View Full Version : Lee H's daily driver Nova
Seen as the turbo hardly ever ventures anywhere I thought i'd start a WIP on my daily driver as its had a fair few bits done to it recently.
Bought it about 3 months ago with a 2.0 8v in and looking like this.
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g201/biggra/DSCF0198.jpg
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g201/biggra/DSCF0196.jpg
Since then I have removed the splitter, GSi door stickers and boot vinyl (as its not a GSi), fitted some new headlights, window surrounds and an XE.
This posed other problems as I immediately broke a shaft/CV. Took it apart to find that small block 1.2 shafts had been slotted into big block inners and then had a weld ran round them to hold them in :eek: Fitted proper shafts now.
Here are some more up to date pics, needs a clean but you get the idea.
Got a new exhaust to fit as this one looks awful, GSi front bumper and also considering a LET.
http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z163/Lee_H25/002-1.jpg
http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z163/Lee_H25/003-2.jpg
http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z163/Lee_H25/004-3.jpg
http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z163/Lee_H25/005-2.jpg
http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z163/Lee_H25/006-5.jpg
And proof it looks better from a distance lol
http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z163/Lee_H25/007-5.jpg
vaughanmc
06-01-08, 09:09 PM
Does look good, but give it a clean :)
macc nova
06-01-08, 09:13 PM
good work looks loads better without the vinyl and splitter
ive seen this in person, its nice little car, we had it in the impound garage last year for no insurance lol, good luck with the mincing lol, if you ever fancy selling the gsi door cappings give us a bell :thumb:
Looks like a clean runaround that Lee :thumb:
guy from preston way used to own that non?
guy from preston way used to own that non?
he did stu, big gra was his name, before that a lad from st.heles owned it, he cancelled the insurance onit to buy a focus iirc, and then got pulled in it, i was hoping to strip it for bits lol, was only a 1.2 back then :thumb:
Its not that clean TBH Nick, needs some welding on rear chassis legs and a few other bits but it'll do, think i'll like it more if I stick a LET in.
Yeah Stu, think he was from Southport.
nice, xe novas are quality runarounds, sacrifice let bits to it, or xe bits to the let if something goes walkies/breaks
Exactly, I had one a few years ago as a runabout and always regretted selling it for the GT4.
the guy was a quality bodger
Crap welder though :thumb:
Nice little run around :D
the guy was a quality bodger
Tell me about it, snapped shaft tells the whole story, couldn't believe what I was seeing.
Had to fit the XE without removing the box and shafts too as never got a locking wheel nut key with the car and someone had tried welding a bar on to remove them. Got them off eventually though.
Does look tidy, nice motor Lee. Altho i know you've had quite a few issues with it recently lol
Fpmsl at welded on cv's, who the fook did that? lol
The guy who fitted the engine for Big Gra!!
Im suprised they actually worked.
So am I, will get a picture of one up over next weekend for a laugh.
NovaLad
06-01-08, 11:15 PM
I like this car alot but you really should clean it more lol.
Got some autoglym T-CUT here for red and some polish if ya need to borrow some.
I like this car alot but you really should clean it more lol.
Got some autoglym T-CUT here for red and some polish if ya need to borrow some.
The black one is for cleaning, this ones for using.
Cheers anyway but sounds like too much hard work for it to just get filthy again straight away.
craig green
07-01-08, 03:25 PM
Quality thread. Even funnier tale about the shafts.
lol the shafts were a disgrace lol
doe's look good lee lad :thumb:
Small update but no pics.
Had the rear spring seat welded on Saturday before the spring went through the chassis leg. Couple more bits need welding, will be done in a couple of weeks.
Spent today removing the best bit of a Cavalier turbo ready to go in this in a couple of weeks, Cav now ready for the big scrapyard in the sky.
Got some lowered tie bar mounts to fit as well as the gearbox keeps catching the tie bar plus they will also help with putting the power down.
Mate found some headlamp protectors in his garage from when he had a Nova so they got chucked on too.
Small update, no longer fitting the LET to this car as some kind person has keyed it all down the side so lost a bit of interest in it. Have fitted the new exhaust system I had to replace the horrible one it came with though.
Just e-mailed Practical Performance Car about entering the ?999 challenge at York Dragway in June so hopefully this shed will be making an appearance and not embarrassing itself too much.
big gra
12-05-08, 03:22 AM
Does look tidy, nice motor Lee. Altho i know you've had quite a few issues with it recently lol
Fpmsl at welded on cv's, who the fook did that? lol
yay, i used to love this car, got the 2.0 8v fitted cheap though, we did buy the driveshafts to fit it but they turned out to be the wrong ones, so the guy welded them in as a temporary fix, but never got around to replacing them as the car got sold.
the guy that welded them has now done pwhacks v6 engine conversion :confused:
few pics from tonight
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v13/riggy4/general%20pics/Image418.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v13/riggy4/general%20pics/Image419.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v13/riggy4/general%20pics/Image420.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v13/riggy4/general%20pics/Image421.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v13/riggy4/general%20pics/Image422.jpg
vaughanmc
20-05-08, 10:12 PM
Looks tidy that Nova - Needs a euro fog light though :)
big gra
20-05-08, 11:07 PM
looks really nice now lee, i loved the wheels, would get a set if i could afford to put a new set of tyres on them. looks nice with the gsi front bumper an dthe vinyl removed. if you want the original back windows (with k565 ubu etched in) i can get them if you want, something about having the original windows i like.
looks really nice!im sure i saw this car the other bank holiday at york raceway
You did mate, go up most times that its on.
Nice motot mate, wot wheels are these ? cavi gls look similar a think .... dunno
No idea what wheels, were on the car when I bought it.
big gra
20-05-08, 11:48 PM
they come standard on some cavaliers but usually have fat tyres on them.
they come standard on some cavaliers but usually have fat tyres on them.
Yrea a thort a recognised em , am wanting sumert like this myself to paint black too ..
BARGAIN BUT AM SKINT :mad:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/astra-gsi-wheels_W0QQitemZ180242896352QQihZ008QQcategoryZ104 04QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
looks really nice now lee, i loved the wheels, would get a set if i could afford to put a new set of tyres on them. looks nice with the gsi front bumper an dthe vinyl removed. if you want the original back windows (with k565 ubu etched in) i can get them if you want, something about having the original windows i like.
I like the wheels to, can't recall seeing another Nova on them. Original glass would be good if you have it lying around, take to PV maybe?
big gra
20-05-08, 11:58 PM
I like the wheels to, can't recall seeing another Nova on them. Original glass would be good if you have it lying around, take to PV maybe?
ok will get them. there in my mates nova as i swapped them when i put the gsi window surroiunds in his, but ive got his originals, so will swap them and let you know, they have big silverstone tyre stickers on them lol
looking nice with the gsi frt bumper.
Rick Draper
21-05-08, 06:03 AM
What a shonky nova! Where is the turbo?!
What a shonky nova! Where is the turbo?!
Thats even shonkier and has a gay gear linkage that doesn't want to play.
vaughanmc
21-05-08, 08:19 AM
something about having the original windows i like.
You'd like my Nova then - Every single window is original :)
how did you get on at the ppc £1000 challenge?
how did you get on at the ppc £1000 challenge?
Came 5th on the 1/4, 5th on the 0-60 (which i'm well happy with) but 12th on the handling I think (not so good)
Did 1/4 mile in 14.2 seconds and 0-60 in 5.9 seconds. Not bad against some of the rear drive stuff.
has this not fell apart yet? lol
I just keep welding it back up, 63 runs up the drag strip so far this year.
THATS the way to dress your Nova mate!! I like that a LOT.
has this not fell apart yet? lol
Wait till the let goes in :eek: lol
LEWI007
24-07-08, 07:12 PM
That's one god damn sexy nova there :thumb:
Update.
Coscast LET lump has now been purchased and collected. Have stitch welded half of the bay today, hoping to finish it during the week and get all the strengthening kit on.
Plan then is to MOT the car and see if it will pass before wasting my time fitting the engine.
Pics man, PICS! lol
Lost the lead for my digi camera, will have to get a new one :cry: Also the welding or the engine bay is not very photogenic!!
thedjse
19-08-08, 08:28 AM
Just read all this thread looks an awesome car lol
Rick Draper
19-08-08, 10:38 AM
Pics of this build or it aint happening lol.
MOT passed earlier this week but then managed to strip the threads out of the gearbox where the rear mount bolts on so spent Wednesday night changing the gearbox, deep joy!!
congrats on you £999 challenge result. just a shame about the slalom
Mate, what colour have you done your bumpers and skirts?
congrats on you £999 challenge result. just a shame about the slalom
Cheers Burgo, really gutted about that. Didn't have my last run when it was drying out as was helping my mate fit the nitrous on his Capri, reckon I could have done so much better. 1/4 mile and 0-60 were respectable though :)
Mate, what colour have you done your bumpers and skirts?
Satin black.
Cheers Burgo, really gutted about that. Didn't have my last run when it was drying out as was helping my mate fit the nitrous on his Capri, reckon I could have done so much better. 1/4 mile and 0-60 were respectable though :)you got 5th in both them. have you seen the feature?
Aye, but any particular brand?
you got 5th in both them. have you seen the feature?
Yes I have, i'm being modest!! Chuffed to be one of only 5 cars to crack 6 seconds 0-60, pretty much same quarter as the MR2 turbo too!!
Aye, but any particular brand?
Bodyshop did them for me so unsure mate.
MOT passed earlier this week but then managed to strip the threads out of the gearbox where the rear mount bolts on so spent Wednesday night changing the gearbox, deep joy!!
Passed? Fooking hell lol
No cat?
Passed? Fooking hell lol
No cat?
Shhh ;) :p
Go out drinking with the mot tester tonight? lol
Just noticed theres no pics in this thread, yet manages 7 pages
Pictures on page 1 and 3, don't really do photos, quite a few in club members from the Billing anniversary meet.
Some more up to date pics.
http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z163/Lee_H25/033-1.jpg
http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z163/Lee_H25/032.jpg
http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z163/Lee_H25/049.jpg
http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z163/Lee_H25/031-1.jpg
http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z163/Lee_H25/030-1.jpg
http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z163/Lee_H25/029-1.jpg
you bastid, i was saving the engine bay pics from billing for a special occasion and you ruin it :p lol lol lol lol lol I take it by the shine on the old girl you've also had alot of rain up there :thumb:
Still looks spot on :cool:
MyNovaSr
06-01-09, 02:13 PM
Did 1/4 mile in 14.2 seconds and 0-60 in 5.9 seconds. Not bad against some of the rear drive stuff.
How did you manage a 14.2 quater mile?
what have you done to the engine?
Seems fast for a valver :cool:
IIRC its just a standard xe.
Hes just done that many 1/4 runs that hes perfected the technique lol
NovaLad
06-01-09, 03:41 PM
He leans forward.
Gives the car Boooosstt!
How did you manage a 14.2 quater mile?
what have you done to the engine?
Seems fast for a valver :cool:
As Ad says, standard engine, practice makes perfect, done 65 runs between April and June this year so got technique spot on. Stopped after June as shell ripping itself apart :roll:
all us NW lot say that this is a fast engine for std lol ,
id say its quicker then mine anyway , and andy says it's quicker then his
anyway , donate you spare turbo lump to meeeee haha
all us NW lot say that this is a fast engine for std lol ,
id say its quicker then mine anyway , and andy says it's quicker then his
anyway , donate you spare turbo lump to meeeee haha
i say donate it to dave so he can be relieved of that 1.0l and see what REAL powers like lol
Carl still needs to see what real powers like as well though!!
So do i :(
£200 here for it lol lol
So do i :(
£200 here for it lol lol
That might just about get you the turbo :eek: Can see me ending up fitting it as no-one seems to want it and its a shame to waste it.
lol
Offer it me for a good price and i'll have it!
It owes me £850, Coscast head too!!
Took the LET to pieces as no-one wanted it whole and now no-one wants any parts off it so only one thing for it as i'm sick of the sight of it every time I open the garage door.
Today I have bought all new gaskets, bolts etc and i'm going to build it back up and fit it in this car and see how much the shell can take. Will try and remember to take some pictures while I do it which is really unusual for me.
Hopefully beat the 1/4 mile time below then as well.
Sounds good Lee, if you need someone to get in your way when it goes in, give me a shout
Missed that i'd have offerd 700ish..
Not enough, not much chance of finding a LET at that price, good luck.
I know, but i refuse to pay a grand for one.. and you did say it owes you 850..lol
I know, but i refuse to pay a grand for one.. and you did say it owes you 850..lol
I got it cheap and ain't interested in selling at a loss ;)
lol
Whens it going in then Lee?
Might have to pop up your way to have a look.
On 2nd thoughts maybe not, if i see a let going in and then I see one in action on the road i know im going want one myself even more lol lol
When i've built it back up. Got a problem as one of the exhaust manifold studs, its snapped off and i've drilled it out and tried using a stud extractor and that snapped off in the stud. So annoying.
Ad, you might as well cut out the XE step and go straight to the LET step as you'll end up there anyway.
Fixed the quick rack yesterday as track rods were knackered and clunking over bumps in the road and then managed to collapse the steering column taking the steering wheel off. Sorted it today after some great help from Graeme Dixon as wasn't sure on the best way of getting the sheer bolt out.
Collected a Frontera intercooler too so looks like the LET might be going in after all as no-one has bought it and i'm fed up of looking at it everytime I open the garage.
Also had a brake problem today, handbrake cables seem to be sticking, came off motorway with burning smell and brake pedal hit the deck, boiled the fluid, rear wheel was too hot to touch!!
How did you manage to get it out mate???
So the LET going in now?
How did you manage to get it out mate???
So the LET going in now?
Drill, big chisel and an even bigger hammer.
Probably unless someone buys it before next weekend. Had offers of £700 as apparantly all i've done is "fit some cheap new gaskets" but would rather let it sit there than give it away.
Rick Draper
01-03-09, 09:27 PM
Lee you know owning 2 let novas would ruin your life forever!
Exactly/\
So sell me the let! lol ;)
Lee you know owning 2 let novas would ruin your life forever!
Owning two Nova's is ruining my life forever :cry:
Exactly/\
So sell me the let! lol ;)
But your going to put it in a mk1, that almost as bad as it going in a saloon :(
Rick Draper
01-03-09, 09:35 PM
Owning two Nova's is ruining my life forever :cry:
Buy yourself a cav turbo, that would sort things right out!
Buy yourself a cav turbo, that would sort things right out!
So I can change transfer boxes weekly rather than fixing rust? :confused:
Rick Draper
01-03-09, 09:42 PM
So I can change transfer boxes weekly rather than fixing rust? :confused:
That and fixing the rust lol
That and fixing the rust lol
and people getting in the back asking you to take them to Sainsbury's cos they think it's a minicab!lol
gregvaux
14-03-09, 08:03 PM
car looks ok pal good to meet you the the over week wen you pict Frontera intercooler up
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