Iain's 20XE Trackday Nova

Still not got the welding skillz to fix the rot so been tinkering with my tailgate. Figured as it'll be getting painted I'd get rid of the unused holes instead of just using grommets.

How it started

http://iainel.co.uk/images/forums/NovaWIP2/078.JPG

Plate lined up

http://iainel.co.uk/images/forums/NovaWIP2/079.JPG

Welded

http://iainel.co.uk/images/forums/NovaWIP2/080.JPG

Washer hole was annoying due to box section, so had to carefully plate a piece of metal in with the magnet

http://iainel.co.uk/images/forums/NovaWIP2/081.JPG

In

http://iainel.co.uk/images/forums/NovaWIP2/082.JPG

Both welds ground down ready for filling

http://iainel.co.uk/images/forums/NovaWIP2/083.JPG

http://iainel.co.uk/images/forums/NovaWIP2/084.JPG

http://iainel.co.uk/images/forums/NovaWIP2/085.JPG

And left it mid-filler, just needs a bit of finishing

Good stuff. I see you took my magnet advice :p

Small bit of progress but the weather is ruining my Easter weekend plans.

Plated the shifter hole and stitch welded the bracing on the floor. Still not sure if I'm going to remove the original seat brackets and go for rails instead.

http://iainel.co.uk/images/forums/NovaWIP2/086.JPG

Cleaned up all the seams around the engine bay, plated most of the rust and started a bit of stitch welding.

http://iainel.co.uk/images/forums/NovaWIP2/087.JPG

http://iainel.co.uk/images/forums/NovaWIP2/088.JPG

Stitched around the turrets.

http://iainel.co.uk/images/forums/NovaWIP2/089.JPG

Still got to do the bulkhead, under the front arches and around the back.

Figured while it's raining I'll get my doors off and work on those in the garage.

Proper tool makes life easier:

http://iainel.co.uk/images/forums/NovaWIP2/090.JPG

http://iainel.co.uk/images/forums/NovaWIP2/091.JPG

Bare shell apart from rear axle now!

http://iainel.co.uk/images/forums/NovaWIP2/092.JPG

Keep at the welding, looks good so far, what size wire are you using?

I think it's 0.6mm.

Nice work Iain.
Does that door removal tool work well??

Yeah it's great IMO, had both doors off in minutes. Do it with the wing off and door closed and it just lifts off, one person job.

Rain stopped so managed to get the bulkhead area stitched. Welding started good but went downhill around the lower arm mounts, I assume because the metal is crappy and rusted.

http://www.iainel.co.uk/images/forums/NovaWIP2/093.JPG

http://www.iainel.co.uk/images/forums/NovaWIP2/094.JPG

http://www.iainel.co.uk/images/forums/NovaWIP2/095.JPG

Ran out of welding wire after that, should I go with 0.8mm or stick with 0.6mm?

0.6 tends to be better for proper thin sheet metal.
Most people use 0.8. Obviously you'll need 0.8 tips too.

Welding looks good, getting some nice burns on the inside of the panels??