Matt's Luxe

[matt_vaughan]

Right, finally got my 15 worthwhile posts, so now I can post piccies.

Picked up this car Monday night about 50-60 miles from my place. Drove home perfectly well, no problems to report.

The intention is to use it for a bit of auto testing (i'm actually 16 at the mo) and then slam it on the road next july when I FINALLY turn 17!

Shes a 1.2 Glacier White Luxe.

http://img339.imageshack.us/img339/3461/originalfrontpw5.jpg

http://img339.imageshack.us/img339/234/originalbacknh5.jpg

Shopping list is stacking up and I still dont have enough cash!

Bought an SR boot from TomMan, going to pick it up tomorow, so should have piccies of it when I'v fitted it. I know its a bit unconventional to put Mk1 boot and spoiler on Mk2 but I just love those retro wrap around spoilers. :)

Next job are some cheap wheels (SR, Slabs etc) so I can dress them in remould rally tires for some autotest grip :)

Oh, and rust repair, look at the bonnet at the front left corner! The car has a few spots like that but nothing major!

[vaughanmc]

Looks a bit too clean to auto test mate, not think?

Would make a tidy wee road car if you didn't rally f*ck out it lol

[matt_vaughan]

Well, I'm hoping it''ll survive the autotesting.

Dont really plan to put anything major (suspension upgrades) ect on till it goes on the road next year.
To be honest I only really compete in the off road autotests anyway (fields) so cars dont take so much of a battering, just suspension.

Like the name :)

[walker-nova]

looks a good one lad

[matt_vaughan]

Hope it turns out that way :)

[NovaLad]

Nice starter their ...

I would advise puting blocks or bricks down to hold it on that hill rather than letting it hang on it's handbreak.

I got told that it's not a good for the car doing that.

Just make sure if ya do put something their to stop it rolling that it is wind proof etc.. lol .

[Iain]

Nice base mate, I see what you meant it's exactly the same as how mine started. :thumb: Have fun with it.


I would advise puting blocks or bricks down to hold it on that hill rather than letting it hang on it's handbreak

Just bang it in reverse and let that take the weight, and handbrake after that.

[saloonwoody]

that driveway looks abit harsh !!!! perfect for practisin some hill starts ????

[matt_vaughan]

Yer hill starts are pretty much mastered :) The garage is built in underneath the house, meaning we actually have 3 under-house garages because the whole of the house has extra 4 brick walled rooms, and 1 is used as a basement/games room.

Anyone got any idea how these universal back boxes are to fit to novas, I'd much rather go and buy a decent full system but with a tight budget it looks like one of these stainless steel jobbies will have to do.

Anyone know what width the inlet piping is into the rear box on standard 1.2?

[matt_vaughan]

Got an SR steering wheel from TomMan today when I went to pick up the boot. Only to come accross the trials and tribulations that is trying to get a GM steering wheel off, cheaply!

Anyway, hoping either my dads mate who runs a garage has a puller, otherwise he can get me one through his work at cost!

[boyle_46]

well , you could just drill in to the standard one to weakin the splines but be carefull with it as you don't break the steering coloum , my one came off pretty easy doing that i will post pics up tomorrow for you , so you can see where i mean about drilling , only drill it if you intend to bin it , cheaper than a puller and doesn't take much effort .

[Ricky G]

i had alot of trouble getting my steering wheel off once. just keep going at it and it will come off in the end. remember to leave the nut on the thread tho before you start bashing it towards your face.

[matt_vaughan]

bolye that would be great if you could post pics, because the tool to get the wheel off is going to cost more than the actual wheel i bought! Not really bothered about the standard wheel, already mashed the centre cap anyway :)

[matt_vaughan]

Right quick update.

Went for the lazy option for the moment. Fitted the boot from TomMan.
Needs a respray but I'm happy with it otherwise.

http://img404.imageshack.us/img404/8461/22122007st7.jpg

Sorry piccy isnt great.

Plans for the original boot is to get rid of a tiny rust spot (really need to get down to halfords for some paint) and fit a GSI spoiler....then I'v got a choice between old school SR and GSI style :P

Future plans :

- Fit that dam steering wheel!
- Getting custom exhaust can of my dad's Caterham! Should be a laugh trying to fit that one!
- Respray boot etc
- Rust repair in places.
- MAYBE fibreglass bonnet :P
- Plain ally gear knob (once again off dad's seven)

Oh and look what I got off my parents for crimbo :P

http://img176.imageshack.us/img176/7483/25122007jf5.jpg

Just some Sparco harnesses to get and it'll be sweet :P

STRIP IT OUT!!!!! really need some free power!!

Thats all folks!

[Dave.]

mate if you strip it out door cards etc let me but the door cappings from te front and the rear cards matey :thumb:

[matt_vaughan]

Which do ya mean mate? Not sure what you're on about tbh.

The little plastic screw type covers?

[vaughanmc]

The top part of the door cards he means I think...

Dave the rear 1/4's are a full part I think, well my GSi ones are - Go right up to the window anyway

Back on topic, will be interesting to see how it looks with the boot painted up in white :)

[tom reid]

Nice:thumb:

[matt_vaughan]

I love my spontaniousness. (spelling?) lol

anyway, I'v just grabbed a GSI spoiler off Shebay to put on the original boot, so now I'v kinda got a choice between old school SR spoiler and boot, and GSI :P

Better swot up on the wonderful GSI spoiler fitting guide on here :P

[matt_vaughan]

Right, long overdue update.

http://img300.imageshack.us/img300/7130/28072008it2.jpg

Just had it's MOT. Passed nicely.

Got quite a few parts ready to be put on these hols.

40 mm springs
Astra GTE Alloys (had these on for ages, but sh***ed tyres autotesting)
GSI Dials
GSI spoiler


Also want to try out a Astra MK4 splitter on it, anyone got a piccie of one on a standard bumper...cheers!

Oh, and more paintwork to do, want to get it all done in one go rather than pissing around at it.

By the way, those rear lights arent smoked, it's how the camera on my phone took it! lol

[matt_vaughan]

Right bit of an update, long time no update.

As you can see, the rot has been let to get hold, need new bonnet, front wings and driver's door, wings may be repaired but keep reading for some info on that....

http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs032.snc1/2591_70335514576_752519576_1364610_605191_n.jpg

Done since last update:

Pipercross Air Filter
Ditchfinder Hancocks on front, not too bad though :P
Wheels gone black, however I'm redoing them as once I had done them, I realised Stevie Wonder himself could have done a better job
Lowered
Sprayed front bumper matt black, yet to do rear!

I have decided to go for a mk1 SR front end for a couple of reasons.

First being I believe the front end on a pov spec Mk2 looks like a washing machine, and never really liked it as much as a mk1 SR or GTE.

Secondly, I've recently bought an SR engine specs follow:

- Kent Cam
- Kent Vernier
- 4 branch
- Will be bike carbed soon
- Currently rebuilding and gas flowing the head

May still put the crank and rods in a spare 1.2 bottom end to get the 1.4 hybrid!

That's all for now folks!

[Southie]

Thought you would have a thread somewhere lol
The Yorkshire weathers taking it's toll but I'm sure you will sort it out, you've definatley got some good ideas :thumb:
I've a door at my mates lock up. Cannot remember which side though. I will check tomorrow. Also do you want to have a look over my bikecarb setup from my old sr.
Keep the good work up mate :thumb:

[matt_vaughan]

Be good mate cheers.

Also forgot you had bike carb setup. Do you happen to know the specs?

Such as which carbs were used, jet sizes etc etc.

[Southie]

Be good mate cheers.

Also forgot you had bike carb setup. Do you happen to know the specs?

Such as which carbs were used, jet sizes etc etc.
I can come over after I finish work tomorrow night if you want?
The carbs are r1 and the jets were standard twin 40's which were drilled slightly to get the Fuelling better.
All of it was made by the bogg bros. Best give them a ring for questions regarding jets or better contact tom reid off here :thumb:

[matt_vaughan]

Tom rekons 140 jet sizes, dont want to go for R1s due to the high price they fetch, trying to find smaller bikes with same carbs slightly smaller chokes and ones which will take weber jets...so looking at Mikunis around the 34 mm sizes

[Southie]

Now your getting technical on me lol

I'll bring them over anyway so you can see the manifold. Is your dad prefabricating it?

[matt_vaughan]

lol sorry.....

Yer, I'll probably have a bash at it myself, but once we've done the XE R1s, we'll start on mine.

[matt_vaughan]

Right!

Major update!

Been to pick up some lavly Fireblade CBR900 carbs today (Boggs recomendation for this engine after Kent cam etc goes in) so will be starting to make myself a manifold this week sometime.

My dad has yet to finish the R1s on the XE but I got these carbs for a fair £50 from a local breakers, including the rubbers, which are a good £20 for some pattern ones.

Really looking forward to proving you CAN get a reasonable amount of revvy power from a 1.2/1.3

I'll get some pics up of the carbs later today.

[Rickyb]

pics pics pics.
rick

[matt_vaughan]

Right got some update action for you all. Done a few things recently.

First off I'd like to say I'm a numpty.......I took the headlining out of the car about a year ago and it's driven me nuts ever since.
So I'm going to try make one up using some fake alcantara and a glue gun lol TRY being the operative word there...anything is better than fluff hanging from the roof.

http://i513.photobucket.com/albums/t336/matt_vaughan_2008/DSC02903.jpg

Carrying on the interior theme, here are a few shots of me recovering the front door cards in leathercloth, rears are yet to be done. (may make some flat rears up from thin ply or similar instead of trying to recover originals)

http://i513.photobucket.com/albums/t336/matt_vaughan_2008/DSC02889.jpg

Took the original covers off with help of a hair dryer to soften the glue (so I could save the foam to re-use under the leathercloth.) I would recomend scrapping the original foam underneath and buying a big sheet of it from somewhere as it's mucho easier than trying to save original.

After about 2-3 hours work (mainly stripping them down) I ended up with...

http://i513.photobucket.com/albums/t336/matt_vaughan_2008/DSC02894.jpg

You can see creases in this one at the top, thats where either some foam sneaked round the edge and misplaces it or theres a big blob of glue somewhere around there. The passender side one is much nicer.

Right engine...

Went to pick up a 1300 engine not long ago with a few trick bits on it....

Kent Vernier...its square tooth IIRC and 1.2 is round tooth (may be other way round) so I need to change the bottom pulley at some point, but if I cant be bothered this will be up for sale.

http://i513.photobucket.com/albums/t336/matt_vaughan_2008/DSC02899.jpg

Now the cam, AST1 road cam

http://i513.photobucket.com/albums/t336/matt_vaughan_2008/DSC02901.jpg

And I'll carry on in next post.....

[matt_vaughan]

Right now the exciting bit..

Went to pick up these little beasts from a local bike breakers yestarday...

http://i513.photobucket.com/albums/t336/matt_vaughan_2008/DSC02902.jpg

Off a CBR900 Fireblade

So yes they will be being slapped on a 1.2. I am determined to convince you lot that reasonably revvy power can be got from a super small block engine lol..........on a budget.

Going to make a manifold up myself at first. Main reason being the "budget" and second I could do with getting some welding practice in.

Here's the manifold my dad's made up for the R1s to go on his XE powered Caterham type kit car. These were actually quite hard to make due to the shape of the inlet ports on XE's. I'm expecting my manifold to be slightly easier to match but only trial and error will tell.

http://i513.photobucket.com/albums/t336/matt_vaughan_2008/DSC02895.jpg

Bogg Brothers suggested the CBR900 Fireblade carbs for the engine because of the cam and 4 branch going on. Once again trial and error will tell. It's kind of a rough first attempt and he'll make a better one later in the year. He want's to get the thing running to use in a couple of Hillclimbs at Harewood this year so fingers crossed everything goes swimmingly.

[matt_vaughan]

If anyone has any info they can give me on setting up and installing bike carbs please get in touch or post on here. I've done a fair bit of research, it's much like putting webers on, however anything usefull will be a great help.

I'm going to document EVERYTHING so I can knock together some sort of guide once its done. Or at very least a checklist of what needs to be done and what's needed.

[let_nova]

looking good pal. keep the pics coming.

[matt_vaughan]

Today's plan

- Find some ply knocking around here to make some read door cards ready for covering in the remaining leathercloth
- Use spare 1300 head to size up and mock up a ply inlet manifold flange.

Cant decide whether to have the flange professionally cut. Would be mucho easier and more accurate but cost a fair bit. I can provide them with either a mock version or a tech drawing.

Think I'll make one myself first by hand, as I can port match it right from the off, then maybe have something a bit more pro made up later if funds allow.

[dj_wudgey]

nice work mate keep us updated lol

[matt_vaughan]

Well, got nothing done today really and also decided that I now need a new front wheel bearing so that'll be on tomorow morning's list.

I am technically a bum right now (finished 6th form waiting for Uni) so really trying to keep myself busy....lack of funds stops me from going wild though :D

Had a passion to rattle tin the Nova yellow today...kind of glad it passed to be honest lol

Can anyone tell me if holes in the usual place in the corners of the boot are an MOT fail...IIRC they may be too close to a structural part of the car.

[druryboy]

dont know if thats an m.o.t. fail pal.... not sure what the honest working m.o.t. man will think of your ahem somewhat 'custom' drivers rear spring hahahahha p.s. gizza shout when ya ready to order german pressed plates boiiiii i get paid tomorrow and im well excited about spending it already! p.p.s my sound systems foooooooked yet again! laters lad

[matt_vaughan]

Right, been to pick up a Filter King FPR from Eurorallye today, so just need to make manifold now and then I can start plumbing the carbs in.
I wont bother with pictures of an FPR, you've all seen them before.

[mattynova7]

looks like a good start mate.
with the back box just cut the standad one off at the base of the back box and weld the universal one on it will sit at an angle but looks pretty cool

[matt_vaughan]

got backbox mate, infact I got 3 lol and since when did I mention anything about fitting a backbox? lol

[matt_vaughan]

Went the lazy route with the rear door cards and just stretched some leathercloth over original cards for temporary match to front doorcards.

Going to make a template for the inlet manifold flange tomorow. Then I'll get cracking on making an inlet.

Anyone any ideas on a vacuum takeoff? Just have a similar to standard pipe welded into one of the inlet pipes?

Cheers

[Southie]

Is it the brake servo pipe your on about Matt as I had the standard inlet connector tapped into the manifold to run my bike carbs.

Nice to see your keeping up with this :)

[matt_vaughan]

NBC yer that's the one I'm on about. I actually havent been out to look at how I'm going to run the servo pipe yet so thats a job to do this week, once I've eventually started making the manifold.

Going to pick up a 12ST engine next week so I can finally use the 13 SR engine I have in the garage to build a little screamer of a high comp 1.4.
Should be seeing over a few over 100 bhp with the Kent Cam, 4 Branch and Bike carbs attached to that little thing.

I will convince you all that seriously screamer fun can be had from super small block engines :P

Still on the lookout for a Box though, if anyone has a CR box, preferably F13 now, please please let me know....or F15CR corsa box maybe, really dont want to fit this engine to my existing cream crackered F10WR box.

[AlexW]

Ofcourse you can get screaming power (err) out of a smallblock.... A 16v smallblock lol

Good luck with it, should be kool to see it in and running!

[Southie]

My sr 1.4 which was cammed with pipers sport cam, ported polished head, 4 branch, bigger pistons and bike carbs was pushing out 138bhp so I know it will be good fun when you finish your mate. :D

Don't forget to buy some arp bottom end bolts. :thumb:

[matt_vaughan]

Yer I have a feeling ARPs will be needed. Especially at the amount these rods and cranks are worth these days.

[matt_vaughan]

Right I'm either going tomorow or thursday to pick engine up, then holiday for a week then it's time to get cracking. May actually be ready for the Northern meet at Olivers Mount, where it'll be oh so tempting....lol

[Southie]

Ooo sounds good, did you send yours off for a rebuild then?

Did you still want measurements from my inlet?

If you don't finish your car you can always get a lift to Scarborough with me matey. :thumb:

[matt_vaughan]

Nope my engine's in the car :D

re-building this engine on the bench then whenever it's ready it'll go in.

Not going to rush it, as I want to do a few bits such as lightened fly etc etc

So whenever it's ready its ready and can go in.

Have angle measurements for the carbs I have now (27 degrees if anyone's interested) so the floats stay level, so can crack on with the manifold now.

Think I'll get this other engine atleast running and in first though before I delve into it major time with the carbs, make sure there's a good base.

Pics as of tomorow hopefully!

[matt_vaughan]

Picked up engine today, goosed. Was sold to me as a low mileage runner and I'm feeling rather duped.

I know I should have checked it over fully, and turned it over, but both the seller and the lad I picked it up from seemed geniune and he wanted to get out somewhere again sharpish so I took their word. Naivity ey.

I wont mention the seller's name to preserve their confidenciality, but I have contacted them concearning the matter.

[matt_vaughan]

Right quick update, breaking and selling above engine, it's not as bad a nightmare as first thought, but still cant be bothered, and always wanted a 1300 engine in mine so going to stick with that.

So, I've been spraying and getting bits ready.

http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs122.snc1/5251_125658629576_752519576_2048210_2933679_n.jpg

Picked up an F15CR (Corsa GSi) box today from a guy on CorsaSport so that should eliminate some of the waiting lol

[matt_vaughan]

Very quick update...look what happened.....

http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs122.snc1/5251_127049834576_752519576_2064047_4660538_n.jpg

It'll buff out lol

Luckily the car I hit has very very small scuffs on bumper, and we've decided not to go through insurance company. Especially considering I have an excess of IIRC £500 anyway. Amazing how even the french are managing to make cars that will take a dent much better than Vauxhall now lol

Small bump and mine falls apart lol

So needing new bumper, bumper iron, grill iirc, and obvious headlight and indicator.

[SRimon]

I'd add a front panel to the list.

[matt_vaughan]

Oh yer. Had decided to do that while I was out there. Want to get the thing useable again first though.

Suprises me how the bumper is fine (bar a couple of scuffs) but the bumper iron is mullered.

That rust on the front panel seems to have taken hold very suddenly. Ah well, vauxhalls ey.

[Vausey_Nova_Knotla]

When Will You Car Be Done Pal?

[matt_vaughan]

Starting carb manifold this weekend, finally have the materials. I tend to take ages to get stuff started and even longer to get them done, I get distracted easily. Currently at Uni, going home this weekend to get some stuff sorted to sell so will be cracking on with manifold for bike carbs. Then it's temp coming off road end of nov (insurance and tax runs out) so I can get the new engine in. Want to have it done by christmas, including a Mk1 front end.

[MIK]

hahaha i saw this nova last summer at a garden centre near bradford! i spotted it from miles away! good job mate shes smart!!

[matt_vaughan]

Where I was working pal. Someone left a note on it at some point saying they wanted it. Saw the lads gathered round it for ages, assumed it would be nicked next time i came out to it lol

[Rickyb]

is this done yet.

[matt_vaughan]

Haha No, keep getting stalled by all sorts, usually lack of cash lol

one day......:P

[MIK]

Where I was working pal. Someone left a note on it at some point saying they wanted it. Saw the lads gathered round it for ages, assumed it would be nicked next time i came out to it lol

HAHAHAHHAHA yer bud that was me and a few mates. i also saw you last sunday at the riponian rally around thirsk!! i was in a pikey escort van lol

[matt_vaughan]

Aye i was there :)

looked a right shed and still does to be honest, all sorts of bits hanging off thanks to that rally, and general abuse for last few months lol

[matt_vaughan]

Right, quick update. Car is now sold, but it's still in my life. My girlfriend's brother has it, and big plans for it. Not sure what yet, but he's completely rebuilding the car, and looking for big power engines for either front or rear install.

Him and 2 mates are going 3 ways on the project, and have no time limits (both above seem like a recipe for disaster personally ha), so we'll see.

Rear mounted V6 seems to be the favoured project at the moment.

I'm sure I'll be helping them out now and then with the project, and will keep this project thread updated from now on with their progress. First plan of action is the bodywork, which needs serious treatment.