hello new here and ...

[MK1-GTE]

as above new to this site so a big Hello to all ...:)

im on the hunt for some technical advice with ref to a nova engine swap so thought here was the best place to source the relevant infomation ...

my situation is this ..

im about to buy a good clean straight nova 1200 for a runabout for the wife as the current car she uses is a bit thirsty ....:(

unfortunately the prospect of a 1200 has been topic for a lenghty chat and the wife insists it must be atleast equal to the power we once had in a nova gsi ...women !!!!!:roll:

fortunately i have a freind with a 2litre 8 valve cavailer who has offered the entire car as a donor for the nova ...(thanks phil:thumb: )

although in the past i have worked on many vauxhalls im looking to members here to be as kind as to advice me excactly what i will, or wont need from the cav? aswell as what else im also going to need to complete the engine swap ..

im sure as replys are made ill have some further q`s ....

would appreciate any suggestions advice

many thanks alan

[just vaux trev]

are you looking to do it on a budget???

[MK1-GTE]

plans so far are ...

strip required parts from the cav ..refurb all parts ready to refit ....
when time is right strip the nova and then seam weld and install chris astley bay strengthening kit inc top mounts and buy the 2 litre engine mount kit bay would be sprayed prior to refitting new motor .....

when said like the above sounds so simple but im sure theres some really important things im not spotting ??

as for costs ??
with the fact most items needed are readilly available at sensible prices im hoping to achieve all mechanical work for less that ?750 to include brake and suspension overhaul ...

[Andy_L]

I'd recomend having the engine bay stitch welded.

I'd suggest doing a search as pretty much what you have to do to the XE engine (2 litre 16v engine).

But suffuce to say you need to faff about with inner and outer CV's and driveshafts amongst other things.

[MK1-GTE]

thanks andy although im going back to old skool on this project in favour of an 2 ltr 8valve motor ...

is stitch welded not the same as seam ?? forgive my ignorance :(

[NOVA_LEE]

im doing the same conversion as you a cav sri 2litre 8v and all you need is, brakes loom engine the engine mounts from chris astley, drive shafts, gte or gsi fuel pump and tank an the manifold off the cav.

unlike you tho i dont have a donor cav some im desperatly lookin for a box loom and everything else cos all i have is the engine with no box an the uprated suspension

[MK1-GTE]

im doing the same conversion as you a cav sri 2litre 8v and all you need is, brakes loom engine the engine mounts from chris astley, drive shafts, gte or gsi fuel pump and tank an the manifold off the cav.

unlike you tho i dont have a donor cav some im desperatly lookin for a box loom and everything else cos all i have is the engine with no box an the uprated suspension

good to know can pester each other im sure ...lol

a freind is about to get hold of another cav for breaking if you`d like to pm me a list of bits your after ill pass it on to him ...:thumb:

[just vaux trev]

drive shafts/cv's ?100/150
breaks of the cav
engine loom/ecu of the cav
engine cav
mounts ?45
exhaust custom ?300 full system poerflow
if you are not running injection in the nova>> fuel tank gte/gsi/sri
fuel pump off the cav
advise new gaskets and water pump while the engine is out the cav

[MK1-GTE]

drive shafts/cv's ?100/150
breaks of the cav
engine loom/ecu of the cav
engine cav
mounts ?45
exhaust custom ?300 full system poerflow
if you are not running injection in the nova>> fuel tank gte/gsi/sri
fuel pump off the cav
advise new gaskets and water pump while the engine is out the cav

thank you have made a note of the above info ..:thumb:
would the cav suspension be of any use??
also had read about the rear disc conversion is that viable with cav componenets?

[just vaux trev]

i have the same engine in mine i just took mine out to clean it and the bay>
http://http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee77/justvauxtrev/DSC00357.jpg
http://http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee77/justvauxtrev/DSC00360.jpg
http://http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee77/justvauxtrev/DSC00396.jpg
they look nice cleaned up

[MK1-GTE]

wooooooooooow respect that looks awesome ...

is that polished??? surely not ?

[just vaux trev]

the rear breaks do about 10% of the work and i wouldnt bother
but you need a conversion plate welded onto your rear beam and then you can put the rear breaks of the cav on,
the cav susp is no good
keep the cav rear breaks for the future tho

[MK1-GTE]

cheers much obliged ..:)
obviously with a bigger engine in id need a uprated suspension kit any recommended routes??

[just vaux trev]

it's polished yes this was just a quick one,
> this is the one i did for the mrs car>
http://http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee77/justvauxtrev/DSC00266.jpg

[MK1-GTE]

thats top notch bud ...

and im liking the fact you did it on the kitchen floor too ...:)

[Andy_L]

thanks andy although im going back to old skool on this project in favour of an 2 ltr 8valve motor ...

is stitch welded not the same as seam ?? forgive my ignorance :(

I was typing slowly lol

Sorry I meant do a search as that will give you hints tips steps etc for dropping in your 8 valve.

[Welsh Dan]

Seam welding involves one continuous weld along a seam, stitch welding involves welding a certain distance, ie an inch, then leaving a gap of the same distance before the next weld.

[MK1-GTE]

Seam welding involves one continuous weld along a seam, stitch welding involves welding a certain distance, ie an inch, then leaving a gap of the same distance before the next weld.

cheers :)
and seam im presuming is deemed not as good as stitch although would think continues seamed must be better??:confused:

[MK1-GTE]

I was typing slowly lol

Sorry I meant do a search as that will give you hints tips steps etc for dropping in your 8 valve.

np`s thanks :)

[Stuart]

stitch welded is better as it alows a crumple zone to be kept... plus weighs less.

well done for finding the bold buttong, but please dont bother with it :p

fitting a 2.0 8v is the same as fitting a 2.0 16v in so look on valvers.com (assuming it still exists) for info.

good suspension isnt cheap suspension... ie gmax is crap and makes the car handle like all the old wives tales about a big block nova being a boat true.
something like bilstein yellows with some good springs would be a good setup

[MK1-GTE]

stitch welded is better as it alows a crumple zone to be kept... plus weighs less.

well done for finding the bold buttong, but please dont bother with it :p

fitting a 2.0 8v is the same as fitting a 2.0 16v in so look on valvers.com (assuming it still exists) for info.

good suspension isnt cheap suspension... ie gmax is crap and makes the car handle like all the old wives tales about a big block nova being a boat true.
something like bilstein yellows with some good springs would be a good setup

thanks for the info fella ....

the bold button comment though ...
like many things there to be used :) :thumb: