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Apr 10, 2011 17:25:07 GMT
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I have recently bought this car a couple of months ago and am loving every minute of it ;D thought I would share a few pics with you all since owning it i've made a few changes including ditching the astra gte seats that came in it for some alfa 156 leather ones! fitted the revolutions and the plates and generally tidied it up! I'm currently debating an engine transplant but not sure which engine ( recommendations would be cool) Uploaded with ImageShack.usUploaded with ImageShack.usUploaded with ImageShack.us
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Last Edit: Apr 11, 2011 20:34:34 GMT by rmad
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Apr 10, 2011 17:52:38 GMT
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cool hb, what about dropping a red top in it
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Apr 10, 2011 18:52:21 GMT
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yea ive thought about that. was thinking of pinto power to!
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will
Posted a lot
Posts: 4,023
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Apr 10, 2011 19:37:39 GMT
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Lush, I like that a lot
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Apr 10, 2011 22:05:37 GMT
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Welcome Nice to have another Viva with us, my dad would bite your arm off for an HB SL and I wouldn't mind a 2 door HB either! Looks like a nice tidy one, maybe a few days with the T-cut to freshen up the red? Are the revos 13x7? As for engines, Pinto's been done and isn't a bad option but some people don't like poisoning Vauxhall with Ford Redtops also been done a lot but I think I'll be going for a Rover V8 for the noise. Take a look on www.vauxhallviva.com as well, people have also done (or attempted) crossflow, small block chevy v8, v6's, VXR's, diesel Isuzu and an RX7 rotary. I'm sure a few of those will be along to say hi soon Personally I'd like to try a Monaro V8 but my pockets aren't quite deep enough...
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Project Diary1975 Viva / 1988 T25 Camper / 1989 Mini / 1991 MX5 / 1992 Mini / 1994 Saab 9000 / 1997 Saab 9000 / 2008 Saab 9-5
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carmad
Posted a lot
Posts: 2,002
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Apr 11, 2011 18:38:25 GMT
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red top in a hb requires cutting the bulkhead or some tastey sump mods
welcome to the world off vivas
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Apr 11, 2011 19:57:20 GMT
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cheers guys! ive done redtop conversions in the past so have decided against that! but am seriously considering a rotary! its mint underneath due to the engine leaking oil its hole life! a respray is on the cards 4 this winter to:) I'm sure its quite a rare HB being a 1600 OHC! the revo's are 12x6:)
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lotdave
Part of things
only one gerry
Posts: 357
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Apr 11, 2011 20:21:04 GMT
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Hi and welcome mate that looks like a clean hb you have there and as for the engine choice don't do what i did and change your mind half way through it works out expensive. I ended going for a red top as i wanted to keep it all vauxhall and to be diferent ive fitted an eaton blower, A good red top is hard to come by now and a pinto is a heavy old lump if i was to start again i think i would go for a nissan 200sx as a dona but thats just me then again the way fuel prices are going maybe i should have gone for a lively turbo diesel Whatever you choose keep us posted on your progress theres a lot of viva fans on here ;D
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Apr 11, 2011 20:35:28 GMT
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I do like an HB....thanks for posting yours.
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Apr 11, 2011 21:08:09 GMT
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That's really nice, I do like the HB Viva. Personally I think the red top is the "best" engine for it. GM badge, excellent power with huge potential for more, not too big or heavy etc etc blah blah I'm sure you know already from past experience. It's what I'd do if it were mine (if only!) Otherwise I might I'd be tempted by the Nissan 200sx unit like Dave suggested. A Pinto's great in a period Ford but not much else IMO. Keep us posted, Cheers, Richard.
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Coooooool- another HB! I like all the Vivas on here! Welcome along!
If your thinking rotary for engines then yeah- pretty easy swap. Instead of the 12A like I've fitted you should go for a 13B as they are so cheap to get - you can still buy very cheap complete series 4/5(86 to 90) RX7's. Then you will have all the parts you should need for the conversion except a beefier axle. Either the 150bhp injected 6port 13b or 200+ turbo 13B fitted would allow for great future upgrades. All you need to do is fit 13B in a similar way to how I fitted my 12A is to fit swap the 13B front cover for a 12A one. But it is possibly a lot easier to mount it straight onto the cross member as 13Bs are mounted that way like most engines. Fitting the injected 13B and wiring it in would be simple as its ECU is a really easy one to wire in. They have a nice simple stand alone system. Not so sure about the turbo ones but cant be much more complex and would be worth it as a 13B turbo can put out just silly high amounts of power with not much effort. Which ever way you go rotarys are still a very underrated engine swap in the UK and hence prices are still so low. They are not as thirsty as people think if you cruise - my old rx3 would do 30mpg.
I look forwards to updates! Any photos of the seats? My seats are Momo ones from an Alfa. Alex
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Last Edit: Apr 13, 2011 9:45:45 GMT by yoeddynz
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Apr 13, 2011 19:20:36 GMT
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I'm def starting to think rotary now but need 2 do some serious research be i tackle it! a friend of mine in nz has an rx3 with a 12a engine in it! like u say its not a very common engine conversion here but there loved in nz:) ill get some more pics this wek end!
thanks everyone for your replies!!!
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Apr 13, 2011 20:56:03 GMT
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Most RX3s in NZ either have 12A's or 13Bs. The little 10a isn't a common thing anymore- getting parts for 10as is tricky.
A nice 12A with a good exhaust and the nikki carb like in my old RX3 should have about 120bhp and will do 30mpg. That aint too shabby. And it'll fit in easy as- the only major clearence issues are the very top of the tunnel- but you don't need to touch the baulkhead. Cutting the top of the tunnel off is easy with a jigsaw and then just a simple curved peice of sheet back in- at the same time you can reposition the gearstick hole. If you shorten the gearstick remote (easy) then the stick comes almost straight out the original hole. But by fitting a 13B you'll have many more possibilitys for big future power upgrades and the engine is only 20mm longer. I only went 12A because I got the whole lot dirt cheap plus it has the funky draw through turbo setup with lots of alloy to polish.... ;D
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pbottomley
Posted a lot
If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving isnt for you
Posts: 1,135
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Apr 17, 2011 13:33:57 GMT
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UMM thats one of only 3 or 4 1600 OHC HB's left... The engine was recently rebuilt using all my spare parts, i had set aside for my GT as the last owner was so desperate to get it back on the road, and my GT is still some way off its restore If you do swap out the engine for something different can I will have my crank and rods back (was a flaming waste of my time, donating all those rare engine parts to the last owner as all he did was just sell it on and not use it like he promised he would). OHH and if you need a 12a and gearbox give me a shout I have a couple hanging about gathering dust...
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Apr 17, 2011 19:56:41 GMT
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your way too nice Paul- thats why you never finish your own cars because you give all your parts away!
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Apr 18, 2011 19:11:30 GMT
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thanks for the offer on the 12a! i may take you up on that:) the guy i bought it off only sold the car because he lost his job otherwise he would of kept it! i didnt realise how rare it actually is!!!! ;D ;D
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Apr 19, 2011 11:43:16 GMT
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Really pleased to see another HB! yours in a lot less crusty than mine thats for sure! I have a different engine swap planned for mine, somthing a little different so I'm looking forward to seeing what direction you go in! Best of luck chap and keep snapping photos!!
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hbpete
Part of things
Posts: 30
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Apr 23, 2011 22:42:02 GMT
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As Paul says, its a very rare car. Please think twice before swapping engines in it!!
Peter
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May 21, 2014 19:50:25 GMT
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After 2 years away in Australia I am now home and have dug the viva out of my storage unit:) I was very please that with a new battery and fresh fuel she fired up! so stripping, cleaning, greasing and adjusting has begun:) I am after a few panels ( Pair of sills, Pair of inner wings if anyone knows where I could source them!) original engine and box are staying for now!
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v8jim
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,304
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May 21, 2014 22:20:38 GMT
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You can still buy new outer sills but that's it everything else you'll have to hunt out of make
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Max sig pic size: 80px
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