Jay Novak Delivers

[Bill Maisey]

Jay has completed development of his Van Diemen conversion kit and delivered the first one to Sean Maisey. More information and photos http://www.novaracecars.com/assy.htm

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23 July: Jay has released his price list: http://novaracecars.com/page.htm

[Chas Shaffer]

Has the car run yet? What's the conversion cost?

[Keith Carter]

That's pretty sweet!!

[RussMcB]

Has the car run yet? What's the conversion cost?

I noticed on the web site it says, "The Maisey car is scheduled to make it competition debut at the VIR National in August."

I assume there are a LOT of people wanted to know how this turns out. From my perspective (been working on my conversion for 7-8 months), this is sounding like a pretty attractive option, especially considering the known good performance of the donor chassis.

[VehDyn]

Those prices look pretty reasonable to me. Especially considering the competitiveness of the conversions.

http://www.novaracecars.com/page.htm

Great job, Jay.

[rickjohnson356]

What chassis year VD cars can use this kit?

If only a limited number of years, can simple mods be made to others to accept the bulk of the conversion kit pieces?

[Jay N]

The current kit is for 98 & later Van Diemen chassis. We will modify it to fit earlier chassis if there is enough demand.

Thanks ... Jay Novak

[mtmansl]

That looks like very nice work. What will this car weigh?

Matthew

[Jay N]

The prototype weighed in at 803 lbs. The production unit will be about 10 lbs lighter.

Thanks .. Jay Novak

[mtmansl]

Nice work Jay! That would be a very nice package!

Matthew

[RussMcB]

Is Sean's Novak conversion car still on schedule to debut this weekend at the VIR national?

[HastyHorn]

In my last conversation with Bill Maisey, it looks as if Sean won't complete the car in time to go and compete at VIR. Sorry, I was looking forward to seeing it as well.

Hasty Horn

[RussMcB]

Yes, that's too bad. I'm sure a lot of people are looking forward to seeing how it works out. And I don't doubt it will be a great car.

But, I'm confused. It should have only taken Sean "a couple of weekends of work". :-).

Sorry. That was probably uncalled for, but honestly just meant as light hearted, good natured bantor. I'm sure Sean (& Jay, & Coop, & others) will put me in my proper place come November at Road Atlanta. :-).

[Bill Maisey]

Yes, Sean should be on his way to VIR as I write this. After several 100-degree days in his un air-conditioned garage, Sean was Hot, Tired, and truth be told a little Cranky. The racecar got finished yesterday (Heat index was 119). It runs, it motivates. The springs that were acquired for the car turned out to be too long. Running with the existing 800# springs didn’t seem prudent. And given that the temperature for the test day is forecast in the 100-degree range, Sean decided to wait. ARRC is in November and there are many test opportunities on cooler days between now and then. Sean is taking his 8-year old daughter to a water park today. Jay got to stay home in hopefully cooler Michigan.

Yes, two weekends of work. Sorta. (Who made that prediction?) So far the labor totals about 80 man-hours.
Tasks
-Cooling system plumbing, get parts
-Oil system partial plumbing (Jay installed the dry sump, but we had to remove the oil pump to replace the too short shaft – this can be done if you remove the clutch basket)
-Fuel system plumbing (we found that removing the fuel cell was the easiest way to install the in-tank fuel pump.)
-Car wiring. All existing wiring was removed at the start. Everything is new but the Dean modified bike-wiring harness.
-Data system installed and calibrated.
-Air box installed and rear body modified (hacked up, will be replaced/fixed eventually)

We learned a lot and wasted a good bit of time. There is always one or two AN fittings you discover that you need but didn’t order. You’re always waiting for parts. The UPS driver will become you next best friend.

Next car could be done in 40 to 50 hours. Photo of car with its very dorky (but effective) air box showing below.

Bill Maisey

[carnut169]

I believe Russ said it best... 80% done, 80% left to do.

The shining light at the end of the tunnel is that its well worth the effort. That air box looks very effective!

[glenn cooper]

Air Conditioning!

The car is looking nice. We all can't wait to hear how the first runs go.

BTW, I solved my hot garage w/ a window A/C unit, a circular saw, a few feet of 2x4's, and a jig saw. You can get some honkin huge A/C units for just a few - 3 hundred $'s...

Install a gable style exhaust fan as well. This will get all the hot air out so the A/C unit has an easier time of cooling the less hot air...

Back to racecar prep!

GC