I really keep thinking of putting mine back to mk 1
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I really keep thinking of putting mine back to mk 1
Love it!
I'll need to check mine... can't remember if it's welded or bolted.Quote:
Originally Posted by nova_stee
Looking top sir! :)
thanks for the comments.
update
more progress in the right direction with this update, i recently moved to a place that has a good sized garage that i could work on the nove in. will benefit me as i can work on the car when i feel and not have to drive 13miles to do so.
i wanted to make the novas new home nice to work in so i painted the floor, helps with dust and much nicer to lie on if need be.
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z...8/DSCN6949.jpg
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z...8/DSCN6950.jpg
the garage started to get filled with junk, as per, but hopefully sorting it out soon. bought myself a new toolbox as mine was too small. a tool sales chap who comes round in his lorry had a top box for sale cheap as it was a cash deal slightly damaged box. the only damage was on the lid and it will be open most the time so didnt bother me.
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z...8/DSCN7124.jpg
asked a friend to bring the nova over for me, so kind. we got it on the trailer, this one with a tilt bed on....(old picture)
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z...8/DSCN3771.jpg
only to notice there was fuel leaking from somewhere, upon closer inspection it was coming from the top side of the tank. how? i couldnt tell you, the tank had been shot blasted and powdercoated so there was a chance it made pin holes in it. so this meant i would have to remove the tank.
but, got the car to my new place and tucked away.
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z...8/DSCN7136.jpg
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z...8/DSCN7138.jpg
a few days later i thought i best had do some work to it, with the motor not running AGAIN i delved into it. i had it running when i had the loom placed on top of the engine and ever since i fitted it correctly it wouldnt start. no fuel was present at the rail, i checked for a feed at the pump and i had 12volts. i swapped the pump for another new one i had and the feed from the tank in a jerry can so i new it had petrol. cranked over and the it started. good start to the day.
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z...h_DSCN7139.jpg
once i was happy i set about modifying the exhaust, im sure i said in a previous post about it coming out the bumper wrong. i rotated the exhaust joint to come out at the right point, then marked where the hanging bracket needed to be cut and welded back on. this is on hold at the moment as ive tacked it in place and havnt had chance to try it back on as the middle section isnt fitted.
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z...8/DSCN7158.jpg
after that it was time to remove the tank, the middle section of exhaust had to be taken off, easy you may think, far from it. the bloke who made the exhaust at powerflow made the downpipe to middle section sleeve joint too long, so trying to slide the middle section off would result in it hitting the beam and not going any further. drop the beam off the shock bolts? tried it, no more room. cut a small bit of the downpipe whilst on the car? tred it, got half way through. take the downpipe off? jesus wept. had to do that in the end, half hour removal of the tank turned into 2hrs of messing around.
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z...8/DSCN7141.jpg
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z...8/DSCN7142.jpg
either way the tank was out moments after. the fuel is seeping out of the top half, wipe it clean and seconds later it comes back through.
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z...8/DSCN7143.jpg
i asked a local radiator/tank repairer to give me a rough guess of a cost to repair it, was half the price of a new tank. i didnt think it was worth it as i couldnt guarentee it wouldnt happen again. ordered a new tank from imperial, the gte tank was on back order but got one ordered anyway. arrived today in bare metal, will sort out some paint and get it sprayed up.
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z...8/DSCN7156.jpg
also received a set of black mats shaped for the novas floor for a perfect fit.
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z...8/DSCN7157.jpg
ordered up some new bolts for the steering wheel as last time i had the car out 4/5years ago i only ever had 4 bolts.
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z...8/DSCN7140.jpg
hopefully buying a small trailer from my boss this week which will mean i can take the car to shows and not worry if it blows up. havnt got a towing car yet so my red gte will have to go unfortunately.
thats where im upto at the moment, the weekend may bring some more joy if the weather perks up.
thanks for looking.
bruce
Looking good mate always loved seeing progress on this thing :)
How much will your red gte be going up for?
Looking good, really want a let for mine when i get it
Paint the garage walls, gets the dust right down. Coming on really well, nice work getting a new tank.
That garage looks nice!
update
not much of an update, things have slowed down with the project but progress is still occuring.
got it together enough the take it for a test drive up my road, bit of clanging and banging from the back end made me stop and go back. turned out the rear tyres were rubbing the coilover springs, i happened to have some 6mm spacers to hand so fitted them and took it for another test drive, doesnt rub the springs now but rubs the arches ever so slightly. ordered up some 3mm spacers which solved the problem all together, painted them red to blend in with the drum..
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z...8/DSCN7334.jpg
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z...8/DSCN7336.jpg
im running eds phase 2 chips, which happened to come with my ecu, so i had to sort out the fuelling. i had my standard yellow injectors cleaned and tested a while back meaning i didnt fancy swapping them to saab reds. especially if i wanted to up the power later on the only way to go was an adjustable fuel reg.
i looked about for a bit to find a reasonably priced adjustable FPR as im on a tight budget now, i kept looking back at the one TX autosport sell, ive got a few bits of theres on my engine and the quality is top notch. i gave them a call and asked a few questions to get some insight. they had only just got them back in stock but didnt have any fuel hose to go with the kit, they gave me a tenner off and free postage so wasnt too bad a deal.
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z...8/DSCN7338.jpg
trying to find some where to fit it was puzzling, i didnt want to make up brackets or make it too complicated fo something so simple. i came up with the plan to mount it to the inlet manifold where there was small off casting.
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z...8/DSCN7342.jpg
replaced the standard fuel reg with the blank and re-routed the fuel lines, ran the car up and adjusted the fuel pressure.(with the vacuum off and blocked)
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z...8/DSCN7359.jpg
i gave the inside a clean as i havnt done it since ive put it all together, heres a few pics.
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z...8/DSCN7211.jpg
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z...8/DSCN7212.jpg
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z...8/DSCN7214.jpg
gauges all working
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z...8/DSCN7173.jpg
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z...8/DSCN7215.jpg
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z...8/DSCN7222.jpg
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z...8/DSCN7223.jpg
as i said in my previous post that i bought a trailer and i would have to sell my red gte, the gte should be being picked up this week by its new owner. hopefully he will look after it like it should be and preseved in its natural guise. that said, i went and bought a new car so i can tow this one to track days and so on.
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z...8/DSCN7344.jpg
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z...8/DSCN7346.jpg
its a vectra sri with the exterior pack 2, which contains a vxr front bumper(with different lower lip), vxr skirts, rear apron, spoiler, steering wheel and gear knob. plus the 18inch delta wheels.
as i cant help myself with modifying cars i have a few plans for it such as a re-map, coilovers, de-cat etc. for now i bought a towbar to fit so i can use my trailer, heres a small how to...
start off with one towbar kit, i bought a towsure detachable. i wanted a detachable so the looks of the car arnt affected too much.
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z...8/DSCN7347.jpg
first off was to drill out the dimples in the boot floor to fit the spacers..
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z...8/DSCN7348.jpg
once done you can place the spreader plates on top and attach both side support braces underneigth..
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z...8/DSCN7349.jpg
fit the centre cross bracing and tighten it all up and you should be left with this..
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z...8/DSCN7350.jpg
and with out the ball..
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z...8/DSCN7351.jpg
just got the wring to sort out.
thanks for looking
bruce
Smart Vectra...
update
its been a long time again since an update, think ive done enough now to warrent one so here i go....
the engine had a slight tapping noise coming from the cambelt cover so presumed the belt was touching it somehow. i removed the cover and inspected it, i came to the conclusion that the cambelt cover spacers wertn doing there job as it had movement in it prior to me sorting it. i bought some new spacers with the rubbers from vauxhall and fitted them, i didnt get the rubber washer for the outside of the cover so had to make something up,
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z...psa28bafeb.jpg
had a couple valves about so cut the bottom off.
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z...ps1997533b.jpg
one solved problem, the inner rubbers were expensive from vaux for what they were so glad i found an easy solution for the outers.
the 5mm spacers i fitted to the rear wheels to avoid the coilovers now made the tyre hit the arch. with strategic calculations i went for 3mm spacers, fortunately now i have space between the arch and the coilover. painted them red so they didnt miss match from the drum
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z...psa702e5f8.jpg
another small detail, painted the bonnet latch and fitted a stainless cap head bolt
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z...psdf7ad97b.jpg
with looking at doing track days ive opted to buy a few bits to make it more oriented to that, kind of having a trailer queen guise and a track look. i had been waiting for a cheap set of cesaros to turn up that i didnt have to travel miles for. a set came up 15miles from me which was a result.
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z...ps53ae7b56.jpg
all nice and straight and minimal face damage, with them being track wheels i wanted a vibrant colour to stand out a bit on track. with the decision made to paint them a similar colour to the cage and other minor red items i set about giving them a bit of a refurb.
i used TFR to remove all stuck on dirt, they came up well.
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z...ps72a46151.jpg
i wanted the insides black as brake dust makes wheels look horrible and was cheaper that painting them all red.
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z...ps6d7b607a.jpg
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z...psf492544d.jpg
prepped the outsides and masked off the insides.
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z...psfb13d0b3.jpg
all finished.
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z...psb7ba62ce.jpg
next track derived part, was a different bonnet. i cut out some funky vents to the one side, there more for looks than function. having a second bonnet will help stop my blue bonnet getting damged on track. i may buy another one as this one is dented pretty much all over and would need shed loads of filler in it.
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z...ps2e11ba02.jpg
the last item was to make an air scoop headlight. as i got a few spare headlights i thought i may aswell put them to good use. the way im doing it is going to be similar to mk2 cav was featured in total vauxhall some years ago, i liked how the trumpet was sat on the glass of the light.
im still in the process of buying somthing to cut the glass but i do have the ducting, should be straight forward once the holes in it.
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z...psaabd462c.jpg
Bonnet is cool.
i managed to source a an ex rally open face helmet off ebay, only £7.86. what a bargain.
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z...psc86462df.jpg
i do plan to paint it, the peak black but unsure on the rest. unsure if blue would be over kill?
with wanting to film any track time i do i browsed the net for camera mounts, i stumbled across some american that made his own. as money is i tight i gave it ago, he used some sort of clamp (that i couldnt find) and a mini tripod. i used a 't' bolt clamp and a mini tripod, to make one it goes little like this...
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z...psb18b1900.jpg
drilled a hole in the clamp..
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z...psf51bc85f.jpg
i unscrewed the small screw to remove the legs of tripod.
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z...pse417f42d.jpg
the small section now has to mount onto the clamp, the screw that came out was too short. i found a longer one in my box of tricks and mated them together. i cut a length of tractor tube to use as the grippy bit between the clamp and the cage. once trial mounted it came out like this...
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z...psb506e55a.jpg
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z...psb02d35c8.jpg
the view...
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z...ps657908b0.jpg
i did test run it today and it vibrates a bit, the camera is a bit too heavy for the mount so a compact wouldnt vibrate as much. i think ill see how i get on before i alter it.
the spare softstar i have in the boot was a bit damaged so i rubbed it down, filled any minor marks and painted it.
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z...ps1222715b.jpg
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z...ps3a0b5d15.jpg
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z...psa649fe85.jpg
other items i spruced up were the bonnet stuts, painted in the same grey as the other grey items
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z...psc66eb437.jpg
the bonnet mesh and scuttle mesh thingys
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z...ps1800aebc.jpg
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z...ps9700050a.jpg
the ecu cover
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z...ps82c63601.jpg
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z...psea431ecd.jpg
dug out my twin reverse cluster, i did used to run with the 2 reverse lights but to save me swapping it over for mot time i bought a led bulb that shines red.
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z...ps08222a97.jpg
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z...psd91fa0b5.jpg
when i had my red gte i had started to make a scuttle cover for it, it didnt ever come out correct so i gave up, i needed one for this one so had another go. this time using hardboard, i had to make it fit so it missed the wiper linkage i have fitted, only way to do this was cut a section out for the sweep of it.
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z...ps231f093c.jpg
and covered in the same material as the interior panels.
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z...psb45d26e1.jpg
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z...ps5a311fca.jpg
as i was taking more pics of the car at a distance i realised it needed the mudflaps back on it. the ones i used before had the red vauxhall badge on which ive gone off, i will be getting identicle ones but completely blank. i couldnt remove the badge off these ones.
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z...ps75ea75f9.jpg
reading through other members WIP threads they often throw up something that gets over looked in your own project, benn had broken his inner CV joint and came to the conclusion the angle the passenger shaft sat at was quite high. i checked mine out and noticed it was angled upwards and pointed to the back of the car. id rather not have my joint break when i least expect it and as my engine sat a little low on the passenger side i wanted to alter my mount.
i unbolted the mount and moved it up as much as i dared to have the engine sit more level, in jacking the motor up it moved backwards too. marked where new holes had to go and drilled it out, for a bit more strength i welded on some thick washes.
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z...psbab7f2cb.jpg
the holes have moved about 1.5cm up and 0.5cm back, any gain is good gain.
a mate of mine has done a few track days already so had some older r888s about, he had 2 spare so gave them to me which i got fitted.
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z...ps45fd1ae4.jpg
with much anticipation of if they would ever go under my arches i got cracking to fit them. the rear one misses the arch but feels like its touching the coilover, after a test drive i couldnt here any noises off them rubbing, i may have to space them out a little but i wont be able to lower it much more.
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z...ps6e317b03.jpg
last thing, i bought a hybrid turbo as my one was smoking a bit from cold and as i was running phase 2 i wanted the turbo last a bit longer.
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z...ps3129a4e3.jpg
gave me the chance to finally fit the oil restrictor bolt to it.
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z...psda218f58.jpg
seems to be running ok at the mo, still need to sort out the exterior paint work and the front bumper.
with the arrival of a little one immenant, im unsure when ill update again but hopefully wont be long.
thanks for looking.
bruce
Engine bay looks epic
Where did you get your rear bolt in brace from?
This is looking awesome nice work!
What bulb did you get for the fog? And is it brighter than the standard rear bulb?
Nice work mate well done.
stu
Excellent work
Thanks edd, was off ebay a few years ago. I made and sold a couple as there pretty easy to make.Quote:
Originally Posted by Edd
Cheers iain!Quote:
Originally Posted by Iain
Its 21w so same as what a normal fog would be, its just a multicluster led, ive got a 2nd here if you were after one?
Thanks tek, havnt seen much of an update on yours recently. You must be flat out at work.Quote:
Originally Posted by Nova_Tek
Thanks alotQuote:
Originally Posted by black death
I fitted a clustered LED one to mine, think it was from Halfords, but it shone pink though and wasn't hugely bright for a foglight.Quote:
Originally Posted by brucer
Ah right, I just checked it worked when I tried it.
Its not something that gets used everyday so ill live with it I guess.
stunning,well done
Bay's looking great dude, love it. Should have said about a scuttle cover, i'd have made you a template of mine. Same wiper motor and all. Camera mount is very nice too.
Good thinking on checking your shaft angles. That's been a nightmare.
I'm bouncing off the limiter with work mate... non stop. Trying hard to buy my own place too so money is not being spent but time is!Quote:
Originally Posted by brucer
cheers andy.
thats gutting benn, i didnt think to ask you. i remember seeing yours at pvs with the cut out, (i think).
it will all pay off though, once you do get back into it you'll have so much enthusiasm to crack on. is a garage on the priority list for your own place?Quote:
Originally Posted by Nova_Tek
Not really as prices in London for a flats are ridiculous let alone a house with a drive and garage. I can keep the Nova at my parents (garage) and crack on there.
fair enough, im glad i dont live down that way. i guess wages reflect the area you work in?Quote:
Originally Posted by Nova_Tek
I would reinforce the slam panel in the middle like standard or add bonnet pins
On my nova turbo after removing the centre brace and cutout for inlet pipe it was very weak and bonnet would creep up at high speeds
update
small update for this weeks work, bought an 80mm diamond tipper hole saw to make a large enough hole in a spare headlight.
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z...psa7b89bfe.jpg
lots of lube and low/medium speed cut me a hole in the glass...
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z...ps0a737353.jpg
bonded the ducting ring down and then cut a large hole on the other side to fit the ducting through, came out quite well and a nice little mod for the track.
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z...ps0d7cf001.jpg
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z...ps38f4b058.jpg
next on the list was to re-arrange my harnesses, after a couple of minor test drives i found the clips rattled about too much on the eye bolts. made the decision to wrap around the rear brace, done some research on how to fit them on correctly as i didnt want any bad accidents from neglect.
to save the paint on the brace i bought some clear protective film, might be a bit overkill though.
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z...psf70dfb6f.jpg
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z...ps72fdcfd9.jpg
whilst messing about with the height of the rear it came to my attention that lowering it more gave me more clearance from the coilover spring, i ditched the 3mm spacers and slammed it to the floor to check for other clearance issues. with it almost on the bumpstops the next thing it rubbed on was the cage bolts that come through the arch. i had a bout 15mm excess thread which could potentially pierce the tyre if i hit a big bump. so i cut all 8 down so this would ever be a problem.
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z...psf855dc2a.jpg
i noticed while playing with the coilovers that the springs were hefty enough for what my needs for the car were, 10 inch 160lb. ive seen on here people like 300lb springs so wanted to get a pair of these, i rang gaz and they suggested to go for a 9inch spring in 300lb. they arrived yesterday and got them fitted today. (old ones for sale)
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z...psacf769a3.jpg
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z...psfd62be68.jpg
adjusted to a reasonable height, may bring it up a touch.
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z...ps18ae2883.jpg
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z...ps7426c405.jpg
another track item i made at work. :d
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z...psbd011d41.jpg
have also been slowly buying items for my trailer as ive never had them before.
set of 4 wheel straps.
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z...ps037eb665.jpg
breakaway cable
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z...psdf10f2b3.jpg
i did put the car on the trailer the other day and found out the novas too front end heavy for it. my old red gte was ok, also didnt have to worry about the wheels getting scratched on the side runners. so the trailers up for sale.
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z...ps3762e166.jpg
need to start sorting out the paintwork as it still needs mopping, front bumper painting and other bits dealing with as im not happy.
thanks for looking
bruce
How much is the trailer?
just posted a thread in cars for sale section. ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by Andy
Headlight intake looks great.
Is it safe to have the harnesses around a bolted in strut brace? Assume it's a nice sturdy steel item like rollcage/CDS tube?
Coilovers look good, good thinking on the paint protection.
Stance looks spot on! :)