985cc Turbocharged Nova Sprint Car

[novarally]

I would have thought the rear would be better for weight distribution? What's the benefit of having it up front?

It probably is slightly better for overall weight distribution when it's at the rear, but I decided to relocate it as;

a) I wanted to bond the tailgate in place. The fuel filler was previously located in the boot floor, so I had to take the tailgate off every time I filled up the fuel tank, which meant the tailgate had to be removable.

b) Front location allows me to get rid of long lengths of fuel delivery and return pipe running through the cockpit - neater and lighter

c) I think I'm going to run the exhaust out through where the fuel tank was previously

d) it pushed me into re-working the whole fuel system. I didn't have a lift pump or a swirl pot previously, and I sometimes thought I was getting fuel starvation. I'll also take the opportunity to foam fill the tank just to be safe.

[novarally]

Getting closer to being ready to fir up the engine for the first time in its new home, but when I came to re-fit the rest of the Jenvey throttle body system, I discovered a rather fundamental issue.........the bracing bar in the engine bay of my Nova is right in the way of the air filter;





It isn't feasible to remove the bracing bar, so I need to re-think the air filter system (or run without an air filter, which I don't fancy at all).

Some sort of airbox or a revised air filter that seals around the trumpets may be the answer I think;







On this particular engine the inlet manifold has quite a shallow angle, so the throttle bodies are not clearing the bracing bars like they did on the previous N/A engine I installed.

[novarally]

Also got hold of a smaller swirl pot which looks like it will be better;



Fits quite neatly on the passenger side under the scuttle, so another reason to change the wiper motor!;





I now have the new front brakes and the BAD (Black Art Designs) front dampers installed;



And about to start work on a new lightweight floor to close in everything at the rear end (exhaust system I am still playing about with);

[paul james]

Perhaps individual filter socks would be the way to go. I swapped a sbd filter like yours for them on my twin 40`s for a better fit

[_Jake]

wouldnt risk 3 small stich welds in them rear caliper mounts personally, shouldnt mince on stuff like that

[toymex]

I like the dampers Colin are they Leda ones revalved by black art ?

[novarally]

I like the dampers Colin are they Leda ones revalved by black art ?

Yes, they're the ones which were on Graham's car (with my springs).

[toymex]

Yes, they're the ones which were on Graham's car (with my springs).

Thought so ,I am just in the process of having custom legs made ,can't make my mind up between quantum ( reasonably priced ) or Penske ( expensive) to make the inserts

[novarally]

Thought so ,I am just in the process of having custom legs made ,can't make my mind up between quantum ( reasonably priced ) or Penske ( expensive) to make the inserts

I will be interested to see what you end up with. I cam imagine Penske would be expensive.

I did ask a few suppliers (Gaz, AVO and Protech) about making front legs in aluminium. They all declined, and then I bought some off EBAY (no idea of the manufacturer), and they were hugely heavy, compared to steel.

[toymex]

I have got to be honest what I am having made are not light but will be stiff enough to not deflect with the slicks and high corner loads ,piston diameter will be increased to enable this