clean nova gsi turbo conversion

vxt · 22-06-2008, 22:24

Well, after my last nova got trashed by my psycho (current) girlfriend, I was bought this fine example as compensation, bought from Mark Ridley.

Looked like this when I bought it.

This is at pv this year, I have changed the wheels, fitted avo coilovers, short rear shocks alloy top mounts and some lower rear springs.

Interior wise I stripped out the some of the sound system which now runs from single amp and got rid of 25kgs of boot build in the process. I also fitted a nice blue antibes carpet. The car was now looking as I wanted it so its time to make it a bit faster and feel like less of a victim on the road.

118bhp felt like a pedal bike after having a nova turbo for the last 8 years.

Picked up my rebuilt engine from steveboyslim on saturday

Spec is:

new mahle pistons
arrow rods
oil squirters
lightweight flywheel + arp's
sachs clutch (good luck)
cometic 1.9mm head gasket + sbs headstuds
blydenstien then gary poole ported + polished head with +1mm exhaust valves and bronze guides. porous mod also done
arrow solid lifters
double valve springs
steel valve retainers
unknown hybrid kkk turbo with some nice machining and bigger wheels, -31 actuator
dsop down pipe + 3" system
large tophat
vxr injectors
cossie weber fpr

6-speed box with lsd

Lifted it in the back of the nova and drove home. I now have an engine in my front room so thought I better get on with it.

engine out

mounts off

This shell is pretty good under the bonnet so I need this conversion to be clean and not ruin the originality (too much:rolleyes)

although my calculations on intercooler were a little out so I needed to make a bit of width for the boost pipes.

It now fits (just) the inner chassis legs needed a little modification but now have enough room.

Had enough for today, gonna try and get the chassis plating kit on tomorrow and graft on with a spot of welding

LongLiveTheNova · 22-06-2008, 22:35

Nice work. You do know you dont have to mod the drivers side chassis mount didn't you???
Just use a conversion mount costing like 20quid....

vxt · 22-06-2008, 23:00

yeah I know but the way I'm doing the inlet (like keith robinson) it will make more room, look nicer and i love welding

I'm just welding on a chassis mount from chris astley like what you use for the 6-speed mount on the passenger side.

**CraigGreen** · 23-06-2008, 08:50

Crack on! I saw this at PV. Like the changes you had done as it was still looking like when Rob built it.

Its a lovely car & I almost bought it myself before Mark got it. Should be nice with that decent spec LET motor in it.

Rick Draper · 23-06-2008, 10:35

Looking good, bet you cannot wait to drive it.

Did you buy breenys old nova? Any pics of how it ended up? My mate used to own it before breeny.

fennyLET · 23-06-2008, 10:39

I spy a Halfords £100 tool set. Money well spent there ima.
Nova is looking good as is the engine.

mikegray · 23-06-2008, 10:45

looks good mate. I really like the paint job and bodywork, very tidy! The turbo motor's looking good. The motor you took out looks tidy aswell.

vxt · 23-06-2008, 11:09

Thanks for the comments guys, just gonna lift the engine in now and position the mounts.

lol @ breeny's old nova. that car was mint when I got it. I'll find some pics later, some lad in wales has got it now.

Rick Draper · 25-06-2008, 22:06

Pics needed...

novacabrio · 25-06-2008, 22:12

Good work there, The engine bay is still the original factory paint, Rob never had it painted

**Benn** · 26-06-2008, 07:23

Very nice.

DaveB · 26-06-2008, 07:46

Lovely example of a nova

peester · 26-06-2008, 09:31

ooh.. end of an era then, that car was kinda known for its gleamy std 1.6 8v engine and the 16" softstars..
Good on you tho, guess it needed/wanted a bit of a change.. ide have done the same.
Good work so far chap.

nova ian · 26-06-2008, 15:21

Good work so far...

Have you finished the conversion? as I only saw the car last week in Asda west bridgford. Spotted you near Trent Bridge too with a kayak on a roof rack. I was in a white nova in the other lane.

Car looks mint, and should be even better when the bays been freshened up. Turbo lump looks smart too, with a good spec

Keep us posted will be interested in seeing progress

Ian

vxlgsi · 26-06-2008, 15:46

Nice motor and nice flywheel, looks like one of mine!!

vxt · 26-06-2008, 16:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by vxlgsi

Nice motor and nice flywheel, looks like one of mine!!

certainly is! very fast delivery too I remember.

Big update later, engine is now in

KeithRobinson · 26-06-2008, 21:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by vxt

Big update later, engine is now in

You've had the engine bay welded and painted with the engine fitted in 3 days? or are those pics above from a few weeks ago?

Are you getting any external bodywork done?

Also what are you doing with the 1.6?

Loved the car for years, will be awesome with the new lump.

Keith

wilson_bw · 26-06-2008, 21:37

Very cool! Always loved this nova, will be a shame to see it loose the 1.6. But at the same time it will still be cool to see it getting changed.

What are you doing with the 1.6? Im looking for a spare.

vxt · 11-07-2008, 23:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by KeithRobinson

You've had the engine bay welded and painted with the engine fitted in 3 days? or are those pics above from a few weeks ago?

Are you getting any external bodywork done?

Also what are you doing with the 1.6?

Loved the car for years, will be awesome with the new lump.

Keith

Sorry for the Draper style anti-climax

I have been on holiday to Amsterdam since last thursday. I picked the engine up from steveboyslim on the sunday and had the 1.6 out the same day. The next weekend I finished it on the saturday and drove to Southend for my girlfriends 21st, so the full conversion took 6 days. I've done about 250 miles so far, no problems.

The funny thing is I went to tax it on the monday and realised the MOT ran out on last month so its been sat there since I came back off holiday. I'm driving it to Middlesbrough tomorrow so my mate can MOT it.

I will get some pics up soon but really did not have time and I can honestly say it was the most stressful week of my life

Mark (novacabrio) is interested in the engine. Unless someone makes me a good offer for it. I need rid of it cos its in my bedroom due to the f***in gypo's.

Here's a couple of pics. I'll take more when I've given it a clean. Still have lots of tidying of wiring etc to do.

Idle air valve needs changing, so running a dodging clamp affair for now

Note the front bumper I made, only fiberglass and unpainted at the mo' but is 30mm longer than the original to clear the intercooler with no front panel mods.

Mitch2.0 · 12-07-2008, 11:37

So what did the girlfriend actually do to your old nova, any pictures?

vaughanmc · 05-08-2008, 14:32

Nice one mate good to see Rob's / Mark's old Nova being re-done

Will be class with the LET motor

**CraigGreen** · 05-08-2008, 16:13

Hmmm. I'm not convinced by the pics so far. Indeed wiring needs tidying & the fr bumper looks odd. Maybe its the pic quality but I can't help think this car has seen better days.

Hope I'm wrong.

**Benn** · 05-08-2008, 17:59

Hows the front bumper held on?
You've cut/bent the front pannel in to the bar mount holes... and whats the G-clamp all about??

dawsonvalver · 10-09-2008, 22:26

trust me this nova is in good hands jacko knows hes stuff, he is a boro boy.....

Pete_58 · 10-09-2008, 22:36

Thats a tidy Nova. Agree about the wiring needing tidying. Seeing all these Nova c20let's makes me want to get a let myself...