Got caliper clearance??

mk1_salami · 13 Sep 2009 at 18:25

Was up at knockhill today in this car. Very impressive track tool, especially round the corners and on the brakes. Can anyone say caliper clearance?? 8 pots under 15 inch wheels:

Disco Boy · 13 Sep 2009 at 18:35

what is it?

doofer · 13 Sep 2009 at 18:38

Hope they realise that it wouldn't take long at all for any metal or other hard debris that may get jammed in there to score right through that alloy wheel, not sure if it's just the photo/wheel manufacture but it already looks scored to me, certainly would not want such an epic wheel failure happening at any speed if I was driving it anyway...

Dorje · 13 Sep 2009 at 18:42

What car has 15" wheels and needs 8 pots?

Begbie · 13 Sep 2009 at 18:46

What car is it?

Impressive though

mk1_salami · 13 Sep 2009 at 18:54

It's a Vauxhall Nova. I'm not a fan of Nova's (or usually their owners!!) in general but this is an exception and very special. I think it won its class at Time Attack Ireland earlier this year.

It has a rebuilt 2.0 16v Engine with new everything - pistons etc (I don't know the full details). It rev's to 8,250 rpm and has been rolling roaded at 250 bhp. It's just had a dog box gearbox fitted and has some sort of fancy Quaiffe diff apperntly. Every panel is fiberglass with the exception of the roof which is still metal. It also has a fancy computer dash, racing fuel cell and full cage.

You woulnd't believe how this thing goes round corners. Incredible. Here are some pics.

Bat · 13 Sep 2009 at 18:56

Loving the 1.2 badge!

Disco Boy · 13 Sep 2009 at 18:56

liking the 1.2 badge.

It seems a bit strange to not change the roof, as usually one would start at the top with weight reductions, to lower the centre of gravity.

When you say it's a 2l, I take it that it's a C20XE?
Also, 8 pots must be massive overkill for something that must weigh less than a tonne.

Wicksta · 13 Sep 2009 at 18:56

Why on earth would you want 8 pot calipers on a car of that weight.

Edit: oh beaten by discoboy

iaind · 13 Sep 2009 at 18:57

What a waste on a lot of time and effort - they could have put that into a decent car

Lopéz · 13 Sep 2009 at 18:58

8 pot calipers on an 800kg car? Why :confused:

He could have saved a fortune by buying something more appropriate like a Wilwood Dynalite kit. I think some people just get carried away. There's nothing wrong with a sorted Nova as a track car, I just don't see what it gains by having 8 piston calipers.

mk1_salami · 13 Sep 2009 at 18:59

iaind said:
What a waste on a lot of time and effort - they could have put that into a decent car

To be fair I don't think he could care less about how it looks. He built it to go fast, and it certainly works very well indeed.

But I'd agree. If it was me I'd have dropped 20k + into another car!

mk1_salami · 13 Sep 2009 at 19:01

Lopéz said:
8 pot calipers on an 800kg car? Why
He could have saved a fortune by buying something more appropriate like a Wilwood Dynalite kit. I think some people just get carried away. There's nothing wrong with a sorted Nova as a track car, I just don't see what it gains by having 8 piston calipers.

And the 8 pots... he didnt fit them. He built the car, sold it to a guy in Ireland who entered into Time Attack and was competitive with the 8 pots on it. He then bought it back. Can't be too bad. And why not??

Here is some more info when it was owned by the bloke in Ireland:
http://www.totalopel.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2334

Wicksta · 13 Sep 2009 at 19:02

20k could have bought him a real racing car and a season's worth of racing.

iaind · 13 Sep 2009 at 19:03

mk1_salami said:
To be fair I don't think he could care less about how it looks. He built it to go fast, and it certainly works very well indeed.

But I'd agree. If it was me I'd have dropped 20k + into another car!

Doesnt really matter how it looks IMO, the Nova's a shopping trolley small hatch - never designed to be a track machine. I'd much rather have put the money and effort into improving something that was fit for purpose to start with. You can stick as many performance parts to a turd, but it will still be a turd

mk1_salami · 13 Sep 2009 at 19:11

Yeah well I guess its all good fun. It's his hobby and wass most likely one of the fastest cars at Knockhill today. He actually bought a Supercharged Exige and sold it because he preferred this! His next project is a Racing Puma with Focus RS engine. I'm looking forward to seeing it

Nige01010 · 13 Sep 2009 at 19:11

iaind said:
Doesnt really matter how it looks IMO, the Nova's a shopping trolley small hatch - never designed to be a track machine. I'd much rather have put the money and effort into improving something that was fit for purpose to start with. You can stick as many performance parts to a turd, but it will still be a turd

Can bet you my house this this is a serious track weapon, you havent got a clue have you?

Fr0dders · 13 Sep 2009 at 19:14

even 4 pots would have been enough for a car that light.

Fr0dders · 13 Sep 2009 at 19:15

Nige01010 said:
Can bet you my house this this is a serious track weapon, you havent got a clue have you?

track weapon or not it still started out as a nova. You'd have been better spending the money on a car that was a good hot hatch to start with

unless he got the car for free or something ?

iaind · 13 Sep 2009 at 19:16

mk1_salami said:
Yeah well I guess its all good fun. It's his hobby and wass most likely one of the fastest cars at Knockhill today. He actually bought a Supercharged Exige and sold it because he preferred this! His next project is a Racing Puma with Focus RS engine. I'm looking forward to seeing it

Yeh each to their own, I imagine it's been one of those projects that started small but ended up in 20k of expenditure. If it was my money though I'd have spent 10k on a more appropriate car to start with and the rest of the money preparing it/running it. But thats just me

Nige01010 said:
Can bet you my house this this is a serious track weapon, you havent got a clue have you?

OK then thanks.