Shonky small block Nova build

[jonlem]

A mate of mine has been putting together quite a special nova track car for the past few years. Some of you may of seen it before as when first finished it ran a small block 1400 but his intention was to use the car whilst gathering all the parts for the 1600 build.

I've copy/pasted most of this over so apoligies if any of it reads a bit wrong due to when it was posted !

Some of the PNG/VS readers will of most probably seen the thread about the car but for those that haven't here we go !



I believe the car was originally a 1.2 poverty model with no stereo or anything lol, it was a MOT failure due to brake lines but was a solid shell in the right places.

The shell was totally stripped down and treated to a cage and lots of other small features that although at the moment may seem OTT with the current engine will be very useful when a new engine is installed.

I'll just post up a load of pics I have:

[jonlem]

The current engine ran a 14 sec pass up the 1/4 in his old nova saloon a few years ago ! hopefully it wont be too long till its out and replaced with something with a bit more power, sadly I do know it wont be a big block but I think its fair to say the combination of that setup and a well sorted small block engine will scare most things off on track.

Old engine and box now for sale

New engine built and ready to be fitted.

Update pics :

[jonlem]

Bit of long overdue update !

Progress wise as usual been waiting on bits from here and there, engine is 90% complete, 2 main bits to be machined then thats complete.

Dry sump tank mounted in the bay, he used a tall slim one as per SBD's advice which they ran on one of their own cars with good results, certainly made it easier to find a home for !

Gearbox is in, well has been for a while just not had a picture ! chassis has been trimmed to the right of the joint in the picture but apart from that it fits well, a lot easier than he hoped so he may get away without painting the bay.

Dummy engine is coming out maybe this week so the new one can be fitted and everything test fitted, shafts to be made after that and then its just the fuel system to sort which is nothing out of the ordinary.

More updates as they happen !



















New wheels, Grp A Nova alloys, restored with original graphics



New inlet spacers

[jonlem]

Update ! cam cover is temporary !
















Current progress














New TCA's, slightly wider than normal





All blasted



Uniballs stripped for refurb



He then had the lobro joints cnc lightened as they weighed a fair bit





Group A spec hubs and carriers

[jonlem]

Parts back from powder coating



New joints



Gaz Gold vs normal Gaz



He had the top mounts anodised along with some other parts



Freshly zinc plated uniballs













Bit more castor now







And Camber although some adjustments are yet to be made there




Dry sump tank base






So far thats about it, there are a few updates since the last but there should be a big one in a week or so I'll wait until then to get some more pics !

Thoughts and suggestions appreciated

[chip]

Absolutely love this car, always enjoy seeing the updates on VS, its just about as close to nova perfection as you can get IMHO.

Subtle understated looks combined with some truely awesome engineering.

Just hope he has the bottle to drive it properly after putting so much time and money into it!

[jonlem]

He'll drive it hard, I guarantee it Chip.

[philip2]

some awesome parts ion the engine build matey....oh ive gone for a set of newmans in my 1600 now so ill let you know how it goes, slightly custom profile to what they normally do, but solids and a bv head will be done in new year i think so could maybe see what i get to whther your mate changes his cams for something abit more.

any ideas how long till it will be running?

[Melv]

Ooft! That's one hell of a spec. Should go bloody well.

[steveboyslim]

some awesome parts ion the engine build matey....oh ive gone for a set of newmans in my 1600 now so ill let you know how it goes, slightly custom profile to what they normally do, but solids and a bv head will be done in new year i think so could maybe see what i get to whther your mate changes his cams for something abit more.

any ideas how long till it will be running?

I have already got some ideas for cams, bigger valves, may need some expensive valve springs for regular 10,000 rpm use.

Steve

[jonlem]

some awesome parts ion the engine build matey....oh ive gone for a set of newmans in my 1600 now so ill let you know how it goes, slightly custom profile to what they normally do, but solids and a bv head will be done in new year i think so could maybe see what i get to whther your mate changes his cams for something abit more.

any ideas how long till it will be running?

I spoke to him about the newmans, he already has ideas for further mods but understandably wants to have some fun with this then look at maybe upping the power at a later date.

As for when it should be done, I'd say around Christmas, he has a few days off next week then some in December, he has a fair bit of work for other people to get on with as well but as you can see its not far off from being done.

[jonlem]

I have already got some ideas for cams, bigger valves, may need some expensive valve springs for regular 10,000 rpm use.

Steve

You got it !

[chip]

I have already got some ideas for cams, bigger valves, may need some expensive valve springs for regular 10,000 rpm use.

Steve

Not really an ideal rod ratio for 10Krpm surely.

Is that what he is aiming for then Jonboy?

[jonlem]

If that had to be changed I suspect he would. That said there is still a lot of power that could be had from what he has, the issue is how much it effects reliability but built right and for the use it gets I can't imagine that would put him off.

At the end of the day none of our track cars do many miles really and as long as its only freshen ups and not constant rebuilds due to failures I cannot see a issue with looking for more power.

Back on track though, the spec is what it is ! Were talking about what he "might" do in a few years from now lol

[chip]

Already a great spec anyway

[mattyd81]

what a tidy motor looking great. i take it he's built the engine himself? next all you need to do is take it rallying

[jonlem]

what a tidy motor looking great. i take it he's built the engine himself? next all you need to do is take it rallying

Yep, all built by himself, Neil Roper did the head on it.

I'll dig out the full spec and post it up.

As for rallying it LOL no chance of that ! Some sprints or Hill climbs maybe although the box may not suit either.

[mattyd81]

Ahh get it done which ever you decide to do! Looking great makes me want to start another project lol

[ianofbhills]

Drool. That is some serious spec and some serious cash in that it looks absolutely amazing.
Who's is it?

It reminds me of my old nova (declan burkes) only totally mint and exactly how i would want it if i was rich

[jonlem]

Drool. That is some serious spec and some serious cash in that it looks absolutely amazing.
Who's is it?

It reminds me of my old nova (declan burkes) only totally mint and exactly how i would want it if i was rich

Its owned by my mate Ben, seems he has been into novas as long as I have but I only met him when he first started putting the shell together.

Your old nova looked mint too !

[M/PORT]

I have just read the full thread over on png and it has just reminded me to check my euro numbers

[jonlem]

There is quite a bit more detail on there tbh but working through it and copying it over would of been a nightmare !

[danavfc95]

this Nova is amazing, what powers that 1600 running?

[GaryVaux]

Exactly how id build a track nova Superb spec, and quality of finish/attention to detail is brilliant. Just some gte bumpers would finish it for me

[lee303]

be nice to see this on track at last!