The Ultimate Nova ???

[NOVA71]

OK, this is just for fun. If you could have the ultimate Nova, what would it be? What year, color, engine combo, modifications, etc, etc. Lets see what kind of killer Novas are in the makings.

[AlmostStock]

Fun thread, I hope others join in. My "ultimate Nova" would be a 68 2 door with a small block V-8. My engine would look very close to any base engine for that year, but have plenty of hidden power that would not be apparent upon inspection.

It would have 383 cubic inch displacement along with a little extra compression and a hotter cam. A nice two plane aluminum intake manifold would be used, but it would be painted Chevy orange along with the rest of the engine. An original 750 Rochester carb would be used, and tuned for best performance with the rest of the combo. A stock type air cleaner assembly would be used, along with a taller than stock filter to allow more airflow. Stock exhaust manifolds would be used, but they would have a light porting job inside to increase flow. Dual 2 1/2 inch pipes with mellow turbo mufflers would allow just a hint of the power on tap, without being too obnoxious. The distributor would look stock, but have a Pertronix igniter (or similar unit) and a quicker advance curve to allow for more performance.

The body would be all stock and finished in a factory color correct for 68. The wheels would be stock 14 inch diameter, but slightly wider, and finished in matching body color. Original "dog dish" hubcaps would be used, allowing a nice body color ring to show between the tire and hubcap, just like stock. The tires would be 60's series radials with red lines or white letters. The rear axle would have some type of positraction to assure power is transmitted to both tires on hard take offs.

Most importantly there would be no fancy mag wheels, no under hood chrome or braided lines, nothing that screams "Look! I'm a hot rod". Yet this combo would still produce close to 400 HP, sound sweet and have no problem surprising many cars that were souped up with fancy, "race" parts. Yes, my ultimate Nova would be kind of AlmostStock!

[71NOVA02]

Almost stock sound good but I would want a 350 with nice carb, intake, cam and heads with full roller valvetrain to make around 425+ horses.
A nice deep freeflowing exhaust is a must for me. I like the sound of the magnaflows I have on mine.
I would also like a nice 5, maybe even 6 speed manual tranny for freeways, nice cruising and slightly better gas mileage
posi is a must for my Nova
discs all the way around is also something I would like
slightly wider rear tires on some subtle rims - not too shiney but aggressive
other than that I just want to make my 71 clean in and out with metallic silver and deep blue paint. Perfection is in the details!!!

I am on my way but a still have a lot of work
thanks for the cool thread - ZACH

[1986Z28]

77' with a 540ci bbc with a 14-71 blower!

[Robs71Nova]

A 1969 Dark Green Yenko 427/M-21 purely because of the value.

[AlmostStock]

Com'on folks and build your ultimate Nova while it's still free!

OK, so I already built my "sleeper" above, which is pretty much the plan for the 74 that I actually own. Besides being great for everyday driving or long road trips, it will also be perfect for surprising unsuspecting would be "racers". (on the dragstrip only of course!)

But when Friday cruise night comes around, I'll need something with a lot more WOW factor. Enter a 60's style "gasser" Nova. This needs to be an early model because that's when gassers were popular on the strip. A high front end over a straight front axle would be mandatory, along with slicks and functional wheelie bars out back. Mechanical fuel injection would be a plus, along with all period correct parts. The only modern parts allowed would have to be hidden (internal engine parts) or safety items. All unnecessary components would be eliminated for less weight. This Nova would actually be pretty much a pure race car built to be street legal. Well, street legal as long as the cop was in a good mood any way.

Something like this:
http://superchevy.com/features/0309sc_gasser/

[NOVA71]

The Nova on the link is cool. Their used to be a white one around the same year with a solid front axle very similar to that around my area. It had some funky headers that curled up and out the backs of the front fenders with no exhaust at all (just the headers). Haven't seen it in a few years though.

As for my ultimate Nova, or should I say Novas. I'm thinking a pair of his and hers Novas since my wife likes them as well.

Hers would be a true 71 SS 350. Citrus Green with black interior and 14 inch 5 spoke SS rims. The original 350 would be stored away in the garage and a potent 383 would be in it's place with a TH400 trans and a 12 bolt posi with 373 gears. Something cranking out around 450 HP or so. It would have a hidden NOS cheater system installed underneath the aluminum Edelbrock air gap rpm intake to boost up the power by another 100-150 HP, big ceramic coated headers, flowmasters and big 3 inch tailpipes to give it a little rumble. Maybe some frame connectors, aluminum rad, high torque mini starter, AFR aluminum heads of course, full roller valvetrain, a solid roller Comp Cam(nothing too radical), a Demon carb, electric fan, a nice set of chevrolet valve covers, MSD ignition, etc., etc.. You know, it would look like a very nice stock Nova that sounded like it had a pretty good rumble to it.

His, or should I say mine, would be a Bahama Blue 1970 with black interior. This Nova is moving to the top of the food chain. Since 1970 was the last year for the big block in the Nova, it would only be fitting that it have the biggest block available. A nice fat 572 with lots of upgrades to get the power up around the 850hp mark. No NOS on this rig(yet), just all motor. It would have to be topped with a 4 or 5 inch cowl hood because it just gives a Nova that nasty look. Gotta have a Ford 9 inch with 411's to handle the abuse. The usual upgrades like frame connectors, traction bars, etc., etc., Maybe fiberglass front fenders to lighten up the front some, a 5 point harness for a little saftey, roll cage, fuel cell, most of the drag race stuff. No hugh slicks though, I'm not into that look. It would have to be mini-tubbed though to fit some wide street tires on her (and the occasional pair of slicks for track use only) and maybe some flashy rims like a set of polished aluminum torque thrust II's 15 x 10's. Have to have a hugh stereo system for this one in order to hear it over the hugh rumble of the engine. You know this is the car that you hear coming down the road from miles away.

Well, they are my 2 ultimates. Although the his version would be great, I think the hers version is a little more practical.

[1986Z28]

glas to see your back rob, was your nova salvageable

[brady_381need72c10]

mine would be a 1972 dark blue with a 350 with a edelbrock intake, double pumper carb, and edelbrock everything else and with a stock ride height and ralley wheels, etc...

[brady_381need72c10]

forgot to mention that my uncle had one just like it one time!

[yellowbeard]

hey guys, it would be a 64 2dr,hardtop ss silver with black interior, has to have 327 with nice exhaust sys, and a set of old slotted mags. I guess I'm old school.

[NOVA71]

I'm really suprised more people haven't voted for the 66-67's. I kinda thought more people liked those more than the 68-74's. A guy I know has a gold 67 SS with the L-79 327, all original, and it's some nice car.

[brian70]

All right guys, all those cars are cool but check this out. How about a 70, all original interior and body all the way down to the trim. Underneath would be the neat part. Tubular control arms, over sized disc brakes front and rear. Rack and pinion steering. Close ratio steering box. 16 or 17 inch ralley wheels with rings and caps. Mr. Beefy sway bars front and rear. Air conditioning. Fuel injected big block with an overdrive automatic. What I would like to see is modern day engineering wrapped up in grandmas grocery getter doing 10's in the quarter.

[sub006]

My son has a '63 Chevy II 100 two-door post with a 388, Art Carr 350 trans, Chevelle front discs, frame connectors, bench seat, 3.55 Chrysler posi rear with huge brake drums, filled gas door (fuel cell in trunk) 15x4 Torq-Thrusts in front and 15x7 Torq-Thrusts (Chrysler/Ford bolt pattern) in the rear. It's painted a metallic aqua with lots of clear mixed in.

The car above is nice and will burn rubber for a block but only gets maybe 6 mpg. I told him he's got too much power and to put in a milder cam that would double the mileage. He won't so it ventures out at most once a month,

MY dream Nova would be a '64 wagon with a bolt-on subframe conversion, discs, power steering and brakes, air and a nice custom cloth interior. It could be a four-speed overdrive auto or a five-speed overdrive stick. Engine could be anything from 283 to 350, even a six or aluminum 215 Buick.

My son's 388 came out of my '64 'Vette. The Corvette is slated for a 500 Cadillac, so you see I have wide-angle vision when it comes to engines. I always wanted to drop a built Honda four, six or SUV eight in a '69 Camaro just to blow minds at Chevy shows!

[450HP]

Originally Posted by Robs71Nova

A 1969 Dark Green Yenko 427/M-21 purely because of the value.

I would have to agree with Rob... however green wouldn't have been my first color choice though!

Next would have to be a Dick Harrell Nova (believe them to be a 71, correct?).

Scott