New shop car and its not a Camaro!

[Musclerodz]

Well after 19 years I do not currently own a first gen Camaro. I might start having withdrawls at some point, but right now perfectly happy with it. About a month ago I made a deal on my 69 Camaro convertible. We made a few changes for the new owner and last week it was delivered.

http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/s720x720/551187_458407020866775_582603146_n.jpg

On the same day, I picked up this jewel.....

http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/376698_458407917533352_497245344_n.jpg

The good part about this is it does not have fresh paint so no worries about rock chips and bugs, and alrady has a bunch of mods done to it that make it fun to drive, but anyone that knows me well will testify I will eventually rip this car apart and start over, not matter how nice it is.:willy:

Qick run down on it as follows:

LS1/4l60e from 2001 Camaro
Heidts front clip
current performance wiring
vintage air gen iv
slight minitub not DSE
2 link ladder bar style suspension
18x7 and 18x9.5 Coys on BFG rubber.

Already getting a few parts in for the initial changes. Some major changes will come to the car this winter and will update as we progress. Goal for now is to keep it on the streets and not turn it into a work bench at the shop.

[Musclerodz]

http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc6/s720x720/217876_458409547533189_2064099016_n.jpg

http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/313656_458409594199851_1257168270_n.jpg

http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/255353_458409720866505_652806298_n.jpg

[Bucketlist2012]

Sweet Nova...:thumbsup:

[intocarss]

I like it!!!!! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[coolwelder62]

Very Nice.:thumbsup: :thumbsup: I would replace the Strange coil over's W/ some RideTech Or JRI's.

[Ron in SoCal]

Nice Mike...:thumbsup:

Finish this sentance: First thing I'm going to change is '.................' :captain:

[HRBS]

Congrats on both Mike !

[Musclerodz]

Very Nice.:thumbsup: :thumbsup: I would replace the Strange coil over's W/ some RideTech Or JRI's.

The plan is full DSE suspension this winter. Ride is suprisingly nice. If I did not know any better I would probably never touch it.

[Musclerodz]

Nice Mike...:thumbsup:

Finish this sentance: First thing I'm going to change is '.................' :captain:

NOT EVERYTHING AT ONCE!

[Steve68]

I'd change the wheels, 5 spd it, drive the mo fuggin wheels off it!!!

[GregWeld]

I think the '66/'67 Nova is probably the only car I really like better than a '69 Camaro...

This will be fun watching! Think you can have it completely re-done by SEMA THIS YEAR? :rofl: Well... what are you waiting for!

[Track Junky]

Looks like a clean ride. Race seats, a cage, manual trans, and a bit of suspension work and you should be good to go :thumbsup:

[MillerBuilt]

I cannot say I do not enjoy a good Camaro build, but I will always enjoy the 62-67 Novas better..... your 67 Nova is a beaut :hail: !

[kovert]

good deal i choose the nova over the camaro too!!!

selling my 69 camaro to finish my 67 nova currently :)

:woot:

how does that heidts subframe handle?? i got the heidts super ride2 one on mine and have been thinking of changing to a dse or roadstershop one ...

[DFRESH]

That's awesome Mike! Going from a black car to a white one will also be a relief I would imagine. Especially for a shop car. Congrats on the purchase--it's a great looking car--try to leave it alone and enjoy it as much as possible.

Doug

[waynieZ]

Nice looking Nova, my favorite yrs 66-67. It should be a great project.

[Musclerodz]

good deal i choose the nova over the camaro too!!!

selling my 69 camaro to finish my 67 nova currently :)

:woot:

how does that heidts subframe handle?? i got the heidts super ride2 one on mine and have been thinking of changing to a dse or roadstershop one ...

Ride QUALITY I am impressed with how nice it rides down the road. I am fairly certain it is their base sub with non adjustable coil overs. I have not pushed it yet in the corners, little leary of the diameter on the diagonal link brace which I will probably upsize before RTTH just to be safe. Is it going to be competitive, I doubt it, but sure is fun to drive.

[Musclerodz]

That's awesome Mike! Going from a black car to a white one will also be a relief I would imagine. Especially for a shop car. Congrats on the purchase--it's a great looking car--try to leave it alone and enjoy it as much as possible.

Doug

No crap on the black paint. I just looked at it and it got scratched. I hated keeping it clean, probably why I never drove it.

http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/551245_458458877528256_1119434417_n.jpg

[Lenie]

Great choice Mike, really like the 66-67 Nova's! I wouldn't touch it, just get in and enjoy.:yes:

[Flash68]

Nice. Great find. Who needs a Camaro anyway?

[Frankenstine]

Freeeking Mirriors, What Balck car is the picture taken of. that is an awsome paint job on that car, DAYUM,:thumbsup: :bow: :hail:

[Musclerodz]

Freeeking Mirriors, What Balck car is the picture taken of. that is an awsome paint job on that car, DAYUM,:thumbsup: :bow: :hail:off the 69 vert pictured at the top of this thread.

[tones2SS]

Nice Nova. I love that year/style. Looks great.

[youthpastor]

nice- it is going to be fun to see what you do with this one

[Musclerodz]

I have put several hundred miles on the car now, and figuring out what i like, don't like, and what it needs. And what it needs is a tune bad! Car runs great, but just does not feel like it has the power it should have down low. Cars pulls strong above 3000 but down low, felt like timing was backed off to run 87 octane and the water temp reflected it since it runs ICE COLD. So I stopped by our local tuner to see what was in the computer. What I found out today is we have an 02 computer with a STOCK tune, and when I mean stock, they removed nothing but the VATS. Rear o2's still on, cats still on, 100% factory settings. No timing down low and pig rich up top. So, hopefully by the weekend, we will have a good street tune on the car.

[Cole]

That'll do it... Let us know what it lays down!

[Musclerodz]

Small updates on the Nova. Installed Digi-tails new LED taillights for Novas, LED reverse lights, dome light, and park lights. Just finishing installing MODO Innovations trunk release kit for Novas, also installed the new Marquez mirror, DSE hood latch pin, and Fesler hood stops. Another round of small stuff on order, will update once parts start arriving.

http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/s720x720/523234_465921096782034_1584522438_n.jpg
http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/303639_466277440079733_1868000030_n.jpg
http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/558578_466277606746383_61605929_n.jpg

[70rs]

Nice Nova Mike. How'd the tune work out?

[Musclerodz]

Nice Nova Mike. How'd the tune work out?

Still waiting on the tuner to schedule it in. He has been busy. Suppose to have it done no later than first of next week.

[Musclerodz]

Finally got the Nova tuned this morning. On a stingy Mustang dyno, it base lined at 280 rwp with S&P headers, Spectre air filter, Flowmasters with "H" pipe, and bone stock tune. Much better than I was expecting. After tune, we got it right at 300 rwhp, roughly 310 tq if I remember right. Best fix was correcting the rear gear ratio and tire size in the computer, tranny shifts alot better now. Not bad considering I know I could run it down the street to a loose Dynojet Dyno and probably see 340 ish if it was a numbers game for me.

This weekend I have to tear it down a completely rewire it, reroute the fuel system, change out the Flowmasters for an X pipe and Magnaflows or Borlas, Regear it to 3.50, and install new axle bearings and seals, and fix anything else I find wrong. Plan is to have it back together and drive it to Dallas Goodguys in 2 weeks. :_paranoid

[Frankenstine]

Really Nice Nova, you mentioned going to RTTH on post #17, you going to bring the Nova???:thumbsup:

[Musclerodz]

Really Nice Nova, you mentioned going to RTTH on post #17, you going to bring the Nova???:thumbsup:

I was, but my daughter has high school cheer regional competition this weekend and state next weekend so I will not be making it to RTTH unfortunately. It sucks not going, but family first.