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

[peester]

Hey hi its me with john's (G88KAG's) old shell, well car really.
As most of you know it was (about 2 years ago) a finished, mag featured example, half interior, caged, 1.4 16v. John kept and/or sold some of the bits over time so I bought it like this..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/DSC00057.jpg
(mobile pic)
I normally buy standard, as nice/new as poss cars if I'm planning to treasure/project it. (This car has barely any history, or originality with it) But I couldn't ignore this with its 'as if its just been painted' appearance, so it was just a matter of finishing it off, rather than start from scratch. Plus I want a car to go to nurburgring next year, get into tracking/sprints a bit too so it should do an ok job, its up the right street.
I'm not a mechanic, have little space and tools; so progress has been slow considering there's not really much it needs.. Also I used to have loads of nova spares, but spent '06 selling all of it off, so having to kinda re-stock up there too..
Anyway, heres a few project pics as its gone along.. just a shortened 'catch-up' to today..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/DSCF0899.jpg
Got it home..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/Back4.jpg
Stuck some lights on it..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/Interior2.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/Interior.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/DSCF0897.jpg
Interior, as it was/is...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/chromeblotsfitted1.jpg
had barely any wing bolts holding it, so..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/8VDasH.jpg
no clocks, so fitted these..

[peester]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/dfloor1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/dfloor2.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/dfloor3.jpg
Cleaned drivers' floor up a bit..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/dfloor4.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/Seatofferedupexternal2.jpg
Carpet and Seats then trialled..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/InteriorCCd.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/Seatofferedupexternal.jpg

Up to current day, as you can see from the dates, lol.
From here ill update the thread more often so..
Staying on the Interior first, finsihing that. Will be all in and sorted soon, then move onto the mechanicals. Brakes and just to pop a backbox on.
Have a set of 4 BF Goodridge brake hoses on order and just picked up the some new clips:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/DSC01286.jpg
Backbox is coming early next month so use the new rubbers to stick that on.

To be continued...

[Adam]

Very nice, tis an awesome shell :)

[peester]

Very nice, tis an awesome shell :)

Thanks for your help, in the first place mate.. john did mention you a few times whilst i was looking/buying..
Its still not quite much too look at and its not going to look too different from when john had it finished, but i am gonna try and add my touch to it as much as poss.

[Winty]

Remember this when john had it took him awhile sell it but looks like its got a good home so gd luck with ur work matey

[Lee]

I dunno, look at that paint line down the middle, ill be having words with 'half a job john' next time i see him lol.

Good work though mate in all seriousness, glad the shells gone to a good home. Just dont mash it against a 'ring armco!

[Mazz]

Looking good Dave! Look's more like a car now with carpet and a seat(s)...rather than a mobile storage thing (like mine!)
btw, i might have a half cage for sale if you want, it won't fit mine as the cage if a non-sunroof one :mad:

[peester]

btw, i might have a half cage for sale if you want, it won't fit mine as the cage if a non-sunroof one :mad:

ooooh darn.. thats a 'stage 2' planned mod lol.. ill catch ya soon no doubt, we'll talk. lol.

[Mike]

Looks good that chap, one of the days i may pop over stafford way an see yours and mazz's in the steel and have a mini meet lol

[shy witness]

very nice indeed

[puss puss]

mint! wish my nova looked like that lol good job

[FB_evolutions]

how did you do the clocks buddy i want do something along them lines in mine

[Adam]

how did you do the clocks buddy i want do something along them lines in mine
Get a colour film set from
http://www.picbits.co.uk/catalog/index.php/cPath/57

[peester]

^^^ yeah, but i did it the lazy way - just paid over the odds n got one already done. Tho mileage has been reset on them too..
Theyre not in terribly good condition the clocks - just at night u cant see scratches n stuff as badly..

[Mazz]

Looks good that chap, one of the days i may pop over stafford way an see yours and mazz's in the steel and have a mini meet lol

Sound's like a plan :)

[Dave.]

nice.. what did you do with all the png stuff? lol

[peester]

nice.. what did you do with all the png stuff? lol

Its all john stuff that; he took it off, left me with PVG ones on but i didn't want them.

[peester]

**wee update**
Not a lot has gone on since last update. The weather, finances and a lil holiday saw to that..
But what has been done follows below..
-Brakes; originally i mistakingly bought the older 8valve delco type calipers. Recently ive managed to acquire (thanks kev/c20letboy(ctor/mig)) some ATE calipers, so cleaned them up and providing they still work; theyll now be going on:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/ATECaliperPrePaint.jpg
Yukky
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/ATECaliperPaint.jpg
Yummyer. Hammerite spray, yellow.. amazingly. - tis brighter than pic leads on..
-Interior; all the action still is in here. After fitting the carpet the pedals looked a bit too rough; (still old bodyshop dust n dirt)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/PedalsPreCleanup.jpg
Yukky
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/PedalsPostCleanup.jpg
Yummyer. Just washed them down, hammerite spray, done.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/PedalsCleanup7.jpg
After that i hit a problem with my cobra seats, The nova gsi/gte subframes john sorted for me (many thanks) dont match up to the cobra seats at all..
So i've taken the plunge (very reluctantly lol) and shelled out for cobra tayloured subframes.. Not arrived yet but will update when they do. I got them at a very good price so can't complain; my one trade contact sorted me out. Still weren't cheap tho at a little over trade..
Pictured subframes will be going up for sale soon as it happens.

[Adam]

Looking good, loving the blue carpet.

[peester]

...
-Interior: But the rest of the interior was put together; excluding door cards, as im still waiting on window winder/mechanisms which are next to do.
So with the seats just placed in for now, lol.. here's how..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/InteriorInLoose2.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/InteriorInLoose3.jpg
For those of you who partook in the window surrounds thread that fired up a few weeks back in styling; those ones off ebay did show, 5 weeks later. lol
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/FrontWindowSurrounds.jpg
We'll see what we do with those.. most look ok, some not-so..
Lastly big shout out to Nova Boy Roy (mig) he sorted me with this:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/StainlessBackBox.jpg
Top man, good price, quality part. Hope it fits lol.

Thats all this week, next week; or so - backbox seats window mechs and hopefully maybe even brakes should be on n sorted then interior can be finished and the car should be mobile...
Yay.

[draper]

looks spot on matey, painting the pedal arms is a nice touch aswell :thumb:

[John]

Nice work dave, i'm glad my car has gone to a good home!

oh and btw, if thats a gte magnex it will fit straight on, as thats what i had.

Good luck with the subfames, i told you the mare i had.

Lookin good chap, what you doin about wheels?

[peester]

Lookin good chap, what you doin about wheels?

thanks john, hopefully not long before its back out and about..

wheels..... hmm.
Don't know yet, ulitmately.. Just to get it mobile for now i have some slabs ill throw on it..


Ta for the comments - hope to get it roadworthy for USC (ill just be 1 day visiting) and showishable (lol) it at trax..

[asscona78]

Looking great!

Where did you get that stainless exhaust?

[peester]

exhaust was used; off a chap on migweb.co.uk..
think its a Piper Stainless Backbox for a GTE.. Quite possibly over ?150 new..

[craig green]

Good progress.

[Lee Page]

What clocks that out of?

[peester]

What clocks that out of?

the digi dash you mean?? Astra mk2 GTE 8valve.. they have had filters (coloured/tinted transparent film) fitted to change the illumination colour tis all to differenciate from O.E.

[Ernie]

looking good mate and ive seen it on retro cars to.

[Lee Page]

Very clean project you got there mate.

[peester]

... thanks for comments; keep them coming..
just please do remember (and as i work on the car i learn) its all tribute to G88KAG johns graft in the first place.. was clean n a very good base for me to just finish off..

[peester]

My tailored Cobra subframes arrived! So, despite being delayed by rain most of the day; took to the interior to finally try and get those seats bolted in once and for all.. and.. theyre not as 'tailored' as one would think.
Earlier this afternoon i posted in mechanical for opinions on the fitting of the subframes as i was suprised how untailored they actually are..
Anyway, firstly bolted the frame up the the top set of holes at the front, then we moved the frame forwards; onto the second set of lower holes.. and bolted it all loosely for now; not drilling the holes for rear as yet.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A0092.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A0091.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A0093.jpg
So the one is now in. In enough of a fashion to have sat ourselves in the car for the first time since i bought it, lol...
You do sit high. Not terribly bad... i mean i have forgotten what the recaros in the GTE/GSi's were like... prob loads lower, lol. But right now im not massively fussed, what i will do to the passenger one tho- just to try, is remove the 4 spacer/collet/sleeves that seem unneccessary.. - that will take a bit more off the height.. then if its better ill do it to the drivers side. So we see. They are awesome seats tho; never had anything like this before.
Be posting, as usual, on here.

[draper]

not meaning to be rude/horrible but them subframes dont look that good imo

[paulwar]

does it matter? do u look under the seat n go oh i don't like the subframes....

enough room for a small speaker ;)

[peester]

lol..

Nah ur right, theyre no oil painting, im ok with them; look more hardcore.
But as it is ive got the seats now and have no alternative so in they go..
The cobra seats do whooop any tired old nova seat for looks/comfort, and theres always time for 'adjustment'/'mods' to those frames, so we see.. Not doin it for anyone else, i myself arent chuffed with the height ultimately but for now focus is on getting it mobile so, onwards..
Next update monday evening.

[peester]

*Update*
Got quite a bit done last couple of evenings,.. took pics so heres an update.
Sunday afternoon, after work - were keen to try the O.E, direct fitting - exhaust i picked up off John (thanks mate) mainly so the car didn't upset the whole street whenever we wanted to move it..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/O.EBackboxFitted.jpg
So a temporary item until the car's MOT'd n legal then i can take it better places to work on and fit the stainless magnex i acquired.
Then whilst the back of the car was in the air, we decided to make a start on the brakes; long overdue.. so gave everything a check up and fitted the Braided Flexi Hoses:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/RearBrakes7.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/RearBrakes10.jpg
I just gave the wheel a clean n smart up while it was off.
All back on:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/Outside6.jpg
One side done. We will need to return to both rear flexis again however, just to nip up the pipe screws; didn't have an 11mm brake spanner between us..

[peester]

The next day; i set about nailing these seats. It seems like its taken forever to sort; the situation up until that morning being the drivers was bolted in at the front but not at the back (where these tailored frames need x2 holes drilling in the floor) and the passengers wasn't even trial-fitted yet.
Both the Cobra Tailored Subframes were fitted with x4 spacer/collet/sleeves that bolt the slider part with the base part of the subframe... In order to lower the height of the seat; it seemed removing these would help a bit and be perfectly safe.. so with the passenger 'frame's spacers moved -went about fitting it.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/PassSubframefitting.jpg
Offering up the 'frame..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/PassSubframefitting3.jpg
Holes done..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/PassSubframefitting4.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/PassSubSeatfitted2.jpg
Fitting up..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/PassSubSeatfitted.jpg
Done..
The seat was in pretty solid. There was a little play if you shook the top of the backrest part of the seat but i just think the backrest isn't massively tight to the base of the seat.
The drivers-side needed to come back out- have its spacers moved and the holes drilling and fitting up properly then.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/DriSubframefitting3.jpg
All done.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/BothSubSeatsFitted2.jpg
Fookin whoopeee.
Although i am generally happy with the look; I think maybe next time ill look into side mount 'subframes'; its the only way of mounting most bucket/aftermarket seats in your nova; without any massive riffraff or height issues or ???'s... maybe.
Anyway; to round up this update; once the seats and subframes were in, sorted - took to the other rear drum to finish up on the rear brakes.
So now x2 Goodridge Braided Brake Hoses at the rear are done.
Next update; hopefully at the weekend or next week. Fitting front brakes.
Then not far off MOT me thinks..

[peester]

*Update*
This weekend we continued to focus on the brakes; thus far we've not taken the front end off the floor so after doing the back last week; this was the last 'area' that could spring a few unwanted suprises..
Starting on the drivers side we firstly trialed the calipers up ; then cleaned everything up and started fitting away..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/S8000551.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/S8000553.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/S8000554.jpg
As we got things into place we were having jip with the calipers' piston firstly seizing then it fell out completely. These ATE's were donated to me weeks ago and were worth giving a bash but theyve had it...
So just out of well, desperation, we tried the old Delco calipers i had knocking about (not very old, good nick) but ...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A0117.jpg
Nah. No go it seems.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A0121.jpg
So no go with calipers this weekend. But we carried on and did the other side reguardless...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A0131.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A0141.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A0146.jpg
It was here where we found the only slight unwanted suprise..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A0135.jpg
So we've fibreglassed it - tho pic of that didn't want to upload for some reason.. lol
We also fitted a new horn as the passenger side was up so another 'for mot' issue sorted. No pic of that tho.

[peester]

Couple of mincy pics once all back on the ground..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A0126.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A0116.jpg
I ended the weekend pratting with the front window frame surrounds; ive bought two sets in the last few weeks and hope to have enough out the two to make a goodun..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A0115.jpg
Painted; to fit this week..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A0150.jpg
So ok progress, glad that we've now been throughout the car and theres no more trouble it would seem that needs sorting. . More updates soon; getting tired tonight.. meh.

[craig green]

Good stuff Peester.

[Iain]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A0135.jpg
So we've fibreglassed it - tho pic of that didn't want to upload for some reason.. lol

Where is that? I love the yellow components everywhere :thumb:

[Adam]

Where is that? I love the yellow components everywhere :thumb:
Looks like the splash gaurd.

[peester]

^^ yup.. passenger side..i took a better pic of it - but it didn't want to upload. Mudguards maybe?? lol.
The yellow components all thanks to john again; ive just been doing a little touching up to it - with more to come..

thanks for comments

[paddy138]

i like the blue material on the floor. what is it. where did you get it

[Adam]

i like the blue material on the floor. what is it. where did you get it
Nova Antibes carpet...

[trossnova]

im loveing it mate its going to be another minter wen its done keep the great work up

[peester]

*wee update*
fiddled with window surrounds today; painted them up last weekend; so made a start..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A0155.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A0163.jpg
By total fluke i happened to fit them in the correct order, and although i kept going needing to remove the quarter glass.. -
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A0167.jpg
..progress was then halted when the local vxl dealer phoned me back to say they didn't keep the clips i need for the long bottom frame, in stock..
So theyre on order - will pick this up at the weekend when the clips arrive.
So aftert that i turned my attention to a bit of wiring; making a start on stereo wiring...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A0165.jpg
Also finishing/tidying the digidash wiring. (No pics tho)
All is well except the handbrake light; can't get it to work..
Tis all for now. More soon.

[Ernie]

you will need to change your quarter window ruber as it will be differant for the window suronds to fit along the bottom.

[peester]

you will need to change your quarter window ruber as it will be differant for the window suronds to fit along the bottom.

balls. Thought i would. The rubber doesn't look like fitting all the way around so ill have to change the lot. Ok. Thats gona take some time...
Thanks tho mate :thumb:

[Ernie]

i should of said before. No worrie's

[SRimon]

You can cut the original rubbers, but best to get windowframed window rubbers, don't want it leaking!

[16v-kev]

looking good there dave mate !! its coming along really well

[peester]

^^ lol; first post mate??
is it you kev; c20let boy?

[peester]

*Update* - including stripped out pizza!
The combination of payday, trax and watching the fast and the furious on itv2 or 3 last night (mostly prob the cheesy film, mainly) inspired me to carry on with the car a bit more today; it being my day off..
I haven't done anything in a while, ive needed the parts - prefered to wait it out until the right parts and the right prices came my way rather than willy-nilly spending on whatever i get my mits on first..
Anyway; big big thanks to colin (novarally) for the door glass rubbers; theyve done the job spot on.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A0187.jpg
I did think they were the incorrect ones when opening the parcel, however a nights sleep later i checked again to discover i was lookin at them the wrong way round.. lol
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A0190.jpg
Old, standard 3/4 glass rubber with glass about to be removed..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A0191.jpg
New, framed 3/4 glass rubber, glass about to be fitted to it..
I cleaned everything up; did the swap then went to the car..

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A0194.jpg
Ide already made a start weeks ago; as seen in last update. In between all ive done is painted the 3/4 window post. Anyway like a man on a mission i went at it in one swoop.. neglecting to take many pics along the way..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A0196.jpg
Then we was done, lol..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A0199.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A0198.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A0200.jpg
Looks loads better - all in all went ok, the car now has the symetrical/balanced look back and i hope the satin black breaks the sea of blue down a tad, even if its only subtle ..

[peester]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A0201.jpg
Then i retired for lunch..

Found this.. - But i dont like vegetables.. or spices..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A0203.jpg
So 2 mins later; all stripped out. Unwanted weight in a nice pile then thrown away. lol..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A0204.jpg
Yum.

[bigbened]

lol i would have ate the spices

[peester]

*Update
Success!! It stops...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/th_SV_A0026.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/?action=view&current=SV_A0026.flv)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A0240.jpg
Spent the weekend finishing the brakes.. been a long time coming but finally got it hooked up - things went well, weather, mood etc etc...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A0253.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A0252.jpg

Also, ive made a start on refitting the seats..
Previously fitted on 'tailoured' cobra subframes, where the rear mountings have to go through the floor..
That way sucks; there is too much play/flex in the poor old floor for anyone to be happy never mind safe etc etc..
So im going to mount them differently, for now all ive done is removed one of the seats to guinea pig another, better way to fit them. Grometted the old holes up..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A0244.jpg
Lastly, we did a little more to the one bit of major rust on the car; inner arch edge - was fibreglassed ages ago; now undersealed - but will layer more unseal again soon...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A0257.jpg
Thats it pics.. Have one or two more short vids of the car tootling in the street; tho fascinating for me , its not massivley exciting viewing, testing brakes lol..
The car is soon to move to new premises; a lil lock up where its properly out of the weather.
Ill be continuing to tinker over winter; but once the seats are back in to a degree im happy with; theres not much left to do really..
I keep ya posted.

[Adam]

Cool
Im liking the yellow bits.

Who's is the beemer? Lol

[peester]

yellow bits are cool.. johns handy work tho dude.. im just carrying it on really.
Bimmer is my mates'. It is as good as it looks; full respray (imo didnt need one!) spax, scorpion, mint mint it is.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/DSC00053.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/DSC00049.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/DSC00038.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A0077-1.jpg

[Adam]

FOOK me, i love those motors :cool::cool:

[peester]

..just to add, ad..
I went and ordered x4 nova 1.2 caliper to hub bolts; after you pm'd me back - they fitted ok; as you can see...
Whether it was becasue they were new and/or had new nutlock on already.. or that calibra bolts simply dont fit.. - they looked very similar so to this day unsure, but went with what you kinda suggested and presto.. worked a treat.

[Adam]

Cool mate.
I think the calibra ones are different bolts, slightly bigger thread or something.

[Mazz]

Looking good dude :) Must pop round and have a nose when i'm free..

[paulwar]

what type of paint was that used on the inside.... i guess it was rubbed down then sparyed?

[peester]

what type of paint was that used on the inside.... i guess it was rubbed down then sparyed?

Yeah; same as out.. But i guess other than areas of glue it would just have been factory undercoat/primer or some topcoat; so yeah quick sand down, primer then new topcoat over it.

[Riggy]

looking very nice davey lad :thumb:

[GRUNT 16V]

Looking good!!!! have you got the Back box on yet?????? and did you recieve the Magnex emblem?????

[peester]

Looking good!!!! have you got the Back box on yet?????? and did you recieve the Magnex emblem?????


duuuuuude!!

i did and im chuffed..
But no, not yet - its not something we can do on my drive tbh (we did give it a go) but as soon as its mot'd (prob early next year now) it'll go on - can't wait myself.. never actually had a proper stainless before.. how sad lol

[peester]

Wanted to add - my old XE is up for sale again lol
How sweet would it look in my current project - all blue powder coating and polishedness...
http://www.migweb.co.uk/forums/items-sale/333688-chromed-powder-coated-c20xe-f20.html
But i dont have ?400...

[krobinson]

Save, borrow, whatever you can and get it back! Offer him ?200 and a handjob? lol

Keith

[blue_peg_16v]

sell your gran lol

[draper]

gran-nap his gran and sell her back to him

[peester]

the wee'est of updates..
Car has been moved. We did it this afternoon. Chuffed its gonna stay mint now; out of the elements just as its gettin bad out..

hello..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/DSC01415.jpg
So, thats the winter hibernating sorted. Over winter plans:
I need to finish the interior on the car. Just one part of it (interior, exterior, engine) needs to be 'done'. So ignoring everything else for a bit; this is my main focus for next few months.
Starting with those stupid subframes. Im fiddling with them again. As you can see (passenger side at least,) the cobra 'thru-the-floor' frames are out and, off camera, theyve been chopped up to be refitted a better way soon hopefully.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A0261.jpg
Here sits the O.E nova frame, we're measuring up at the mo; working out ways of gettin the cobra frames adapted to sit in hopefully, a lot lower and not using the floor; than before.
Ill keep posting updates, as per.

[Adam]

Good move getting it in the garage.

Whats been the problem with the subframes? Did you buy "proper" ones?

[General Baxter]

lol check out my old cally on the video :D

[peester]

Good move getting it in the garage.

Whats been the problem with the subframes? Did you buy "proper" ones?

yeah but, u saw what cobra's version of "proper" was..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A0086.jpg
ok at the front; jsut far too high..
look at the back - its pants.
So we are lowering the height,.. (60mm!) and fabricating ****e for the rear. Prob donor the O.E subframes.

[peester]

lol check out my old cally on the video :D

beh?

[Adam]

Oh right, aye they dont look the best quality,Lol.

[peester]

Oh right, aye they dont look the best quality,Lol.

They cost ?75 ish each normally!!!
I paid ?95 for the two, still pissed.. lol.

My point is the floor mounting; u said urself in a post ages ago the floor is too thin to use as a main mounting point; 1mm thick metal; and yet cbra think thats enough to mount seats to; safety eh..
I weigh just over 9st, and when i sit in it and move about the floor gives, very slightly; to the movement of the seat like..
crap.

[General Baxter]

beh?

had a blonde moment :thumb:

[Adam]

They cost ?75 ish each normally!!!
I paid ?95 for the two, still pissed.. lol.

My point is the floor mounting; u said urself in a post ages ago the floor is too thin to use as a main mounting point; 1mm thick metal; and yet cbra think thats enough to mount seats to; safety eh..
I weigh just over 9st, and when i sit in it and move about the floor gives, very slightly; to the movement of the seat like..
crap.
Indeed, that bit of the floor is piss thin, and bends when you press on it with your hand :eek:

[SKoob]

If you're gonna use the Cobra mount, weld a plate across the area that needs to be bolted to, thats what i've had done :thumb:

[Matt GTE]

I've got the crap Cobra mounts too. I had to remove the spacers between the frame and runners and also re-drill the drivers side to bring the seat in towards the centre of the car as it was very close to the door with the steering wheel over my left knee.

That done I'm still not happy with them so I think I'm going get my mate to weld in a couple of pieces of box section between the inner sills and tunnel on each side and then bolt the Cobra runners to that. I'd have gone side mount but more than 1 person will be driving the car(if it ever gets finished) so need the adjustment. I think I only paid for mine about what you did but it's still about 10 times what they're worth, if I'd paid ?75 each I'd have been fuming... utter crap!!

Thread hijack over, car looks mint ;).

[peester]

^^ nah mate, no hijack.. im totally feeling the cobra subframe hate.
Utter crap, as you say.
Skoob; im not welding more weighty metal to a good floor; itll seem wrong, especially when there is two perfectly good O.E meant for it mounts right there. I shall simply merge the rear nova subframe to the cobra one.
Keep them pealed here to see how that turns out.

[peester]

*meh.. Update..
Thought ide update, even tho not a lots gone on really?
havent updated since end of October(!))
Ive kinda gone through my ?break? with the nova; both to allow funds to recover and with it bein sooo cold out, to work on it.
I just visit the car every so often to ?thaw? it out a bit ..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A0320.jpg
But, one annoying thing ? a bit of ye old mould is starting to set in.. grrrr?
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A0431.jpg
It does just clean off with upholstery cleaner, right?? Anyone use of those fish-tank like moisure powder/box things?? Does it work?

Anyway; here?s the little I have been getting on with:
Making steady progress with the interior; seat subframes are still slowly being bodged..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A0295.jpg
Also; ive acquired a mk1 dash which im messing with indoors ? getting it to look how I want it to..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A0285.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A0408.jpg
(digiclocks pictured are a spare, one I got hold of to mess with)
..landed what I think looks a bit like a ?poor mans? fearless rear strut brace :
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A0428.jpg
Also, prior to both the above - these winders I got from colin smith a while back..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A0289.jpg
Be fitting those soon too.. many thanks again col.

My time is being taken up by the other cars in my life, lol ? one of them; the calibra, im readying to sell..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A0432.jpg
When the it?s sold ? I can turn my attention fully towards the nova again; as mentioned, I hope to spend February finishing the interior then March the exterior for MOT in middle to end of March.. gives me a few months lee-way (sp) then for any ?surprises?. Hopefully not tho, then thereafter I will give the engine a good going over.. that?s what im really looking forward to lol

[craig green]

Keep ait mate. Those moisture trap things work well.

I'd suggest a couple in the car & a couple in the garage floor under the car perhaps.

[John]

Is that a brown mk1 dash dave??!

[peester]

^^ oooh! big up craig,.. thanks for the tip. :)

yes john.. rich asked me that too when he popped round, lol..
blame dave marshall on mig.. he was pretty much giving it away.. :(

[Steve]

Dodgy dave ay!? lol

Didnt think he did nova bits anymore?

Good luck with the digi dash, a mate of mine spent ages getting it to fit his mk1 dash perfectly, I think he cut out the square console around the clocks and made up brackets for it first, then glued the main console back in.

[peester]

dodgy? .. yes at the mo..
but please its a wip.. :)
Im kinda with u tho steve; what ur friend has done- is the same kinda idea i have, tho i think one of these, cut and adapted to fit, will play a part..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/100_1003.jpg
(not mine)

[Steve]

I take it thats a mk2 astra one? could work although might take quite a bit of fiddling.

I'll see if I can get a pic of my mates one. :thumb:

[peester]

yeah astra mk2 gte.. yes fiddling lol.
its all in the details.

yeah, pic would be cool mate. thanks.

[peester]

... completely forgot bout the subframe pic -
heres a quick pic of the subframe.. how far im up to.. just tacked and stuck together for now lol..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A0336.jpg
to bring up to speed - im adapting fitting a cobra subframe with oe gm nova subframe bits to fit like the o.e did.. kinda thing..
nice n low, without using the floor as a mounting point.. getting there..

[Adam]

Looking good Dave.
Might want to keep an eye on the seats getting damp, that might take more than interior cleaner to get off.

[peester]

^^^ wah.. dont say that..
ok ill sort it,.. ive been investigating moisure mates all afternoon lol

[Adam]

Remove the seats and store them in your house lol

[adamekg]

Nice Nova, nice job!
Bardzo ładny projekt. Musisz to pokazać na forum corsa-a.pl.
Pozdrawiam

[joethrelk]

What a cool colour. Do you know what its called or what its supposed to be on? :thumb:

[peester]

thanks for the comments peeps.. :)
the colour?; was told its toyota clear blue. Ive not found that colour to this day, in any listings/info books - (to have more paint mixed in future..)
I have found a toyota blue (several, actually) and a toyota clear white so many the colour was a mixture of the two..?

[Rickyb]

looking good matey i like it alot :thumb:

[John]

thanks for the comments peeps.. :)
the colour?; was told its toyota clear blue. Ive not found that colour to this day, in any listings/info books - (to have more paint mixed in future..)
I have found a toyota blue (several, actually) and a toyota clear white so many the colour was a mixture of the two..?

dave, the colour came from the rm paint mixing scheme we had at the independant garage where i used to work, I chose the colour swatch out of the many we had for matching paint, when the rep visited i got thim to tell me the name and colour code, the name i have, code unfortunately not. Any good paint suppliers should be able to match from the remainders i gave you in the tin.:thumb:

[peester]

ah.. see see.. maybe im not trying 'good' suppliers then..
nice one, thanks john. Ill keep trying.

[John]

ah.. see see.. maybe im not trying 'good' suppliers then..
nice one, thanks john. Ill keep trying.

Try morelli. Or "trade" paint suppliers.

[Mazz]

There's a place in Cannock which makes car paints Dave, just by the college..

[16v-kev]

There's a place in Cannock which makes car paints Dave, just by the college..

chase auto paints good lads there

[Mazz]

Yep, they be the buggers! You local then?

[peester]

its kev!! but he still wont tell me what nova he's planning to build :(

[16v-kev]

its kev!! but he still wont tell me what nova he's planning to build

im not anymore mate had me knee done again and have to go easy on it so selling up now !

yep cannock way ive know peester for some years now lol

[peester]

..oh and the 'by the college'... - progress drive u mean??

[Mazz]

Do/did you work for Vauxhall?

[16v-kev]

yep still do
lol

[Mazz]

Yeah, i'm sure thats the one...we've had load's from there for the Nova's and Cav..

[Mazz]

Ah, i may have met you then, long long time ago at the Barley Mow in Milford, back when Dave had his 1.2spi, and i had a 1.2 carb...you had a Cav SRi/GSI iirc

[peester]

*Update
Seat subframe faffin the return..
Finally a ‘prototype’ lol has been mocked up. It nearly fits so just a little re-jigging and we’ve got one done.
The aim is a success.. the frame is more central, the seat will sit lower and without using the floor of the car. So we’ve improved upon the original design ; something ive not really done before.. Although over that original cobra design it wasn’t difficult.
Please note – welding is rough and tacked for the time being.. (mate has done the welding)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A0607.jpg
In car.. a little dark when we got there..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A0608.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A0609.jpg
Will take better pics later in the week; hoping to finish it properly, painted up.. then refit the passenger seat in its new, lower position. Awesome.
Then gotta do the drivers frame lol. Hope to get that done in one day tho.
Harnesses will then be fitted up, nice and easy - just leaves the dash to do.
Elsewhere ive spent almost all my time sorting the calibra to sell. Progress is slow there lol.
More soon.

[peester]

*continuing update.. kinda..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A0624.jpg
Custom rear springs arrived in post, so all other work on hold until we tried them out. Yes they are that small. We're not beating about the bush lol..
crank dat:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A0627.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A0628.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A0632.jpg
Aye.. tis what i thought.. should have heard us at the time.. B*&^?"!"*S!!!
Good ****.

Moving on - nipped everything up properly on the finished, just unpainted, seat frame and its spot on. Sod all movement, much lower.. not floor contact - brill.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A0635.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A0636.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A0637.jpg
It is hard to see any major difference in height but its ample for me, seats are and feel much better. Less movement as well. Cobra wanna be takin note i tell you.. load of bollocks the orginal lark was.
Proper chuffed today. Progress should speed along more so now i feel..

To sum up - a first little hint of my plans are starting to show on the car now - i title it 'like johns but... bit more... balls'
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A0642.jpg
So game on, see how it goes..

[Adam]

Nice work on the frames, good job.

How much did the rear springs cost? I want a set,Lol.

[vaughanmc]

Rear springs look awsome - How low are they?

[peester]

the springs are quite crazy arent they..?
I have a set of 4" (about 90mm lowering ) which is those fitted, pictured, and also a set of 5" (75-80mm ish)
Might mess with them a bit at a later date see which i prefer..

[draper]

them springs rock - from coilsprings i guess ??

if you decide to sell either set let me know ;)

[John]

fook me!:eek:

Looks awesome dave!

[CP]

good work with the seat frames - may try something like that myself:)

[peester]

wow, mr CP - pleasure to have u here..
Yeah it took a while to get there (youd have it sown up in one evening lol) but it wasnt that bad really..
Just annoyed now i didnt start with 4 pieces of metal for sod all cash, instead of buying the ?90 pieces of crap lol - would have got same result.
Live n learn eh.
I do have a few pics of the whole thing peeps so yeah anytime..

[Ash]

Very good work on those seat frames. Cobra aren't know for their subframes lol

Thats fooking low now, in fact im not sure mine went that low when it was missing suspension :eek:

[peester]

* lil update..
Just some pics really..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A0763.jpg
Done some 'trial fitting' this morning; mainly wanted to get the mk 2 dash out and prep to sell - i had it advertised ages ago, luckily the thread has out dated now, but i actually need to have it ready to sell this time.
I will be tidying the wiring up a bit too lol..

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A0768.jpg
The mk1 dash and new wheel were just offered into place to see how it would look.. - i think it looks far more rally-esque and old skool than before..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A0775.jpg

Dash will need modifying for my digi clocks, so ill be getting on with that next. Then whole lot gets sent away, so im not fitting the dash properly for a few weeks yet..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A0774.jpg
^This pic kinda shows the mark 1 dash in a dark colour looks more subtle than the mk2 grey that was in before, in my opinion..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A0771.jpg
Happy with how it will look; being sat behind the wheel, like a kid pretending to drive it lol - i felt much more as if i was in an old skool mk1 nova again.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A0776.jpg
Which is what i wanted.
More again soon.

[burgo]

going back to mk1 = a god imo. all mk2's should die lol

[craig green]

Good work!

You having the dash flocked or summat?

[peester]

^ yip. Flocked black. The brown looks funkier in there than i thought it would lol, but.. nah. Was going to use suffolk,.. ?120.. but a thread on passionford (mk2 fiesta) kinda put me off a bit.. Flockit.eu want ?140 - but have been highly recommended so far..
So prob go with them.

[vaughanmc]

Looking good mate - Shes fair decked at the back :)

[peester]

you kno how we do :)

[Mike]

Shes coming along cheif :D your further ahead then I am with mine lol lol

[Adam]

That rear is slammed :cool:

Looking good(though all mk1 dashes are to**, but oh well :D lol)

[peester]

Shes coming along cheif :D your further ahead then I am with mine lol lol

dude, totally unfair to yourself; i started with a pretty complete car didnt i?

all i can do is bitty bolt ons lol

[Dave.]

dave, spray that dashboard black and it will look spot on with that interior, that pale brown colour doesnt go with the interior atall imo :thumb:

[Adam]

Its being flocked Dave....

[Dave.]

thats ok then lol.. what colour adam?

[Adam]

http://www.pngclub.com/forum/showpost.php?p=830515&postcount=127

;)

[Plug]

looking mint and slammed on the ass which im liking but you gotta watch your stainless on the back with it that low

[Mike]

dude, totally unfair to yourself; i started with a pretty complete car didnt i?

all i can do is bitty bolt ons lol

lol all i get time for is itty bitty bolt on's lol i did have a complete car until it got nicked lmao!!

[ade]

I always think of an action mans head when people mention flocked dash's although I cant recall ever seeing a mk1 flocked dash! Will look very nice.

The underside of your car is gonna love speed bumps!

[peester]

^^ or sylvanian families...

or is that just me lol :)

[peester]

*update..
Did a little more trialling of the digi clocks and dash yesterday..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A0812.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A0813.jpg
meh.. gettin there i suppose..
Then today i wanted to clean the behind-dash area, in preparation for it when its back.. obviously got loads of time for this - not sent it away yet lol..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A0816.jpg
So tidyed wiring loom, cleaned up the years of bodyshop grime and added more new black paint to parts (i did the pedal box/area last summer)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A0815.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A0823.jpg

I left it drying like that over night.. Ill finish/touch it up tommorow then can see the after results..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A0826.jpg

[brucer]

looking good.nice to see all the bits you cant see being painted.

[peester]

hmm.. seems a lot time ago now that we had sunnyish weather..
anyway..
wee *update..
The weather fecked up any progress today; tried to wait it out but didnt stop, so all i did was visit the car and the end of the day with scott's regional stickers (!) ..remeber those midlanders..? lol
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A0839.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A0840.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A0844.jpg
Very nice.. like a 'walkround' there...
Then just peeled off all the masking from the underdash clean up,..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A0852.jpg
Was gettin bit dark by this time..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A0853.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A0854.jpg
Thats it. Now behind schedule with the flocking as im back to work now from tommorow, so wont have much chance to work on the car over next few weeks.. wanted to ready the dash by todayish so it could go, but we're still few hours work short of it being ready.. :(
See what happens.

[Adam]

Sticker looks cool.

[Iain]

Woah the stickers make an appearance! lol You going to the rolling road day? Bring them there if you are!

[Adam]

Have you paid for the stickers out of your own money?

[krobinson]

Looking good :D

[peester]

Hehee.. Yeah i have paid out of my own money. 23 stickers available. or 11 pairs..
See our mids poll thread in the regional roomy thingy.. :)
Im working the rolling road day, so cant make it.. But am easy going with helping/meeting who/whatever to get some stickers there..
Just bring me some dollar back :)

[draper]

nice mincing peester

im torn between a mk1 dash myself at the minute

[Adam]

Who is nearest to you that could pick the stickers up thats going the rr day?

Hmmm, how many people are in the Mid's region.

Whats the cost? :)

[peester]

Go to the mids room ad.. use that empty sports hall.. :)
Cost ?2. ?2.50 posted. Each. I paid ?50 for the lot , so no profit etc etc..

cheers drape's. Hopefully it all look sweet soon.

[Mazz]

Looking good dude, the stickers look cool, save me a pair please!

[peester]

*Small update.
Pics below show progress with making digiclocks fit into mk1 dash. Basically, its gone the way of the filler. Looks messy at the mo.
We cut, in hindsight, a little too much of the mk1 dash off and with the mk2 astra clock surround (perfect fit fot the digiclocks of course) being a bit wider than the mk1 dash binacle, we've resorted to fibreglass n filler to make it all fit nicer, smoother.... Getting it all flocked; it will be hidden and look o.e.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A0887.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A0888.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A0892.jpg
Trying it in the car, in a nut shell, its close - all thats needed is the two chunks of filler in the bottom right and bottom left corners of the binacle removing/flatting.. Then the clocks will sit flush against the now blended in astra part.
I fit the dash first and screw/bolt it up, drivers side - fitting the clocks after..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A0906.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A0907.jpg
how close it sits - without the passenger side screwed/bolted up.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A0896.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A0899.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A0901.jpg
Aye. More again soon.

[Adam]

Nice work.
Looks a right nightmare trying to get a digidash into a mk1 dash!

[brucer]

liking the dash.wouldnt want to attempt it on mine.lol.

you want to do it for me?haha.

[peester]

it is.. :( ermm... wudnt do it again. lol. thank god for the flocking is all i can say.

[Steve]

Looks like a pain in the a$$ but worth it. Once its flocked its should look ace!

[peester]

*wee update..
Its back. Its beautiful. (Phone pics)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A0992.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A0993.jpg
I am fitting it tommorow, on my day off. So will do a proper update shortly.
Im well chuffed.

[peester]

took one with better camera:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/DSC02122.jpg

[Mike]

Looks fantastic that does Dave!!

[craig green]

Aye that will look really nice fitted.

[Riggy]

nice one fella :thumb: who did the flocking ?

[Steve]

Awesome, looking forward to see how it looks once the digi dash is finally in place

[Adam]

Looks a top job

[John]

ooooh! loving that dave! Get the "fitted" photos up asap!

[peester]

nice one fella :thumb: who did the flocking ?

www.flockit.eu (http://www.flockit.eu)

top job.

thanks guys, keep 'em peeled.

[SRimon]

Awesome dave!

Can't wait too see that!

[krobinson]

You warned me not go use Suffolk Flocking, and I didnt listen. I sent my dash away over 10 weeks ago and I've not got it back yet (first was lost in post) and he hasnt been able to source another dash to flock yet, gutted.

Next time i'll listen to you! - Looks awesome mate!

[peester]

keith: :-(
its not that tricky to get another mk2 nova dash, maybe hes too busy to be looking - are you looking for one too??

source it, then if u still want, send it off to him asap - bit worried it'll be too close to show season before u get it back..
Or try somewhere else..

[peester]

*update..
'Fitting of the dash' day didnt quite go to plan; i spend half of the day buying in /collecting final bits n pieces - even having to 25 mile round trip for a pair of speakers (had to collect from local depot, near cheadle - hi john)
But it left me with just 4 hours.. needed to be somewhere by 5.
Anywho..
I needed to fit the speakers to the dash first, before fitting it all into the car, because of access.. so fitted those first..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/DSC02128.jpg
Then retired for lunch. Ide started the day setting off at 9 am, it was already nearly 1 pm by now.
Got to the garage; i wanted to get the lot fitted in one day if im honest, and to get the car running for first time since end of january.. Dont know why, ide never get it done in one day.. im not that handy..
Firstly offered the new front strut brace up to check it'll fit..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/DSC02130.jpg
Looks sweet, will sort that soon. Good lil bargain.
Then onto the dash finally,.. to cut a lot story short and to side step the-pain-in-the-ass the job of fitting was for me, its all in. In a fashion lol. And the car starts and was ran today, so not bad. There are a lot of bits still to do, i may need to back track a fair bit too, but ive not the energy, plus it'd be boring to whinge on about whats still to be put right..
But basically; the digidash does still need positioning better.. i want a normal nova indicator stalk.. need to route wiring/fusebox/ ecu round to proper homes... and just about every screw needs finding and tightening up fully lol..
Anyway, monday is next available chance, hopefully by then the dash will be done fully tightened all sort finished.
Some pics..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/DSC02132.jpg
It was after this that i realised i need to fit the top couling part first, lol.. so all back out it came..
Then onto as i left the car today..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/DSC02134.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/DSC02136.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/DSC02138.jpg
whilst running.. can u see smoke.?
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/DSC02141.jpg

[AlexW]

Looks sweet, out of interest what colour is it? (The nova)
Im temped to have my doorcards flocked.

[SRimon]

Looks awesome!!!

[peester]

thanks chaps..
colour is a toyota clear blue, apparently.. not as yet found it to get more of it mixed up..

[Adam]

Awesome work, liking the dash.

Good to see the engine bays still tidy as f**k too :cool:

[John]

loving it dave, More!

[sport]

Looking good mate.

[~~joycey~~]

im really likeing that! :thumb: :D

[peester]

*small update..
After the dash, the wheels are next and last (for this stage) expensive-ish spend. So theyre being sent away for a refurb. I need my next pay packet to get the car insured taxed and mot'd so i thought i better do it this month , if im to have it all done for pv.
The car itself; ive been fighting/deciding/stewing about the details.
Im not a perfectionist, but i am a 'details' geek.. Ive taken the dash out again to perfect bits n pieces and with the long running seat frame gig nearly at an end i still had some under seat/ carpet areas to sort so its all ended up currently looking like the day i bought it lol..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/DSC02150.jpg
The window frame on the drivers side is finally finished (did passenger side last summer, never got round to drivers')
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/DSC02145.jpg
Also finally fitted colin's door winder mechanisms, in both doors.. yay, they go up and down now at the turn of a crank..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/DSC02144.jpg
The intermittant wiper problem still exists and ive been a little reluctant to re-fit the dash until thats sorted, (just incase its wiring issue) but otherwise everything else is now in place so finally after the weekend, the interior is going back in complete, for good.
More soon.

[John]

dave did you check the actual plug on the wiper motor? It was an early loom that had a late plug grafted on (not done by me), worth checking.

[peester]

i did check the plug - the wires were loose, so i thought that might sort it but it didnt.. so the loom could be for non intermittant model?..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A0995.jpg
Wires checked out ok, where i could see them, would i need to delve much further?

[Welsh Dan]

If its intermittent wipers you're having the problem with then try another stalk, because thats how I fixed mine. If you moved the original stalk to intermittent wipe it wouldnt work, but if you then pulled the stalk down slightly, it would.

[peester]

tried a new stalk, same problem. thanks tho..

[Mike]

Relay/switch?

[Welsh Dan]

Was the other stalk you tried a known working one?

[peester]

both stalks, and the repaired wiring have same outcome.
Ive now bought a second /spare motor, so ill try that..

[John]

Dave if it helps, i have an early wiper motor you can have, and an early loom i can lop the plug off. Just let me know.

[peester]

*ickle update again..
Sorted all the wiring and fitting issues over the weekend and refitted the main dash, for the final time. Finished the floor, so the carpet has gone back for the final time..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A1009.jpg
Was meant to have the drivers seat frame finished today, so the seats could have been fitted back, again for the final time.. The passengers' is finished spot on, painted etc; done. The drivers' fits but we were a little out on the measurements so needs some tweeking yet..
Anywho..
Heres a couple of pics from last week before we had touched the drivers' cobra spec seat frame, in comparison to our modified spec cobra seat frame.. lol
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A1004.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A1006.jpg
As mentioned, our modded one sits lower, and sturdier as it doesnt use the floor of the car to mount; uses original vaux. mounting points..
Im off work this weekend, so hoping for big progress; subframe done to perfection, seats AND harnesses in, ALL dash in, wired up.. Also finally if there is a god - the wiper issue will be fixed lol..
More soon.

[peester]

Ooh.. forgot to add, -Ive sorted some door cards :) keep them peeled.

Pics are weeney as im out of memory of the phone.. heres a late-evening bigger shot i took the night before..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/DSC02160.jpg

[Lee]

How much did the flocking set you back pal if you dont mind me asking? Tempted to send mine off next winter after seeing that!

[Adam]

That dash looks cool as :cool:

[peester]

How much did the flocking set you back pal if you dont mind me asking? Tempted to send mine off next winter after seeing that!

ooh quite a compliment to receive off of a mk1 dash hater.. lol

£140 is basic price for flocking. Thats with flockit.
It cost me £180 total. Carriage there and back.. then all dash plastics - including kick/foot well panels and wheel couling; the lot- flocked black.

thanks for comments peeps :-)

[Lee]

ooh quite a compliment to receive off of a mk1 dash hater.. lol

£140 is basic price for flocking. Thats with flockit.
It cost me £180 total. Carriage there and back.. then all dash plastics - including kick/foot well panels and wheel couling; the lot- flocked black.

thanks for comments peeps :-)

LMFAO. well, the flockings nice, but as they say, you cant polish a turd lol

I may well give them a buzz at the end of the season, might get a deal seeing as ive only got half a dash :wtf:

[peester]

:thumb:

[peester]

*Update..
Ide sworn i had updated since finishing the floor and wiring, but anyway: to bring you's up to speed..
As mentioned in last update, seat frames are near completion finally. Passenger side is all done, fitted:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A1017.jpg
So the passenger seat went in for final time. Does sit nice n low..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A1020.jpg
Drivers' still needs a tweek tho.. (just the one)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A1032.jpg
Been making a start on fitting up the door cards; carbon-look, un-tailoured. Aye the ebay one..? So far so good anywho..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A1034.jpg

How things reside at the moment.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A1038.jpg
To do other door card now, and sort that drivers' seat frame to then fit the seat. Then both harnesses etc as mentioned before.
More again soon.

[Riggy]

coming along fella:thumb:

[Adam]

Getting there :)

[saloonwoody]

how did you get a digi dash in a mk1 dash ?

[Steve]

how did you get a digi dash in a mk1 dash ?
Lots of patience.. and swearing apparently! lol lol

Looks good peester, flocking looks to be the way forward, I don't mind a mk1 or mk2 dash as long as there not grey! But the black/blue theme works well. :thumb:

[Ash]

Thats going to be an ace interior when its finished, good work that man!

[draper]

that dash looks the bollox mate

[craig green]

It does look good. I think I could cope sitting behind that. I do love the way the head unit is up high on mk1's.

Everything (all controls) are exactly where you want them too.

[castanhas_15td]

cool project!!

i'm really enjoying it!!! post has any pictures has you want mate!!

i think every one is glado to see how the things are going on that amazing nova!!

[peester]

thanks for the comments guys.. all good ones :)

*Update..
My wheels are back! woooooo
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A1040.jpg
Good job , good price for me - through work, halfords deal with pristine refurbishers (milton keynes) turn around was 6 days, including the weekend!
Eventually i got to the car after nipping to midland fastners again to stock up to finish the interior. Fitted drivers' seatframe.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A1045.jpg
Note all welds smoothed out etc from last pics, painted - fits spot on.
Then fitted the seat:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A1047.jpg
This whole episode has taken the longest out of all of the the build - but to then jump in; sit low, solid without using the floor as a mounting - it has all been worth it. Position for me is exactly how i wanted it. Chuffed.
Just need to sort a few nuts n bolts for harnesses now.
Then i took to the doorcards. Found it tricky; never done this sort of thing before either. The passenger side had been fitted up loosely, but i took it out to sort it properly, finally. Fitting door handle, pockets (needed painting black first)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A1051.jpg
Happy with the look, although a bit more time is needed to get it fitted flush allround..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A1058.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A1056.jpg
So interior has one more days -worth to be spent on it now. Just need to do drivers' door card and those harnesses; for mot spec.

Finishing on a real high - for me;the wiper issue is sorted.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A1059.jpg
I only needed to adjust the linkage/arms to fix the problem. Tis silly really but im just glad they work correctly now..
Ended the day by spraying up the the motor lol..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A1060.jpg

More again soon.

[Adam]

This is getting better and better.
Loving the rims and doorcards :cool:

[craig green]

Agree. This is all slotting together & looking fab.

Love the door cards & handles/pockets.

[SRimon]

Also agree

Gets better and better!

[thedjse]

Everytime i see this project it makes me wanna start work on mine lol it really does look good very impressive mate is it making an appearance at PV mate

[peester]

is it making an appearance at PV mate

i hope so very much mate.. tis a bit touching cloth..


thanks for all the comments, - didnt think i was gonna let u all down did ya..? :-)

[Matt GTE]

Rims look sweet :p. Pristine are the nuts, had a few dealings with them myself as they're fairly local. Good work on the seats too... Cobra take note on how the subframes should have been done from the start!!

[mikey14sr]

got that switch yet Dave?

[dave_bates]

those rims look amazing!

[Nick J]

Interiors looking spot on fella, never seen a flocked mk1 dash before it totally transforms them! top work :)

[NovaLad]

Them rims looks amazing.

Be carefull of the winders scratching the panel.

[krobinson]

Dave those rimm's are amazing, they are going to totally transform the look of the car! :)

[Neil 08]

rimm's look schweet

[peester]

*update..
Im leaving all the bells n whistles shiny bits until after the MOT; so this weekend was a matter of getting the car to a basic, 'MOT spec.'
Ive booked the car in for MOT this saturday.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A1061.jpg
Tried to move the exhaust as its rattling on the fuel tank, re-fitted the std. springs and bolted the rear harness points in..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A1062.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A1071.jpg
Also finally nailed this interior.. drivers' door card:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A1066.jpg
Then fitted up the rest of the dash parts, wired the foglamp switch and horn, also bolted up the rest of the harness points...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A1078.jpg

All done. Woo.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A1083.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A1082.jpg
I do have a headunit to go in, gauge for the hole in the dash etc etc - its just all on hold until it passes, hopefully saturday.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A1085.jpg

Ive got to stick a tyre on (bit close to call) and find a window winder clip. Thats it. Will let you know how it gets on. Next update at the weekend.

[Adam]

That interior looks awesome :cool:
It actually makes a mk1 dash look acceptable

[SRimon]

funking love it!

[peester]

*Update..
MOT day..... : FAIL! :-(
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A1121.jpg

The flexi's we had no idea really,.. never faffed with goodridge stuff before.. after collecting the car we had a few more stabs at it..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A1113.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A1114.jpg
But to no avail .. ended up catching nearside flexi with the wheel at full lock and splitting it :-) niiice...
So we're going to bag some new O.E rubber ones for now; at least we know how to fit them.. Be tuesday now.
The headlamp thing shouldnt be a problem; can sort that..
But the shocker was the front coilovers - i mean theyre not new, came with car etc but just never saw it coming.. If it leaks it must be slight. We had a word with the place and hopefully on the retest they'll let them through for me.. ill then after PV get them refurbed..? (rally bilstein coilover jobbies; worth it??)
If the garage say no to any leaniency, then i might have to shod it with any old pair of non-leaky shockers.. where do i stand with eccentric top mounts tho??
Its alright, all in just a bearing advisory that was all. They liked the paint n dash etc.. enjoyed driving to and from lol.. forgot about the baby XE roar when induction kitted up.. lol
Like a teenager again, i was..
More in the week -hopefully a green VOSA paper , not RED. :)

[Adam]

Where are the dampers leaking from? 1st pic looks like a split cv boot too?

Hmm, your goodridges seem to have just twisted when fitting them.Tried undoing them at the caliper and seeing if you can turn them straight?
EDIT- can see the other pic now, that n/s hose looks fine like that.Any pics of how they were sitting before?

[peester]

The dampers are leaking from the top..? barely call it leaking.. but it wasnt dry..
The middle, or top hose pic, with wheel on was of twisted/before pic.. the bottom, or second hose pic, wheel off (although its the other side) is after.. this is the one that then caught on the wheel lol.. now fecked..
On the scounge for o.e rubber ones for now - the one goodridge one got chewed..
It'll be alright, no panic at the disco yet..

Oh and the C.V boot are ok, its just brake fluid, they passed - no split its ok..

[Adam]

At least its failed on nothing difficult/time cosuming to fix :)

[peester]

oh yeah, absolutely.. got the bit between my teeth..

[John]

Dave, when i last had it mot'd (got to say it's probably well over 3 years ago now?) they'd noticed that fluid was escaping from the bottom of the strut onto the cv gaiter. If you look carefully it's not actually fluid, it packing grease out of the strut. When the car is on the move it fires grease over the cv gaiters. I also had the same advisory on the n/s mount bearing, tester at the time though said it wasn't excessive. The front struts are T.A.S custom made units with bilstein inserts.
Really glad there's not much else though, and it's looking REALLY good! Can't wait to see it again at pvs!

[peester]

thanks john, we knew not to take a fail for granted, always can be much worse..
Going as planned really, with as you say - not many issues.

[Mazz]

That looks ruddy awesome Dave! The interior really works together, shame about the MOT, but as least its not anything major..

[OllieKing]

Looks an awsome nova, the car must be better quality than new. keep it up

[CP]

unlucky with the mot failure -they were pretty unhelpful really

[peester]

*minor update..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A1122.jpg
It passed on the re-test. :-) Fun begins now..
Will be hitting it with the stick, rims and shiny goodies tommorow.. Weather permitted.
Relieved tho.

[General Baxter]

im going to try and get use of works workshop this weekend dave,

if your intrested, its dry lol

[vaughanmc]

Good work mate - Let the fun commense :)

[peester]

Well yesterday didnt go to plan; i had to spend a large part of the day sorting out a job application; it wasnt until late afternoon that we got round to doin anythin to the car..
Great sucess with insurance - I have insured it now. Went with H.I.C - i think i got a good deal; all mods declared, fully comp, annual policy - bit over £300
Taxing it today. As yesterday i was told it would have had to run from beginning of May, so i left it.
So we decided to try n have a play with the front suspension - to bring it down a tad- its on coilovers so thought it would be a nice n easy job..
:-(
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A1125.jpg
Theyre a tad seized lol.. Hammers, bloody sweat n tears.. even took the strut off the car and at least with our limited tools - i wouldnt budge.
Basically the platform the springs sits on is the one we can undo.. the other bottom one (was for helper springs) came undone ok..
So im not sure. Can i swap temporarily to a gmax/spax -non coilover shocks n springs setup for the front and still use eccentric top mounts??
Shall i get mine refurbished? Just buy new? Hmm.

[peester]

*Update..
Well not quite sure how to write this update, as in short, ive done none of this work - ive been working all weekend. My mate has carried it all out..
To bring you up to speed tho; the seized coilovers are being replaced. TAS seem to now be called COMP BRAKE so ive ordered a pair of new coilover bodies from there.. Same spec, tho he did mention some new/uprated bottom adjustment.. ?
Anywho as mentioned, the following pics are all taken by my mate - work carried out by my mate, he even uploaded them to photobucket..
Big shout to him, ta blar'd.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/DSC00553.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/DSC00568.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/DSC00569.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/DSC00558.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/DSC00560.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/DSC00564.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/DSC00575.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/DSC00574.jpg
Oh, forgot to say, basically ive ordered the new parts but they arent here yet so, at least we're ready.

[Adam]

Those red lenses look sweet.
Just done with tint spray?

[peester]

yes, 2 year old red tint spray lol..
need a warm day for bestest results.

[Adam]

Lol
Theyve come out well :cool:

[SRimon]

Tint spray here i come lol...

Looks awesome ;)

[ade]

looking good matey! Bet youre glad the retest went well!

[peester]

*Update..
FAIL. Suspension parts havent arrived from comp brake; i rang them and they said it'll be monday. :-( So no PV for the nova. I took a risk, after MOT to change/work on the car to get it to 'my spec' (slammed, wheels, single wiper etc etc) so close to PV..
In a Top-Gear-does-south-africa-vwbeetle-booby-prize style the calibra is gonna have to be my cart once again, this year lol..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A1141.jpg
Anyway, its only one show.. Advantages to missing on pv are that i can continue working on the car to the finer detail i wanted to; without rushing, cutting corners etc..
So whilst the suspension off and its up on axel stands i took to more cleaning, more detailing..
Following the number plate light getting the satin black treatment i gave the boot handle/grab a dose of it too.. (aweful pic, car is beeched in the garage)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A1143.jpg
Then i spent the rest of the day in the front arches..
Almost every car ive owned gets this treatment, always luv the finished look..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A1126.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A1128.jpg
t'other side..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A1138.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A1139.jpg

[Adam]

Nice job :)

What paint did you use?

[peester]

the left over in the tin paint :-) Brushed on that is..

[Adam]

Nice, its come out well :cool:

[Steve]

Does look good, especially for brush on paint.

You gonna take it to billing?

[peester]

^ yup. will be there for cert.

[shy witness]

looks really well mate.

i fancied doing a nova simalr colour a few years back.

after my bright orange nova.......but i never got round to it.


the novas suit bright....bold colours imo.

looks cool

[peester]

well, missed pv because of the suspension.. next day, i get home from work..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A1155.jpg
At least its here eh..? Cracking on very soon.. yay.

[burgo]

oooo never seen ones like that before. very sexual indeed

pm. supply details dude

[peester]

*Update..

A week too late as I wanted this update at least the night before PV but parts didn’t arrive, as mentioned in last update..
Anyway, we built the new coilovers back on to the bilstein inserts and stuck them on the car, finally being able to lower it as one wishes too with coilover suspension.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A1171.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A1173.jpg
Whilst up on the jack had a lil clearance issue with the brake pipe mounting
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A1177.jpg
The car on lowest setting; which is how im running it..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A1182.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A1183.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A1189.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A1199.jpg
Now that ive actually fitted the bits we do have a snag that would have put chances of taking it to PV to sleep anyway; the ET37 steels on it now do catch the rolled rear arches so I cant take the car very far or above 20ish mph yet lol.. The alloys going on it are ET49 so shouldn’t have problems then.

Ended up making a start on the rear panelling , more mock ebay farbon cibre..
Much prefer it to the metal previously tho.. excuse the pants pic.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/peester/SP_A1193.jpg

[NovaLad]

I really want to see them rims on it!

[peester]

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