..

[John]

john is the exhaust on the car really that bad? i have got a magnex back box to go on it remember..

Ahh yes i'd forgotten about that. Perhaps be as well to get a custom centre section made up then like you say. A standard magnex centre would have to be chopped about to fit your manifold anyway wouldn't it?

[peester]

I think there might be a need for a bit of chop-n-weld to get the magnex back-box onto the existing system, but looking at that small extension thats been put onto the front pipe; i think the manifold will fit straight to it..
Theres a bit of other work to get through first lol

[peester]

*lil update
went bowyers today for the rest of the bits; and he pretty much came through for us, having all; only his throttle cable bracket, the throttle pot and some braided hose ends were missing - says he's posting them by the weekend.
Had the guided tour today; :-o
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A1610.jpg
i guess it made up for his messin about a bit i suppose, though im not one to hold grudges or anything; hes done me good stuff at a good price, as said before.. but yeah an aladins cave springs to mind eh, performance engines bits and stuff everywhere.. like heaven really lol
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A1611.jpg
So to my small pile of bits; the ecu is inamongst that lot again because it had a basic map uploaded to it today, hence us being in his workshop.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/DSC00097.jpg
So lets get cracking.

[craig green]

Mental mess!

is that a E16SE inlet I spy?

[peester]

yup, bottom right, i saw that in there..
everything is there. Makes a great wheres wally.

[craig green]

Wheres Wally's cylinder Block? LOL

[peester]

well you wudnt miss martin thats for sure

[Mazz]

shweet dude :)
about time though...

[Benn]

Now i see why stuff takes so long to be done with him...

[peester]

*Update
Wiring fun today.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/DSC00110.jpg
Been peeling back the tape and trying to separate what i need to keep and what old engine loom can go. Quite confusing to work out what is what.. very slow progress.
In addition, ive decided to fetch the wing off and re-route the front/lighting loom in the inner to tidy the engine bay up a bit.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/DSC00106.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/DSC00104.jpg
This makes all the wiring faff hassle seem worthwhile, looks great.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/DSC00105.jpg

Ill continue to work through the wiring this week and also hope to get the bits on drivers side engine bay touched-in/sprayed up. You might have noticed some of the masking up..
As well as this im hoping to drop some of the other parts off to get help sorting them out whilst time runs away as it does.
More again soon.

[Mike]

well you wudnt miss martin thats for sure

LMFAO!! So true lol lol lol

[Benn]

Delooming is one of the best jobs ever.

[peester]

thanks benn, indeed - im with ya. tho your the daddy at that lol.
Those pics kinda mislead ; shows like ive completed the re-routing of the loom with the wing off in some pics then back on in others.
Ive finally found where the engine loom was connected to so that now gone, im now fitting the new mbe loom asa well as sorting and re-routing the existing loom.
Feeling much happier progress finally being made.

[peester]

Mini update found here lol
http://www.migweb.co.uk/forums/projects-restorations/283840-lees-garage-213.html

scroll to the bottom, yesterdays date..

[peester]

*Quick update..
So 2 weeks until billing..:eek: hmm.
Im waiting for martins last few bits; still no sign of the throttle pot, throttle bracket and hose finishers.. :( hmm.
But i have now ordered the last of the bits i should need to finish the project; right down pretty much to every last nut n bolt.
The weekends progress; Ive been trying to sort all the other little jobs in preparation for next weekends stab at getting the engine in and running.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/DSC00120.jpg
The new engine itself is ready to go in, pretty much as you see it here; once the alternator/tensioner/belt setup has been fitted and then whole lot paired with new clutch and the F15 'box. The rest of the bits will bolt on when in the 'bay.
Other main job was to finish the on going job of running the wiring loom in between the inner and outer wing..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/DSC00124.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/DSC00128.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/DSC00126.jpg
All done now, p-clipped and tube'd.. just hope ive done it all right and it works lol.
Elsewhere engine mounts are done, a mate from work sprayed them up with his compressor, summat i just can't get round to affording to buy for myself a nice one with all the bits..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/DSC00114.jpg
Finally, i picked up a bargain, £77 off ebay, a top condition Magnex full stainless system..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/DSC00115.jpg
Did a quick 'mock-up' of the system with manifold.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/DSC00118.jpg
Chuffed with that.
So hopefully ill be bringing a big big update next weekend, with the engine and running gear in, at least, but hopefully running also.
More soon.

[Mazz]

Mounts looks ace, as does the system - be nice to see it one piece again!

[peester]

ta mate, i agree!

[Iain]

Nice work hiding the loom, looks like you didn't even need to cut any holes too? Using the side repeater hole?

[peester]

ta iain yes side repeater hole, but because the loom with the conduit tubing is quite bulky now, i have nipped a bit off the slam panel; where it meets the wing when its fitted; so the loom fits inbetween..
You see the linkage work i had done??

[Iain]

Just looked now, looks good, quickshift too? One thing though, could you maybe invert that bolt on the selector end, as I remember having clearance issues with the gearbox with just a standard thinner nut than what you're using.

[peester]

righto. cheers mate

[Adam]

Good stuff, looking well.

Going to have to the mod the system to get it to fit the manifold??

[peester]

cheers ad, it doesnt look like it will; with it being small block engine and it sits spot on flange to flange off the car.. but until its on the car wont really know.

[peester]

*Update
Righty, last update before the big one.
Finished the loom re-routing: (the big wooden box in pics is resting on the loom where is used some sealant, whilst drying)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/DSC00130-1.jpg
I gave the whole area a quick whizz-around of waxoil too, especially where i had made a bit of an incision into the slam panel for the wiring to run through.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/DSC00131.jpg
Wing back on, sorted.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/DSC00134.jpg
Did a little more picking and probing at the engine. Alternator issues..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/DSC00136.jpg
It only fits, at the mo, with the rear cover removed lol..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/DSC00144.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/DSC00148.jpg
So a bit of work still to do with that..

[peester]

..also, today did a bit of painting, touching up parts of the engine bay, as it didnt really need a complete respray..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A1633.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/DSC00158.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/DSC00160.jpg
Left it to dry out , harden like this tonight, see the reveal un masked pics tommorow/friday.
As mentioned, big update after the weekend.

[let_nova]

looking good. is the loom hard to re-route?

[AlexW]

Looking good, Shame you cant move the alt down a bit like 8v's.

Seeing the loom movment makes me think about moving mine.

[peester]

nah i think the loom thing was pretty straight forward, even if working with wires is summat i do everyday virtually..
It does take a fair while tho, time-wise.
But its just like for like, colour to colour - you just cut and extend the loom..
The slight modification to bodywork for running the completed loom felt a bit bodgy at the time with me snipping the metal but as long as you take the time to dremel it tidy and once youve touched up the paint / underseal it looks as o.e i almost say. Use trunking and P-clips, all proper, you know.

[John]

Looking good Dave!

[peester]

*Update
Yesterday we got the engine in. Migweb'ers might have seen mentioned in lee303's thread , but for the actual thread ive got my thru-the-stages pics:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/DSC00168.jpg
Off stand, v flywheel on....
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/DSC00170.jpg
f15 on.. hello mr lee
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/DSC00171.jpg
and in..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/DSC00173.jpg
bolted up.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/DSC00174.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/DSC00176.jpg

So as planned, engine went in like any small block does. No real hassle. Like any competition mount puts up a little fight then get hammered into fitting.
There are some tweeks needed here n there with the new linkage and alternator mounting still and obviously lots still to do wiring fitting in and outlets...
Ill update as we progress.
First job, to get the suspension and brakes and the car back on its wheels; i need to persuade the old track rods to come off..

[Riggy]

looks very nice dave mate :thumb:

[The Simps]

This is gonna be cool when finished.

[craig green]

Good stuff.

Simps, this car already is cool.

[peester]

thanks guys :-)
as with your project simps, finally seeing the engine in the 'bay gives that pickup, push forward to carry on.
I managed to pop up briefly today and add the manifold and start continue with the coolant system, but when i get more chance ill be correcting the issues from yesterday first.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/DSC00222.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/DSC00224.jpg
Also just wanted to mention with yesterdays engine fitting; these 'budget' solid mounts (they were brand new £89 delivered, same as adam's) they do seem a decent enough buy, fitting wise, so far anyway.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/234242727.jpg
I guess they promise near-the-£150 usual silver solid mounts performance for quite a bit less. Tho ive not driven the car yet lol.

[scott.parker]

Dave there the same on mine, and they are SOLID!

[peester]

ooh feck. are they? lol

[Rick Draper]

They look almost identical to the ones i got off Harry Hockly and they know there onions.

[scott.parker]

ooh feck. are they? lol

Yeah but that why you buy them, if you want **** soft one's go standard lol

TBH it's not that bad, you will get use to the steering wheel vibrating slightly, and the doors rattling when open lol

[lee303]

looking good dave, i would have worn a better t shirt if i;d have known i was gonna be in the picslol
shame we had a few issues, but at least you're getting somewhere now, i think on the linkage its the side to side bar that needs adjusting, possibly need one of the joints swapping to the other side of the plate its on, aswell as that bit of trimming the plate needs
be good to see this done soon!

[peester]

yes lee im trimming tommorow first, then ill go from there; keep trying bit by bit.
Ill find some heat for those old t.r.e's too

[lee303]

you could see the cross bar was limiting the movement as well, forgot to say yesterday, but i'm sure you'll sort it easily, i reckon fit the front dampers to stabilise the hubs, then put the track rods on the hubs to help hold them while you undo, as they are well seized:thumb: