An update on the 63 Nova

[slow4dr]

I found Steve's Nova Site recently so I've been neglecting updating you guys for a few months.

I pieced together the 3-link suspension using Competition Engineering sub frame connectors and ladder-bar cross member.

I am still undecided on what engine to use but I have decided that if the car in fact weighs less than 2500# with me in it I will shoot for 400WHP. So, I have been looking more closely at the possibility of a naturally aspirated LSx. I have even kicked around the idea of running the 4.8 truck engine.

I purchased a one piece fiberglass front end, hood, decklid and rear bumper as well as a 10 point cage. I will be picking up the wheels/tires very soon so I should have full body, ride height pics there after.






I just received this from Jim @ http://fays2.net/ last night so the wife won't see much of me this weekend. ;) Jim is a great guy and a pleasure to deal with. :thumbsup:


http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e260/slow4dr/101_0510.jpg

-J

[Sales@Dutchboys]

3-link will be sweet.

Steves nova site is a good site too!

[novanutcase]

Nice Brother! IMO if your going to go LSx I wouldn't go with the Truck one. They're iron blocks which means that you're adding extra weight needlessly! Go with an aluminum LS1. They're plentiful and fairly cheap and you can make 400 RWHP fairly easily. LS6 Heads, Comp cam, FAST intake and your definitely there! See how easy that was now go get your checkbook! :P

[cykotic]

This is all you need right here bro. Stroked LS2 and then just slap on some AFR Heads and a fast intake, and you're good to go.

http://www.slponline.com/view_product.asp?P=12412M&BIG=12412M-1

[slow4dr]

The challenge with the engine will be the budget, and by challenge I mean CHALLENGE and by budget I mean $5000.

I will have to find a very cheap donor engine to pull it off with a LSx. If I look at non GM engines it opens up quite a few options but I think I will stick with GM for now.


:thumbsup: to those that remember what I originally had in the car :lol:

[novanutcase]

Well if money is an issue then I would look at the November(?) issue of PHR.
They did a budget build that yielded VERY nice hp numbers! Check it out! :D
It's not an LSx but in my opinion the only reason to go LSx is to run with EFI. You can make the same power for much cheaper with a 350 small block!

[novanutcase]

This is all you need right here bro. Stroked LS2 and then just slap on some AFR Heads and a fast intake, and you're good to go.

http://www.slponline.com/view_product.asp?P=12412M&BIG=12412M-1

DAMN!!!! That block looks SICK! DAMMIT!!! Now I won't settle for just a crate LS2!!! :lol:

[slow4dr]

Well if money is an issue then I would look at the November(?) issue of PHR.
They did a budget build that yielded VERY nice hp numbers! Check it out! :D
It's not an LSx but in my opinion the only reason to go LSx is to run with EFI. You can make the same power for much cheaper with a 350 small block!

If I go V8 it will be a EFI LSx. I know me and if I go with a traditional 1st gen SBC I will be bugging Gale for a TT kit. That engine build alone will surely put me over budget both financially and power goal. If I can find a LS1/T56 complete for under $3000 I think I could make it work.

The other option is still in the back of my mind which is the ecotec. We bought into about 50 LSJ(2.0 S/C) engines from GM a few months back for pretty darn cheap. I could damn near sell the S/C set-up for what I would pay for the complete engine. The RWD Solstice transmission will bolt right up as well. I have access to all things turbo so I can get good deals on what I would need to make 400WHP.

[rwhite692]

Jason...Just to be on the safe side...I would ditch the "nylock" nuts and switch to drilled bolts / castle nuts / cotter pins...just my $.02 - Rob

[slow4dr]

Jason...Just to be on the safe side...I would ditch the "nylock" nuts and switch to drilled bolts / castle nuts / cotter pins...just my $.02 - Rob



Good idea! :thumbsup:

That reminds me of the motorcycle days back at Chaparral and the safety wire we used.

[slow4dr]

patience > me





I started to make the support for the bell crank bracket tonight.

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e260/slow4dr/101_0513.jpg




cross member moched up prior to the bracket

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e260/slow4dr/101_0512.jpg



:_paranoid Do you guys think the bungee cords are strong enough? :lol:

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e260/slow4dr/101_0518.jpg

[slow4dr]

If I can find a LS1/T56 complete for under $3000 I think I could make it work.


^^^^^^yeah that :D



http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e260/slow4dr/100_0744.jpg

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e260/slow4dr/100_0745.jpg

[slow4dr]

I got the motor mounts finished up a few weeks back.

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e260/slow4dr/100_0808.jpg
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e260/slow4dr/100_0809.jpg
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e260/slow4dr/100_0804.jpg



Slowly but surely it's coming together.

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e260/slow4dr/100_0812.jpg

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e260/slow4dr/100_0811.jpg

[novanutcase]

Woohoo!!!! Looking good Bro!! Got your PM! Just let me know when or if your ready!

John

[71Nova]

That is looking great!!

[black2002ls]

looks great. are those C6 Z06 wheels?

[Steve Chryssos]

Looks great. I'm really enjoying all of these hardcore duece's!! :yes:

[slow4dr]

Woohoo!!!! Looking good Bro!! Got your PM! Just let me know when or if your ready!

John

:thumbsup: Thanks again John! I'm doing some test fitment this evening so I'll keep you posted.

That is looking great!!
Looks great. I'm really enjoying all of these hardcore duece's!! :yes:

Thanks guys!


looks great. are those C6 Z06 wheels?

They are a replica of the C6Z wheels made by a company called ACE and the wheel name is "slick". http://www.acealloywheel.com/

[p_call]

Awesome! I love those engine mounts. They look really great.

[slow4dr]

mounting the Competition Engineering sway bar

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e260/slow4dr/101_0845.jpg
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e260/slow4dr/101_0844.jpg
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e260/slow4dr/101_0843.jpg
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e260/slow4dr/101_0841.jpg

[slow4dr]

I added this under dash bar to drop the steering column angle and to tighten up the chassis a little more.

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e260/slow4dr/101_0846.jpg
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e260/slow4dr/101_0847.jpg
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e260/slow4dr/101_0848.jpg
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e260/slow4dr/101_0850.jpg

View from the other side
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e260/slow4dr/101_0849.jpg

[slow4dr]

I finally added the down bars as well. Pay no attention to the temporary steering arm.
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e260/slow4dr/101_0851.jpg
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e260/slow4dr/101_0852.jpg
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e260/slow4dr/101_0853.jpg
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e260/slow4dr/101_0855.jpg

[novanutcase]

Ya must've measured twice.........

John

[slow4dr]

:cheers:


I was fully prepared to go buy another stick of tubing. :lol:

[87wildside]

How did you go about getting just the Watt's link setup from Fays2? I want exactly what you have but couldn't find it on the site.

BTW, cool build :thumbsup:

[slow4dr]

How did you go about getting just the Watt's link setup from Fays2? I want exactly what you have but couldn't find it on the site.

BTW, cool build :thumbsup:



Thanks! I gave Jim a call and he worked out a great deal on just the parts I needed. He even made custom length arms for me. :thumbsup:

[G-Body]

looking good great work love the transition bend in the front bars in the engine compartment great stuff

[87wildside]

Thanks! I gave Jim a call and he worked out a great deal on just the parts I needed. He even made custom length arms for me. :thumbsup:Thank you very much!

[p_call]

NICE NICE NICE!!!

I love the bends on the down tubes and the sway bar looks like it was made to go in there. Great looking work!

[slow4dr]

I have been brainstorming on how to run a shock tower brace. I really like John's but I think I will stick with something tubular. I am hoping to make a cross over tube and tie in the shock mounts to the downtubes.

I am thinking about making something like this for the cross over I am just unsure on how to connect it to the down tubes without butchering it.

http://www.granatellimotorsports.com/images/artlr/GM-STB0507-Dsmall.jpg

[race-rodz]

how about some of those bolt in door bar clevis parts.... nice/clean/removable

[slow4dr]

how about some of those bolt in door bar clevis parts.... nice/clean/removable


:woot: That's a GREAT idea. :thumbsup: Now I just need to mount the alternator and begin planning it out.

[slow4dr]

I finally got the tranny cross member finished. It tucks up about 2" higher than the glide member that was in it.


Here is the rearview, the angle is misleading but the bottom of the new cross member and tranny case is almost perfectly even with the height of the body line.

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e260/slow4dr/101_0884.jpg


From the side you can see the stock member hanging below the body but the new one is out of sight.

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e260/slow4dr/101_0879.jpg

[p_call]

Once again, great looking fab work. I may have missed this earlier, but is that a one piece fiberglass front end you have? How much weight do you think you saved with it?

[slow4dr]

Once again, great looking fab work. I may have missed this earlier, but is that a one piece fiberglass front end you have? How much weight do you think you saved with it?



Yeah, it's a one piece. I haven't made mounts for it yet so I am constantly taking it off. I am not sure how much weight it saved but it is easy to move around the garage. :unibrow: :lol:

[slow4dr]

copy & paste from Steve's Nova Site


I have been thinking real hard about where this project is going to go once it is running. Here is my problem, I get used to power production very quickly and I am worried about getting bored with it. Now I know the car is probably going to be faster than anything I've ever owned before(previous quickest was a 12.1 car on street tires). Not that this car is being set up to drag race but I still like that 0-100 acceleration. I looked at some basic bolt-ons like an LS6 intake, big cam and even a set of Patriot heads. These parts will easily top $1500 so on my tight budget they aren't really an option right now. So I thought to myself, "just get the car running and then when you get bored with it go ahead and get the upgraded parts at that time". Well therein lies the problem. How long before I get bored with the extra 50WHP those items have added? Because after those items have been purchased the next step up in performance gets VERY expensive. There has been one other problem I've been facing lately and that is the routing of the headers in the small confines of this chassis. Making long tubes is possible but they will create some major ground clearance issues.



SOOOOOOOOOOO without further adeu I give you pics of my solution :lol:

















http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e260/slow4dr/101_0904.jpg
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e260/slow4dr/101_0903.jpg
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e260/slow4dr/101_0896.jpg
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e260/slow4dr/101_0897.jpg

[slow4dr]

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e260/slow4dr/101_0900.jpg
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e260/slow4dr/101_0899.jpg

[p_call]

WOW!

I would love to have that hanging on the front of my engine!

I thought you were doing a "low budget" build?

[slow4dr]

WOW!

I would love to have that hanging on the front of my engine!

I thought you were doing a "low budget" build?

Well, I probably won't be able to afford double adjustable shocks now. :lol: I am still shooting to keep the project budget under $15K. :thumbsup:

I bought the CHRA a few years ago for $250 when I had the 2JZ and I just picked up the housings for $190. Those tubes, pipes, and clamps were plucked out of the recycle bin at work.

[race-rodz]

Those tubes, pipes, and clamps were plucked out of the recycle bin at work.


i will give ya a set of shocks of you can find one of those TT Duramax projects in the recycle bin.:unibrow:

[slow4dr]

i will give ya a set of shocks of you can find one of those TT Duramax projects in the recycle bin.:unibrow:


*pushes the S-10 out to the recycle bin

[novanutcase]

Can't wait to see it together! Looks GREAT!!!

John

[kadettcqp]

Really looks like an awesome build! Nice to see a budget project comming so nicely together.

As this is an budget project, what kind of turbo's are they and where did you buy them?

[ProTouring442]

Great lookin' project! That crossmember looks nice!

As for the turbo set-up, the only thing I ever find in a recycle bin are old soda cans! :mad:

Shiny Side Up!
Bill

[slow4dr]

Thanks guys!


Really looks like an awesome build! Nice to see a budget project comming so nicely together.

As this is an budget project, what kind of turbo's are they and where did you buy them?


I bought the CHRA used from a guy on the Supraforums. The housings were bought from here. www.turbonetics.com :thumbsup:

[Jr]

Great build.

What are the specs on that turbo? I'm not up to date on the 2JZ stuff

[p_call]

Those tubes, pipes, and clamps were plucked out of the recycle bin at work.


Sweet! I wish the trash at my job was that cool...

Will you need to drop the compression or change the cam to add the hairdryer?

[slow4dr]

Great build.

What are the specs on that turbo? I'm not up to date on the 2JZ stuff


It is a "T66" with a p-trim turbine wheel. It's actually fairly small for this size motor but I wanted something that would spool instantly and I don't plan on running very much boost..........for now:_paranoid


Sweet! I wish the trash at my job was that cool...

Will you need to drop the compression or change the cam to add the hairdryer?


I'm going to keep the boost pressure around 5-7 psi which should allow me to leave the stock internals. "317" truck heads have 6cc larger chambers and flow quite a bit better than the "853" heads that are on it now. If I were to find a set of those heads reeeeeeeally cheap I might get them but I am not worried about it right now.

[slow4dr]

I wasn't going to post new pics until I had the headers made but I am to impatient. I changed my mind ONCE AGAIN and will be going with twins now. I traded the T66 for two 60-1's with T3 hot sides. I did a quick moch up, final placement will be similar to where they are now just a little closer to the firewall and a little lower.


http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e260/slow4dr/103_0933.jpg

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e260/slow4dr/103_0935.jpg

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e260/slow4dr/103_0936.jpg

[Sales@Dutchboys]

Looking good! :thumbsup:

Cant wait to see more!

Paul

[slow4dr]

Thanks Paul! I've got some pretty big shoes to fill.

-J

[zbugger]

Looks GREAT!! Doesn't look like it's gonna be fun though. Looks almost scary. Are you gonna leave the coil packs there? I doubt they'd handle the heat those turbo's are gonna be putting out.

[novanutcase]

Looks GREAT!! Doesn't look like it's gonna be fun though. Looks almost scary. Are you gonna leave the coil packs there? I doubt they'd handle the heat those turbo's are gonna be putting out.

Good point!

Jason! You may want to think about fabbing a coil pack relocator so that the turbos don't fry them!

John

[87wildside]

Looks GREAT!! Doesn't look like it's gonna be fun though. Looks almost scary.Scary is fun! Looks good :thumbsup:

[slow4dr]

Looks GREAT!! Doesn't look like it's gonna be fun though. Looks almost scary. Are you gonna leave the coil packs there? I doubt they'd handle the heat those turbo's are gonna be putting out.


I've considered moving them but I am not sure just yet. The compressor side doesn't reach near the temps the turbine side does plus I am going to move the turbos back towards the firewall away from the coils. My SRT4 reaches EGT's in the 1700's and the hot side of the turbo is a mere inches from the factory coil pack. I hope that GM manufactured a decent enough coil to rival Dodge's reliability. :lol: I'll probably just make a little stainless heat shield for the coils for the time being.

[slow4dr]

Well, it's been a long couple weeks and I haven't got much accomplished but here is where I am at. I mounted the I/C but I still need to make support brackets for the uprights. Each piece that gets placed in the compartment reminds me how cramped it's going to be.

Basic overview, BOV and cold pipe in place.
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e260/slow4dr/103_1075.jpg

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e260/slow4dr/103_1069.jpg

Running the hot side pipes are going to be interesting. I am planning on running them even with the downbars but just underneath which on the passenger side is no big deal, but I have a P/S pump to contend with on the drivers side.
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e260/slow4dr/103_1071.jpg

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e260/slow4dr/103_1076.jpg

This view shows how high I have the I/C mounted. The plan here is to split the incoming air in two. I am hoping to have a lower valence/air dam that will direct air under the I/C and onto the radiator. It's kind of hard to picture it without the front end mounted but imagine the very bottom of the current fiberglass even with the bottom of the frame heads. The air dam will extend another 4-5" below that and have it's own shrouding.
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e260/slow4dr/103_1072.jpg



BTW: I have removed the coil packs for the time being until I can figure out exactly where the turbos are going to end up. I've experimented with the coils removed and the turbos mounted down low(where they're at in the pics) and up high with the coils in place and I like them better up high.

[andrewmp6]

looks good wheres the front subframe from or did you make it.

[race-rodz]

i believe its C4 vette on his own rails.

[slow4dr]

looks good wheres the front subframe from or did you make it.

i believe its C4 vette on his own rails.

^^^^^yeah that

There are some pics in my signature :thumbsup:

[slow4dr]

I've had some pretty major changes both with the car and some personal things lately so I've sold all the turbo components. The twin turbo set-up will live on through another Nova guy.

Anyway, I've had a little time to start moching up the radiator and intake as well as redo the watts link. I have been shopping around for a C6 Corvette factory take off airbox/bellows/maf etc but I had some leftover 3.5" aluminum tubing so I'm just going to use it instead.

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e260/slow4dr/100_1165.jpg
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e260/slow4dr/100_1166.jpg
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e260/slow4dr/100_1167.jpg

The 9" bars I was using on the watts link didn't allow enough suspension dropout to remove both wheels at the same time so I picked up some 12" bars and remounted it to the rearend.

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e260/slow4dr/100_1169.jpg
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e260/slow4dr/100_1171.jpg

HP tuners, headers, exhaust, fuel cell, fuel lines, radiator hoses, a few small items and the engine will be ready to run.

[Ricochet]

Looking great!! Progress is always a good thing!! Something I wouldn't know anything about!!:lol:

[slow4dr]

I've got about 80 hours into this lip now and I'm still not finished filling in some low spots or priming it.


Sorry about some of the blurry pics(camera battery was dieing that day)


I took some 18 gauge 304 stainless and made four pieces, two for the front and one for each side. I left some gaps on the side pieces so I could round the edges to match the bumper. I'll lay the fiberglass on real thick so it can with stand a lot of abuse.


I rolled the edge to give me a surface to attach to the lower portion of the bumper.
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e260/slow4dr/100_1352.jpg

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e260/slow4dr/100_1353.jpg

Getting everything centered before throwing some rivets to hold it in place.
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e260/slow4dr/100_1354.jpg

I ended up using bolts because the rivets I had were to long.
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e260/slow4dr/100_1355.jpg

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e260/slow4dr/100_1356.jpg

[slow4dr]

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e260/slow4dr/100_1357.jpg

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e260/slow4dr/100_1358.jpg

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e260/slow4dr/100_1359.jpg

Basic overview before the fiberglass begins
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e260/slow4dr/100_1364.jpg

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e260/slow4dr/100_1366.jpg

[slow4dr]

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e260/slow4dr/100_1367.jpg

*adding some bracing
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e260/slow4dr/100_1394.jpg

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e260/slow4dr/100_1395.jpg

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e260/slow4dr/100_1396.jpg

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e260/slow4dr/100_1397.jpg

[slow4dr]

& the messy part begins.
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e260/slow4dr/100_1399.jpg

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e260/slow4dr/100_1401.jpg

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e260/slow4dr/100_1402.jpg

My brother drawing in the air inlet design
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e260/slow4dr/100_1398.jpg

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e260/slow4dr/100_1405.jpg

[slow4dr]

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e260/slow4dr/100_1400.jpg

*taped off the area he drew and spray painted the inside
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e260/slow4dr/100_1409.jpg

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e260/slow4dr/100_1411.jpg

*almost done opening up the holes
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e260/slow4dr/100_1413.jpg

I went a little crazy with the fiberglass but I wanted this thing VERY strong.

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e260/slow4dr/Street%20Fighter/100_1430.jpg

[slow4dr]

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e260/slow4dr/Street%20Fighter/100_1429.jpg

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e260/slow4dr/Street%20Fighter/100_1415.jpg


Here is how it looks today.
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e260/slow4dr/Street%20Fighter/100_1475.jpg

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e260/slow4dr/Street%20Fighter/100_1480.jpg

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e260/slow4dr/Street%20Fighter/100_1478.jpg

[slow4dr]

Curiousity has been getting the better of me lately so I borrowed the big boss mans scales.

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e260/slow4dr/Street%20Fighter/100_3746.jpg

[novanutcase]

STOP IT!!!! LOL!

John