"Plain Jane" 1970 Nova Build

[EZ Nova]

Napa, what do you figure this motor is making Hp and Tq wise?

[Too Many Projects]

"I also have to be honest with myself how often I am going to use the car at it's potential?"


I feel this is the first, and biggest, question you need to come to terms with and work from that.
Honestly ? I don't see you getting crazy and possibly crashing the car, so using the "potential" will be minimal.

If the current engine is not easily and economically feasible to de-tune to a more un-beastly and manual transmission friendly state, pickle it and the TH and install a healthy big block and manual that fits the tunnel and will handle that power level. The only extra cost downside will be another driveshaft to handle 600 +/- hp, torque and critical speed of the rpm the shaft will encounter at the given red line of the engine. You'll always have the beast waiting in the corner for whatever the future holds.
Good luck with your decision...

[napa68]

Originally Posted by EZ Nova

Tim, what is the Hp and Tq rating on this engine?

Originally Posted by napa68

The better part of 800hp

Originally Posted by EZ Nova

Napa, what do you figure this motor is making Hp and Tq wise?

The better part of 800

[EZ Nova]

Ok I figured about 760Hp and 730/750Tq.

[EZ Nova]

Napa, just get put and use that beauty and see how you like it. Wayne built it with drag race inspired driving with the shocks suspension engine and trans stuff. But car will get kicked out of every track for no roll bar or cage.

BUT you could look at Killgore shifters and try their lightning rods? You could shift like a 4 sp, wife can drive it? Just another option.

[DW31S]

We run Jerico 4-speeds and although the company itself is struggling, there are sources for parts. The Achilles Heel in the DR4 is the 3-4 shift fork finger but they are readily available from Magnus Performance in N.C. I’ve dealt with Mike at Magnus and do recommend him. We also run the Long inline shifters and recommend them. As for clutches, I run a McLeod Soft-Lok fully adjustable and the rest of the team uses Boninfante products. Changing that Nova to a bulletproof stick isn’t insurmountable, but it will be pricey. I know the floor is an important part of the equation, but if you really plan to beat the snot out of it as we do, I’d suggest at least a G-Force or even a Liberty. Most of Hemi guys run Liberty stuff and rarely do they have issues, but they don’t have stock tunnels. Lots to consider besides just the trans itself in terms of safety and rigidity, especially if that car doesn’t have a cage (can’t remember for sure, but I don’t think it does). Dropping the hammer with that much power in a car without proper chassis set-up is gonna create a lot of twisting if you get it to hook. Wayne is an old racer, and I’m sure he would agree.

[napa68]

Originally Posted by DW31S

Dropping the hammer with that much power in a car without proper chassis set-up is gonna create a lot of twisting if you get it to hook. Wayne is an old racer, and I’m sure he would agree.

I agree. As I vaguely touched on, there would be more to the car than just the trans. I figured a 6pt. bar would be in order so the doors shut in the future. The body lines on the car are way too nice to not address the chassis some more. One of my friends used to be a fabricator for Jeg Coughlin (he has his own shop now). I know he can fab up a really discreet bar for it, but it all comes with a price.

[dykstra]

Originally Posted by napa68

I have one remaining thought in the back of my head about the combination in the Nova, and that revolves around Tracey. I have the unicorn of a wife that actually likes these types of cars, and wants to drive them. She could handle the 422 powered 67 Nova (600hp) I used to have, but also made it clear she was not a big fan of the ram rod when I had it in there. While this sounds kind of morbid, I wonder if something happened to me, which cars would she keep? She digs this Nova almost as much as I do. I did get a bit of a stink eye from her when I showed her the M23 with the Long "ram rod"

She can certainly handle the TH400, and can handle a trans with synchro's. The faceplated thing, that may be where the line is. I have not had a problem with finding my way around synchro tranny's before, I just have not had a car at this power level. I also have to be honest with myself how often I am going to use the car at it's potential?

There's a joke in there somewhere.......

[cheveslakr]

Not a nova guy, but the second gen novas were built with a b-pillar much should make the body perform like a chevelle sedan, which is a big advantage to the twisting of the hardtops.

[Too Many Projects]

Originally Posted by dykstra

There's a joke in there somewhere.......

Bit of a "smut head" aren't you ??


I knew I liked you...