G4MBS' C16XE Nova - Page 3

G4MBS · 02-06-2008, 18:03

Havent done anything with this for ages and what with PV being so close, thought Id better get started!!

Day 1. Paint the cage.

Firstly a pic to prove the car still moves!

Seat bolted in ready to go...

At the bodyshop, cage removed and rebuilt in the booth, awaiting paint using the 4 bucket method!!

The finished article

Also to do this week:
Refit cage and front carpet
Fit buckets and harnesses
Fit start switch (screwdriver start is wearing out!!)
Prep and paint 14" LXi track wheels and/or 16" Sofstars
Fit new front discs, pads, and oil and filter change
Oh, and tax it!!

rob_lee_1 · 02-06-2008, 18:18

ummm.... its pink!

LongLiveTheNova · 02-06-2008, 18:19

Cant beat a bit of pink

rob_lee_1 · 02-06-2008, 18:34

hahah

G4MBS · 02-06-2008, 18:36

Just one of those random things!!

rob_lee_1 · 02-06-2008, 18:44

Fair play matey!

Need some engine pics tho

Fow16v · 02-06-2008, 19:00

gotta laught at the pink cage, you still meeting up for the drive up mate? get the softstars on there will look good

G4MBS · 02-06-2008, 19:24

Too right I am!
Its a toss up between the 14s for a bit of strip action or put the Softstars on for looks... Softstars are winning at the moment..

Only picture Ive got of the engine at the moment is this one:

**RobJenko** · 02-06-2008, 21:01

good stuff chap, pull that finger out! and for everyone else, its is shocking how clean the shell is, that engine is plumbed in so well i couldnt beleve it! looked it belonged there more than the c16xe in my corsa gsi did! (and looked like the guy who did it in the nova did a better job than vaux did in my corsa)!

G4MBS · 02-06-2008, 22:12

Cheers for those words of encouragement Rob!!

8am start in the morning, should have quite a bit of progress tomorrow

***Andy_L*** · 03-06-2008, 06:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by G4MBS

Too right I am!
Its a toss up between the 14s for a bit of strip action or put the Softstars on for looks... Softstars are winning at the moment..

Bring both?

G4MBS · 03-06-2008, 18:14

Day 2. Progress continues...

First thing this morning, the autoleccy got the start switch fitted for me, no more starting handle screwdriver!

Found an old radio face blank in the garage and seeing as I dont need a stereo, the hole was a convenient place to use.

Functions as it looks really, with the accessory switch being wired to the cooling fan for trackdays.

Then onto the cage. Unfortunately, manoeuvring it in between us, it had a coming together with the screen:

Got the replacement being fitted sometime over the next two days.
Back to it and Ive actually been on the spanners myself for a change today bolting it all in and Im quite happy with the finished result.

Got the drivers seat in on a 'manufactured' subframe but its lead to a lack of 5th gear as the seat sits too forward and too high. Back to the drawing board on that one.

Also ordered today were 4 tyres for my new wheels:

16" Softstars. Bought them, thought about selling them then decided I like them on a Nova so they are staying as road wheels!

Think thats about it for now, more as it gets done!

**RobJenko** · 03-06-2008, 18:20

good stuff chap, i love your nova too much! if your stuck for storage of wheels etc on the day in pv, my car will be parked on the stand and can be used if needed.

**Benn** · 03-06-2008, 20:25

Thats a nice pink cage...lol

peester · 03-06-2008, 20:42

the cars gonna be famous for that cage.. proper commercial idea , and comical lol..

G4MBS · 09-06-2008, 18:29

Well, PV came and went and the car made it as the pic below shows on the MIG stand..

The Softstars have been refurbed and fitted with 4 new Toyo Proxes last Friday; had a panic wondering about fitment and scrubbage etc but they bolted straight on with no issues whatsoever. Plan is to just to keep them as 'showy showy' wheels and to bin the 14s in favour of a set of 15s with decent tyres for track action.
The seat has been re-fitted and its now in the optimum position for comfort and driveability.

Screen was fitted late Friday night, nothing like last minute, a quick clean followed and away to go Saturday morning.

Unfortunately, after getting the car all sorted, one major downside from this weekend is an engine problem, possibly a result of trying to keep with the two 2.0 Corsas

As we all know, the C16 motor is prone to bottom end knocking and all weekend Ive been wary of it, despite being told its nothing to worry about. On the way home last night it got worse, plus its started to smoke (thinking valve stem oil seals) and Im sure its at the point now where the first few laps of a track day is only going to kill it off.

So the plan now is thats its going to get rebuilt between now and the track day at Llandow in July. Im thinking along the lines of:
1. Full rebuild, head etc including oil seals and also bottom end
2. Polished and ported head
3. Lightened flywheel
4. Possibly cams?

Also on the list of things to do before Llandow is to sort the suspension and bring it a little closer to the floor! Picked up a bargain on the weekend, a set of adjustable rear Konis. Any recommendations as regards spring combinations?

**RobJenko** · 09-06-2008, 19:15

rebuild the spare c16 then swap them over!

G4MBS · 09-06-2008, 19:24

I think thats what Im going to do now as I cant remember what the problem was with it so might as well rebuild it and have a fresh engine

**RobJenko** · 09-06-2008, 19:42

sounds like a good plan chap and that way you'll know its done proper! also leaves the old engine in the nova for ease of moving round for now.

G4MBS · 09-06-2008, 19:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobJenko

also leaves the old engine in the nova for ease of moving round for now.

Or driving till it dies maybe?

**RobJenko** · 09-06-2008, 19:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by G4MBS

Or driving till it dies maybe?

theres that as well!

**CraigGreen** · 24-06-2008, 15:13

Good progress getting it to PV.

I'm a bit alarmed at seeing you have the fuel pump mounted in the eng bay. Its meant to 'push' the fuel as opposed to 'suck' the fuel up to the fr end.

I would expect the engine to suffer fuel starvation issues & maybe the pump to burn out soon.

Hope you get the other C16 sorted & fitted anyway.

G4MBS · 24-06-2008, 18:57

Ok, time to start the debate... been offered a complete C20XE setup for the right money...

Decisions decisions

Fow16v · 24-06-2008, 19:38

if the offer is good then do it, although it has been done to death same as the corsa still great fun

**RobJenko** · 24-06-2008, 20:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by G4MBS

Ok, time to start the debate... been offered a complete C20XE setup for the right money...

Decisions decisions

nooooooooooooooooo!