985cc Turbocharged Nova Sprint Car

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Originally Posted by mowgli

re the sequential thing... it wouldn't be massively difficult to make a seq. shifter box.

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Something similar to this ;)

http://billfalconer.webs.com/sequentialgearshifter.htm

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Originally Posted by fearless

Something similar to this ;)

http://billfalconer.webs.com/sequentialgearshifter.htm

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Thanks for that link - this is a new one to me, it looks like quite a piece of engineering.

Do you know of anyone who's using one?

The mind boggles at the engineering in that little box

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Originally Posted by burgo

The mind boggles at the engineering in that little box

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So im right in thinking that the black box has some mechanical workings inside to change gears on a standard gearbox by you simply pushing forward for up gears, and pulling back for down gears?
Humm, interesting, so does it replace the bolt on sector box on top of the gearbox then? lol im baffled by it.

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Originally Posted by scott.parker

So im right in thinking that the black box has some mechanical workings inside to change gears on a standard gearbox by you simply pushing forward for up gears, and pulling back for down gears?
Humm, interesting, so does it replace the bolt on sector box on top of the gearbox then? lol im baffled by it.

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Yes, that's exactly how it works. It sounds like the turret on top of the 'box has to be modified as well. I'm wanting to see one installed in a car and hear from someone who's driven with it.

Typically I've got a section of rollcage running exactly where the gear-rod would want to go through the bulkhead.

The guy selling must have or know someone running one ?

it looks like it bolts on top of the selector unit so don't see what needs modding tbh just adjustment

The only other info I have on it is this link to YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9E5Gv9FLBRY

Does that mean it's always in looking at that video?

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Originally Posted by fearless

The only other info I have on it is this link to YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9E5Gv9FLBRY

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Excellent, thanks. It looks to work very effectively.

Apart from the cost, and the fact I have a rollcage in the way, the only drawback I foresee is the lack of a gear indicator.

Having run a sequential 'box in my Escort Cosworth, it is absolutely vital to have a visible indicator to show what gear you're in.

You can get some simple gear indicators from motorbike shops, they self calibrate from revs and speed input

http://www.demon-tweeks.co.uk/Produc...FWzHtAodlTsAbA

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Originally Posted by stt

You can get some simple gear indicators from motorbike shops, they self calibrate from revs and speed input

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Good point, I should have remembered those, I had one on my R6 about 15 years ago!

I had a very interesting and long chat with Bill Falconer today regarding the sequential gear lever kit he's developed (see link above to his website).

It now comes with a gear display panel, and I must say it sounds really promising. All I need now is to find the money to buy it.......

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Originally Posted by novarally

I had a very interesting and long chat with Bill Falconer today regarding the sequential gear lever kit he's developed (see link above to his website).

It now comes with a gear display panel, and I must say it sounds really promising. All I need now is to find the money to buy it.......

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Does it have to be a dog box Colin

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Originally Posted by toymex

Does it have to be a dog box Colin

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Hi Jezz.

It will work fine on the synchro 'box, it's just the flat-shift bit which only works with the dog set-up. And obviously you still need to use the clutch with the synchro 'box (unless you want regular rebuilds!).

Could you get away with a sequential gearshifter in your Class, if the actual gearbox is still a conventional 'H' pattern internally?

No I am not allowed to use it without going up a class ,I think for me I would be better served saving for a proper sequential ,shame I can't use it though

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Originally Posted by toymex

No I am not allowed to use it without going up a class ,I think for me I would be better served saving for a proper sequential ,shame I can't use it though

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It seems good value at £1200, there's clearly been a lot of thought and engineering that's gone into the design.

As always it's a question of prioritising spending, and at the moment I have a knackered LSD to be replaced, which is more important than a different way of shifting gears.

Small upside today though as I managed to get my 2 damaged split rim wheels repaired for £40 cash. I thought they might end up needing new inner and outer sections, but they did a great job repairing them.

Had a whole day on the car today, so a reasonable amount of progress has been made.

Temporarily fitted the new (carbon fibre!) oil breather tank;
http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/l...ps5202f077.jpg

Still messing about with the installation of the new pedal box;
http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/l...ps9882c861.jpg

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/l...ps07328b2a.jpg

I bought this really nice carbon fibre foot tray/clutch footrest in the hope that it would work, but there's no way it will go in there, which is a huge shame;
http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/l...ps76642d5e.jpg

Steering rack now fully installed;
http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/l...psfb76631a.jpg

And starting to make a new switch holder/fuse box;
http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/l...psb1ac551a.jpg

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/l...ps8f5ea36b.jpg

But most of the day has been spent on putting the engine in. It's not got the correct gearbox on there at the moment, but it's at least in the bay, and allowing me to trial fit the Jenvey's etc;

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/l...pse8ab4141.jpg

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/l...ps338ff34e.jpg

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/l...psd440663a.jpg

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/l...ps00be6674.jpg

Not a lot of clearance round the alternator, but this will be solved when I fit the small, lightweight one I have;

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/l...ps81b763cf.jpg

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/l...psfef6c3ae.jpg

And the Throttle Bodies, at last.........I was really worried that the roll cage cross brace in the engine bay was going to be a major problem, but luckily I've got away with it;
http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/l...pse6de46b9.jpg

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/l...ps29bd3004.jpg

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/l...ps2f350f98.jpg

The bulkhead needs a little bit of a 'tweak' to allow the air filter and trumpets to sit correctly. This exercise has at least confirmed that I need to use the foam air filter. I had been hoping to use this carbon fibre airbox I had, but there's certainly no room for that...........;
http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/l...ps26c3086b.jpg

Looks very nice Colin, where did the carbon foot tray come from? Also how much does the catch tank weigh?

Looking good on fitment.

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Originally Posted by boffer8

Looks very nice Colin, where did the carbon foot tray come from? Also how much does the catch tank weigh?

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The carbon footrest was from Poland, company called Carbontek. It's lovely quality, it would be OK with bulkhead mounted pedals, but there's just not enough width in a Nova shell with a floor mounted pedal box and a clutch footrest.

I'll have to weigh the catch tank again, I did do it ages ago but I can't recall what it was now. It's very light indeed for a 1 litre tank.

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Originally Posted by boffer8

Also how much does the catch tank weigh?

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Ben - the catch tank is 250g. I had to remove it anyway as the wing won't fit on with it in that location! Time to rethink the positioning.

I've done a few more bits today, fitting the wiring harness for the MBE ECU and Jenvey's;

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/l...ps25b186bd.jpg

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/l...ps7b7bf020.jpg

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/l...psab3d3e67.jpg

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/l...ps393448f4.jpg

Trial fitting the new radiator, which ideally I want to install in a slanted position;

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/l...psa85a1161.jpg

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/l...pscb9bab57.jpg

I found that the throttle body kit I bought secondhand is missing a few bits - Air Temperature Sensor, Throttle Position Sensor and the 4 x rubber 'O' rings for the throttle bodies to inlet manifold seal. Anyone know the best place to get these (apart from Jenvey)?

This is the throttle linkage which came with the kit - I have no idea how it's supposed to fit! It's not obvious what it's mean to bolt to. Any suggestions/photos of linkage installation on smallblock XE motors would be welcome please;

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/l...ps32216a3f.jpg

I also made up a new carbon fibre tube windscreen brace (for the polycarbonate windscreen), which saves 100g over the aluminium bar;

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/l...ps14761a28.jpg

The front end on this is brilliant

Only had a couple of hours to spare this weekend, so only a little update.

Carbon fibre binnacle being modified to fit and accept my STACK dash display;

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/l...psee3c1024.jpg

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/l...ps0f3602e3.jpg

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/l...pscd5676b2.jpg

And the STACK dash sensors now fitted, apart from the oil temperature sensor which I need to find a home for;

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/l...ps6e19b7f6.jpg

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/l...ps06f6c05e.jpg

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/l...ps070bebba.jpg

And the new rear calipers have arrived from the USA;

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/l...ps0bd9ab9d.jpg

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/l...ps0e3127dc.jpg

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/l...psea3f3f7e.jpg

re the O-rings, I'd imagine any decent bearing/seal stockist, or hydraulic shop will be able to supply them

A friend of mine has kindly 'volunteered' to take the Nova into his workshops for a week in a push to get it mostly finished off. There's quite a list of things to be done, not least of which are;

Wiring and plumbing the engine to cooling and fuel systems
Wiring in the new instruments, switches and fuse box
Fitting the pedal box and plumbing in the brakes
Making brackets for front and rear brake calipers
Making/modifying an exhaust system to fit
Repainting and repairing various bits of bodywork
Sorting out the clutch
Getting hold of a gearbox to use, and a replacement LSD (this one more tricky as it requires actual cash)

In an effort to raise some funds I have various bits from this car which are now surplus to requirements listed on EBAY;

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/hillclimbe...p2047675.l2562

The carbon fibre bonnet, front bumper, front wings and splitter will also be appearing on EBAY soon (and probably the fibreglass tailgate too)

Love the angle on the rad, will you be ducting it like Lee has? So the air is forced thru and out the top?

Love those calipers too. Look mega sexy.

Hi,

Did anything come of the lotus pedal box you tried to use?

Thanks

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Originally Posted by Peredur

Hi,

Did anything come of the lotus pedal box you tried to use?

Thanks

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No, nothing happened with that.

The clutch pedal on the Elise is completely straight, compared to a Nova pedal which has a significant 'kink' in it to go around the steering column. So without moving the steering column or modifying the Elise pedal significantly, I couldn't come up with a way to make it fit.

I still have the pedal box, was planning to put it on EBAY soon!

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Originally Posted by novarally

The carbon fibre bonnet, front bumper, front wings and splitter will also be appearing on EBAY soon (and probably the fibreglass tailgate too)

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Carbon front end and bonnet are now on EBAY;

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/hillclimbe...p2047675.l2562

Tailgate will be joining them soon

Whys that Colin? What's replacing them then?

Are you planning any outings in this; this year? Would love to see you giving it a thrashing.

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Originally Posted by Southie

Whys that Colin? What's replacing them then?

Are you planning any outings in this; this year? Would love to see you giving it a thrashing.

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News on the revisions to the front end will be posted on here next week I hope.

I will be out racing this year IF (and it's a big 'if') I can find the money to pay for a new LSD...about £600. Money is very tight, and there are more pressing things than an LSD, unfortunately.

But I do want to race this season, so fingers are crossed that I can raise the funds.

Where you looking at now with living in a different area?

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Originally Posted by novarally

News on the revisions to the front end will be posted on here next week I hope.

I will be out racing this year IF (and it's a big 'if') I can find the money to pay for a new LSD...about £600. Money is very tight, and there are more pressing things than an LSD, unfortunately.

But I do want to race this season, so fingers are crossed that I can raise the funds.

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not being rude but if it was me id be looking to save for an lsd rather than buying random carbon items, whats lighter than carbon? ...nothing. i.e rather than having that carbon thing in the footwell, have nothing at all! cheaper and lighter

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Originally Posted by _Jake

not being rude but if it was me id be looking to save for an lsd rather than buying random carbon items, whats lighter than carbon? ...nothing. i.e rather than having that carbon thing in the footwell, have nothing at all! cheaper and lighter

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Fair comment, but racing is not the be all and end all for me.

Building and developing the car probably gives me more satisfaction than the actual driving.

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Originally Posted by novarally

Fair comment, but racing is not the be all and end all for me.

Building and developing the car probably gives me more satisfaction than the actual driving.

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I can relate to that

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Originally Posted by _Jake

not being rude but if it was me id be looking to save for an lsd rather than buying random carbon items, whats lighter than carbon? ...nothing. i.e rather than having that carbon thing in the footwell, have nothing at all! cheaper and lighter

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So, the question was...........'What's lighter than carbon?'

And the answer is, even lighter carbon!;

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/l...ps3f3abc55.jpg

now that looks interesting.

ps. want a carbon splitter??? lol

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Originally Posted by novarally

Fair comment, but racing is not the be all and end all for me.

Building and developing the car probably gives me more satisfaction than the actual driving.

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100% agree with that mate fair play. hope to see it out soon :)