rwd nova

[big gra]

anyone know if this had been doen with the engine in the front? dying to finally do one ready for pv09, seeing all the novas at pv this year has inspired me.

if so what rear axle and running gear is used?

was thinking of a chavvette rear axle, carleton box and an xe in the front? any ideas?

[meritlover]

using a rear axel is the most difficult way to do it without space-framing the whole car, the floor will need to be ripped up to clear the propshaft and the buckhead moved to let the engine sit longditudinaly and there is very little 'solid structure' to mount the axel to once you've removed all the material necessary to get clearance.
better to use a front cut of one into the rear of another, giving you rear/mid engined RWD. but linkages for gears are a nightmare. also considerations for the loss of weight from the front, cooling lines and front suspension must be made.

better to just leave the nova the way it was designed and not violate two good novas to fulfill a sick fantasy

[Mike]

Yep, Austin done it some time ago :thumb:

As for space framing the front, ill show thee -

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j181/mikenova/PV2008/109_0422.jpg

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j181/mikenova/PV2008/109_0423.jpg

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j181/mikenova/PV2008/109_0424.jpg

[Dod]

Theres a twin engined Nova for sale in the Classified section, seemingly the rear engine started and drove but as the clutch cable was removed for modification, it doesnt drive now.

Ideally, you could make up some form of Hydrollic Clutch (Most Ecowreaks running an F18 Gear box have this set up anyway) and as Merit Lover saud, cut the front of 1 car and fit it to the rear of another one. Its a big job, and you need to be well up on your welding before you could attempt it.

[big gra]

i did welding at college and now do it at work so thats not a problem.

does anyone know what raer axle he used up there?? ^^^^^

[mowgli]

as I have stated thousands of times, the track & wheelbase of a nova is the same as a std mk2 escort............

[big gra]

as I have stated thousands of times, the track & wheelbase of a nova is the same as a std mk2 escort............

haaha didnt know that, not cheap though.

[mowgli]

capri axles are the same, & mk2 4 door rotboxes are still cheap.....
the main problem with doing a rwd hatch is the lack of rear end weight..
the mid engined concept is quite good, but is noisy & cramped & has more than enough problems.

I have always pondered whether or not the carlton/senator/omega irs would fit if narrowed. the 2.0 16v omega would probably make a really good donor

[Steve]

This was asked on migweb a while back, there was a yellow rwd nova ebay which I was watching, think he wanted about £7k for it.

As mowgli says, mk2 escorts are useful: Rwd Nova (http://www.migweb.co.uk/forums/engines-transmission/311194-rwd-2-0-xe-nova-drift-car.html)

[Dod]

Irs worth a shot I reckon, look in the Projects Forum as theres a few been done there.

[big gra]

yea, shortening a rear exle off an omega was an idea, used with a 4 link suspension kit. not sure what engine, probably an XE and theres a place near me that can get propshafts made up (preston props)

[burgo]

omegas dont have rear axles

[mowgli]

omegas dont have rear axles

to be picky, they do, but they are an independently suspended design. to have a drive axle doesn't mean it has to be a single casting

[big gra]

been looking at different axles on ebay, ot sure which one to use. reliant robin ones are the right size but wouldent handle much power. what gearbox would best be used? and manual or auto?

[General Baxter]

im sure i messured a bmw e30 rear set up will work with wider arches, as its 40mm wider

[burgo]

to be picky, they do, but they are an independently suspended design. to have a drive axle doesn't mean it has to be a single castingwell in my mind they aren't :p.

[burgo]

ive seen an e30 set-up on a mk2 escort and apparently mk2's are right for a nova so it could work

[Dod]

Manta A axles are pretty short as well. If you wanna stay GM.

[big gra]

yea gm would be best as props will be easier to make. really want to get an axle as short as a standard rear beam, one of teh reasons i dont like rear engines novas are the wide arches at the back, want it to look standard!

[Mike]

Austin used a Escort Mk1/2 Atlas axle i tihnk?

[Dod]

Fit a front end to the rear then so!!

[big gra]

has anybody anymore pics of austins nova? never saw it on our stand, wish i had!

what gearbox would people suggest to use?

[Mike]

Ive already posted the picks of the front end

[big gra]

want to see pics of the rear, maybe underneath? dont suppose theres a progress thread hidden sumwer is there?

[Mike]

Be best to PM him Gray TBH

[big gra]

is his username austin? will try and search for him.

[Mike]

Austin RWD or something like that

[big gra]

austin_nova16v???

[Mike]

quite possibly

[Dod]

Look in the Projects section, his Saloon WIP is one of the most recent visited.