New Member = New Project

[Mike B GTE]

Evening All.
Ive been a member for quite a while now, but ive never posted before, so here goes. Ive owned a few Vauxhalls, well ive only owned Vauxhalls, and this is my 1st Nova.
I know it?s a bit pointless without pics, I will add them once ive clocked up 15 posts, but ill give you the run down on my car anyway.
Ive got a 1990 pre-facelift GTE in red. Im going to use it mainly as a fun road car, but may also do a few track days. So, here goes, ive stripped the interior right out, welded in seat rails, sanded and painted the entire floor (not an easy task) fitted one of my Cobra imols S?s, Scroth harnesses, an OMP 300m wheel (from my astra coupe) some sparco pedals and gear knob, along with some custom GTE mats. Ive got a 6 point cage and rear brace awaiting paint (white) and then to be fitted. Ive made up a half false floor for the rear and covered it in black alcantara. Carbon interior panels are getting ordered tomorrow.
The outside is original GTE, standard issue bumpers, skirts and spoiler. The only things ive added are the clear front lenses and the bonnet with blended in MK2 astra vents. Ive replaced the discs and callipers on the already installed rear disc conversion, fitted 4 pot willwoods up front with 290mm discs and 16? TD Pro 1.2s in white.
Under bonnet is the standard 1.6 8v lump fitted with a set of samcos, bailey header tank, K&N, branch, full piper system, new leads, and plugs, complete new ignition system. Also have painted cam cover and strut brace white.
Plans for future is to fit a new handbrake cable, fit cage and rear brace, fit the cam and vernier I already have, maybe go for carbs too. I need some sort of suspension then its off to paint. Im getting it re-sprayed the colour it is now, flame red (already had a pant respray) with gloss black skirts and bumper extensions.
Everything up ?til now has been done diy.
Let me know what you think and any suggestions you have ? please give me your thoughts

[twistysnovagte]

get posting lol will be an interesting thread seein as its your first nova wanna see this:thumb:

[craig green]

Get posting & add some pics....

Sounds great especially as its got a mk1 fr end still.

[Mike B GTE]

Get posting & add some pics....

Sounds great especially as its got a mk1 fr end still.


yeah exactly, you wouldnt believe the number of people that have said i should facelift it! while ive nothing against facelifts, i like the old boxy front of mine. i think, please correct me if im wrong, but being a '90 G plate is one of the last pre-facelifts?

i will post up some pics very soon, just dont want make 15 posts of bull**** in order to do so.

[craig green]

H reg (Aug 1990) was when facelifts came in. So early H reg cars will be mk1, later mk2.

In the sea of GSi replicas & facelifted early cars I wish I had a mk1.

[vaughanmc]

Welcome to the site mate, can't wait to see some pics

Where are you in Scotland ?

[Mike B GTE]

Welcome to the site mate, can't wait to see some pics

Where are you in Scotland ?

Cheers mate, will upload pics later on tonight.

Im about 10mins outside Stirling, not too far from you :thumb:

[raymond]

welcome to the site mate

it not my old one is it g244 tnf

that went up to scotland:thumb:

[Mike B GTE]

Nah mate, its not, its G855 FFS, bought it off a fella up here - nowhere near as clean as he said it was, bit of a shed - but i bought it anyway and started tearing it apart.

[vaughanmc]

Let me know if you need any parts mate :)

Will be good to see another Nova on Scottish roads :)

[Mike B GTE]

Let me know if you need any parts mate :)

Will be good to see another Nova on Scottish roads :)

Here, here! they are few n far between up here!!

Home from work, made 11 decent posts, so...

[Mike B GTE]

Lets get some...

[Mike B GTE]

Pics..

[Mike B GTE]

up.... (sorry could resist)

[Iain]

Now edit those crap posts with images :thumb:

[Mike B GTE]

Engine bay as it stands now, took a while to it this clean

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg16/MikeBGTE/P1010730Medium.jpg

Front End / wheels

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg16/MikeBGTE/P1010729Medium.jpg

Rear with smoothed of wiper hole, an finished extension (had previously been chopped up for jap crap exhaust)

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg16/MikeBGTE/P1000823Medium.jpg

WIP vents

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg16/MikeBGTE/DSC00653Medium.jpg
http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg16/MikeBGTE/DSC00646Medium.jpg

Ouside - 1st time in a while

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg16/MikeBGTE/DSC00589Medium.jpg

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg16/MikeBGTE/DSC00587Medium.jpg

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg16/MikeBGTE/DSC00407Medium.jpg

[djshaggeh]

Stunning car mate! Respray looks good. Im not too keen on the vents but everything else is niceeee!

Love the number plate too

[burgo]

flame red gte, does it get any better. class plate aswell

[Mike B GTE]

Stunning car mate! Respray looks good. Im not too keen on the vents but everything else is niceeee!

Love the number plate too

itonly the bumpers and grill that been painted so far - rest is still the 1st dog rough respray! got new doors to fit before it gets done again.

vents, hmm i thought they were a good idea at the time, they look cool i think, but i might just put the spare plain bonnet back on.:confused:

[raymond]

car looks like a nice project matey

agreed with above though not to keen on the vents either

but each to there own :thumb:

[Mike B GTE]

couple more, wheels/brakes, front again and half floor

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg16/MikeBGTE/P1000516Medium.jpg

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg16/MikeBGTE/P1000408Medium.jpg

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg16/MikeBGTE/DSC00573Medium.jpg

[7ova]

dont they nick alloys in scotland! just wheel nuts
good job mate, looks good :thumb:

[dave.gsi]

:thumb: me like long tiiiiiime!

very nice bud

[NOV4_SPORT]

very smart mate, good to see more good quality novas in scotland. looks very tidy mate.


iain

[Ryan5cyl]

That looks stunning :eek:, when you put a cage in, make sure you paint it white!

[Mike B GTE]

That looks stunning :eek:, when you put a cage in, make sure you paint it white!

All primered and main hoop section already painted..............white! :thumb:

(rear strut brace is white too - just needs coat or two of laquer now)

[Rickyb]

looks mint mate :thumb:

[Mazz]

I really like that, i was stuck wether to for the red and white combination, but i went went red and black in the end as its less cleaning!

[Ernie]

At a quick look you could mistake it for Lee H's nova.
Keep up the good work.

[Riggy]

lol looking really good fella :thumb:

[AndyGSi]

Cheers mate, will upload pics later on tonight.

Im about 10mins outside Stirling, not too far from you :thumb:

Whereabouts outside Stirling, I stay in Dunipace. I've got a GSi but it hasn't seen the light of day for a few years. Planning to do a restoration this summer.

That's a cracking car you've got.

[Mike B GTE]

Whereabouts outside Stirling, I stay in Dunipace. I've got a GSi but it hasn't seen the light of day for a few years. Planning to do a restoration this summer.

That's a cracking car you've got.

haha - 10 mins the other way. im in Sauchie, the hillfoots direction. absolute dead centre of nowhere really!

Cheers mate, get that Gsi started pronto :thumb:

[craig green]

That looks fantastic Mike. All the right bits & clean & pleasing to the eye too.

[Mike B GTE]

That looks fantastic Mike. All the right bits & clean & pleasing to the eye too.

cheers mate, im glad you like it. got a bit of a way to go yet, but by the summer i'l have it all finished. (he says with his fingers, toes and eyes crossed)

[greg1.4]

looks fantastic!!

i really like red mk1's! especially gte's!

very nice and hope to see this in the future! i also stay in scotland..

[tony k]

lovely car mate red and white nice keep up the good work fella

[CP]

Nice:thumb:

Keep the vents if you like them - I think they'll be fine when sprayed up and finished off plus they're functional

[Mike B GTE]

hi all, just a small (pictureless until i get home) update.

few bits added, my rear strut brace arrived, which is now in the middle of being painted polar white, ive finnished the small bit of welding i had left to do on the seat rails, whislt the other seat has arrived now too.

also, cosmetically, i got a standrad GTE grill (cheers Nova Lod) and have refurbed and primered the surround, cleaned the slats and refurbed the badge. also made a clip from an old grill as one had broke off. Replaced my passnger side light with a new lucas one too.

also, i got both doors off and stripped down and am now sanding my new ones ready to have the original glass etc put back in, and also prepping the door shuts and cills.

finally i purchased some GM Dealer Sport Decals, which i havent fitted yet, but they are cool.

pics to follow, thank you for the positive comments so far!!!

[Mike B GTE]

some pics to accompany the above post:

front grill surround
http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg16/MikeBGTE/DSC00847.jpg

Rear brace (prior to paint)
http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg16/MikeBGTE/DSC00837.jpg

Doorless
http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg16/MikeBGTE/P1020953.jpg

Re-furbed badge
http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg16/MikeBGTE/P1020956.jpg

Seats and Mats ready to go in
http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg16/MikeBGTE/P1020958.jpg

Stickers!!!
http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg16/MikeBGTE/P1020962.jpg

[Shaun_O'Donnell]

We'll soon be able to invade England!!!!

Looks an absolute cracker.

[nova lod.]

al have to get ma finger out also get started to ma nova again yours is getting their looking mint:thumb:

[silvertornado_sr]

that looks mint :D

[ade]

Excellent looking Nova Mike - as for the vents - look fine to me. As CP says if you like them keep them - v functional!

You're not too far from me - I live just west of Stirling in a little village called Balfron. Will have to get a wee Scottish meet me thinks although my Novas still very much a WIP!

Ade

[GTE TURBZ]

From my understanding all gte's whether it was an e-reg or a h-reg were mk1's unless someones done a facelift, dont ruin it mate.......... hehehe.

Love the gloss black skirts and the black stripe on the bumpers to go with it, glad your keeping it original, personally i would go for some standard vauxhall alloys which ever you prefer to maintain that origional look baring the intierior.

Oh and agreed as your gonna be painting the front bonnet, loose the vents, this is what it could look like. :)

Still have to lower mine.

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r151/hiten_photos/IMG_0323.jpg

[Mike B GTE]

thanks for the comments! i think maybe a wee scottish meet could be on the cards once its finished!

ive decided to keep the vents, i really like them and theyre subtle enough, and vauxhall related, not to take away from the oriignal look im after. keeping the white rims too - i think ive got a good colour theme going with the red, white and black. Outside ive got red with white rims and gloss black bumper extensions + skirts (plus the sublte black pinstripe and window surrounds), inside ive got all the red painted metalwork, white cage and brace with black/red mats and black red seats. it'll turn out well in the end i hope. im having a plain bonnet sprayed up as a spare so if the vents look ghey ill swap it over.

More progress and pics to come soon

[twistysnovagte]

mikey thats one very sweet motor m8, impressed at the work your doing aswell shes sweet:thumb:

[Shaun_O'Donnell]

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r151/hiten_photos/IMG_0323.jpg

That is f**king gorgeous!

[chimp007_uk]

looking at both of these really makes me miss mine... i'm scrapping it at the mo after its sat in my drive for over a year after the accident.

didn't feel too bad breaking it, until i saw those two beauties and now i'm sad.

best of luck mate! looks awesome!

[GTE TURBZ]

Thanks for the complimnet, if you wanna see more pics of this and other nova, search under my username for restrored nova gte. cheers

[Sherco]

Very nice mate, keep it up! Can i ask where you got them mats from?

[Mike B GTE]

/\ PM'd about the mats.

quick picture-less (until tonight) update for you all. finished painting the rear half of the inside of the car, all my carbon fibre interior panels arrived so im going to crack on with fitting them tonight. A few more polished bits & another bit of samco arrived too, so ill get on with them too. Ive finished the grill surround (unpainted as yet) and spent a large amount of time making a white GTE logo for the centre (as opposed to silver). Think thats about it for now. pics up later, as usual comments are appreciated!

[wilson_sri]

Cracking project mate, hopefully we will b getting a few PNG meets together in the summer so you will have to bring it along!

Can you pm me about where you got the mats mate aswell please?

[Mike B GTE]

Pics to go with above, the white GTE logo i made. just taped the slats onto the old surround until the new refurbed one is painted to get an idea of what it'll be like.

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg16/MikeBGTE/14032008024Medium.jpg

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg16/MikeBGTE/14032008025Medium.jpg

finished painting inner arch housings, just need a coat or two of laquer

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg16/MikeBGTE/14032008035Medium.jpg

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg16/MikeBGTE/14032008033Medium.jpg

and finally the carbon panels

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg16/MikeBGTE/13032008019Medium.jpg

only fitted the scuttle cover for now until the inside is finished being painted.

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg16/MikeBGTE/14032008031Medium.jpg

hopefully will have this done n time for summer, cant wait to get out and about in it.

[brucer]

did you make all them carbon panels your self?
i want a scuttle one!!!

[wilson_sri]

That scuttle cover is awesome!

[Mike B GTE]

/\ cheers! wish i could take the credit, but unfortunately i only bought it, along with the other panels.

more underbonnet polished bits arrived, will get onto that tonight.

Hopefully will have the whole inside painted and carbon panels ftted up at the weekend. If so then i can mount the seats, throw the mats down and fit the small bits again (wheel, gaiter, gear knob, strut brace and false floor) - interior done!

wonder if the misses fancies going halves on a set of Avos???? wouldn't bank on it eh!

[TWAG]

where did you buy the carbon panels from and how much, im looking for a set for mine.

[Mike B GTE]

few pics of the carbon panlels ive fitted inside, only done one side as ive run out of dual lock. also refitted the rear brace now thats its ben repainted white.

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/M16KEB/22032008086.jpg

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/M16KEB/22032008091.jpg

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/M16KEB/22032008089.jpg

[boyle_46]

this car is f3cking gorgeous mate , keep up the good work could you also PM me details on the mats and do you know if they can be done with the gsi logo , as for the grill badge did you just tape the badge and cut round the letters with a scalpel and spray it ? my badge could do with a refurb aswell . cheers Nath .

[Mike B GTE]

/\ mats were from Just Mats, i cant for the life of me remember if it was spelt Matz, google it, im sure it'll be there. oh yeah im sure they do do the GSi logo.

badge was done with white fablon, roughly cut to size for each section of each letter, warmed slightly then timmed with a model knife - tedous eye killing job, but it looks mint (IMO) in white - matches the rims.:D

[RYAN16V]

very nice mate i need to get my engine out and get it gleaming like yours!!! red and white looks good!!!

what exhaust system you running?

regards

[Mike B GTE]

cheers mate,

there more polished bits under the bonnet now, will put a pic up later tonight.

exhaust is a full Piper system (mild steel - i'm too cheap to go for stainless lol ) with a 4 branch manifold too. sounds really nice, doesnt make your ears bleed but its a nice note.:thumb:

[RYAN16V]

i got a full ashley with manifold and its a right pain in the bakside to get it fitting right, back box hanger dont seem to want to go where i want it aaaaaarrrrrggggghhhhhh!!!!!

sounds well just struggling at the mo?

[Mike B GTE]

updated engine bay shot, lots of polished bits:

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/M16KEB/P1030160.jpg

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/M16KEB/P1030162.jpg

[Mike B GTE]

quick pic of it rolled outside, slightly outdated because iv got the standard GTE grill on it now.

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/M16KEB/P1020952.jpg

keep the comments coming...

[vaughanmc]

Tidy car mate - Is it road legal ?

[wilson_sri]

Good progress dude, where did you get that windscreen washer bottle from?

[blindside-retro]

Looks really smart Mike, stick with the bonnet vents, there are a vauxhall item after all & blend in well to the look you are after.
Really liking the carbon interior panels! How much & where from?

[Adam]

Im really liking that. Theres something about a red gte that makes them look cool.

Liking the carbon bits too :cool:

What offset are the wheels? The fronts look to sit out from the arches a fair way unless its the camera angle.

[Mike B GTE]

Adam - wheels are an ET45, i see what you mean, that pic does look odd, but they dont stick out past the arches at all, well nothing like that looks anyway.

Wilson - Custom Solutions was where the washer bottle came from.

Carbon Panels from Mulsane Sport Cars / Performance Trim.

the car is road legal, its SORN jsut now and not seen the road in two years nearly but theres nothing on it that will fail an MOT or not be suitable for road use (other than my wee undersized front plate :D ).

ive decided that the bonnet vents will stay, not that its a big deal because ive got a spare bonnet that i'll get painted up with the rest of the car.

over the weekend, this is my to do list:
1) finish painting / laquering the drivers side floor
2) mount seats and harnesses
3) fit opposite sides carbon panels
4) get it up on stands to bleed brakes and swap exhaust hangers

[Mike B GTE]

Adam, see if you got to page 4 and look at the picture without the doors, you can see the wheels fit quite nicely (imo)- must but be a crap pic above.:thumb:

[RYAN16V]

Hi Mate

I want to post pics of mine but it wont let me do big pics?

love the black valances and bumper strips, what colour is it??

regards

Ryan

[AlanH]

just read right through ur post, very nice motor! good 2 see someone not destroying an original gte with a mk2 front end and that engine bay looks the nuts! i'd stick with the vents too.

[Riggy]

some good progress coming on fella , when you hoping to be done for ?

[Mike B GTE]

hoping to be done and have it out by the summer, even if its in a red/primer grey combo lol . theres really isnt too much to do. The only big purchase ive got left is some suspension. once im finished painting the floor (this weekend) the interior just needs put back in. Although ive not finished painting the cage yet, but other than that, the interior will be done. Then its just puting my newly primed doors on and getting it to paint. ive a mountain of bits in the house for it, cables, timing belt, Piper cam and Vernier, gaiters, bushes, seats, mats, harnesses, its really just finishing off painting and building it back up. Can'twait to get it on the road!!!:thumb:

[RYAN16V]

this will be great when done, mine is going fotr painr very soon now ive decided to keep it im having all new sills,arches,wings and fully painted plus engine out and fully rebuilt.

whats a decent price for full rebuild?

regards

Ryan

[Mike B GTE]

been a while since i updated this, to long. not much to report really. ive mainly been working on my new doors and geting them ready to fit up.

some pic below to show a little progress.

i got the floor finished, got 5 coats of flame red and couple coats of laquer, so theres the mats sitting on the nice bright red paintwork:

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/M16KEB/P1030260.jpg

got my passanger seat mounted up along with one set of harnesses:


http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/M16KEB/P1030255.jpg

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/M16KEB/P1030263.jpg

(please ignore the duct taped on carbon trim, im mid way through taking a small notch out to let cable run from the quarters) roof still needs cleaned up too, and the masking tape from around the windows!

close up of seat
http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/M16KEB/P1030253.jpg

red vernier to be done with timing belt asap.

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/M16KEB/22042008127.jpg

and a better pic of my engine bay, a little dusty though

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/M16KEB/22042008129.jpg

comments very much appreciated,let me know what you think....

Mike

[P Whack]

Looking sweet!

[vaughanmc]

Nice car mate :)

[macc nova]

really lovely car there fella!

[brucer]

very nice.you keeping that vernier set to 0? or will you try fine tune it?

[Mike B GTE]

theres a matching cam to go with it, just didnt think it worth a photo. i'll just set it up to whatever runs best.

[performance-trim]

where did you buy the carbon panels from and how much, im looking for a set for mine.

www . performance-trim .com

call or email about the scuttle panel, the interior trims are available online from performance-trim.com/products/doorcards/nova.html

Mike, thanks for posting the pics and the forum link - I'll be following this one. Great looking car.

Are there traders accounts on png? I'd like to support the club, and don't want to spam forums with plugs!

Cheers, Mike.
sales@performance-trim.com

[wilson_sri]

PM Lee or one of the admin, can get a trade thing through them i think.

[Mike B GTE]

Hi Mike - glad the link worked! sure i gave you a plug a few pages back. thanks for the compliment.

not much progress this weekend, only managed to complete my new grill. thats it all painted, laquered and fitted back together, really pleased with the finish and how hoe the white badge came out.

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/M16KEB/P1030269.jpg

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/M16KEB/P1030278.jpg

Craig, i forgot to PM you about the rubber strip, i'll do that now.

[TIDGE]

nice gte mike just read it all
those carbon panels looks really good

[Mike B GTE]

not much to report really but i thought id keep this thread alive. havent been keeping too well but any time i have been able to get on the car has been spent finishing the drivers side floor - small bit of weling required. anyway, here are some bits:

Bonnet finished - ready for paint

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/M16KEB/P1030402.jpg

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/M16KEB/P1030404.jpg

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/M16KEB/P1030406.jpg

fitted up the rear carbon cards propperly with neat little annodised allen heads / cup wahers (same as the front bumper)

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/M16KEB/P1030407.jpg

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/M16KEB/P1030408.jpg

bumper

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/M16KEB/P1030412.jpg

and finally a pic of the paint finish i managed to get on the drivers floor - not laquered yet.

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/M16KEB/P1030411.jpg

please kep the encouragement / opinions (good or bad) coming....
Mike :thumb:

[Nova_Loon]

ya mate thats a nice gte nice to see a good one

[vaughanmc]

Keep up the good work mate - Will be nice to see it all done :)

[Mike B GTE]

floor finished, and both seats in now:

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/M16KEB/P1030414.jpg

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/M16KEB/P1030417.jpg

few bits to tidy up yet

[~~joycey~~]

thats awsome! you just cant beat red mk1's ;) :thumb:

[Mike B GTE]

this is now for sale.

getting kicked out the garage over the next two weeks as my Dad has bought another bike and needs the space. i dont want to have it sitting outside so im getting rid.

Not that keen on breaking it, rather give the whole lot to someone. theres a thread in for sale section with more details, and im fairly flexible on price.

if i get enough interest in various bits then i might be tempted to split. otherwise i'll chuck it on the bay

michael.blair@ogilvie.co.uk is my works add
michael.blair@virgin.net is the home one.
or theres always PM

Cheers :thumb:

[Mike B GTE]

Sold on Saturday the 19th, it was back at my house this morning (22nd) - bought it back. i had to. got my finger out and ordered:

2 Sills (it doesnt need them but its getting)
1 rear panel (old one looks crap)
Bilstein B10 kit
little Lifeline fire extingisher
and some new bushes.

yay for me!:thumb:

[vaughanmc]

Nice one mate glad to see you got it back lol

Crack on with it mate

Do you think it could be ready for the 17th August ?

[Mike B GTE]

will be cracking on as soon as the bits turn up. doubt it'll ready in the next month though, loads of tidying to do once all the bits arrive and get fitted. then it needs painted. not going to take it to any meets/shows until its 100%.

[vaughanmc]

No problem mate

You able to come along to the meet ?

[Mike B GTE]

aug 17th no can do mate, its BTCC at knockhill. only tim eof the year i can wear a VXR shirt and not look like complete cock lol

[vaughanmc]

lol Ah well

Plenty more meets to come so you'l can bring the GTE along to them :)

[Mike B GTE]

right. Billies have arrived, that this weekends task. ordered B10s, which ive heard good things about and i got these at a great price so i thought id try them out.

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/M16KEB/P1040637.jpg

few little updates

fitted tailgate pins, didnt want them under the window where everyone puts them,dont like them there plus ive got a wrap round spoiler too so it was a no go. bit of a mare getting them working and not catching, but i did it!

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/M16KEB/P1040640.jpg

new sparco gaiter. ties in nice with the red/black colour scheme

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/M16KEB/P1040642.jpg

and there she is, up on stands awaiting her new suspenders

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/M16KEB/P1040644.jpg

(love how you can se the red samco through the grill:thumb: )

comments please...

[twistysnovagte]

suspension kit looks sweet:thumb:
boot/bonnet pins not my thing:(
gaitor is also not my thing:( ( all black one looks better(new):thumb:
samco hoses are sweet,now they do go with the car:thumb:
mk1 gte front end,does another nova look sweeter than this!:cool:
whats the drop on the suspension kit?pics when fitted mate:thumb:
awsome reg plate by the waylol

[Mike B GTE]

pins sort of go with the motorsport theme im after, and i didnt actually realise the gaiter had that daft sparco S on it, still itll do for now. a nice new rubber one wuld be nice!!:thumb:

drop is60 at the front and 40 on the rear, supposedly. we shall see. pics will up once theyre on.

i nearly put "FOR FCUKS SAKE" as my caption on the no plates, but i decided it was a bit silly and went for the GTE logo instead.

[twistysnovagte]

will keep an eye out on this project as i want to see the pics of the car with the kit on,thats what im thinking a 60 front 40 back.

[Mike B GTE]

fronts all fitted up, painted inside the arches while i was at it. just the rears to go now.

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/M16KEB/P1040668.jpg

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/M16KEB/P1040656.jpg

[vaughanmc]

Looking well mate :)

[wilson_sri]

Looks fantastic mate! What size are the discs?

[Mike B GTE]

99% sure the discs are only 280mm. :thumb:

[Mike B GTE]

well...the B10s are now all buttoned up, so dropped the car off its stands....

BEFORE
http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/M16KEB/P1020952.jpg

AFTER
http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/M16KEB/P1040676.jpg

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/M16KEB/P1040671.jpg

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/M16KEB/P1040672.jpg

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/M16KEB/P1040674.jpg

and then i pickedup my mint doors. they are painted on the inside and just primed on the outside ready forthe full respray.

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/M16KEB/P1040684.jpg

sooo happy with them, theyre so straight!!! tried on on (just sitting on the cill)

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/M16KEB/P1040681.jpg

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/M16KEB/P1040680.jpg

all the brakes are now bled in too - took it for teeny we spin along the street and bac to try them out (minus doors - mucho fun:thumb: )

[novaowner999]

f in nice gte

[Mike B GTE]

f in nice gte

Cheers Mate :thumb:

[Mike B GTE]

right small update, got the elec window gubbins all back in one of my new doors, just used some nice allen heads i had - thanks to those who helped me out there (even though i ignored you and didnt use rivets)

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/M16KEB/13082008311.jpg

so thats that door hung and the glass back in it

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/M16KEB/18082008323.jpg

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/M16KEB/18082008324.jpg

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/M16KEB/18082008325.jpg

also started making little upstand panels, no real reason - i just thought it'd look nice. got one all cut out, and the other template made - will cover them same as my false floor.

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/M16KEB/18082008320.jpg

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/M16KEB/18082008322.jpg

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/M16KEB/13082008316.jpg

still a bit of finishing to do before i cover them.

and heres a few from outside when i was hanging that passanger door

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/M16KEB/11082008305.jpg

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/M16KEB/11082008308.jpg

[brainsnova]

im liking the look of your car mate and love the reg last 3 for fuk sake lol

[vaughanmc]

Looks very well mate :)

[Cle]

the white wheels look excellent!!! lovly looking GTE

[Mike B GTE]

mini update to keep this rolling,one door is now fully working, got the lock and handles all re-fitted tonight - works a treat. so that let me get my carbon panel on, finished off nice with black handles (thank you Colin) and black surrounds - just painted grey ones matt black but you cant tell, can you?

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/M16KEB/20082008338.jpg

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/M16KEB/20082008334.jpg

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/M16KEB/20082008335.jpg

and a close up of my clean and painted door shut (not fitted that check strap yet)

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/M16KEB/20082008337.jpg

[LEWI007]

Looks great mate !

[vaughanmc]

just painted grey ones matt black but you cant tell, can you?

I done mine the same mate lol - Barely noticeable:
http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g191/vaughanmc/My%20Nova/NovaRebuild111.jpg
Vaughan :)

[performance-trim]

nice door cards ;)

[Mike B GTE]

nice door cards ;)

not bad eh? made them all by myself lol

[16v Nova Kev]

just read your thread m8 lovely looking car im so tempted to buy one for road use now

[Mike B GTE]

cheers mate,

not much to update. heat-wrapped the manifold

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/M16KEB/P1050110-1.jpg

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/M16KEB/P1050126.jpg

covered my rear kick plates in alcantara (havent fixed them on yet),

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/M16KEB/P1050120-1.jpg

hung the other door and fitted all the bits inside except the glass - it got late.

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/M16KEB/P1050118.jpg

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/M16KEB/P1050116.jpg

pic of the iside of the wing / shut in primer -all painted up now

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/M16KEB/25082008358.jpg

[LEWI007]

I'm in love with what you've done with the headcover :eek: the red ano bolts looks great aswell.

[C14se]

that is lovey mate i love red mk1s that wat i am looking to buy now lol

[C14se]

any new picz mate

[Mike B GTE]

nah mate, no new pics of the full car, hasnt been out the garage really. will ry and get a few this coming weekend. wont have changed much since the last batch though. interior will be almost complete though

[Mike B GTE]

small crappy update

navigators foot rest

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/M16KEB/18092008393.jpg

and WIP carbon fibre blanking plate for where the head unit used be and ive re-mounted the elec window switches in there too.

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/M16KEB/18092008398.jpg

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/M16KEB/18092008395.jpg

[Spudly]

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg16/MikeBGTE/14032008031Medium.jpg




Make sure you have a cover fitted over the + terminal on the battery or even both as rob (novafusion69) trial fitted his carbon scuttle panel and it started smoking/nearly caught fire as it was shorting on the terminals:eek:

[Mike B GTE]

cheers for that mate! good to know. i have got the plastic terminal covers lying about. just havent fitted them yet as the battery's been in and out so much.:thumb:

[Pistol Pete]

Just had a read through this, and i'm impressed. Alot of work has gone into this car and it shows. Nice job. Some nice touches have been done. Loving the bonnet vents.

[Mike B GTE]

this hasnt been updates in bloody ages!! right, not much been happening, trying to juggle a full time job and a new uni course at the moment. the new cage arrived today, a replacemnet for the one that wouldnt fit - dont ask. it looks awesome. 6 point, with door bars and a rear cross. will get a few snaps later. gutted the inside of everything, gave the whole lots a wet n dry and am currently getting a new coat of red on before eveything goes back in for the last time. also trying to make arrange ment to get these damn rear arches fixed properly. ordered a new steering wheel as well. pics of cage up later, just thought id keep it alive.

[Mike B GTE]

pics off my phone. found this lying beside the photo copier paper and hi-viz vests at work today:

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/M16KEB/06102008424.jpg

rear half placed in:

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/M16KEB/06102008428.jpg

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/M16KEB/06102008427.jpg

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/M16KEB/06102008429.jpg

[jaycee]

really like this car absolutly stunning mate can#t wait to see it all finished

[Mike B GTE]

shouldnt be too long now. got the front half of the cage all bolted together last night, so just need to bolt it to the floor now. may have an issue with the door bars and the seats clashing though :(

[Mike B GTE]

better pics of cage, now got the whole thing in and bolted together, just need to bolt it to the floor now.

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/M16KEB/P1050720.jpg

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/M16KEB/P1050723.jpg

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/M16KEB/P1050725.jpg

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/M16KEB/P1050727.jpg

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/M16KEB/P1050728.jpg

[Mike B GTE]

anybody want to stick in some opinions? its still sitting exactly as above, not really sure where to go from here now.

do i just put my buckets, harnesses, carbon panels and false floor back in and send it off for painting?

what about mirrors? standard red? standard white? small single seater / hilclimb ones? single unpainted standard drivers one?

The tailgate - should i smooth off the holes where the grab handles were or fit a smooth grab?

ive lost a little interest tbh - probs due to the weather but could sure use some ideas?

[twin40s]

nice cage where is it from and how much.

[Mike B GTE]

its a Fabricage cage matey. If you speak to Peter nicely he'll do you a good deal.

[craig green]

Something about this car is SO cool. I think its the perfect lines of the body, everything looks so straight & square.

I say it needs shortened Nova mirrors & just put it through the paint shop. Keep the pillar vinyls, door handles, grab handle etc & sideskirts etc in Grey.

Keep the cage in white with white wheels, white GTE door decals & white bumper pinstriping.

[edit] Just noticed the fLuShed tAiLgatE. ditch that!

[Mike B GTE]

Its not having a flushed tailgate mate, just the wiper hole thats been smoothed. im keeping the plate reces and fitting a smooth grab handle.

fitted my new steering wheel:

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/M16KEB/P1050743.jpg

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/M16KEB/P1050747.jpg

OMP 330 suede dished Corsica. feels much better than the last trecente uno 300 number!

[vaughanmc]

Looks right at home in there as well :)

Will be nice to see this in 2009

[Mike B GTE]

Cheers Vaughn, will be nice to get it out and meet some people next year:thumb:

quick pic (from phone) of the smooth grab handle. no need for the lock mechanism because im using the pins, but still want to keep the handle to break the back up. still a fair bit of sanding to go but you get the idea.

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/M16KEB/P1050753.jpg

and the Nova got a little visitor. My girlfriend has never sat in it in the 3 years ive had it and hasnt even seen it for a year. so they got aquainted...

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/M16KEB/03122008455.jpg

[vaughanmc]

Check the Scottish region if your interested in showing the car next year at some of the shows :)

[garethcolley]

I have to say this car looks awesome, really does have something about it.

[Novaboi_1991]

just read this thread all the way through, jees dude, youve given me plenty of inspiration to keep me going :D ... thanks mate,

GREAT looking car,...

[~~joycey~~]

Great car, fantastic example of a nova imo :)

[zeifer33]

It looks cool the car, the rear of reinforcement bar was fabricated by yourself or purchased done? I thought to manufacture because it does not seem a very hard not to do? the wheels are model?, because I love it.:D

[Mike B GTE]

It looks cool the car, the rear of reinforcement bar was fabricated by yourself or purchased done? I thought to manufacture because it does not seem a very hard not to do? the wheels are model?, because I love it.:D

Thanks. The rear strut brace i purchased ready made, but it would not be very difficult to make one, i am sure other people on here have done.

the wheels are: 'Team Dynamics Pro Race 1.2' 7Jx16" with 195/40/16 Dunlop tyres.

:thumb:

[dj_wudgey]

looks real good any moore pictures/progress yet??

[zeifer33]

Well, with your permission you rip your wheels for my red nova, I love and was about to purchase some SpeedLine practically equal to the Team Dynamics, I've tried several models of craft reinforcement bars but I lack a little refinement, but I have a new idea.;)

[Mike B GTE]

looks real good any moore pictures/progress yet??

cheers mate, no more real progress just now. will get the passanger seat back in on saturday, along with the other set of harnesses and the foot rest. going to paint the pedal arms too - looking a bit scabby. will finnish off the grab handle aswell. ill get some pics up on sunday night of the weekends work. :thumb:

[Mike B GTE]

Well, with your permission you rip your wheels for my red nova, I love and was about to purchase some SpeedLine practically equal to the Team Dynamics, I've tried several models of craft reinforcement bars but I lack a little refinement, but I have a new idea.;)


excellent! good choice of wheel! :thumb:

[Mike B GTE]

not much to up date, didnt get the other seat it etc but i did manage to finish and fit the smooth grab handle. opinions???

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/M16KEB/P1050771.jpg

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/M16KEB/P1050778.jpg

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/M16KEB/P1050773.jpg

:thumb:

[Benn]

Just read this from the start, fantastic build dude, has some really nice touches and looks great.
Keep up the good work.

[vaughanmc]

Smooth grab-handle looks good

You doing it red or getting it done grey ?

Awsome work went into this car :)

[Mike B GTE]

going to be satin black mate, same as the rear extension and bottom of front bumper. skirts will be done the same.

i'll head up on sunday and have that gaiter off you mate if that suits. i'll txt you before then anyway :thumb:

[vaughanmc]

Aye Sunday should be fine mate, not sure if I'm picking up my doors that day

Drop me a text anyway :)

[John]

excellent project! The wheels really suit. the cage in white looks top!

[Mike B GTE]

cheers mate, really pleased with the way the white and red theme turned out. cannot wait to get it painted, going to look awesome, even if i do say so myself. lol

[novaowner999]

cool keep it up

[vaughanmc]

Still have that gearstick gaitor if you need it mate :)

[mikec123]

Just read this all the way through, nice car and good progress:thumb:

[gazsnova]

http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj309/gazsnova/PIC-0068.jpg

this is what mine used to look like. gone a bit done hill. getting back on track now.

keep up the work mate its looking impressive.

[Mike B GTE]

evening all. havent been on since before xmas, didnt keep too well over xmas and new year, back on my feet now though.

Vaughan - I do stillneed that gaiter! sorry i havent been in touchtil now - will PM you.

managed to get the other seat in and harnesses back on:

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/M16KEB/P1050899.jpg

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/M16KEB/P1050907.jpg

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/M16KEB/P1050900.jpg

also got a little fire extingisher, no pics but you can just see it in the photo above. bought yet more annodised cup washer for the cage and seats:

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/M16KEB/P1050927.jpg

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/M16KEB/P1050901.jpg

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/M16KEB/P1050906.jpg

rolled it outside briefly to sweep up too:

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/M16KEB/P1050797.jpg

please exsuse the state of of it in the pics - its covered in dust and metal filings, even inside. a good hoover and clean is next on the cards.

[Cle]

I really do love this car :) Even better that its in scotland :D

[vaughanmc]

No problem mate, still got the gaitor here for you :)

[mitchell141]

Just read the whole thread and fair play that is one great example you've biult there, congrats i bet your well chuffed the more it comes together

[Edd]

Very nice indeed.

[Mike B GTE]

cheers for the comments. got a tiny bit more done today before i was dragged shopping.

one coat on the boot floor / wheel well. finish isnt as great as the rear bench, front floor or rear wheel wells but you wont see it at all once the false floor is back in anyway.

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/M16KEB/25012009502.jpg

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/M16KEB/25012009503.jpg

and a photo i forgot to upload last night, quite a crap photo but i think the cage looks cool in it.

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/M16KEB/P1050933.jpg

[vaughanmc]

The floor etc all painted looks good - I can't wait to paint the inside of the TD Nova white :D

Cage looks beefy as well mate!

[wizzy]

that is very nice good work mate

[trackdaynova]

Mike - is this predominantly a show car then? as opposed to a track car? I presume so as your cage has no feet / spreader plates welded in... so your cage, should you need to use it - will just poke straight through the thin car metal without hesitation :eek:

[ben21]

Surely what you can see in the pictures are feet Olly? Just instead of the plates being welded to the floor and then the cage bolted to them, the cage is welded to the plates, and the plates to the floor?

P.S not looking to pick a fightlol , just how I would look at it!

[Rich]

There should be extra plates welded to the floor as well. Its bolted to thin metal and could quite easily pull through in an accident

[Mike B GTE]

spreader plates are on there. im not a ****ing idiot

[trackdaynova]

no one said you were an ****ing idiot Mike, it was a serious question.

the metal around you rear legs doesn't look likes its been welded at all. the cage feet appears to be simply bolted through the car metal.

there certainly hasn't been a spreader plate on welded to the inside of the car, nor does it appear to have been on the outside, hence my question :confused:



ben - don't get ya mate, yes the rollcage has feet - but you should weld spreader plates to the shell before fitting a cage.

[Mike B GTE]

there are 6 six spreader plates, roughly 5mm larger in area than the feet, welded to the floor on the underside of the cage, which are also bolted to the cage feet. I didnt have the height to weld them to the inside of the shell as the main hoop was forced too far up and hit the sunroof rails.

Is it wrong to put them on the underside?? ive built 2 XR2s this way, one of which was actually rolled, and didnt have any problems.

[trackdaynova]

Nope, its not wrong at all :thumb: they can be on either the inside or outside of the car.

It just didn't appear to have any fitted, as usually you see blistering from the welds if they've been welded on the outside.

[CP]

Not wishing to throw petrol on the fire Oli but whilst you are technically correct i think you maybe being a bit overly belt and braces in your approach. Taking all things into account such as lightening the car etc and what its going to end up doing (probably not rallying) I would say that the way that has been bolted in will be adequate to protect for most realistically expected circumstances. It would have to be one helluva an incident to shove those feet through and in any event it perfectly possible to go trackdaying in a car with no cage fitted at all. So all in all it looks coo and its defo safer with it than without:)

[Mike B GTE]

theres lots of blistering under the mats, and behind the seats at the main hoop (which hasnt been bolted through yet) but the rear wheel wells have been re-painted since. its all good :thumb:

[trackdaynova]

:thumb: wasn't picking holes by any stretch, just didn't want it to have been accidently overlooked, which it obviously hasn't :)

Charles - totally appreciate what you're saying, I would hope/ should hope that most of the track cars that have cages to them, would ever need to know if the cages work perfectly or not! god forbid! :)

[ben21]

Ben - don't get ya mate, yes the rollcage has feet - but you should weld spreader plates to the shell before fitting a cage.

Gotcha:thumb:

[Mike B GTE]

Quick update, after getting the boot floor / wheel well painted last week i gave my box frame a coat of black:

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/M16KEB/P1050935.jpg

cleaned up my 15" spare

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/M16KEB/P1050944.jpg

Half floor:

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/M16KEB/P1050945.jpg

Full floor:

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/M16KEB/P1050946.jpg

Done!

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/M16KEB/P1050948.jpg

new gaiter courtesy of Vaughan, cheers mate v much appreciated. Trimmed the bottom lip off it as it looked a bit wierd - obviously thats meant to sit under the consol

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/M16KEB/P1050957.jpg

view from the front of the car looking back (how dusty is that bench??) - ive put a corsa c door moulding on the front of the frame to finish it off - looks better than painted wood

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/M16KEB/P1050949.jpg

general interior shot now its 95% complete

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/M16KEB/P1050959.jpg

fitted a wee oil cath tank, temporarily - dont really want it there, just wanted to see what it looked like mounted. will be relocated once i get carbs on it.

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/M16KEB/P1050961.jpg

[wilson_sri]

Love your work mate, attention to detail is great. When you hoping to have it finished for?

[vaughanmc]

Really nice looking car mate, glad I could help you complete another 1% of the interior

Hopefully see this out in 2009 sometime :)

Nice to meet you the day as well fella

[Mike B GTE]

Love your work mate, attention to detail is great. When you hoping to have it finished for?

thanks mate, glad you like it. well, mechanically its pretty much there - ive gt a handbrake cable to do, and need to fix the earh on the wiper motor. then its just bodywork, i had saved up a bit of cash to get it done in Feb, but my painter is ill just now so im holding off. should be out by the summer though.:thumb:

[Mike B GTE]

Really nice looking car mate, glad I could help you complete another 1% of the interior

Hopefully see this out in 2009 sometime :)

Nice to meet you the day as well fella

yeah hopefullybe out in the summer, do some meets/shows etc.

good to meet you too (briefly lol ) and thanks again for the gaiter - top man!

[vaughanmc]

Not a problem fella, glad I could help! :)

[Mike B GTE]

not much happening lately - been away on holiday, and now wedding plans are taking up a lot of my time, never mind money!!

today job was to get the lights, grill, bonnet pin stalks, bonnet catch spring and the two vin type plates off the slam panel and get it painted - it was looking awful scabby.

before

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/M16KEB/P1060677.jpg

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/M16KEB/P1060678.jpg

primer

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/M16KEB/P1060679.jpg

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/M16KEB/P1060682.jpg

couple of coats of flame red

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/M16KEB/P1060684.jpg

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/M16KEB/P1060686.jpg

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/M16KEB/P1060687.jpg

and all finished, laquered and unmasked

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/M16KEB/P1060690.jpg

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/M16KEB/P1060705.jpg

made a carbon plate to replace the non-vin one, letraset is still to arrive, and fixed them down with some more annodised bolts

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/M16KEB/P1060691.jpg

ordered yet more anndised fixings for the lights and bonnet pins.

next job is to give the light recesses a coat of hammerite and fit new headlight clips.

[Leeboo]

Loving the little bolts on the plates and the boot floor. The plate on the right (silver/black) is the important one really isn't it as it shows chassis no.?

[Mike B GTE]

Loving the little bolts on the plates and the boot floor. The plate on the right (silver/black) is the important one really isn't it as it shows chassis no.?

yeah mate, thats the vin plate - cant mess with that at all. the other one isnt really that important, tons of people make chrome / carbon ones.

[vaughanmc]

Looking really good mate :D

Will be a head-turner once its done! Can't wait to see it at some shows/meets :thumb:

[Matt]

Really nicely done car this fella, that cage is spot on, good work.

Where did you get the Corsica wheel from?

[Mike B GTE]

Really nicely done car this fella, that cage is spot on, good work.

Where did you get the Corsica wheel from?

cheers mate!

the Corisa wheel came from yb racing. (i think)

[Mazz]

Where do you order the annodised bolts from?

[Mike B GTE]

demon tweeks, its aerotek stuff. some folk say use tastynuts.com, they are a bit cheaper but the quality is sh!te!

[Graeme]

I really like build, love red gtes and white details look really good

[Rickyb]

loving this car top workmatey.

[Mike B GTE]

quick, overdue update, probably me last for a while as ive just bought a house.

1st job was to strip the radiator etc out and sort out this mess

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/M16KEB/P1060776.jpg

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/M16KEB/P1060778.jpg

also been sorting the lugs on my grill out. filled, smoothed, flatted, drilled new holes then painted and laquered

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/M16KEB/P1060803.jpg

and fitted using motorbike fairing bolts

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/M16KEB/P1060813.jpg

radiator arrived

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/M16KEB/P1060809.jpg

fitted

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/M16KEB/P1060820.jpg

nice and clean underneath it

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/M16KEB/P1060821.jpg

grill back on and all done

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/M16KEB/P1060830.jpg

more annodised bits, bonnet pins/stalks, light bolts, AFM bolts and a couple of spare wing bolts to hide the holes in the consol

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/M16KEB/P1060814.jpg

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/M16KEB/P1060815.jpg

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/M16KEB/P1060833.jpg

[Benn]

Grille and headlamp fittings are a nice touch, nice new red slam pannel too...

[sparkie1401]

nice car matey. like the bolts to where ya get them from?

[stevie-p]

car looks spot on bud nice few little details and i love the red with the white

[Mike B GTE]

just a quick post to say that this one hasnt died, ive just moved house. on top of making weddings plans, me and the misses had the bright idea to move house. so im currently living in a seprate house from the wee nova. ive been using the new garage to store stuff but im getting the car brought over at the weekend!!! i have been buying parts though, new bits are as follows:

pair of Engelmann mirrors
new lower front springs
new lower rear springs
another MK1 dash which ive sent away to be flocked
MK4 astra flaps
original orange side reps
MK4 golf rear view mirror
and finally a fibreglass tailgate

should be a good one! stay tuned............

[G-nova]

hi mate where do you get them grill and headlamp bolts from
Love the work you have done looks MINT keep it up

[stevie-p]

tottaly forgot about this one im still in love with her great work as said before

[hc coupe]

Really glad to hear that you still have plans for this car.

Its one of my favourites and will be a big inspiration if I ever get around to building a GTE

Tom

[Mike B GTE]

thats for the encouragement peoples! some progress pics wont be far away!!

G-Nova, look at tastynuts.co.uk or try demon tweeks for their aerotec range. mine are mix of both!

[novaload1992]

looking good

[G-nova]

thanks mate

[auzzy-b]

Really nice car bud:) one of my favourates!

[Cle]

Update please :) With pics :d

[wilson_sri]

Yeh how you getting on mate?

[Mike B GTE]

ok, here we go. still not got the car over at my new house yet, but i did manage to get over to parents house to fit my new springs. much happier with how it sits now - looked very average before. now it fits in with my 90s BTCC theme.

http://img180.imageshack.us/img180/8916/dsc00018r.jpg

http://img178.imageshack.us/img178/3362/dsc00019x.jpg

bit of front tuck-age

http://img2.imageshack.us/img2/2601/dsc00017up.jpg

and rear

http://img294.imageshack.us/img294/6369/dsc00020c.jpg

http://img143.imageshack.us/img143/6910/dsc00015d.jpg

i know it looks dog rough in this pic i know, i promise its not - that gaffa tape is incase i hit the door off the garage wall

http://img81.imageshack.us/img81/476/dsc00021j.jpg

[Mike B GTE]

ah crap - can someone re-size those damn images for me?

done

[brake-dust]

gonna be one lovely motor when its done, looking good

[zeifer33]

Really beautiful, Your car whenever I like.:thumb:

[Mike B GTE]

for some reason, this pic didnt work - here we go.

http://img268.imageshack.us/img268/576/dsc00015va.jpg

will get the engelmann mirrors trial fitted tonight/tomorrow and get some pics of them up.

[Mike B GTE]

mini update.

started taking bits off for the powerdercoaters (cheers for the recommendation).

rear beam, front hubs, and a few brackets are off. still a few more pieces from the front end to go. All are getting done white!!

[therealnovaboy]

like this nova alot. cant wait to see it when its all one colour.

keep up the good work

[robertdevlin69]

i really like this car,very similar to what id like someday

[Benn]

Really like the wheels.

[djshaggeh]

Mmmm them wheels.... <drool>

I'm jealous, your car looks really top notch. i can't wait to see some pics when its finished. Pull your finger out :)

[zeifer33]

Definitely the wheels are perfect for this car. But the rest of the project is amazing, I'm your fan!

New pics quickly!!!

[The Simps]

I'm in love! Looking forward to seeing this finished.

[Mike B GTE]

I'm in love! Looking forward to seeing this finished.

hope you're prepared to be patient then lol

no, shouldnt be too long. not much to do now. :thumb:

[LEWI007]

This car looks great, keep up the good work.

[brucer]

Nice car fella, whens it looking to be finished?

[Mike B GTE]

Nice car fella, whens it looking to be finished?

cheers mate! i'm going to try and get all the silly bits finished over the winter and hopefully get it painted in the new year if i can afford it - just bought a new house and theres a wedding on the cards so we shall see! :(

[Mike B GTE]

Englemann mirrors. not fitted properly yet - cant be bothered but heres a taster:

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/M16KEB/24102009830.jpg

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/M16KEB/24102009831.jpg

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/M16KEB/24102009833.jpg

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/M16KEB/24102009835.jpg

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/M16KEB/24102009836.jpg

more to follow....

[Benn]

Looks good, fake cf tho :(

[Mike B GTE]

fake cf tho :(

is it? news to me

[Nick J]

Looks good, fake cf tho :(

I dont think it is mate........... they look like my old setup off the red one in which case them backplates are 100% cf.

Car looks well Mike! :)

Nick.

[Mike B GTE]

I dont think it is mate........... they look like my old setup off the red one in which case them backplates are 100% cf.

Car looks well Mike! :)

Nick.

They are mate - it is your old pair! they are quite blatanly real c/f :thumb:

[scott.parker]

Cars looking lovely mate, is this one going to be ready for Summer 2010 then?

Scott

[Mike B GTE]

Cars looking lovely mate, is this one going to be ready for Summer 2010 then?

Scott

that mate! 2010, thats the plan mate! im just itching to drive it!! fingers crossed :thumb:

[Mike B GTE]

Some last pics before it goes......

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/M16KEB/P1080797-1.jpg

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/M16KEB/P1080798.jpg

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/M16KEB/P1080801.jpg

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/M16KEB/P1080807.jpg

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/M16KEB/P1080809.jpg

bye bye!!

[brucer]

Whats happening to it?

[Southie]

Maybe selling up :( If so his numberplates a good one lol

[Mike B GTE]

Its sold mate.

Dont know what's going to happen to it at all

[The Simps]

Thats a shame! This car is rude. I would of done a swap with you for a lightweight saloon shell.

[brucer]

Thats a shame, always wanted to see this project finished.

Any plans for a new nova?

[Mike B GTE]

No mate no new Nova for me, ive just put a deposit down on a Firenza, thats a bit more 'me'.

[Mazz]

Thats a real shame, i really like where it was going :cry:

[brucer]

i love firenzas. get some pics up if you get it.

[Benn]

Gen on the rims? Really really like them. Who ever has this is lucky, i really like it..

[MattBrown]

Ive copied so many idea of this lol

Got a vented bonnet, white wheels and cage, dark bumper lips!

Hopefully mine will be as nice

[Cle]

Gen on the rims? Really really like them. Who ever has this is lucky, i really like it..

Team dynamic pro race 1's or 1.2's, ive got 2 pro race 1's in my shed

[Benn]

Oh are they? They look really nice in the pics. But the rims don't look like that in the flesh i've found..

[novarallychris]

Evening All.
Ive been a member for quite a while now, but ive never posted before, so here goes. Ive owned a few Vauxhalls, well ive only owned Vauxhalls, and this is my 1st Nova.
I know it?s a bit pointless without pics, I will add them once ive clocked up 15 posts, but ill give you the run down on my car anyway.
Ive got a 1990 pre-facelift GTE in red. Im going to use it mainly as a fun road car, but may also do a few track days. So, here goes, ive stripped the interior right out, welded in seat rails, sanded and painted the entire floor (not an easy task) fitted one of my Cobra imols S?s, Scroth harnesses, an OMP 300m wheel (from my astra coupe) some sparco pedals and gear knob, along with some custom GTE mats. Ive got a 6 point cage and rear brace awaiting paint (white) and then to be fitted. Ive made up a half false floor for the rear and covered it in black alcantara. Carbon interior panels are getting ordered tomorrow.
The outside is original GTE, standard issue bumpers, skirts and spoiler. The only things ive added are the clear front lenses and the bonnet with blended in MK2 astra vents. Ive replaced the discs and callipers on the already installed rear disc conversion, fitted 4 pot willwoods up front with 290mm discs and 16? TD Pro 1.2s in white.
Under bonnet is the standard 1.6 8v lump fitted with a set of samcos, bailey header tank, K&N, branch, full piper system, new leads, and plugs, complete new ignition system. Also have painted cam cover and strut brace white.
Plans for future is to fit a new handbrake cable, fit cage and rear brace, fit the cam and vernier I already have, maybe go for carbs too. I need some sort of suspension then its off to paint. Im getting it re-sprayed the colour it is now, flame red (already had a pant respray) with gloss black skirts and bumper extensions.
Everything up ?til now has been done diy.
Let me know what you think and any suggestions you have ? please give me your thoughtshi just wunderd if you av sin a gray nova up you end the reg is f572 sfu :thumb:

[Mazz]

They look like Pro-race 1.2's

http://www.stsmotorsport.co.uk/images/products/wheels/teamdynamics/large/prorace12_white.jpg
Same as mine

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y191/mrmazz/Nova/0240.jpg

[Mike B GTE]

Glad you all liked it, hopefully it wont get changed too much before it hits the road.

novarallychris - the only other nova i see up here regularly is a silk violet GSi with clear rear lamps, no idea what the reg is though.

:thumb:

[mikeycc2009]

Really nice mate I just read the whole thread and I love the car - your attention to detail was spot on aswell.

But what I cant understand is after spending so much time and money on it and it being 95 percent complete wouldnt you have rather just finshed it off to see it done? Now someone else is going to take most of the credit for all of your hard work? Seems a shame :-(