LHD Corsa to RHD Nova Sport Replica Track Car

5 minute(s) of a 59 minute read

Started on the passenger rear arche today, needed a few repairs. Just waiting for dad to tow my other one down to the workshop so I can start on the engine conversion. It's a pain not being insured on the van!

6-30-2013

Test fitted rear coilovers after reshaping the arch slightly and spring now has plenty of clearance. Also finished test painting the rear arch to see what kind of finish I can acheive.



Trimmed strut top to allow for plenty of camber adjustment. Also welded on second strut tops and stitched the chassis leg.

7-3-2013

Managed to get Dad in the van to tow the other one down and get the cage there too. The cage is so bulky I got that straight in and out of my way for now.







Next job is to get the left hand suspension back in and do all the same to the other side. All of the suspension components will be coming out when the car is on its side/upside down having the underneath prepped, so don't worry all the oversprayed parts won't be staying that way!

7-6-2013

Other strut top and chassis leg stitched today. Also started on the rear too



Last few days have been taken up by my other pride and joy...

Fitting Corvette wheels took a bit more effort than expected, but I got there in the end.

7-10-2013

Made some rear plates for the cage to bolt on to and finished the stitch welding around the bottom of the arches today. The plates are made to well exceed MSA standards in the hope they don't change their minds on cage fitting rules like they seem to all too often.

Next job to make the A & B pillar plates, get them tacked in the remove cage to seam weld all around the plates. Plan is to get the cage bolted in by Saturday evening then concentrate on getting the other Nova stripped next week.

7-12-2013

The 1.6 8V is the biggest engine that came in a Nova, and many race classes require the block to be fitted to that type of car from factory in order for it to conform. Therefore if I had a MK2 Astra I could run a Redtop, but because there wasn't a Nova with a redtop that ever rolled out of the factory it wouldn't be allowed to compete.

And I did think of that dan23, but I'd just bought all new master cylinder etc for the other car which would've been a shame to waste. No other reason really, other than to say Id converted it all!

Got on with the roll cage plates today, will finish them off tomorrow. Sound deadening came out much easier than expected too!

MSA rules state the rollcage plate must be 3mm thick and go up the sill to add strength.

7-13-2013

The plans for a 1.6 are a few years off. And thats if I cant find a formula to compete with a 2.0. But for now the engine is staying as is, with the quaiffe diff and F16CR box at it will purely be a track and show car