My Nova 16v Project

[novashed]

nice work ols, neat fab for the spring bracket i like it!

[leenovagsi]

hi bud thats one mint shell there nice job uvedone with engine brings back memories ,your garage looks mint aswell wanna pop round an sort mine (roof leakin again ) at the moment my gsi is standard thinkin of c20let what u think with ur project is it easier to fit the c20xe or go full on ,only way ide do the turbo converstion is to 4wd it as itll be more controlable more of the time anyways wat u think just tryin to get some ideas cheers chap

[trackdaynova]

Ad, Jon & Paul - thanks for the comments.

Dave - very interesting about limiting the drop on the beam, I might well do that aswell.

I've been doing some measurements, full droop on the beam with the bottom shock absorber bolt in (obviously) is 6inches, from the beam spring seat, upto the chassis.

Now, my spring is 4inches, and my height adjustable platform is 0.8", so at very least, my minimum total heigh (as previously said I think ) is 4.8 inches, which could mean that I have 1.2" drop too much (should I ever get major airborn)

But I'll have to see after my cornerweighting session, as if they are mid-to full height, I won't have any gap even with the shocks at full length

I like the idea though, should I need to limit the drop on the beam!

[dhdev (Oli)]

Seconded/thirded on nice work on the spring retainers, I think I'll either go that route or the beam straps at some point in the near future, think my cable tied rear springs are frowned upon

[trackdaynova]

Well, the beam straps are OK - but I'd personally wouldn't like the springs not being "held" in.

I know I know, standard Novas, and 99% of cars on the road don't have rear springs held in, but then 99% of the cars on the road don't have them this small.

I'll end up doing both, the retainers to hold them up to the car, and the straps to get rid of the "banging" should there become a gap...

We'll have to see after my visit to JamSport

Thanks again for the interest!

[Adam]

Cool work as always.
Liking the spring "retainment" system

[novashed]

ols cant you use the same retianers on the beam too? so its all solid??

[CP]

Good work going on there - love the air box and light intake mod. Your car does you credit - very effective modification

BTW got any advice as to the best buys available for snap off steering wheels? With my new seat in place I cant get out

[trackdaynova]

Cheers Ad.

Paul - not really, as thats where my height adjuster is going to be sitting, so a similar retainer will restrict the height

CP - thanks mate, really chuffed with how it's come out. Regarding 'Snap-Off' bosses, I bought mine from eBay for £27 delivered, I'll find you the link and PM you

OK, on with progress from today, in short - rear springs are sorted, and fixed in position! yay

Before I go any further, I must say a massive massive thank you to Matt Newey (m17tty), Rob Hirst & Andy Clay for all their help today - was wicked fun... also thanks to Michelle for the drinks and doughnuts, and also Rich!

Photos/ How To - as always from me

When you remove your rear spring, on the chassis you will have a locating nipple so the spring knows where to be seated


Our weapon of choice, a 40mm hole saw, after deciding a angle grinder wasn't approprate due to space


Matt gets with down and dirty with it


Action shot, gotta love a bit of action


Then you will be left with this

[trackdaynova]

And this can be desposed off, unless you'd like to keep it of course


Then zapp a flap disk over it to get the metal nice and shiney, so you can see your face it in


Then cut a 3.5" by 3" section of 2mm steel, which hits the circular part of the chassis perfect corner-to-corner, measured by Matt


We decided to weld the M10x35 nut onto the steel plate as it'll be stronger, a better weld, and would be easier to weld to the car, so I did this


Better pic of the B&Q brackets that I put together


And then along with the top rubber seat, this is how it will be seated


Enter Rich... (not literally) after faffing about for hours trying to get my poxy welder to work, a call to Rich, 10 minutes later he arrived and did this for us


The add the rubber seat, then the spring, then the retainer, then the M10 nut with nylock, to get this - perfec'


From below, be sure the spring is sitting central... tis!