Nova 1.0 build (Trackday car)

**spanishfly** · 27-10-2006, 16:14

I bought this car October 2006. 60k mile shell with minimal rot is what intriged me.
The car had been fitted with a C16SE engine, which was it's only mod it has! Brakes and suspension remain 1.0 spec.
Plans are to have fun with it atm and get the Chassis ready (suspension etc) and handling how I want it to. When this is done the C16 will make way for a 20XE on tbs. I'm hoping for 200bhp before nitrous has it's say.

Any way on to the pics...

When I bought it it came as below. 1.0 spec, tottally basic (how I like it) It didn't even have side air vents, cigar lighter, clock and best of all NO SUNROOF!

Today I got a bit busy and started stripping out the rear. It made me happy too! Notice in the pictures, NO SOUND DEADNING BLACK STUFF, right result as I hate removing that! More of a result is the fact there's NO rust on this section at all!!

Down part is lack of tank hole in boot floor (will get busy cutting one) Everything what is not needed from B-pillar back has been lost (Bar seat mounts as these are getting cut off) Reason for leaving front is so people think it is still seated up

The front half will be stripped when I get cage (Rob we'll arrange collection ASAP) and the seats and harnesses. Plan is to stich weld the rear. I also want to start 'turreting' the rear ready for the coilovers (AVO or GAZ on shortlist, also looking at LEDA) Any help on this people who have done it already!?

Project 1.0 kill list as is now:

Mk3 Golf GTI
Pug 206 (low spec'd) but his face was just magic!

**spanishfly** · 27-10-2006, 16:25

Oh I also moved the pump to next to the tank. Its alot better now, but need a vaux one. Want the proper tank TBH....

lee303 · 27-10-2006, 16:26

what do you mean tank hole in the boot floor?

as for turreting, its really not that hard, select your coilovers, and either make some turrets or just buy some like i did, then get cutting!
the metal is triple skinned around those points, so if you can, cut the hole a bit smaller than you want width wise and bend the remaining lip out to meet the turret, as it will make it nice and strong, also try to make sure you pick up the rear chassis leg when you weld them to the floor, again for strength
if you cut into the rear chassis legs, you must re box them back in or they be flextastic!
only other thing is you might want to move and beef up the lower mount as its not really that string and a bit to far towards the wheel to be ideal

**spanishfly** · 27-10-2006, 16:30

Nice one Lee. I'm waiting to hear from LEDA then will select! On late novas isn't there a hole under rear bench for fuel pump? like on Astras? I saw a J-red SRi in breakers that DIDN'T have one!??? Friend reckons they do!

lee303 · 27-10-2006, 16:35

not sure tbh, but the in tank pump always seems a bit of a ball ache anyways, just run a sierra cossie external with a gte tank

**spanishfly** · 27-10-2006, 16:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by lee303

not sure tbh, but the in tank pump always seems a bit of a ball ache anyways, just run a sierra cossie external with a gte tank

Really???

Hmm Do you know said Part number? I have a sierra one of some sort. Although think its half dead! Would a normal 1.2i tank do?

lee303 · 27-10-2006, 16:48

if it has an external pump then yes, as it will have an integral swril pot or you could go down the external swirl pot/lift pump road

**spanishfly** · 27-10-2006, 16:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by lee303

if it has an external pump then yes, as it will have an integral swril pot or you could go down the external swirl pot/lift pump road

was looking at that. I seen them around £50.... I'll see huh!

**Benn** · 27-10-2006, 19:17

yeah some of them have the hole in the floor, so you can get to the sencor(ever tho there on the side..go figger?) on the top of the tank,
i dont think any come with the pump up there...

philsutton · 27-10-2006, 19:21

The spi injection ones had internal fuel pumps and are where the hole in the floor is. Another way is to use the spi tank with a mpi fuel pump, same as the corsas ect..

**spanishfly** · 27-10-2006, 21:12

Thats what he was saying for me to do, as he has on in his nova (but its in Notts) I think it may be an option, we'll call that A.

So in theory I don't have to cut a hole in there if I don't mind removing the tank IF the pump goes?!

Beenie · 27-10-2006, 22:05

ha ha nice dude, next time i'm down i'll pop over and see ya beast and the nova!

**spanishfly** · 28-10-2006, 07:54

DO IT BEN. You'll be impressed!

lee303 · 28-10-2006, 10:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by spanishfly

So in theory I don't have to cut a hole in there if I don't mind removing the tank IF the pump goes?!

yup

**spanishfly** · 31-10-2006, 08:49

Update...

The whole car is fully stripped. All that is left is a pair of (1.0) seats and the dash. I'm not sure if I am fully removing this or just gonna cut chunks out.
I have fitted an XE fuel pump (Thanks Rob Lee) It runs a lot better and no longer surges. I had one problem with it last night, when going up hill last at about 1/4 tank it wanted to die. So I did what any good man would do, pushed it up the hill. The car is so light

I can pick up the back end with half tank in there

I collected my roll cage from Rob Lee the other night. Just want to get an angle grinder on a few extra bits of metal that are not needed!

**Benn** · 31-10-2006, 09:05

nice,

rob_lee_1 · 31-10-2006, 09:06

haha lucky i remembered i had a spare pump.... i bet mine will die once the novas done and ill be coming after you for mine back

**spanishfly** · 31-10-2006, 13:06

Just bought a new angle grinder

and heat gun muhahahaha

rob_lee_1 · 31-10-2006, 13:34

oh dear god... someones gonna get hurt!

**CraigGreen** · 31-10-2006, 13:46

Nice progress. Its probably dying on the last 1/4 tank because you havent goty the MPi tank.

**spanishfly** · 31-10-2006, 14:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by CraigGreen

Nice progress. Its probably dying on the last 1/4 tank because you havent goty the MPi tank.

Yeah I thought this!

Was playing with my mates Corsa SRiXE today and in 1st and 2nd theres not much between us. He will be quicker I reckon but it shows for a lil cash you can have a fairly quick car as long as you lose the weight

I'm still undecided on engines...

I have at my disposal (atm) 20XE, C20XE, C16SE, C20LET. I would also consider buying a C16XE. I have a mount kit for any of the big blocks also have courteney shafts! The C'LET would be the obvious choice for a straight line car. I'm just unsure as on the track a turbo in a FWD is hard to control due to the sudden torque and bhp jump you have.... decisions!

Would like feedback from LET nova owners

rob_lee_1 · 31-10-2006, 14:11

Do a C16xe and be part of our gay little gang

Me
PhilGTE
Lee303
DHDev
Craig Green

Jack · 31-10-2006, 14:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by spanishfly

I have at my disposal (atm) 20XE, C20XE, C16SE, C20LET.

From the torque curves I've seen bandied around, it would seem a C20XE would be good fun in a track car, as long as you can live with the extra weight over the front.

What's the biggest a 1.6 will bore out to?

**spanishfly** · 31-10-2006, 14:23

1700 jack. I don't think its worth it though?

Rob depends what roll I would have with you lot.

rob_lee_1 · 31-10-2006, 14:25

ummm... im sure we can find you a place?

Maybe Captain TeaBoy?