My 4x4 Vauxhall nova
Discussion
Thanks guys, it's taken a while but finally getting there. Good to see some appreciation tbh most people just think "it's only a nova what's the point"
Pic with the quarters on, only clamped in place but you get the idea.
I'll need to fibreglass over the bit for the fuel filler, when I got these I didn't know I was having the tank internal.
Pic with the quarters on, only clamped in place but you get the idea.
I'll need to fibreglass over the bit for the fuel filler, when I got these I didn't know I was having the tank internal.
SuperVM said:
Ignore any "it's only a Nova" comments. For a start, from an empirical point of view there's not much Nova left. Aside from that, I've always thought building something unique and fast is very cool and rewarding. I've always wanted to build a rear engined mk2 Golf (which has been done a couple of times at least, so not exactly unique). Some of my favourite build threads have been along the lines of what you're doing, like the mk2 Golf with S2 running gear and mwstewart's Fiesta, though I think I'm far from alone with that one.
I'm very much looking forward to seeing this completed!
Yeah this is it, not building it to please anyone other than myself tbh. True statement haha although it'll still look like a nova which is the main thing for me. I'm very much looking forward to seeing this completed!
I've not seen those, I'll have to go do some searching
Not really sure tbh mate. Including materials?
The cage and all the extra tubes was around 2k I think it's all t45. The work on the shell has cost me more than I'd like to admit. Lots of time has been wasted with me changing my mind about things. Originally it was going fwd so repairs were being carried out to repair the rear chassis legs etc.
When I decided to go 4x4 originally was using a cavalier gsi floor pan, so lots of work getting that in place then decided against that too. The back end would have been too heavy with the rear beam set up so a floor and suspension arms etc were made from scratch. Prob in the region of 5k or so.
The cage and all the extra tubes was around 2k I think it's all t45. The work on the shell has cost me more than I'd like to admit. Lots of time has been wasted with me changing my mind about things. Originally it was going fwd so repairs were being carried out to repair the rear chassis legs etc.
When I decided to go 4x4 originally was using a cavalier gsi floor pan, so lots of work getting that in place then decided against that too. The back end would have been too heavy with the rear beam set up so a floor and suspension arms etc were made from scratch. Prob in the region of 5k or so.
5k wouldn't be including the cage though 
spent quite a bit on the front end too which I regret. If I had known I was going 4x4 I'd have space framed the front. If I ever have to do anything to the front end that'll be the plan.
This is it, with something like this it was always going to be trial and error with some bits. Just didn't like that rear set up at all using the cavalier stuff.
C20let engine (2.0 turbo) using an f28 6 speed box and the calibra turbo transfer box and rear diff. The transfer box could be the weak link I'll cross that bridge when I get to it.
spent quite a bit on the front end too which I regret. If I had known I was going 4x4 I'd have space framed the front. If I ever have to do anything to the front end that'll be the plan. This is it, with something like this it was always going to be trial and error with some bits. Just didn't like that rear set up at all using the cavalier stuff.
C20let engine (2.0 turbo) using an f28 6 speed box and the calibra turbo transfer box and rear diff. The transfer box could be the weak link I'll cross that bridge when I get to it.
Fastdruid said:
John Laverick said:
ha. not ideal to rack the costs up changing your mind but I suppose that's the way a project like this develops.
All too often the way of the "project", I figure I'm a good couple of k down (not to mention the wasted time) on stuff I've changed my mind about. Not to mention scope creep. Trouble is that sometimes its because you need to try something first to realise it doesn't work, sometimes you run into unexpected issues, sometimes you end up with unforeseen consequences to earlier decisions[1] and sometimes its just because you just don't like how things are going. It's why I laugh at so many people saying to "just" drop a bigger engine into something. Its never that simple.
[1] For example I decided I was going with a different, better made dash in mine. Great. Much better. The issue is that the dash is *slightly* different. As in the steering column is ~50mm out (actually sits more centrally to the driving position) which means that the column had to move. Except it can't move that far (only 30mm max) because the motor then hits on the side of the chassis and the dash doesn't fit with it being 20mm out... so then a different column is needed which means all the work I did on the original is wasted *and* I've got a bunch of kit I can no longer use etc.
Cheers
got them from a guy who's no longer making the parts mate. Hopefully have the whole front end tried on in the coming weeks. Fingers crossed they all line up well!
Trying in my seats tomorrow too, it's going to be touch and go with them due to the tunnel size. Might have to take a little bit out of it. Hopefully not though!
got them from a guy who's no longer making the parts mate. Hopefully have the whole front end tried on in the coming weeks. Fingers crossed they all line up well!
Trying in my seats tomorrow too, it's going to be touch and go with them due to the tunnel size. Might have to take a little bit out of it. Hopefully not though!
I decided to coat all the bare metal in vactan, stops it all rusting up. Fitted the front rose jointed suspension and all made a start at trial fitting the 4x4 stuff.
Need to drop the engine in so I can weld the gearbox mount in place and see if I need to cut any metal away at the front of the tunnel or not.
Got myself some adjustable trestles too, that’s them on the lowest. They go up another 20cm or so.
Off with the old suspension arms...
On with the new.
Awaiting new ball joints and new boots for the steering rack then I’ll get the rods changed to rose joints too and get her back on her wheels.
Need to drop the engine in so I can weld the gearbox mount in place and see if I need to cut any metal away at the front of the tunnel or not.
Got myself some adjustable trestles too, that’s them on the lowest. They go up another 20cm or so.
Off with the old suspension arms...
On with the new.
Awaiting new ball joints and new boots for the steering rack then I’ll get the rods changed to rose joints too and get her back on her wheels.
Dug my engine out at work and took it home. Tried on the manifold and turbo, the breather will have to be moved a wee bit due to its size.
Got my engine on a stand and sat it in the bay for now.
Few pics
Good bit of modification to be done to allow room for the transfer box and prop.
Pics keep coming out sideways for some reason?
Got my engine on a stand and sat it in the bay for now.
Few pics
Good bit of modification to be done to allow room for the transfer box and prop.
Pics keep coming out sideways for some reason?
Thanks mate.
So today I decided to go and collect parts I’ve had lying at my parents house for some time.
Gave some of the front end bits a trial, wings are going to need a bit of tweaking/ manipulation. It’s spot on at the a pillar side but a bit high at the front around the headlight area. The bumper needs to come up a bit in the pics but can only do so much with 2 hands haha
Bonnet seems spot on will know more when I bolt the wings in place. Another pair of hands would have been welcomed but was just a trial run I guess. Anyway, a few pics.
So today I decided to go and collect parts I’ve had lying at my parents house for some time.
Gave some of the front end bits a trial, wings are going to need a bit of tweaking/ manipulation. It’s spot on at the a pillar side but a bit high at the front around the headlight area. The bumper needs to come up a bit in the pics but can only do so much with 2 hands haha
Bonnet seems spot on will know more when I bolt the wings in place. Another pair of hands would have been welcomed but was just a trial run I guess. Anyway, a few pics.
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