L78 Nova needs to get out more

[BlackL78M22Nova]

It was 70 today in So Cal, I was on vacation and just got done reading a post about not driving the cars enough.

That was it. Went out to the garage and looked at my L78 Nova that had not got out enough recently. Pulled the cover, connected the battery, fired it up. Man it sounded good. Headed out for some light driving which is the norm. Decided to give the matching numbers engine a little more than the usual 2500 - 3000 RPM it has got used to over the years on the 19,000 original miles it has traveled. So headed to an open road near San Juan Capistrano and came to a stop. Reminded myself not to get too crazy here so I told myself I was going to hold at 4800 RPM which is nicely in the power curve. Dropped the hammer leaving a little rubber from the old polyglass and heard the loud whine of the M22, grabbed a hard 2nd at about 4500 and did the same for 3rd. The beast pulled so strong. Brought back memories of racing back at Dragway 42 in West Salem, OH. Kept the sanity and held off getting anywhere near the redline. Drove easy for another 20 miles receiving a lot of thumbs up. (I know some of you thought I was going to tell you I scattered the matching number engine sending a rod through the hood, sorry!)

Told myself, I am going to do this more often! Get em out and enjoy! Mark http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2016/12/full-8720-55075-img_0542.jpg
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2016/12/full-8720-55076-img_0544.jpg
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2016/12/full-8720-55077-img_0481.jpg

[markinnaples]

Awesome. That's what they were made for, glad you're going to use it more. Beautiful Nova, and I'm glad you didn't break anything. Good New Year resolution to drive it more.

[Salvatore]

You are my hero Mark! Life is Good especially where you live and how nice your weather is. Do this again and report back to us.Looks like a real nice place you have too.
Drive em!!!

[vince]

beautiful nova <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/burnout.gif

[tunes]

Great looking Nova! It makes me want to get my Chevelle out for a little drive. <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/3gears.gif

[earntaz]

And your legs were shaking from the adrenline ... right? Awesome feeling! TAZ <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif

[BlackL78M22Nova]

You nailed that perfect Taz. Great feeling. Like I said, took me back to the feeling at the track days when you drove it like you stole it.....and then reality sets in

[BlackL78M22Nova]

Do it!

[JRSully]

If you want to drive slow, take the family sedan for a ride. Hammer it every now and then! The weak link in these engines from the factory were the valve keepers, not that I want to blow my original engine, but I do have a NOS CE '70 854 block in the corner of my garage! (hopefully never need it). Like Uncle Fester from the Addams family once said, &quot;I know the combination to the family safe, but is so much more fun blowin it!&quot;

[mockingbird812]

That is a good looking ride. Glad you had a blast and thanks for sharin'!!!! <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/3gears.gif

[WILMASBOYL78]

Wow...very nice. We have it's twin brother in the 70 model.

Enjoy <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/worship.gif <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif

-wilma

[BlackL78M22Nova]

Thanks. I have seen the really nice Nova's you have as well. Love the original stuff.

[brent396]

Very nice <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/3gears.gif

[Salvatore]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: JRSully</div><div class="ubbcode-body">If you want to drive slow, take the family sedan for a ride. Hammer it every now and then! The weak link in these engines from the factory were the valve keepers, not that I want to blow my original engine, but I do have a NOS CE '70 854 block in the corner of my garage! (hopefully never need it). Like Uncle Fester from the Addams family once said, &quot;I know the combination to the family safe, but is so much more fun blowin it!&quot; </div></div>


take it from this guy Mark. He shows it NO mercy but it is the cleanest, baddest nova on Long Island! if you can't drive a car in Southern Cal, there is no hope!

[Eck]

Real beauty Mark...

[CamaroNOS]

Do me a favour......next time you head out, try and bring a GoPro camera. We haven't heard the whine of a big block or M22 for several months up here in the Great White North.

Your story gave me goose bumps!

Paul

[Mr. Chevy]

Very cool.. An Ohio sold car??

Rich

[Schonyenko2]

Nice Nova!!

[Crush]

Very nice! Love to see pics of interior

[BlackL78M22Nova]

Thanks for the nice comments everyone. Good thing I got out as the rains(Which we need badly) have arrived for a few days in So Cal.

[BlackL78M22Nova]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Mr. Chevy</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Very cool.. An Ohio sold car??

Rich </div></div>

Hi Rich. Yes. Was sold new at West Chevrolet in Mogadore. Was in Ohio until I moved to California in 1996.

[BlackL78M22Nova]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: CamaroNOS</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Do me a favour......next time you head out, try and bring a GoPro camera. We haven't heard the whine of a big block or M22 for several months up here in the Great White North.

Your story gave me goose bumps!

Paul</div></div>

Will do Paul. The whine of the M22 actually drowns out the L78 in first gear! Thanks for the nice comments.

[BlackL78M22Nova]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Crush</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Very nice! Love to see pics of interior </div></div>

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2016/12/full-8720-55374-img_0254.jpg
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2016/12/full-8720-55377-nova_interior.jpg
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2016/12/full-8720-55378-nova_interior1.jpg

Hey Crush. Thanks. I posted a few that I had handy. In process of moving files. BORING 731 interior, but the way I like it. Rubber mat car, bench seat. Only options on interior was remote driver mirror.(Original owner was a big dude that needed the remote mirror to see out!) Mark

[cwc]

Very nice! What's the build date on your car?I have a triple black 69 L78.i have found 2 other black cars built same week as mine

[Mr.Nickey Nova]

Very nice car you have Mark. Would look good in my garage next to my 70 L34. You should get it out more often, life is too short...

[BlackL78M22Nova]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: cwc</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Very nice! What's the build date on your car?I have a triple black 69 L78.i have found 2 other black cars built same week as mine</div></div>

Thanks. Third week of May(05C) What was your date? http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2016/12/full-8720-55380-img_0473.jpg

[CamaroNOS]

Will look forward to the ride......thanks.

Happy New Year to all!!!!

Paul

[BlackL78M22Nova]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Mr.Nickey Nova</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Very nice car you have Mark. Would look good in my garage next to my 70 L34. You should get it out more often, life is too short...</div></div>

Thanks the plan <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif Thanks!

[duskblue]

Nice Car

[NorCam]

Great car and loved seeing someone get out. In Western Canada we've had more cold and snow than in recent years and last night we got another 3&quot; to give is a base of about 15&quot; now. Another 90 days until this region gets it's typical early spring and any thoughts of getting the cars out for a rip are anywhere near a reality. Last time I was out was the end of November.

Thanks for the pics...now I need to see some Video <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/3gears.gif

[cwc]

mine is 04c. triple black with deluxe bench seat

[BlackL78M22Nova]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: cwc</div><div class="ubbcode-body">mine is 04c. triple black with deluxe bench seat</div></div>

Sounds nice CWC. You got the luxury carpet and I got the poverty mat!LOL

[MagicRatt]

Sometimes you just gotta say WTF........and let it rip. I been running my L78 Camaro hard for years. That motor has seen 7500 on occasion. It's built for it.....

[SeattleCarGuy]

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2017/01/full-5898-55811-047.jpg
Took my daughter out for a ride a few months back, but she only saw about 4000 rpm...

Beautiful Nova you have!

[396L78canuck]

Nice 69 396 Nova!

[Salvatore]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: MagicRatt</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Sometimes you just gotta say WTF........and let it rip. I been running my L78 Camaro hard for years. That motor has seen 7500 on occasion. It's built for it.....</div></div>

There you go Rich! We can treat these cars real nice and still drive them. Clean the cob webs out.

[BlackL78M22Nova]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: SeattleCarGuy</div><div class="ubbcode-body">http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2017/01/full-5898-55811-047.jpg
Took my daughter out for a ride a few months back, but she only saw about 4000 rpm...

Beautiful Nova you have!</div></div>

Thanks. Would be a great picture of your 50/50 Dover White next to my 10/10 Black!

[BlackL78M22Nova]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: [email protected]</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: MagicRatt</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Sometimes you just gotta say WTF........and let it rip. I been running my L78 Camaro hard for years. That motor has seen 7500 on occasion. It's built for it.....</div></div>

There you go Rich! We can treat these cars real nice and still drive them. Clean the cob webs out. </div></div>

Been a while but other than Sunoco race gas, this is the time slip from one of the last runs I did at the old Pomona Street Legal drags. Ran a strong 13.03 @112 like she sits. Shifted at about 6. Decent 60 foot on polyglass. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2017/01/full-8720-55839-time_slip_pomona1.png

[WILMASBOYL78]

<span style="font-size: 11pt">A '13 Second Grocery Getter'.. <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif </span>

[earntaz]

Nothing wrong with that. A 13 second TRUE street machine is great!! TAZ