James NZ

Hi guys,

Many thanks for the great replies but the repower is on hold. News last week wasn't flash, I lost my major contract and wifes company is restructuring . So major spendies on the Viva is on hold, and the upgrades to my Discovery V8 although my shiny new badges arrived in the mail over the weekend so that's pleasing . Back to the viva, the original motor is going back in with crank grind and re-ring. Oil pump is serviceable. This will tide things over for a bit until everything settles down again.

I have decided that the mx-5 motor and 5 speeder box will be the way forward in the future for the viva so will slowly get bits for it. Got the day off today so as its cold/rainy outside gonna sit in front of the fire and read the tramping book my son gave me for xmas!

Cheers, james

Hi guys, just a few replies. Ford tragic V4, yer nah. Remember the first one I worked on during my apprenticeship, it had cracked piston which was a fairly coomon occurence.

I'm a closet Chrysler fan from way back so would love me a 426 hemi in the viva, so who's going to shout me one.

Thanks nominal for the pics/measurements for the SR20, duly printed out and put safely aside. Thinking  of the holden 6 suggestions, I've actually got a rebuilt Vauxhall 3.3 sitting on the engine stand which has already been measured and yep, straight sixes are just too long.

I also though about the Nissan A series engines a while back and probably a better choice than a rebuilt 1800. johnny.race, awesome photo's, thanks.

So where we at... still sorting ideas out but have to make a decision this week cos the boss (wife) has given me a deadline of 5 months for it to be back on the road or sooner, "not like your other cars" she said. Don't know what she's talking about, the've only been in the garage 13 years.

Hiya

Re the above five posts -

a) thats a very sexy looking engine bay! Quite exciting really

do hairdressers do jokes?? I really must get out more often

c) I'll see if I can get a look at one locally to get an idea of size, exhaust placement etc

d) wouldn't it be easier to make a new engine management loom for an aftermarket ecu (megasquirt or similiar) or am I missing something here??

1 hour ago, vivaspeed said:

I edited and pasted links for you - it's as easy as pasting the link in the address bar.

Cool, thanks very much for that. I thought maybe there was a button or something, didn't think to copy/paste

13 hours ago, Nominal said:

There's not a huge range of RWD 4-cyl modern setups available these days, as many are old/thrashed. I've got a SR20DET + 5 speed sitting in my garage if you want some measurements? 

I think the SR20 would be a good choice. Staying non-turbo will be simpler, and you may be able to keep the Viva diff from exploding.

Hi Nominal, would you mind measuring the SR20 and box for me when you get the time? Apart from the usual measurements I'm keen to find out the distance from the front of gearbox to the gearlever position. Thanks very much, James

Hi guys,

so hopefully this is the discussion area for my sons HC Viva. Can somebody help me and explain how I link these together please? Cheers, James

Build Thread -> https://oldschool.co.nz/index.php?/topic/58866-james-nz-1976-vauxhall-viva-hc

36 minutes ago, kiwi808 said:

 

The no progress thing is an ‘in house joke’ about how we all seem to have a lot of pojects and never seem to do much with them.

20 minutes ago, a.craw4d said:

I drove my project into the garage for a simple engine swap 10 years ago. Engine swap was done within a few months, haven't driven it yet.

If you can make faster progress you're going to shine here.

 Awesome guys, these and the following posts made me laugh. I should have joined sooner

Looks like I may have to start some posts on I my Vauxhalls. Cheers, James

10 hours ago, kiwi808 said:

Also maybe make a build thread so we can follow the progress (and no progress as per oldschool protocol) and a discussion thread so we can comment

Hi guys,

Thanks for all the great suggestions. As per above I'll start a build thread and a discussion thread, I don't know how to link them but I'm sure I'll work it out. Can someone explain the "and no progress as per..." bit please. Kind of lost me on that one, is that like closing a thread?

Right I'm off to write up an intro for the build thread...

Cheers, James

11 hours ago, Bling said:

I bet rebuild is still cheaper and much simpler too.

But I'm unsure what the end goal is. Can't really compare the $895 cost for some rebuild bits. And $895 for an unknown engine that could need a rebuild itself five minutes after install. I used that theory when rebuilding an engine over the cheaper option of swapping in another engine anyway.

 

 

Hi Bling, some very good valid points there, however the $842 was just for the oil pump. The bill so far just to do - bore block, crank grind, new piston/ring, main/big end brgs, oil pump is $2293. I would still need to address the fact that the camshaft is worn, along with the followers, water pump will need replacing, surface head, cut valves etc. I'll go into this a bit further in the build thread I'm about to start. Cheers

22 hours ago, Carsnz123 said:

Firstly I'm obliged to inform you that an LD28 turbo is the best way. @yoeddynz

Carsnz123

heres the picture of the LD28 I put into my Landrover Series 3 swb. Don't ask why I mostly painted the engine red, it was 28 years ago. Can you still get LD28's? Maybe I should get one for my sons Discovery 1 V8. Cheers

Hi guys,

following Carsnz123 suggestions I've found to SR20de's on trademe for under 4900 which seems reasonable. I also found a manual tranny, link https://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/car-parts-accessories/nissan/gearboxes/auction-1634604881.htm?rsqid=2137247661234b53b3f8be05435a775a

but it seems really long. Do they make a shorter tranny and whats the difference between a turbo and non turbo box, assuming there is such a thing? Cheers

Hi guys,

thanks for the replies so far. Igor, the rover v8 has been mentioned at home as I have a spare 4.0L out of discovery sitting on the garage floor. The lads mum/my wife veteod the idea, and as she's rather cuddly to sleep with I had to agree. Carsnz123, LD28 is a great choice, I put one into my series 3 shorty pickup about 28 years ago. Wish I still had that truck it was great, and cost a shedload to rebuild. I've read a bit about the SR20DE so will look into that a bit more. Will look into cost of certifying it and want to do my own EFI using megasquirt. I need to learn how to do that as the Rover 8 is going into the Victor wagon. Bling, I know transplants aren't cheap, but I need an oil pump (also pistons/rings, bearings etc) for the Viva. Found one for UK£395 plus freight, say £430 = NZD $842 give or take. Following Carsnz123 suggestion just found a SR20DE for $895. Actually would this be a reasonable buy? Here's the linky https://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/car-parts-accessories/nissan/engines/auction-1631758319.htm?rsqid=54937d2561b04ad3a2006272c8143e50

Anymore suggestions for a 4 cyl manual tranny combo? Thanks, James

PS I'll dig out some photo's of the landy conversion and post in this thread

Hi guys/gals,

We bought my son a very original 1800 HC Viva as he wanted something different. He's had two WOF's so far mentioning that there is more oil on the outside than probably in it. So time to get started on the project, the engine being the first bit. First up was to dip the block and measure it. Turns out its never been touched before but its well worn out. So a combination of them and me supplying parts and the dollars are starting to stack up. I'm wondering if we should repower it. Having left the trade ages ago I'm out of touch as to what to look for so I'm looking for some guidance please on motor and manual box combinations that would fit into the Viva and have the gearlever pop up in the right place. At this stage I'm thinking atmo engine but open to suggestions.

Many thanks in advance. Cheers, James

Name: James

Location: Christchurch

Cars you own: Vauxhalls Ventora and 3.3 Estate

Mods to them (can be brief or detailed): Still languishing in the garage although there is hope!

Pictures (Either attach the files here or use an image hosting website): I'll have to find some to post later.

How you found out about oldschool: Google is your friend

Anything else you want to add: Really here foe a bit of advise on repowering sons HC Viva. Am going to look for info 1st and then start a new thread.

Ex mechanic of the old school variety, although not active in the trade anymore am furiously educating moreself about fuel injection. Also own and love Land Rovers