nova XE to LET build

[williams]

alright everyone? just signed up, been doing a project thread on another site so i'll just copy and paste all my pics and stuff over from there.
got an 89 nova merit, mk2 front end, had a C20XE in it but im now fitting a C20LET.
will get pics up soon.

[James P]

sweet.

[williams]

need 15 posts before it will let me post pics though.

[saloonwoody]

jus be a post whore then !!

[burgo]

jus be a post whore then !!he may aswell its what everyone else does

[williams]

lol

[williams]

i'll

[williams]

get

[williams]

my

[williams]

post

[williams]

count up in here then :P pics to follow

[williams]

these posts are from the last 6 month or so




current spec is
1989 nova 1.2 merit shell
1992 facelift front end
gsi body kit
full respray in smake grey
full 1992 gsi interior
speedline alesio 2 wheels
wilwood 4 pots
quaife diff
poly bushs
C20XE 2L 16V engine
F20 gearbox
irmisher powercap
QED Q42H cams
powerboost valve
bigger injectors
ecu remap
jetex filter
jetex exhaust
had coilovers but removed them, just on standard dampers and custom springs at the min.
think thats it.........
heres some pics
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b159/williamsvts/nova/DSC00036.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b159/williamsvts/nova/DSC00037.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b159/williamsvts/nova/DSC00035.jpg
i have painted the engine and put teh heat sheild and chrome bolts on.
got some GAZ dampers, quickshift and new brake pads to fit this week
also just bought some R1 carbs off ebay and a digital dash from a vauxhall forum.
let the madding begin!!!
:)

[williams]

these arrived saturday morning :)
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b159/williamsvts/nova/DSC00044.jpg
also fitted this saturday
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b159/williamsvts/nova/DSC00043.jpg
and got this some time last week
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b159/williamsvts/nova/DSC00041.jpg

had a problem with oil pressure aswell so made myself a new oil pressure release valve from ally bronze,
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b159/williamsvts/nova/DSC00038.jpg
still had thre problme though so replaced oil pump yetserday and that seems to have solved the pressure problme and the trail of smoke i was leaving on full throttle :P

[williams]

i've got a 2Ltr turbo c20let engine im putting in with 6 speed gearbox, heres whats been happening.
been doin a bit buying and stripping over the last week.
got the engine pretty much stripped down, just got the oil pump, crank, water pump and 2 pulleys to get off. took a few pics on the way.
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b159/williamsvts/nova/DSC00127.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b159/williamsvts/nova/DSC00128.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b159/williamsvts/nova/DSC00129.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b159/williamsvts/nova/DSC00130.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b159/williamsvts/nova/DSC00131.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b159/williamsvts/nova/DSC00132.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b159/williamsvts/nova/DSC00135.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b159/williamsvts/nova/DSC00136.jpg

[williams]

then friday night i took a drive up to scotland to get my F28.
sunday i collected these vxr injectors
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b159/williamsvts/nova/DSC00142.jpg
and took my speedlines to leeds to meet 'mr valet man' off MIG to swap for hie cesaros. so my car was looking like this on sunday :help:
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b159/williamsvts/nova/DSC00141.jpg
but i came home with these :thumb:
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b159/williamsvts/nova/DSC00140.jpg
now my car looks like this
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b159/williamsvts/nova/DSC00143.jpg
should have my buckets this week and my gsi interior is on ebay. got 1/4 tank of petrol left to use then the XE is coming out :confused:

[williams]

got all the interior out on satuerday night. just got the dash left to come out.
had the cars blanket on it in this pic, didnt realise it was guna look this dark.
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b159/williamsvts/nova/DSC00154.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b159/williamsvts/nova/DSC00151.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b159/williamsvts/nova/DSC00152.jpg
once the inside is bare im going to start getting it ready to paint. might get the XE out this week aswell.

[williams]

took my engine out last night with the help of beasty (corspaul16v) and sharples (sparkles).
probably would of had it done a bit quicker if we werent trying to see the blonde out the back of mine take her top off at the bedroom window :P
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b159/williamsvts/nova/DSC00178.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b159/williamsvts/nova/DSC00180.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b159/williamsvts/nova/DSC00175.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b159/williamsvts/nova/DSC00176.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b159/williamsvts/nova/DSC00181.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b159/williamsvts/nova/DSC00174.jpg
BUT, i have decided to scrap the LET engine idea and go for the economical option.
so i have employed these 2 pua radgy gadgies to run my car flintstone style, all these ask for is 10 lambert and 4 cans of LCL a week!!!!!
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b159/williamsvts/nova/DSC00173.jpg

[williams]

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b159/williamsvts/nova/DSC00198.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b159/williamsvts/nova/DSC00206.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b159/williamsvts/nova/DSC00207.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b159/williamsvts/nova/DSC00208.jpg
also got a nova's best freind to tackle some rust
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b159/williamsvts/nova/DSC00191.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b159/williamsvts/nova/DSC00190.jpg

[williams]

need to get my finger out with this really :P being too lazy. decided to stip the rest of the engine so i can measure the crank to get the correct bearings and get the block ready for fitting the oil squirters. some pics below:
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b159/williamsvts/nova/DSC00220.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b159/williamsvts/nova/DSC00221.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b159/williamsvts/nova/DSC00222.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b159/williamsvts/nova/DSC00224.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b159/williamsvts/nova/DSC00225.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b159/williamsvts/nova/DSC00226.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b159/williamsvts/nova/DSC00227.jpg
crank measured on bottom size for the standard size shells. going to get block cleaned and drilled next monday night i think.
strut top strengthning plates also come today, just waiting on the chassis strengthning kit and F28 gearbox mount coming so should be get most the welding done this weekend.
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b159/williamsvts/nova/DSC00230.jpg
ordered the oil spray jets yesterday so will be attacting my block next week :(

[williams]

got my new gazebo and halogen lights setup, so this is where all the action is taking place :)
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b159/williamsvts/nova/DSC00234.jpg
over the weekend i've been getting the piant/rust/sealer off the engine bay ready for welding/strengthening/painting.
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b159/williamsvts/nova/DSC00231.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b159/williamsvts/nova/DSC00232.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b159/williamsvts/nova/DSC00238.jpg
seam welding was a bit ****, no wonder there was loads of sealer over the top of it
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b159/williamsvts/nova/DSC00237.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b159/williamsvts/nova/DSC00236.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b159/williamsvts/nova/DSC00235.jpg

[williams]

hoping chassis strengthening kit will come in the next day or so.
oil spray jets come today aswell, will try and get time at work tonight to get the block drilled and get them fitted.
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b159/williamsvts/nova/DSC00240.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b159/williamsvts/nova/DSC00241.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b159/williamsvts/nova/DSC00242.jpg
engine in the boot of the ka, taking it to work to drill the holes in. hope i dont **** it :P
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b159/williamsvts/nova/DSC00239.jpg

[williams]

was ****ting my pants last night when i was drilling the holes for the oil spray jets, didnt want to write my engine off :P anyway, it went pretty well.
got myself a 5.8mm slot cutter
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b159/williamsvts/nova/DSC00243.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b159/williamsvts/nova/DSC00244.jpg
used this as theres less chance of it wandering off
practice drilled a bit of scrap metal to make sure the hole was going to be the correct size
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b159/williamsvts/nova/DSC00245.jpg
then tilted the milling head to 20 degrees so that the squirters pointed towards the center of the top of the bore
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b159/williamsvts/nova/DSC00246.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b159/williamsvts/nova/DSC00247.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b159/williamsvts/nova/DSC00248.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b159/williamsvts/nova/DSC00249.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b159/williamsvts/nova/DSC00250.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b159/williamsvts/nova/DSC00251.jpg

[williams]

gave the block a good clean through with parafin and an airline
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b159/williamsvts/nova/DSC00252.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b159/williamsvts/nova/DSC00253.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b159/williamsvts/nova/DSC00254.jpg
just waiting on my 6mm die grinder bits arriving at work so that i can make an oil way between the 2 holes. then i can get the jets pushed in.

[williams]

6mm die grinder come today, so i could get the oil way made.
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b159/williamsvts/nova/DSC00260.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b159/williamsvts/nova/DSC00261.jpg
some of them didnt end up very straight :P still do the same job though
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b159/williamsvts/nova/DSC00263.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b159/williamsvts/nova/DSC00264.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b159/williamsvts/nova/DSC00265.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b159/williamsvts/nova/DSC00266.jpg
didnt have the jets at work with me so going to have to wait till tomorrow to put them in. will get my conrods ordered end of the week and the rest of the parts i need for the head. hoping to get engine built in the next couple weeks.

[williams]

pushed my spray jets in tonight, ferw pics below of them.
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b159/williamsvts/nova/DSC00268.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b159/williamsvts/nova/DSC00269.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b159/williamsvts/nova/DSC00270.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b159/williamsvts/nova/DSC00271.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b159/williamsvts/nova/DSC00272.jpg
and had the idea to paint my block green. its now called the mighty pea....
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b159/williamsvts/nova/DSC00274.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b159/williamsvts/nova/DSC00276.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b159/williamsvts/nova/DSC00277.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b159/williamsvts/nova/DSC00279.jpg

[williams]

heres a slighter better pic of the block :
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b159/williamsvts/nova/DSC00289.jpg
decided to start welding some of the chassis strengthning kit on today.
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b159/williamsvts/nova/DSC00280.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b159/williamsvts/nova/DSC00281.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b159/williamsvts/nova/DSC00282.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b159/williamsvts/nova/DSC00284.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b159/williamsvts/nova/DSC00285.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b159/williamsvts/nova/DSC00286.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b159/williamsvts/nova/DSC00287.jpg
then i got hungry :P
pleae note: i know im not the worlds best welder :)

[williams]

just been and welded the other side.
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b159/williamsvts/nova/DSC00290.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b159/williamsvts/nova/DSC00291.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b159/williamsvts/nova/DSC00292.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b159/williamsvts/nova/DSC00293.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b159/williamsvts/nova/DSC00294.jpg
thought id have a bit more practice by weldig up all the seams.
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b159/williamsvts/nova/DSC00295.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b159/williamsvts/nova/DSC00296.jpg

[williams]

i've read in a few places that polishing the crown of your pistons helps with disapate the heat. so i took my pistons into work last night to give them a bit of a polish :clap:
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b159/williamsvts/nova/DSC00300.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b159/williamsvts/nova/DSC00302.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b159/williamsvts/nova/DSC00304.jpg
then gave them a little clean in the parafin bath
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b159/williamsvts/nova/DSC00305.jpg
can do your hair in them :P
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b159/williamsvts/nova/DSC00306.jpg

[williams]

2 DAYS WORTH HERE :D
done a little bit on the car today.
got the miidle bar from the slam panel cut out to make room for IC and fans, also got some more paint stripped off the bay.
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b159/williamsvts/nova/DSC00318.jpg
then chopped off the gearbox mount so i cant weld the 6 speed mount on
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b159/williamsvts/nova/DSC00299-1.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b159/williamsvts/nova/DSC00317.jpg
also got 1 off the tie bar plates welded on
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b159/williamsvts/nova/DSC00315.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b159/williamsvts/nova/DSC00316.jpg
done a little bit more today, not much though :P
weled on the other tie bar plate and stripped a bit mroe paint from the engien bay. canny hard work paint removal :confused:
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b159/williamsvts/nova/DSC00319.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b159/williamsvts/nova/DSC00320.jpg

[williams]

posty brought these on xmas eve :)
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b159/williamsvts/nova/DSC00325.jpg
just need to get my piston rings and i can get the bottom end back together.

[williams]

been doing a bit more on da beast last night.
as you can see, its no good putting new rings on this old bore. so out came the honer, ohh err, oil me up and hone my bore :P
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b159/williamsvts/nova/DSC00327.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b159/williamsvts/nova/DSC00326.jpg
and after
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b159/williamsvts/nova/DSC00328.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b159/williamsvts/nova/DSC00329.jpg
then i needed to put in the main bearings
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b159/williamsvts/nova/DSC00330.jpg

[williams]

you can see oil squirters i fitted in this pic
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b159/williamsvts/nova/DSC00331.jpg
and you may be able to see the oilway i made aswell
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b159/williamsvts/nova/DSC00332.jpg
crank cleaned and ready to go in
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b159/williamsvts/nova/DSC00333.jpg
oiled the bearings, dropped the crank in, and torqued them up
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b159/williamsvts/nova/DSC00334.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b159/williamsvts/nova/DSC00335.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b159/williamsvts/nova/DSC00337.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b159/williamsvts/nova/DSC00338.jpg
forgot to get a crankshaft oil seal thoughcso need to ge that.
also lost the bolts for the water pump aswell :(

[williams]

thats it so far. hope you like.

[burgo]

wow looks like another very kool project. loving the fact you are carrying out all the machining work your self aswell

[James P]

i love

[James P]

whats the advantage of putting the extra oil ways in? does it make a big difference?

[williams]

just a bit extra cooling for the pistons. prob wont be needed at my spec but it'll do more good than harm.

doing it all myself as i hate paying for labour :P

[EUROTURBO]

looks good be keeping an eye on this...!

[williams]

got a few little bits this week, header tand, washer bottle, brake fluid resivour and redbumper stripe. couldnt get them from an vaux dealer in this country though :confused:
need a bit of a clean, probably been sat on the shelf for a while :P

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b159/williamsvts/nova/DSC00361.jpg

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b159/williamsvts/nova/DSC00362.jpg

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b159/williamsvts/nova/DSC00363.jpg

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b159/williamsvts/nova/DSC00364.jpg

piston rings and crank seals should be here soon so i can get the bottom end finished.

[Stoo]

nice build

diy machining FTW
what do you do for a living then?

[williams]

machinist :P

[Stoo]

nice one!

[williams]

my pulsar throttle bodies arrived yesterday.
need to make a manifold for them now so they'll fit the c20let head

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b159/williamsvts/nova/DSC00373.jpg

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b159/williamsvts/nova/DSC00372.jpg

took some measurements and done a little drawing through the night. gunna get my LET head into work tonight and get that measured up

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b159/williamsvts/nova/DSC00371.jpg

thought id let my pistons chill out in some parafin to get them clean ready to go in, and wrapped them up to keep them clean

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b159/williamsvts/nova/DSC00374.jpg

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b159/williamsvts/nova/DSC00375.jpg

need to get my finger out and get some work done on the car though :P

[novaowner999]

is that how it works?

[williams]

how what works mate?