Got My First Car, Need Some Advice

[Nflame]

Hey guys, I was given my mums car since shes recently moved to melb (I'm 19 and living at home alone now lol), its a 1991(i think, how do i find out btw) Holden Nova thats done 260 000kms, and i'll let you know now, I'm completely new to cars... but I wanna get stuck into it hehe. So was wondering if you could give me some advice as to finding out the cars specs (engine etc) and what upgrades i should do to it etc... I'll post pics tomorrow. Please be kind I'm a newb, and if I didn't post this in the right section, sorry!

 

Cheers.

[Kid-Ae]

For the vehicles age, check the rego sticker, if not then check the ID tag.

 

Check on the engine block as it may show you the capacity of the engine, though as long as u know the year then wiki it or ask a mechanic and they would tell you most of the specs.

 

Welcome to RollaClub btw :yes:

[SLO-030]

howdy mate,

 

Welcome to rollaclub.

 

don't know too much bout the later model rolla/nova, but there are always people out there who do and may be willing to share their knowledge.

 

CHEERS

Ryan

[KE ping it real]

Firstly welcome to rollaclub

I'm pretty new myself and all the people on here are fantastically helpful generally providing you do a bit of research yourself first

 

If your unsure of anything. try and find another thread that has possibly covered the topic first - if no luck then start a new topic and people will be more than happy to help

 

In answer to your engine upgrade question

I used to have a 1991 corolla which should be pretty much identical to what you have and they had a 4a motor of some description

If this is what you have then you have plenty of bolt in options which are a fantastic improvement

4age 100kw - n/a fuel injected twin cam 1.6l

4age20v - n/a quad throttle body 20 valve 1.6l

4agze - supercharged twin cam 1.6l

 

and other variations like 4agte which i beleive is a 4agze with the supercharger changed to a turbo

 

If your on your 'p' plates you should check your local roadway authority and see what your engine restrictions are before you do anything too drastic

 

I hope that was helpful to at least get you started

 

Welcome to the wonderful world of rollas......err i mean novas haha :lolcry:

[JiP]

Try The FAQ for help too.

[Nflame]

haha cheers for ur replies guys, I'm looking to do upgrades similar to mad89, nothing too drastic etc.

 

ive checked the engine tag and stuff, its a Feb 1991, with a 6A-FC 16 Valve engine. Wikipedia says its a 1.4L 60kw engine.. loooooooooool.

 

BTW, the cars giving out a bit of black smoke from the exhaust, as well as spitting out liquid (it appears to be oil...)

 

anyone got some ideas as to what might be wrong here, or if it could be a serious problem?

 

Cheers.

Edited April 27, 2008 by Nflame

[WinKE55]

Black smoke is usually running too rich, or the engine not burning up all the fuel.

 

Oil coming out of the exhaust? Are you sure it's black smoke? Or maybe blue? If it's blueish it's the oil burning.

 

Is it on start up? Or when you are mobile?

[SLO-030]

the 'oil' you describe, could it possibly be the water vapor that the engine makes mixed with the carbon deposits? if it is running rich the exhaust system usually has a fair bit of carbon inside so it could be a possibility.

 

CHEERS

Ryan

[Nflame]

yeah no worries it went away after i had it running for a while, guess it was just condensation. what do you mean by running too rich? the oil is too rich or something? :lolcry: haha cheers

[philbey]

The Fuel to Air ratio is too rich, so as the car burns petrol, there are more carbon atoms in the combustion, and rather than bonding with oxygen, they just come out as straight carbon, which is black!

 

Another by product of combustion when the engine is cold is water vapour, so there is an element of Steam to the exhaust gasses, and this combines with your carbon to make black looking water.

 

To solve the black smoke issue, it might need a mild tune of the mixtures on the carburettor. Buy a workshop manual (Gregorys) for about 25 dollars and it will give you a run down on what to fiddle with on your carb, and the steps to take.

 

When you get it wrong (part of the experience) a mechanic should be able to tune it properly for ~50 bucks if you talk to him nice!

 

Best of luck, and remember whatever you do can usually be undone!

 

Cheers

 

Tom.

Edited April 29, 2008 by philbey