Nova GSi XE full restoration with tbs etc

bit of a mini-restoration at the moment, basically re-undersealing it and refreshing alot of the underside of the car which isn't really seen and basically checking it wasn't completley rotten before it fit new panels etc. Also including the replacement of the cross-member which i actually did around 2yrs ago.

8yrs of XE punishment certainly took its toll on the original crossmember and basically sheared it at the tie bar bracket. A strengthened and powder-coated (to seal the inside and stop rusting from the inside-out) replacement is now inplace along with a new set of avo's to replace the old ones which were 8yrs old and didn't have rear height adjustment.




http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v8...r/DSC00127.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v8...r/DSC00151.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v8...r/DSC00132.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v8...r/DSC00137.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v8...r/DSC00182.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v8...r/DSC00184.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v8...r/DSC00158.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v8...r/DSC00206.jpg

extra strengthening, don't want it happening again!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v8...r/DSC00166.jpg
that all seems like ages ago now!

Also in the middle of a restoration at the moment!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v8...0102006002.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v8...3092006001.jpg

cant buy splash guards anymore so made my own!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v8...6092006004.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v8...p/16092006.jpg
rollcage which may get sold on cause i don't know if i like it!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v8...2082006002.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v8...2082006001.jpg
a pretty rare set of opel badged cavy gsi wheels for winter etc
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v8...8072006025.jpg

set of 4pots... (which may also get sold on)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v8...20060556aw.jpg

a set of jenvey "direct to head" throttle bodies, over-sized stainless steel manifold, lairy cams with vernier pulleys, ARP con-rod bolts, heated windscreen and a quaiffe ATB Diff.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v8...hap/2b_1_b.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v8...hap/8e_1_b.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v8...hap/5e_1_b.jpg
also have 2 brand new GM doors (still in stickers and bubblewrap!) 2 full size GM rear quarters, 2 GM wings and a tailgate!

better be f*ckin worth it! :lol:
should of bought a cossie! :roll:

also have 2 brand new GM doors (still in stickers and bubblewrap!)

Hey mate were did you get the doors new ?

Nice brakes!! Snap, ive got em aswell

what size discs u running and do u know if the calipers fit behind speedlines?

Should be spot on once its all sorted and back together, is this the one with ****bhp number plate ? Nice Nova if it is.
Ditch that cage and buy a propper one !!

Rich

looks very nice mate!
jst quick referance to ur rear discs, are they the normal astra/cav 1s just turned round 90degrees? (look same as cossies and that)
and have u moved the centre up aswel?

Love it mate, some good work there!

Keith

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by acnova

Hey mate were did you get the doors new ?

---

a mate works for a bodyshop and got them from a vauxhall dealer for much cheapness (has rrp of ?245 each on invoice!) unfortunatly can't get anymore

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Stu16vT

Nice brakes!! Snap, ive got em aswell

what size discs u running and do u know if the calipers fit behind speedlines?

---

280mm from seat iirc, they fit under speedlines but foul the spokes, only way around it is fit wheel spacers or move them inboard using different discs. if i keep them i'll probably go for bells & rotors

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by R1CH

Should be spot on once its all sorted and back together, is this the one with ****bhp number plate ? Nice Nova if it is.
Ditch that cage and buy a propper one !!
Rich

---

yes it is the very one, how'd you tell? only really like polished cages and the fearless one fixes to the floor which drastically reduces the amount you can slide the seat back and i'm pretty feckin tall! anymore opinions on the cage? defo don't want a chav wagon so say what you think!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by rc

looks very nice mate!
jst quick referance to ur rear discs, are they the normal astra/cav 1s just turned round 90degrees? (look same as cossies and that)
and have u moved the centre up aswel?

---

yes, they are rotated (like the cossie's) and raised and stregthened to lower the rear of the car. was done by a previous owner to a good standard.

didn't really plan on going this far with the restore and didn't plan on doing a WIP thread so don't have any progress pics but i'll fire some more pics up of other bits i've done when i can be ****d crawling underneath it again! lol

it only really need a half dozen or so coats of underseal to go on top of the coats of seam sealer and it'll be ready to get the quarters on etc.

some pics going round knockhill before...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v82/Big_Chap/t2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v8...p/100_0734.jpg

Had just passed that mk2 btw, running a N/A YB apparently.


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v8...041420copy.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v8...icture_026.jpg


really like the way it sits in this pic but you can only see a wee bit of it! thats my old SR too

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v8...p/DSC00217.jpg

just another quick questioin bout the rear discs, what have you got in the way of handbrake? can't see that u can use the handbrake mechanism wen rotated thru 90degrees?

top stuff once again!

yep still use standard handbrake, if you look closely you can see where the spring connects.

only way that hasn't been done is fitted from underneath! give it a bash!

already done it the triditional way round lol

ive seen it done the other way round, calipers at the front, but yours is the first 'cossie styled' one i've seen!

its the suttle touches that count!

looking fooking great mate...who done ur welding and rear brakes?(valver16v) gona gee hima shout after new rear to have a bash at mine or maybe u if u done it and up for it?

Chris (dose on FC)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Dose

looking fooking great mate...who done ur welding and rear brakes?(valver16v) gona gee hima shout after new rear to have a bash at mine or maybe u if u done it and up for it?

Chris (dose on FC)

---

rear brakes were done by the guy who built the car originally (around 1997-ish) yeah he did most of the welding (including all the structural/strengthening) but was called off-shore so i did the rest which was just wee bits like the splash guards etc.

you'd need to speak to him about it but welding a car is a bit like kids, don't mind your own but hate everyone else's!

plus he has a phase 3 LET nova build that he's half way through and a mid engine rwd nova XE to finish too so he'll be kept busy with them and when he's not working on them he'll be playing with a LET powered 3dr cossie that he recently bought! can always ask though!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Big_Chap

rear brakes were done by the guy who built the car originally (around 1997-ish) yeah he did most of the welding (including all the structural/strengthening) but was called off-shore so i did the rest which was just wee bits like the splash guards etc.

you'd need to speak to him about it but welding a car is a bit like kids, don't mind your own but hate everyone else's!

plus he has a phase 3 LET nova build that he's half way through and a mid engine rwd nova XE to finish too so he'll be kept busy with them and when he's not working on them he'll be playing with a LET powered 3dr cossie that he recently bought! can always ask though!

---

haha hes nuts...aye will do spoke to him in dunfermline before sound guy was showimg me pics of his RWD number:D (sure u were in a silver cav gsi)(i was in MK2 gte)

Not any welding just strenthening will be looking at ...will drop hima PM..

Cheers mate.

A wee update, sorry about some pics, were taken late at night with phone...
crossmember still looking strong after about 2yrs!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v8...8012007003.jpg

a few shots showing the splash guards after a few coats of seam sealer!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v8...p/28012007.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v8...8012007001.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v8...4234123123.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v8...8012007004.jpg
a few shots showing the work on the chassis rails, plated for strength and durability with thick guage plates at the main jacking area with some re-working done to repair damage caused by careless cowboy garages with axle ramps in the past
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v8...8012007009.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v8...8012007010.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v8...8012007007.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v8...8012007002.jpg

scraping all dirt and crap away left a clean (rust-wise) white finish, all that was required was to clean up and seal any areas that needed attention.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v8...8012007008.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v8...8012007006.jpg

then chuck a few coats of underseal at it! 10ltrs infact! gonna weigh a ton!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v8...1012007001.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v8...p/31012007.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v8...1012007002.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v8...1012007003.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v8...1012007004.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v8...1012007005.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v8...1012007006.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v8...1012007007.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v8...1012007008.jpg
some pics of the rear showing a new tank etc. which was done in the summer, need to touch up a few bits as it was done in a hurry and the anti-roll bar was scratched when re-fitting.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v8...p/20012007.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v8...0012007001.jpg

should be away for the new quarters and doors etc in a couple of weeks! roll on PV

thats it all built up and ready for panel work/paint, should be away in the next week and have it back about a month later hopefully.


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v8...5022007001.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v8...5022007002.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v8...p/05022007.jpg


fitted new trackrod ends, ball joints, and bearings. cleaned up the hub carrier and TCA, will give the coilovers a freshen up and fit the 4 pot calipers when back from paint

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v8...p/04022007.jpg


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v8...5022007003.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v8...5022007004.jpg

update, fitted a new set of brembo 4pots with bells and rotors so the old ones are for sale!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v8...7022007003.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v8...7022007005.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v8...7022007006.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v8...7022007008.jpg

should stop it better than the old valver brakes! lmao

knew they fit behind speedlines i wouldnt have sold em lol!!

good work keep it up

Hi,

Where did you source your front strut brace from - looking for something similar.

Keep up the good work

Joff

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by joff-turbo-nova

Hi,

Where did you source your front strut brace from - looking for something similar.

Keep up the good work

Joff

---

when i bought the car it had the end plates on but no brace, i made one at my old work to suit the bolts holes. think the ends plates are from a sparco brace. :thumb:

wee update:
car is now in the middle having the panels fitted...

GM 1 piece wings
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v8...7032007002.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v8...7032007003.jpg
GM doors, still in bubble wrap
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v8...p/17032007.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v8...7032007001.jpg
GM full size rear quarters
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v8...1042007004.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v8...1042007008.jpg
and as the car sits at the moment
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v8...1042007005.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v8...1042007006.jpg
if you look through the windscreen you'll see a couple of dust covers, underneath is a Lancia Beta (never even seen one before) and a mint 3dr cossie. there is also am old benneton F1 car kicking around somewhere which gets used for hill climbs etc.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v8...1042007007.jpg

The guy who is doing all the panel and paint-prep work owns this extremely rare Lancia EVO, has a fairly long story behind it, found somewhere in italy with something like 9km's on the clock and imported here and is a 51 plate. poor camera phone pics do it no justice, this car is awesome!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v8...21042007-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v8...42007001-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v8...42007003-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v8...42007002-1.jpg

and the 3dr cossie! but lairy under the bonnet!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v8...Photo-0023.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v8...Photo-0022.jpg

A mini restoration eh ? seems like a fairly major one to me !!
Seems to be coming along nicely anyway.
Lancia's cool, someone at works got one the same just not as shiney !!

Rich

is that an old mk4 cortina next to yours in background too?

good work on nova to bud..

nah mate, lancia thema's on sides! one in primer is the ferrari engined model with self adjusting spoiler incorporated into the boot lid, sleeper!

Horrid red passat as well.............

Lancia Thema 8.32? Thats the one with the Ferrari 328 engine IIRC?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Big_Chap

wee update:
car is now in the middle having the panels fitted...

GM 1 piece wings
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v8...7032007002.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v8...7032007003.jpg
GM doors, still in bubble wrap
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v8...p/17032007.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v8...7032007001.jpg
GM full size rear quarters
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v8...1042007004.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v8...1042007008.jpg

---

its like a flat pack nova, what a good idea!

wow i think i need to come to your garage.love lancias me. used to work with them every day.wish i still worked there.

novas coming on nicely aswel

Alrite big chap, wilson aff Fife car nutz...Cars looking awesome mate, how long till its back on the road roughly?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by wilson_sri

Alrite big chap, wilson aff Fife car nutz...Cars looking awesome mate, how long till its back on the road roughly?

---

alright, was hoping for pv but will more likely be billing although i may struggle to get everything inplace so may just leave it with stadard induction etc inplace to have it running right. :thumb:

Cant believe u sourced genuine panels....Gonna be awsome when complete mate...one of the first valvers to be done and be the last to die...top work:)

well your minor restorration looks deffinatley like a major lol cracking work cant wait to see the finished product keep up the good work mallinova

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Dose

Cant believe u sourced genuine panels....Gonna be awsome when complete mate...one of the first valvers to be done and be the last to die...top work:)

---

aye well, if its a job worth doing, its worth doing right!

yeah, got a little carried away! still, least i know the car is rot free and should get another few years out of it yet, if i ever get it finished! billing is now looking slim, whens trax again?!

September..sometime

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Big_Chap

aye well, if its a job worth doing, its worth doing right!

yeah, got a little carried away! still, least i know the car is rot free and should get another few years out of it yet, if i ever get it finished! billing is now looking slim, whens trax again?!

---

aye true mate...any progress:thumb: