View Full Version : She Knows!
It's probably about time that I posted details on my project. After many years of not owning a Nova, just having a hand in CP's fun (does that sound right?) the lure of the baby Vauxhall has just got too much!
Since breaking my baby before I got married, I have owned:
Renault Clio 1.2 16v Dynamique
VW polo 1.4 Match
VW Golf V6 4-motion
VW Mk1 Golf GTi (Owned but never driven!)
Land Rover Freelander Kalahari
VW Passat Estate Sport 20vT
BMW E28 M535i (owned with CP)
BMW E39 M5
Vauxhall Signum Design 2.8 Turbo
Now, a few of these have been quite fast and plenty of fun, but now approaching 30, I couldn't resist anymore and have bought a Nova as none of the above have ever given me the level of fun that I had with my SR T40!
When I sold the M535i, I told the wife that I wanted a cheap run-around and bought her Aunt's Nova, owned from new and always garaged. What I haven't told the wife is the full extent of my plans! She does know that I have worked on the suspension and brakes (for improved safety) but I haven't come clean about the plans to go much faster. I think she might guess when she drives it.
In general I want the car to be useable for driving around and carrying the kids about so there will be relatively few mods. Within a few weeks I had her lowered with 256mm front brakes and Astra GTE alloys. I have a few other plans but the focus of my work is on the engine, an X16XEL on TB's. I've assembling the engine and gathering bits for the conversion and fingers crossed it should be in place before PV.
1.0L Merit:
http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg54/MC1978gti/IMG_3127.jpg
http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg54/MC1978gti/IMG_3119.jpg
http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg54/MC1978gti/IMG_3134.jpg
http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg54/MC1978gti/IMG_3135.jpg
http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg54/MC1978gti/IMG_3133.jpg
http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg54/MC1978gti/IMG_3132.jpg
She does have some rust coming in around the rear arches, but the general condition is superb as you can see in the engine bay. I'll post some progress pics later.
vaughanmc
14-04-08, 01:22 PM
Minted mate - Stunning :)
thats mint mc. should make a very nice "run around" lol
that is very nice ...looks like a good car..
This is how she stands now:
http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg54/MC1978gti/14032008455.jpg
Should I paint the wheels anthracite or Black?
And the engine almost ready to go in:
http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg54/MC1978gti/09042008546.jpg
I have loads of build pics to come later.
i think the wheels look good as they are
Austin_Nova16
14-04-08, 01:50 PM
Good to see you back on it! :thumb:
vaughanmc
14-04-08, 02:25 PM
Nice on the GTE alloys mate - I want it lol
Those wheels cost £20. I just wanted them to clear the brakes and take decent size rubber. Oh and I didn't want anything that shouted out "ALLOY WHEELS"!
MC
liking the choice of engine, i take it thats an aftermarket downpipe/manifold?
maccas
Wow thats like a totally mint version of my car!
Keep the wheels silver, they still look factory.
Is that 60mm?
Good luck!
It's actually the manifold that was on my Old Nova. First it was on the 1.4 8V then my 1.6 8v and then on CP's 1.4 16v. He had a new flange laser cut and then welded the down pipes to it after a bit of re-shaping. It's now found its way back into my hands on my 1.6 16v. The full system has followed it too!
Jim has also passed on his front and rear strut braces too. They started off on my old Nova, then Breeny bought them before selling them on to Jim. He kindly had them chromed and now they've come full circle back to me!
Kinda cool getting these bits back. Anyone else got bits from my old nova?
MC
NovaLad
14-04-08, 03:13 PM
Apart from colour it's exactly same as what i got mine like lol
Nice project starter!
Nice project MC. Surely the wife doesen't think you'll keep it standard?! She must know you better than that!
I don't have any bits from your old car but do still have the 16" Spiders I bought from CP about 8 years ago lol
looks like it will be fun
Would it be wrong to grass you up to the mrs? lol
looks a tasty shell :D atleast it is worth more than you paid for it already.
Nice shell mate.
Good to see CP's old engine bits have gone to a good home :)
trackdaynova
14-04-08, 05:34 PM
Awesome shell :thumb:
Looking forward to see more progress pics! :)
looking very good fella , plans sound nice :thumb:
peester
15-04-08, 08:25 PM
:-) good stuff, tidy car
blue_peg_16v
15-04-08, 09:23 PM
theres no way id get away with that, i want a corsa as a run around when the vectra goes and the mrs is very dubious she is sure i have a plan for it if i turned up with a nova she would know straight away lol
Woooot! This is gonna be a belter :)
BenNova
15-04-08, 10:17 PM
look mint. Well impresed.
Sure she suspects!
Gonna try to get the last bits ready for the swap tomorrow. Want it running next week so I can get it off to Jamsport for mapping.
Good stuff, astra wheels always suit novas with the right drop, good choice on the engine too. :thumb:
wilson_sri
15-04-08, 11:42 PM
Bloody cool profect man, shells a belter! Astra gte wheels always look cool to me, had them on my gsi when i first got it.
what management are you running for jamsport to be mapping??. you'll be one of the first in the new shiny workshop ;)
DTA. CP's old setup. The map on it is good enough to get it going which will make life easier. Spent along time getting the fuelling right for the old 1400.
The wheels aren't curbed but do need painting. Was gonna do anthracite, but Gloss black keeps shouting at me. Any pics of Astra GTE wheels painted anyone?
novaboyleon has black gtes on his, just saw it earlier and they look great in black :thumb:
The wheels aren't curbed but do need painting. Was gonna do anthracite, but Gloss black keeps shouting at me. Any pics of Astra GTE wheels painted anyone?
You could always look at the photoshop image I did for you on the wall, or do you want to go darker?
The lads been plodding away and heres the new one going in
http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb125/cpnova/Novamay08001.jpg
http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb125/cpnova/Novamay08008.jpg
:thumb:
Sweet :)
Which engine cover is that? Late 1600 16v one? Not a 16xe/xel one anyways.
LMFAO at dirty old engine bay, and super shiney black engine cover lol
Good work Mark, keep it up sir!
Ah yes, it is an X16XEL cover from a Mk4 Astra. Was on the engine. Just had a lick of satin black for fun, and I'm not really into shiny shiny! The 1.0L came out 2 nights ago and I swapped in the new tank, pump and lines on Thursday. Reckon I have 1 or 2 nights of fettling before starting and I'm running out of excuses as to why I've left the car at work!
Cool, could do with one of those types of cam covers/engine covers myself as it fits on without the standard inlet fitted.
I'm running out of excuses as to why I've left the car at work!
Just tell her I've nicked it, lol. She'll probably believe that, lol.
thats a belter that is. trust me when I say the missus will probably play along with not knowing but deep down she knows and one day - in the near future - you'll be probed and poked about the "changes" and then your in trouble.
It's the sofa for you matey!
lol
broster
10-05-08, 02:39 PM
pmsl, this is great.....
i can imagine the conversations now:
her: "whats that funny noise......."
you: "what, what funny noise..... thats the throttle bod...... i mean exhaust blowing......"
Yeah, think I'll have to work hard to hide the noise!
Started it on Friday night and she ran well, even ticked over! Just got a few bits to tidy up and she can be off to my favourite local rolling road!
I've been taking lots of pics, so there will be a big update when the pressure is off.
MC
Thought I'd give a brief update on my build. I'm really bad for keeping motivated on projects when they aren't going well.
I got the car together and running for PV, looking pretty good I thought, and definately running very fast. I ran a 15.08 that day.....in a plume of smoke. The car is capable of a 14.5 when I drop back to a 4.18 FD as the 4.53 means I am changing to 5th just before the line and that isn't the best gear change to make quickly.
Anyway, the smoke.... I was feeling gutted which was compounded by the knocking noise that was eminating from the engine bay. After a few months of driving it I had concluded that it was the valve stem seals, not fun to change, but not expensive. The car smokes when first started and smokes when Idling and first driving after idle, but clears once you've opened it up and give it a good thrashing.
The knocking was bugging me still, which was vexing as the engine was relatively low mileage and supposedly guaranteed good. We all listened to it and it definately sounded like the bottom end, but I was confused as you could only hear it in the car. Last week I popped the bonnet to have another listen and started probing around and to my astonishment found that the noise was eminating from the fuel system. You can't feel anything on the engine, but hold the pressure regulator, filter or fuel lines and there it is. It must be the pressure change as the injectors open and close. Not heard it before, but am pleased now.
So I now have the seals ready to go in and I'm going to weld the manifold where its blowing, at which point I'll head for a rolling road to get the figures confirmed. After its initial setup at Jamsport the approximate figure was 150-160 bhp. I'm pleased with the performance for a relatively subtle, cheap Nova which still has its full interior.
craig green
01-09-08, 01:54 PM
Good read. Nice motor too. I wish mine had the TB's on.
Tis a cool project, loving the child seat that was fitted in the back at PV.
And then a bodied 1600xe up front lol
A few pics:
Wheels in primer prior to gloss black courtesy of CP
http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg54/MC1978gti/06062008739.jpg
And two of the rear. I always like looking at the rear.
http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg54/MC1978gti/09062008747.jpg
http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg54/MC1978gti/09062008750.jpg
The front mudflaps rub on the ground when cornering hard. Should they stay or go?
The gloss black Astra GTE wheels have been subject to much debate. Both CP and Jim thought they should have been Anthracite, but I'm glad I stuck to my guns.
If anyone wants the red rear clusters and has some standard items PM me. Gave CP my standard ones as they looked better on his white/silver monster.
Cheers for the comments, Child seat is humerous in a car of this nature. My son think 'Dadies little red car' is hillarious!
Oh and have let the wife in on the secret now. Don't think she is too amused!
I have some standard lights mate iirc
Really coming together now dude.
How much is she lowered by?
Was a 30-40mm kit but the back still sat very high so stuck in some random springs that were lying around and it dropped nicely. They must be about 60mm rears.
Two updates in two days, Wow!
I worked on the car for the first time since PV tonight. Firstly I unbolted the fuel filter and pressure regulator from the bulkhead to see if my knocking noise dissapeared and it did. I now need to insulate the brackets to cut the knocking out. Any ideas?
Secondly I got to work on the valve stem seals. Managed to get the engine apart and replace the seals. They were ducked. I just need to rebuild now. Whilst apart I cleaned the rocker cover and painted it with ZG-90 zinc galvanising spray and a clear coat.
Pics:
Empty bay :(
http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg54/MC1978gti/020920081122.jpg
Blurred image of the cylinder head out
http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg54/MC1978gti/020920081121.jpg
Picture of the cover before the clear coat. Looks to have some angelic glow!
http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg54/MC1978gti/020920081124.jpg
I want to remove the round vauxhall badge from the bonnet and was going to stick a vinyl mk1 item in its place. Where can I source one?
Hopefully should have some standard clusters on the back soon thanks to Adam.
Mark
vaughanmc
03-09-08, 07:25 AM
If you want the square Griffin mate, Vauxhall dealerships still do them :)
vaughanmc
03-09-08, 08:03 AM
No problem - I got one last year from a Vauxhall dealership courtesay of Mark (novacabrio) :)
http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g191/vaughanmc/My%20Nova/SV200540.jpg
Vaughan :)
Both CP and Jim thought they should have been Anthracite, but I'm glad I stuck to my guns.
Pft, I still think you should have done them anthracite...remember how good it looked on my Mo's? ;)
P.S. Colour code your wing mirrors too ;)
Opinions....Colour code mirrors or leave them as they are?
If you want the square Griffin mate, Vauxhall dealerships still do them :)
They dont.
Well, my local dont anyway.
Leave the mirrors black
vaughanmc
03-09-08, 05:31 PM
I'm quite sure some Vauxhall dealers will stock them :)
Leave the mudflaps, leave the mirrors, standard lights and anthracite wheels!
In my most h'expert opinion!
I'm quite sure some Vauxhall dealers will stock them :)
If you know of any, let me know. Because i want one asap lol
vaughanmc
03-09-08, 08:48 PM
lol No problem :)
Leave the mudflaps, leave the mirrors, standard lights and anthracite wheels!
In my most h'expert opinion!
One is an expert agreed, but a **** for keep selling the bloody cars! lol
ANOTHER UPDATE!
Jim changing over the clusters....cheers mate....I will build your engine one day!
http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg54/MC1978gti/030920081127.jpg
Under side of the head. Took me an hour to clean off the head gasket remnents :mad: .
http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg54/MC1978gti/030920081128.jpg
The block looks good, as with the valves, there is a fair carbon deposit, but given the performance and Bill Blydensteins opinion that a coked up engine makes more power I'll leave it all alone.
http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg54/MC1978gti/030920081130.jpg
Finally, the head and rocker sat back in place. Not bolted down though.
http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg54/MC1978gti/030920081131.jpg
And thanks to Adam, standard clusters in place. This shot makes me realise how much I need to wash and polish her!
http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg54/MC1978gti/030920081133.jpg
I'm looking forward to getting her running again without the knocking fuel system and the smoke screen!
MC
vaughanmc
03-09-08, 09:26 PM
Looks really clean and tidy mate :)
I don't want to patronise(sp) you by saying it would look cool with Twin Fog lights
im the same m8 iv had lots of car it must be kicking on 50 plus now iv had 2 cossys ,impreza lots of nice stuff but you cart beat the fun of the old nova :D
Wow, didn't realise you could rate your own build thread! lol
Not patronised at all. Will pass it by Ji.........erm my lifestyle consultant. :D
im the same m8 iv had lots of car it must be kicking on 50 plus now iv had 2 cossys ,impreza lots of nice stuff but you cart beat the fun of the old nova :D
It's quite strange, I would definately have another E39 M5, but I can't help but keep gazing out the window when its parked up with the urge to go fettle with or drive it (the Nova that is)!
Nice one mate, good job on the rocker cover.
Glad you got the lights :)
Yours are boxed, will try to get to the PO tomorrow but having staffing issues.....hey Jim!
Postman, lifestyle consultant, light bulb changer.... Jim does have his uses afterall! :D
Yours are boxed, will try to get to the PO tomorrow but having staffing issues.....hey Jim!
It's not me...some daft **** got my mrs knocked up! Did you look at her Mark? :confused:
Let me know when you want me to bring the orbital polisher into work to give it a clean.
Rocker cover looks good in the flesh...will be doing the same me thinks :thumb:
Wat engine is that in it mate amd good work it looks mint
It is a 1.6 16v from a mk4 Astra, engine code X16XEL. All I've done to it is add the throttle bodies (matched the ports nicely), vernier pulleys, SBD steel guide rollers and a 4-branch magnex manifold and system.
The gearbox is Jim's on loan with a CR cluster, 4.53 FD and Quaife ATB diff.
The car itself has just had the alloys added with a lowering kit, front and rear strut braces and 256mm brakes. I do also have a lower strut brace to go that needs a little fettling and I'll make two more, one for Jim and one for CP if he wants it.
Brum brum...
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=FEd3P6xClTk
You've heard it start, now this is what it sounds like when it's on the move:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6j26TaTjKc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wUU1ZXSCTI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7HUgiwhXos
Sounds cool as f**k :cool:
He waits by the road every day in the chance he might catch me on film! lol
Cheers Jim.
Sounds cool as f**k :cool:
That's because its a small block Adam.:thumb:
That's because its a small block Adam.:thumb:
Denial lol
vaughanmc
20-09-08, 07:10 PM
lol Sounds the b*llocks that! Goes well too
krobinson
20-09-08, 07:43 PM
Denial lol
Agreed.
Though it does sound awesome. I miss my old Carb engine :( (I know this is on TB's)
Keith
Denial lol
How can I take the opinion of somebody that thought smoking was a good life decision seriously! lol
Cheers for the comments lads, and its amazing how fast 60mph looks.....
does sound the bollox. i like the slight burble on tick over aswell
Bloody young errr... I mean... old hooligans!
Bloody young errr... I mean... old hooligans!
Jim says that you are not funny. I agree.
Update time:
Firstly, after reading of the trouble other members were having trying to locate an unpainted GSi front bumper I thought I'd better pull my finger out and get one before they all go. I found the part number and typed it into Google and it came up with www.vauxhallgreenspares.co.uk (http://www.vauxhallgreenspares.co.uk) who I phoned straight away. I took delivery a few days later:
http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg54/MC1978gti/290920081215.jpg
and fitted it as soon as I could which only took about 30mins:
http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg54/MC1978gti/021020081222.jpg
Whilst there I also picked up a mk1 bonnet vinyl to replace the mk2 item:
http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg54/MC1978gti/031020081224.jpg
Not got that on yet as I want to take my time. Once its on I'll probably remove the B pillar vinyl and then look to get a few bits tidied up. I'm happy with the general styling as its fairly subtle and I think cool with the base model interior and no headrests!
Oh, we also managed to get some blanking plugs for CP's snowplough.
I also visited Jamsport for a RR session:
http://www.pngclub.com/forum/showthread.php?p=980409#post980409
I am very happy and I expected between 150 and 160bhp, but I didn't expect the torque figures to be so high through the rev range.
Bumper looks cool.
Where was that mk1 bonnet/boot sticker from? I need one
The place listed?
Yeah, he had a couple left but said they were going fast. He's very helpful so give him a call. Think his name is Keith.
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