General info on a HA Viva please.

[methodz100]

Hey all.

I am looking at buying a 65 HA at the moment. I will be buying the car for my girlfriend as she has grown a liking to it. I am just wondering what kind of things cause problems with these cars and where to look when buying it. I am not to familiar with the car but I have owned 2 chevettes in the last few years. From my experiance with the chevette engine i am hoping the ha has a differant engine? What type of engine conversion would be the easiest for into this car. Ie bedford??? Also what brake conversions are out there for it?

Basically i want to know that if i buy the car and the engine poops out howeasy will it be to put a differant engine in there. Im not talking new engine. just something a bit more peppy than the 1100.

Hope someone can help.
Gareth.

[Vivanuts Glenn]

basically the 1057 and 1256 engines are the same the only thing you will have to do when changing it is transfer your clutch and flywheel over from the 1057 engine as the chevette engine will have a different clutch and uses a pre engaged starter

the main thing to look for on the viva HA is rust check the condition of the front wings, rear arches rear wing cappings bottom of the doors and it the boot round where spare wheel and fuel tank sits

Glenn Birch
HA125

[methodz100]

thanks for that info very handy. So what would be the next engine upgrade from there? is there any 1500 or 1600cc engines that will bolt in easy?

[Sid]

I'm no HA expert but I've seen a Ford 1600 X-flow in a HA. It looked to fit comfortably and seems the obvious choice for a simple HA
upgrade.
I think most decent capacity Vauxhall/opel engines are probably a bit big for the HA's engine bay.

Sid

[Sid]

I should just add that a *stock* 1600 X-flow will barely make the car any quicker than the Vauxhall 1256.
To get worthwile power from the X-flow needs a twin-choke weber, tubular exhaust manifold, and a change of cam, but with those
simple mods alone it's good for over 100bhp which is plenty for a HA.

Sid

[Vivanuts Glenn]

to be perfectly honest i wouldnt bother putting in a different engine as it
would involve quite a lot of cutting about if you were going to fit another
engine in a ha i would consider putting in a 1159 engine from a viva hob
myself my wifes car has got one in her ha and it flies like a rocket, i
wouldn't fit 1256cc chevette engine as they are quite sluggish and quite
heavy because of a heavier crankshaft
----- Original Message -----
From: "methodz100" <methodz100@hotmail.com>
To: <mechanicalhelp@vauxhallviva.com>
Sent: Monday, January 23, 2006 10:40 AM
Subject: General info on a HA Viva please.


>
> thanks for that info very handy. So what would be the next engine upgrade
> from there? is there any 1500 or 1600cc engines that will bolt in easy?
> _________________________________________________________
> This email was sent from the vauxhall viva owners club forum
> Visit us at www.vauxhallviva.com



This post was made via email to the Vauxhall Viva Owners Club
Visit us at www.vauxhallviva.com

[methodz100]

I should just add that a *stock* 1600 X-flow will barely make the car any quicker than the Vauxhall 1256.
To get worthwile power from the X-flow needs a twin-choke weber, tubular exhaust manifold, and a change of cam, but with those
simple mods alone it's good for over 100bhp which is plenty for a HA.

Sid

thats good im actually a ford boy and have a GT kent crossflow sitting in the garage. But i dont think i would cut anything just for a little more power.

[methodz100]

to be perfectly honest i wouldnt bother putting in a different engine as it
would involve quite a lot of cutting about if you were going to fit another
engine in a ha i would consider putting in a 1159 engine from a viva hob
myself my wifes car has got one in her ha and it flies like a rocket, i
wouldn't fit 1256cc chevette engine as they are quite sluggish and quite
heavy because of a heavier crankshaft
om

As above i dont really want to cut anything in the engine bay that canot go back to standard.

Have just taken then car for its warrent of fitness. It has failed on small things like rear brakes not pulling up even and no horn. Easy fixes. While i was looking at the brakes i was thinking of an upgrade. were to from here?

On another note I forgot to have a look at the front suspension. I believe they are a double wishbone suspension. How do you go about lowering these cars?

Thanks.
Gareth