Mid Engine Nova Project

[mikey14sr]

I've got a hole just in front from the old mount so I'll probably add on a little 90 degree re-inforcement.

Wise move imo, vec's have the same torque rod and the body mount has 2 bolts in that plane. The rubbers on those mounts also like to fall apart for fun, fill the holes up with bits of old engine mount rubbers and sikaflex to make it last longer.

[DaveyLC]

I agree the torque rods are a bit tosh.. But then again they are only £9 :D

[DaveyLC]

Not really been up to much, managed to get some wheels though, they should clear the vectra v6 brakes so I'm happy, and I'm hopefully going to sort out my rear brakes next week when I get some cast-steel weling rods.
http://www.dohc.co.uk/temp/nova/07-09-08/07092008870.jpg

[belly257]

looking good mate:thumb:

[novashed]

i quitye like the wide rear end look on that, staying the same coulour?

[DaveyLC]

I was going to paint it white, then I changed my mind because I wanted to see if I could finish the car for trax, now I've changed my mind again and its going white :)

[DW-Nova]

Not been on the forum for a couple of weeks and just checking back now, some excellent progress been made hey mate, looks really good and some good work gone into it, will be wicked once it's done, especially now you've decided to go white !

[DaveyLC]

Done a bit more on the cage, the front is bolted in and now so is the rear.. I still need to finish fabricating the middle tubes:
http://www.dohc.co.uk/temp/nova/10-09-08/10092008880.jpg
http://www.dohc.co.uk/temp/nova/10-09-08/10092008877.jpg
http://www.dohc.co.uk/temp/nova/10-09-08/10092008879.jpg

Here is a better shot of how she now sits:
http://www.dohc.co.uk/temp/nova/10-09-08/10092008878.jpg
http://www.dohc.co.uk/temp/nova/10-09-08/10092008882.jpg

[LEWI007]

Its getting there mate ;)

[Steve]

Just wondering but how much room have you got between the front seats and where the firewall will be? Can't really tell from the pics.

[DaveyLC]

Just wondering but how much room have you got between the front seats and where the firewall will be? Can't really tell from the pics.

Very little.. I used the B pillar for my cross member for strength and the firewall goes up the B pillar from the cross member.

I'm 6'2 and I can comfortably sit in the drivers seat at the moment, but a bit of extra clearance at the top of the seat would mean I could have full movement on the seat rails.

At some point I'm toying with removing the upper part of the firewall and giving it an angle to allow for a little more space.

[Steve]

Thats what I was thinking, are they reclinable seats? Either way it still looks a bit cramped but the idea of angling the firewall makes sense.

Well done anyway mate, at least most of the hard work is done now.

[DaveyLC]

The seat is fixed and very upright.. I'm probably going to get some Cobra Monaco S seats which are even more upright.

But like I say theres more than enough room for my lanky frame at the moment :D

[burgo]

i cant work out why it looks so cool.

[DaveyLC]

Because its so wrong? :D

[DaveyLC]

The rollcage is now finished other than a sand-blasting and a lick of paint..
http://www.dohc.co.uk/temp/nova/11-09-08/11092008885.jpg
http://www.dohc.co.uk/temp/nova/11-09-08/11092008886.jpg
http://www.dohc.co.uk/temp/nova/11-09-08/11092008887.jpg
http://www.dohc.co.uk/temp/nova/11-09-08/11092008888.jpg
http://www.dohc.co.uk/temp/nova/11-09-08/11092008889.jpg
http://www.dohc.co.uk/temp/nova/11-09-08/11092008890.jpg
http://www.dohc.co.uk/temp/nova/11-09-08/11092008891.jpg
http://www.dohc.co.uk/temp/nova/11-09-08/11092008882.jpg

[brainsnova]

looks sound mate what going under the bonnet? lol

[gunny]

just read this start to finish pal, amazing work :thumb: i take my hat of to you :) keep it up cant wait to see the end result

[DaveyLC]

Well it was inevitable, I found some rust!

http://www.dohc.co.uk/temp/nova/15-09-08/15092008906.jpg

[gunny]

not major, new front panel and your well away!

[AlexW]

Had to happen! Not too bad though, bash a new panel on it. Thought u had knocked out that engine by now.

[vaughanmc]

Stick a new front panel inc. cross-member on there and you'll be sorted :)

[DaveyLC]

Whats the different between the frontpanel with and without the cross member? I assume the cross-member is the bit the tie bars connect to?

I'm tempted to get a full front panel, include the slam panel etc.

Cheers :)

[loggyboy]

All this time and youve only just taken the front bumper off??

[DaveyLC]

I know its terrible lol! Not really had a reason to remove it until now :D

[DaveyLC]

Had to happen! Not too bad though, bash a new panel on it. Thought u had knocked out that engine by now.

I've been focusing all of my attention on the back of the car, just never got round to it :D

[Pistol Pete]

Whats the different between the frontpanel with and without the cross member? I assume the cross-member is the bit the tie bars connect to?

I'm tempted to get a full front panel, include the slam panel etc.

Cheers :)

Correct. The front panel is the sheet tah has rusted through on yours and looks like the crossmember is rotted aswell. With your fabrication skills this should be a walk in the park to change. Spot welds galore by the way!

AFAIK you can change this without doing the headlight panel aswell. Its up to you though. :)

[DaveyLC]

The slam panel has started to go on the drivers side so I might just order the whole front panel..

God damn spot welds! lol..

[Pistol Pete]

Just do the whole lot in that case! lol, i went through three drills getting mine out!

[DaveyLC]

Do the full front panels come with the lower cross member, trying to find a bargain on eBay :D

[Pistol Pete]

AFAIK yes. But check because they are sometimes sold as two bits. You may strike lucky on eBay.

[Ernie]

I love the way you have done all this ****hot bespoke welding and now getting worried about doing the front end.Also the old engine is still in it.
Love the build mate and cant wait to see it all done.

[DaveyLC]

I love the way you have done all this ****hot bespoke welding and now getting worried about doing the front end.Also the old engine is still in it.
Love the build mate and cant wait to see it all done.

I only ask because I want to replace it with a pattern part, I dont really fancy just lashing it up with some plate :)

I've just ordered the full front panel with lower cross member locally so will collect that tomorrow and start the spot weld drilling fun-fun-fun...

[Ernie]

And maybe then take the old engine out lol.

[DaveyLC]

Dont worry, thats why I was stripping the front end last night, so I could take the engine out to paint the bay and repair the sh*-guard on the passenger side.

[Ernie]

Your only down the road from me (well an hour away) drop me a pm with your address as im of to london tomorrow so if ive got time and there is room to turn my trailer around at yours i will pop in.

[DaveyLC]

i'll drop you a pm

[Ernie]

Cheers bud as would be nice to see this in the flesh.

[L14MNP]

Awesome project, some serious fabrication going on and you piss it :D
Love the fact the old engine is still in too! lol

[DaveyLC]

Picked up my front panel.. I'm so glad its a case of chopping out the old complete cross member, I was imagining it would be some horrible chore of cutting the cross member in half and welding a new front on lol :D

[brainsnova]

yep that would be a hole doing that but a complete one is a easy job for someone with your skills

[DaveyLC]

I know its not very interesting, but just as a reference for anyone who is looking to replace a front panel and hasnt before.. Thought it might be useful as I couldnt personally find any photos of the rear of the panel to be able to judge which bit I needed:

http://www.dohc.co.uk/temp/nova/frontpanel/17092008907.jpg
http://www.dohc.co.uk/temp/nova/frontpanel/17092008908.jpg
http://www.dohc.co.uk/temp/nova/frontpanel/17092008909.jpg

[novashed]

i think all of us on here has seen a few of those in nova ownership lol

[L14MNP]

lol first job I done on my Nova. Didn't have/know of spot weld cutters either then lol

[vaughanmc]

lol Mines has had one as well, so much tidier at the front now!

Make sure and slap some Body Schutz on it one you've fitted it, make it last as long as possible :)

[DaveyLC]

I'll zinc treat it once its on like the rear end, so hopefully it will last :)

[mikey14sr]

Picked up my front panel.. I'm so glad its a case of chopping out the old complete cross member, I was imagining it would be some horrible chore of cutting the cross member in half and welding a new front on lol :D

You may still have to, I know I found it a lot easier to cut the middle out at the bottom to get them off, kinda just breaking it down to smaller pieces to make it a little easier to remove.

[DaveyLC]

WHAT AN ABSOLOUTE C**T
http://www.dohc.co.uk/temp/nova/17-09-08/17092008910.jpg

Getting the ends of the cross member out is a nightmare!

[brainsnova]

spot welds galore

[Ernie]

Sorry id didnt make it round yesterday but i got chatting and it would of been to late by the time i had got to you then got home and sorted stuff out.
I will have to come round some when.
Cheers.

[DaveyLC]

No worries mate :)

I was down there till after midnight anyhoo :D

[Doldy]

JEEESUS what a project!

[AlexW]

If i ever venture that way i will have to make a detour. Are you doing anything to keep the front weighted down apart from keeping the fuel gauge happy?

[DaveyLC]

You're more than welcome to come have a look :)

Just the fuel tank, battery, rad + fan so far :D

[DaveyLC]

I NEVER want to do this again
http://www.dohc.co.uk/temp/nova/18-09-08/18092008913.jpg

http://www.dohc.co.uk/temp/nova/18-09-08/18092008914.jpg

Still need to weld it in.

[burgo]

dunno why our complainging. there easy to do imo!

[L14MNP]

haha you have it all wrong mate, you've done the hard bit :D

Looking sweet!

[DaveyLC]

dunno why our complainging. there easy to do imo!

Panel its self is a piece of piss, the cross member was a C**T!

[Pistol Pete]

:eek: I'm shocked, all that custom fabrication (top work BTW:thumb: ) to get an engine in your boot and you think fitting a cross member is a cnut!!!lol

[DaveyLC]

It does sound strange but when you are totally re-fabricating something you dont thave to pluck it apart with care, you just take a nice big 9" grinder and go at it like a mad man.. The cross member how ever had to go back into a neat little slot so I spent hours carefully un-plucking awkwardly positioned spot welds with a, soft pad, drill bit and a hammer and bolster

[Pistol Pete]

lol, when you put it like that... See what you mean though.

[DaveyLC]

Finished the front panel last night and test fitted the wings, its all nicely lined up..

Think I might buy a pair of wings while I'm at it..

[General Baxter]

dunno why our complainging. there easy to do imo!

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a226/sclurgess/weldingburgo.jpg

[DaveyLC]

Fitting was a piece of piss.. removing it was a CNUT!

[scottishstu]

mate top work just read from ae 1-32 well impressed!!! wish i had your skills! anyway keep up the good work and keep us posted!

[burgo]

Fitting was a piece of piss.. removing it was a CNUT!you need to get yourself a baxter. he can remove anything in seconds lol

[Daniie]

work in motion i guess

[DaveyLC]

Sorry for the lack of updates.. I've run out of gas, picking up a new bottle on the weekend!

[DaveyLC]

Right im seriously debating with selling the rolling chassis.. I'm finding it harder and harder to get the time to work on the car :(

[olienova1]

DONT DO IT keep going alot of people give up when it nearly done:thumb:

[AlexW]

I would hate to see this sold, Just have a month long break from it. Would be a real shame another RWD nova go unfinished.

[DaveyLC]

Problem is it costs me to have it just sitting there.

I keep thinking I could buy a Corsa B and throw the engine, wheels, brakes, coilovers straight onto it..

[TWAG]

do not sell it!!!! surely the hard work is done?? There is so much work gone in to it, it would be a shame to see someone else take all the reward.

[C7LJN]

Problem is it costs me to have it just sitting there.

I keep thinking I could buy a Corsa B and throw the engine, wheels, brakes, coilovers straight onto it..

NO NO NO dont do it

Ive thought of it as im sure loads of people have when taking on such a big project you get fed up with it every now and again when it gets to the sh*t jobs and you dont see much progress in it............................. Just hold on to it :thumb: :thumb: :thumb:

[DaveyLC]

Well its now officially forsale!

[BRoadGhost]

Sorry I don't understand ~ it needs a gear linkage then done?

[tommiii]

thats sum fukn project ya built ther.. why do u wana sell it...KEEP HER:tard:

[djshaggeh]

Please dont do it!

[General Baxter]

you need to get yourself a baxter. he can remove anything in seconds lol

lol just fit a tuned TD, im sure it will fall off in time lol

[shy witness]

ffs mate....dont be selling it.

this is 1 of the projects i've been tuning into the last we while.

the work youve done so far is 1st classs......keep at it.....coz the £££££'s u'd get for it as it is..certainly wouldnt reflect the blood sweat and tears thats went into it.

[AlexW]

Shame your selling it mate, Saw it on ebay. Good luck with the sale.

[DaveyLC]

I know I'll kick myself but at the moment just havent got the time to plod on :( was hoping I'd having it finsihed by now or atleast before xmas but theres no way I can get it finished at the pace im going now.

[DW-Nova]

Cant really understand why your selling tbh ? it may take a little longer than first thought but so what???? i know exactly how your feeling but honestley you should just try and stick with it, once it's done you will feel sooooo Good !!!!

[Paul]

Yet another abandoned RWD/4WD project, shame.

[DaveyLC]

I've lost the love.. simple as really.. Once i've lost the passion for something thats it normally lol :D

[Paul]

I've lost the love.. simple as really.. Once i've lost the passion for something thats it normally lol :D

That is fair enough. Its obvious you have the skills/knowledge to finish it, but if you dont want to, then why bother.

[DW-Nova]

Thought this was going to be one which would suceed, shame really, cant understand why people start things and then never bother finishing it ??? no offence but it was obvious that it would be a big job when you started it !! What you going to do with it now ? take off anything thats salvagable and scrap it?

[021-bennettt]

Its a shame mate but watevr u want 2do is your decision realy lol
Great amount of work and weel done.

[DaveyLC]

take off anything thats salvagable and scrap it?

I want to try and sell it to someone who will continue it.. I'm not looking to make a profit or recoupe all my costs, just find it a good home.

[djshaggeh]

DaveyLC will you be about this friday evening, around 8? I really want to admire your workmanship before you get rid of it.

[DaveyLC]

If im at the workshop come knock on the door :)

[DaveyLC]

Some final shots before she is sold:

http://www.dohc.co.uk/temp/nova/03-01-08/Dscf0018.jpg
http://www.dohc.co.uk/temp/nova/03-01-08/Dscf0022.jpg
http://www.dohc.co.uk/temp/nova/03-01-08/Dscf0023.jpg
http://www.dohc.co.uk/temp/nova/03-01-08/Dscf0024.jpg
http://www.dohc.co.uk/temp/nova/03-01-08/Dscf0025.jpg
http://www.dohc.co.uk/temp/nova/03-01-08/Dscf0026.jpg
http://www.dohc.co.uk/temp/nova/03-01-08/Dscf0027.jpg
http://www.dohc.co.uk/temp/nova/03-01-08/Dscf0029.jpg
http://www.dohc.co.uk/temp/nova/03-01-08/Dscf0030.jpg
http://www.dohc.co.uk/temp/nova/03-01-08/Dscf0038.jpg
http://www.dohc.co.uk/temp/nova/03-01-08/Dscf0040.jpg
http://www.dohc.co.uk/temp/nova/03-01-08/Dscf0043.jpg
http://www.dohc.co.uk/temp/nova/03-01-08/Dscf0044.jpg
http://www.dohc.co.uk/temp/nova/03-01-08/Dscf0045.jpg

[loggyboy]

You mentioned in your for sale thread (and as far as i can see early on in this thread) that you had some issues with storage? did you ever elaborate??

[DaveyLC]

I was doing some tuning work for a guy I know and he was setting up a company called "UK Modified"... Basically the car was at his unit and he wasnt paying his bills so I nearly lost the car to the land lord.. It took me a while to get the nova somewhere safe and sort out all my tools/gear..

This is what happened to a customers car:
http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o113/daveylc/marcs_car_scrapped.jpg

[brainsnova]

did the landlord skip the corsa to clear the place.

[DaveyLC]

Its a long story! The place got broken into TWICE after the guy who's business it was cleared out most of his stuff; then everything else that was left (stripped customers car, compressor and some other crap) was weighed in by the landlord so he could re-lease the palce (it was in 3 months rent arrears).

[Martin]

Ouch... dont sell it :)

[nova_niek]

Wondering what's happening with your project at the moment... hope it's sitting somewhere dry, warm and safe. Also hoping you get to work on it. Looks promising, this does! :-)

[Pistol Pete]

He has sold it on. I think the new owner has every intention of getting it finished.

[DW-Nova]

Who's the new owner then ? someone who can actually be bothered to finish it hopefully, still really cant understand your thinking doing all that work and then being to lazy and un-motivated to actually finish it off !!

[DaveyLC]

I've built something else instead :)

The new owner is not a member of PNG and is currently trying to secure some space to work on the nova.

[DaveyLC]

I dont suppose anyone knows anything about what happened to my old car?

[novarally]

I dont suppose anyone knows anything about what happened to my old car?

Yes, I saw it about 3 or 4 weeks ago in the garage of a lad I bought another Nova from.

It looked like a fair bit of work had been done to it, and he said he was selling the other Nova to fund finishing off your one.

[DaveyLC]

OMG I found it!!
https://s10.postimg.org/tcyt2108l/12502045_528533960649917_393076124_n.jpg (https://postimg.org/image/tcyt2108l/)
https://s10.postimg.org/4wgn7kexh/12552273_1052079981518563_162191121_n.jpg (https://postimg.org/image/4wgn7kexh/)
https://s10.postimg.org/m9qxmf2it/12751605_215226582164847_151966097_n.jpg (https://postimg.org/image/m9qxmf2it/)
https://s10.postimg.org/u2hleenxh/13102382_566665996848151_1853918788_n.jpg (https://postimg.org/image/u2hleenxh/)
https://s10.postimg.org/bzoin6zsl/13116837_617505031758921_374154221_n.jpg (https://postimg.org/image/bzoin6zsl/)
https://s10.postimg.org/v4rrwz1lx/13129190_689501681189258_213623153_n.jpg (https://postimg.org/image/v4rrwz1lx/)
https://s10.postimg.org/5lzfjy2md/13129499_273569299654634_1168793469_n.jpg (https://postimg.org/image/5lzfjy2md/)
https://s10.postimg.org/lwzjga29h/13129535_1722556094651655_432588171_n.jpg (https://postimg.org/image/lwzjga29h/)
https://s10.postimg.org/akmxyi1ad/13167346_839014316242430_1433990294_n.jpg (https://postimg.org/image/akmxyi1ad/)
https://s10.postimg.org/9v45m4dlh/13187943_914740545338277_1575742409_n.jpg (https://postimg.org/image/9v45m4dlh/)
https://s10.postimg.org/rxx8ddjqt/13249712_1082093121884381_1361072314_n.jpg (https://postimg.org/image/rxx8ddjqt/)
https://s10.postimg.org/lwzjgapet/13249827_1631183630539121_1171749275_n.jpg (https://postimg.org/image/lwzjgapet/)
https://s10.postimg.org/nc14515xh/13269482_507623629447740_1641624912_n.jpg (https://postimg.org/image/nc14515xh/)
https://s10.postimg.org/bzoin94yd/13381414_1017549148294745_2060234915_n.jpg (https://postimg.org/image/bzoin94yd/)
https://s10.postimg.org/5lzfk07s5/13388648_1618359391825538_181906188_n.jpg (https://postimg.org/image/5lzfk07s5/)

[DaveyLC]

https://s10.postimg.org/4wgn7neyd/13391296_1625332124452743_797846067_n.jpg (https://postimg.org/image/4wgn7neyd/)
https://s10.postimg.org/4jp91h4ed/13395038_1552595578379819_1406465283_n.jpg (https://postimg.org/image/4jp91h4ed/)
https://s10.postimg.org/6pjjve7ol/13397492_497255843796811_1357482664_n.jpg (https://postimg.org/image/6pjjve7ol/)
https://s10.postimg.org/6pjjven45/13398773_275392929477554_1044093890_n.jpg (https://postimg.org/image/6pjjven45/)
https://s10.postimg.org/j46bvq6wl/13402572_1320297474666353_231767307_n.jpg (https://postimg.org/image/j46bvq6wl/)
https://s10.postimg.org/lli33068l/13525578_500905806766261_703257051_n.jpg (https://postimg.org/image/lli33068l/)
https://s10.postimg.org/bbfo3rvsl/13562029_285048565180920_732351568_n.jpg (https://postimg.org/image/bbfo3rvsl/)
https://s10.postimg.org/xam2qzkcl/13597669_207896959611029_1186726468_n.jpg (https://postimg.org/image/xam2qzkcl/)
https://s10.postimg.org/zf6fs2tp1/13628323_1307482065959000_1900988916_n.jpg (https://postimg.org/image/zf6fs2tp1/)
https://s10.postimg.org/84l4k53mt/13636253_764245410344881_1308806724_n.jpg (https://postimg.org/image/84l4k53mt/)
https://s10.postimg.org/eia7nhg9h/13686961_696134660535138_779822220_n.jpg (https://postimg.org/image/eia7nhg9h/)
https://s10.postimg.org/6cs5p9f51/13696479_1769467449932737_144838479_n.jpg (https://postimg.org/image/6cs5p9f51/)

[DaveyLC]

https://s10.postimg.org/jtp484x6d/13714120_159390841135682_825304050_n.jpg (https://postimg.org/image/jtp484x6d/)
https://s10.postimg.org/a95hl9n9x/13731207_920385128088223_1159691918_n.jpg (https://postimg.org/image/a95hl9n9x/)
https://s10.postimg.org/oscmmoo4l/13731299_837249663072330_1870706926_n.jpg (https://postimg.org/image/oscmmoo4l/)
https://s10.postimg.org/600rj3zg5/13735879_1065413920203124_1282103614_n.jpg (https://postimg.org/image/600rj3zg5/)
https://s10.postimg.org/dg014w005/13743508_831923683605894_1611733963_n.jpg (https://postimg.org/image/dg014w005/)
https://s10.postimg.org/6cs5papfp/13774236_1708503096055952_43098451_n.jpg (https://postimg.org/image/6cs5papfp/)
https://s10.postimg.org/8u3wwkwhh/13774577_215641765499294_573638120_n.jpg (https://postimg.org/image/8u3wwkwhh/)
https://s10.postimg.org/d38myqs11/14099401_1026438254129642_870980508_n.jpg (https://postimg.org/image/d38myqs11/)
https://s10.postimg.org/dsrfb4805/16122832_402173426794200_2407169151811452928_n.jpg (https://postimg.org/image/dsrfb4805/)
https://s10.postimg.org/9jmp8xhlh/18879051_1706672266291787_6154678754959425536_n.jp g (https://postimg.org/image/9jmp8xhlh/)

[novarally]

That's looking very nice- tell us more, who's got it now and what's the spec?

[DaveyLC]

I've been speaking to the last two owners and this is what I know..


In 2008 I sold it to a chap from Wales, he spent about a year finishing it off, he painted it white and fitted a C16SE engine with throttle bodies.


Fast forward to about 2-3 years ago and I saw it for sale on eBay as a rolling shell in Matte Black.


I thank spotted in on Instagram a few days ago looking FANTASTIC! (the photos above).


After getting in touch with the Insta profile owner he told me he had painted it black, tidied it up, got it MOTd but then sold it back to the previous owner (engine had blown up and he had lost the love).
He gave me the details of the previous owner who I then got in touch with, I believe he bought it as the black rolling shell, he gave me this story:



I finished it in white then conor brought it and did it black and then I brought it back but tbh been messed with too much and ruined it so I sold it on to a lad who putting a turbo engine in. I be honest tho if you want it back since I sold it it's been ruined in my eyes. I do have photos of the build and when I sold it and I do have photos of when I brought it back because i regretted selling it. But the state it was in when got it back I wasn't happy and it was nothing like i sold it so was dishartend and sold it again. Especially as when I sold it it was perfect in every way even a couple of our local racers said how well it was built and balanced well and handles and went like a dream. I know that's being big headed but I was proud of that car and id spent 16k over 3 yrs and everyone said I couldn't do it lol

[novarally]

I especially like the wider rear arches, could do with some like that for mine.

[nova_niek]

Talk about a blast from the past. Thanks for posting this on here. [emoji16]

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