Spaceframed SR20DET RWD Nova

[The Simps]

On its wheels

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210904/deb5068f88f0d03f10a99f6346d22677.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210904/7fb42bb10263d60e432b749530b2fe0f.jpg


Looks so good all in one colour!

Engine, box and body up next.

[total_vauxhall]

That looks mint love the colour

Sent from my MAR-LX1B using Tapatalk

[blue_peg_16v]

I think I’ve done a sex wee!!!!

[The Simps]

Got the engine & box back in and used the new vibratechnics mounts this time, which as you know solid/poly mounts are always a pig! I have a stiff poly gearbox mount too.

The vibras have the lower stud offset so you can rotate them to adjust the engine position, which is a blessing and a curse! I?m not 100% on the engines position. The gearbox mount is a little under strain. Once I have worked out the orientation for the vibras it should be easier next time, but I am not worried about doing it at the moment. Body next!

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210907/10bfc91548c505cc23ad17dd2c0a9cdb.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210907/37251eb5efb017be269698131bbd5bd0.jpg

[The Simps]

Adjusted the vibratechnics mounts today and much happier. Then the body went back on. Really needs some lows (about 40-50mm) but need it higher to get on the trailer for the move.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210910/7dbc496fe1875d0dd792ccd91028ea27.jpg

[NovalutionGSi]

Outstanding work fella. Know this is only a mock up but it looks almost ready to go lol

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[The Simps]

Thank you. Has doors on now too! Lol

We started packing boxes this weekend and I?ve been reluctant to pack any tools away, especially the grinder! [emoji1787]

[Iain]

All the more impressive building this in your 'home garage'. Does look mega in mock up, it'll almost be a shame for it to look like a standard car from the outside

[total_vauxhall]

Gota be a meet next year so i can see all these cars in the flesh. Unreal work pal

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[The Simps]

All the more impressive building this in your 'home garage'. Does look mega in mock up, it'll almost be a shame for it to look like a standard car from the outside

It does seem a shame to put a nova body on it doesnt it! [emoji23]

[The Simps]

Gota be a meet next year so i can see all these cars in the flesh. Unreal work pal

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Thanks, appreciate it

[House]

This is getting closer and closer!!!

[The Simps]

Peeps, are nova mk1, mk2, hatch & saloon rear lights all the same? Can?t find mine so need to source replacements with fixings, bulb holders etc.

[NovalutionGSi]

Peeps, are nova mk1, mk2, hatch & saloon rear lights all the same? Can?t find mine so need to source replacements with fixings, bulb holders etc.Got a set of Hatch ones you can try.

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[The Simps]

Got a set of Hatch ones you can try.

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That would be super!

[The Simps]

So I have been bolting parts on the car getting ready for the house move in a week or so time. It has started to get me to think more around the final look of the body work and I would love some input.

Here is the car at the moment

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210925/6bd633cda995d9f8376f83fbc4ca8c74.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210925/d7d9b34aaa89a8a057c5148196b391d7.jpg
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https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210925/a8693361830cbbb8589997a6d279589a.jpg

[NovalutionGSi]

Well mate, those rear lights look the best bit.. [emoji108] [emoji1787][emoji1787]

But that 1st picture, this is going to be some animal on track or road. A menacing sight.

Certainly will need a wide arch kit or flaring of the standard arches. In fact, to me, I'd try to make it look as standard as possible, taking the arches out as subtly as possible but still making it so the wheels tuck under.

I think it looks awesome. [emoji106]

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[The Simps]

A few notes:

The car is going to be coming down another c50mm in the front and 40mm in the back. It will have a slight rake to it.

I?m planning on changing up the wheels to run a 16x7 in the front (with smaller diameter than stock 200sx size) and a 17x8 in the rear. These wheels will be as higher offset as I can to tuck into the body but they will still poke. Thinking these in black (planning on keeping car white in final colour)

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210925/78a65b3f93a1d4be332b216352a98b4e.jpg

I still also have the 17x9 and 17x8 if I want to go wider/chunkier

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210925/0948c427c20ab9450c34ce08202488ae.jpg


I will obviously need to run some form of wide arch. I will be running a low front splitter, big rear wing, and time attack style big diffuser going right up to maybe just under the lights, removing most of the rear panel. This is a pure track car and won?t be on the road.

So now for the cars that give me inspiration and the different styles floating in my head. . .

[The Simps]

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210925/f563b4d24da3114b33af769390457fe0.jpg

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210925/2556df5a1ca59d48de43f122a82bcf00.jpg


https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210925/4ee6a8c8b9c05229755e988181993a45.jpg

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210925/fa25033a0ec5a82f233c1feacda2e4d7.jpg

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210925/e17d31f5e64031f0416835509d43e9d6.jpg

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210925/9634f2812f5a54e76d0afa64f038579e.jpg

[The Simps]

I quite like this idea of creating kind of like aerodynamic wheel tubs then having an overfender with intake and exhaust. With the car being an 80s box, the overfenders woukd by more irmscher sprint style maybe.?

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210925/6d048f62a46c9a8933757dffd374d60a.jpg

[The Simps]

Well mate, those rear lights look the best bit.. [emoji108] [emoji1787][emoji1787]

But that 1st picture, this is going to be some animal on track or road. A menacing sight.

Certainly will need a wide arch kit or flaring of the standard arches. In fact, to me, I'd try to make it look as standard as possible, taking the arches out as subtly as possible but still making it so the wheels tuck under.

I think it looks awesome. [emoji106]

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Thanks bud, and thanks for the rear lights! Lol

Given my subsequent posts, the only standard/subtle look might be the mk2 caddy style flared arches! Lol

[NovalutionGSi]

That or the 3 series next to the red E21 BM.
Although hearing your ideas, the more bonkers it is that better. [emoji106]

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[The Simps]

That or the 3 series next to the red E21 BM.
Although hearing your ideas, the more bonkers it is that better. [emoji106]

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I always had in my head keeping it round arch and somewhat subtle, but the more I look at some of the wild time attack cars and old DTM stuff it makes me wanna. But I feel like I would also need to be on pretty wide wheels to really pull it off. Fat and squat.

Also, given all the re-work I did for the flat floor, it would be a shame not to explore the aero side of things too.

[House]

I've not got a lot of input on how to make it look good, but fuck me it's gonna look badass if those example pictures of the look you're after are anything to go by

[Benn]

Have you watched any Ryan Tuerck videos on YouTube?

If you can get past his annoying and childish American arrogance, then they've done some great builds, and he has a truly brilliant fabricator called Dom. He's certainly the brains behind the operation!

He did some great stuff with an aluminium footrest in one of their drift cars. Good for inspiration.

EDIT - took me a while to find it, but here it is;

(1) Best Floor Plate Ever Machined? East Coast Car EP.9 - YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDh9thJkYw4)

The latest build they're doing, a modern Supra with a Judd V10 motor is quite something.

I love his videos.
Been watching them for years from when he was a armature doing drifting on his drive..
Dom is amazing at fab and work.. Bet his work costs alot

[Benn]

Wow

Found its been a year since a checked in to here. You've made crazy progress, so impressed.
Cage looks amazing even more s now its painted.

Looks great with the shell over the top too

[The Simps]

Wow

Found its been a year since a checked in to here. You've made crazy progress, so impressed.
Cage looks amazing even more s now its painted.

Looks great with the shell over the top too

Thanks Benn, it was great seeing it all painted, felt like real progress.

I?m itching to get back working on it but it?s not realistically gonna happen until new year at best. I have been ordering various parts in tho ready for when progress does start!

[The Simps]

** LONG POST ALERT **

So the house move happened in early October, moving to an overall smaller garage space. Everything on moving day was literally shoved into the garage. I still have no idea how everything fitted! Having rafter space was the saviour I think. I said to myself I wasn't going to worry about it until new year as we were heading back to the USA for nearly all of December anyway.

So now it's new year and so far I've got one of my sheds up and moved a bunch of crap like boxes of parts, box section, jig, rotisserie etc over to that. I'm about to start building a base to get another shed up to house the garden stuff. I then need to fit out the plant room so all the car cleaning stuff can go in there where it's a bit warmer and drier. That then gives me loads of space back to organise the garage, finally! Hopefully that can all be done by end of February.

Alas, some car stuff has happened too, I?ve been collecting up some parts! A company in the USA called Chase Bays do a really nice complete power steering hose replacement kit fully plumbed with AN fittings and a nice billet reservoir. So that came back with me from the states and I have everything I need to replace and upgrade all the steering lines, just the rack itself and the pump will not be new.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220114/b598fd4a58374b9c1ddff65ed02c4900.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220114/b3e62a09aef5460be55f0e6c38747c70.jpg
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https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220114/2a718d7c3e8ac2cd644683860bb2dafe.jpg

[The Simps]

On the subject of power steering, I also picked up a relocation kit for the pump which moves it lower down to basically where the AC pump would be. It gives a marginal shift of weight to lower down but more importantly a nice straight run to the turbo inlet. This is the kit. (pic from sellers website, not my engine)

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220114/2cde14c90db182a467ebea0d515c9a83.jpg


I also picked up a Wilwood brake bias valve with integrated brake light switch while in the states.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220114/3543b77598d1ef8293ca513db964c596.jpg

[The Simps]

This week I had my front tension rods arrive from GKTech. I was always going to replace the stock ones with adjustable ones and I really liked this kit. I doubt I will need the lock clearance (there a drift based kit) but it certainly does not hurt to have it! These will allow me to add loads of extra caster which was always the plan to not just help with turn in but help bring the wheel forward in the arch as I had deliberately set it back when I shoved the engine back an extra inch. I've got them fitted up on one side so far and gained c15mm forward movement and think there's more to go once I replace the lower control arms for ones with rod bearing.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220114/10aa9469d062fbd945d548871ee8be10.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220114/11c7399ed2a5c6a38022b5f93bcd9323.jpg

Stock tension rod...

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220114/9a14921f50050978807d15ff36060fa0.jpg


The stock nissan wheels run a 205/55/R16 all round which is just such a big chunky size on the front of a nova. With the 17s I currently have in 17x8 for the front, they have 215/45/R17s fitted which would be the equivalent size. Ive got a hold of a couple of cheap used tyres in 205/45/R16 and fitted them to a stock rim and the wheel now looks sooo much better in the arch. The equivalent 17 tyre size would be 205/40/17. I will get a pic of this when I can get the car out the garage.

In a previous post I talked about wanting to look at going down to a 16" wheel in front but keeping a 17" in the rear. The problem with running the 16s however is it becomes very tight for clearance for lots of the fancy parts unless you are running very low offset wheels, in particular drop knuckles. Most of the drop knuckles require you to run rod ends for the tie rods & lower ball joints which are taller and can hit the inside of the rim. However, I've finally found a company that do a knuckle where normal ball joints and rod ends can be used - hurrah! The drop knuckles in question bring the ball joint height 50mm lower and steering joint 64mm lower - more than enough to get my geometry all back in line again with the lows I am running. They do 3 versions depending on what Ackerman you want to run, I will probably go with the middle drift/grip option. The grip option is based upon standard Ackerman for the 200sx.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220114/fc2d333c0b442a7ea1192ff87d62914f.jpg

[The Simps]

I haven't ordered these yet as they are ?600 and will have to come from Australia, as will the ?260 worth of adjustable lower control arms. I'll hopefully be ordering them in the coming months tho.

My other option for geometry correction is a modified front subframe like the one pictured here...

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220114/63c39f9b807987a377cb16c42517f2c2.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220114/30e57b500d65ebf2582d6fff83777ef9.jpg


It has adjustable location points for the rack and solid mounted, as well as 2 pick up points for the lower control arm, with 20mm difference between the two. This would help with the LCA angle but does nothing for bump steer. At ?315 the drop knuckles seem the better option at this point.

So that's where I am at, just wanted to give an update :)

[The Simps]

On a side note, I am so glad I got the chassis painted before the move. As the new garage is not integral, it gets super cold and anything bare metal and uncoated has got covered in surface rust these last few months.

[House]

Loads of stuff going on here!!!

Glad this is moving forward now!! Be done soon!!!

Annoying about the cold garage, I couldn't survive without the heating in the workshop!!

[novarally]

Great progress, thanks for the update.

[The Simps]

Thanks gents.

Hoping to get some feedback/info from you more knowledgable chaps! Here's is the research article for the knuckles I'm looking to get - https://blog.gktech.com/blog/gktech-s-chassis-steering-drop-knuckles/

They offer 3 types of knuckles as shown in my previous posts. I definitely won't be going for the pro-drift version but I'm not sure whether to go for the grip or go for the drift/grip middle version - any thoughts??

[torquey]

Heating is for whimps haha...

[Count Vaux Alot]

I?m so pleased to find this is still going 👍

[Iain]

I'm disappointed it's still going, should be finished.

[The Simps]

I'm disappointed it's still going, should be finished.

[emoji1787][emoji1787][emoji1787]

[The Simps]

I can barely get in the garage to work on it at the mo. Would like to be back at it soon with the nights getting longer, as not having electrics in the garage currently is also a pain!

[Benn]

Gone back a few pages to catch up.

please do the arches like this...

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210925/fa25033a0ec5a82f233c1feacda2e4d7.jpg

[dan16v]

Is this finished yet? [emoji51]


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