5speed406
New member
Just found your site and signed up. I have a lot of knowledge to share on the 75 - 79 model Nova's. I sell used parts for these models and make some parts that are not available to help others with their restorations.
I just completed a 6 year build on a 77 Nova. It started life as a 6 cylinder, th350 car.
I found it in a very rural area with flat tires and sinking into the desert. Knocked on the door to inquire about it but no one was home. A few weeks later found an ad in the local paper and called the number. Turned out to be the same car and after a little negotiation on the price I brought it home.
My new wife looked at at it and thought I was crazy, but never during the whole build process complained about the time and money being spent. She was intrigued as I completely disassembled the entire car. She said she had never seen anyone take a car apart that far and asked it I was going to be able to reassemble it
Slowly as money was available it started to go back together. During the build I had purchased 14 other 4th generation Nova's and used some parts from each one and parted the rest out to fund my project.
My Nova has parts from those 14 cars, a Cadillac, several Camaro's, a Firebird, 2 Oldsmobile's, a Corvette and an Impala.
Engine is a 72 400 small block. It has 10.5:1 static compression, AFR 295 heads, a Lunati VooDoo cam 60103, an Edelbrock Performer manifold and reworked Quadrajet carb. Computer modeling puts it just under 450 hp and 500 lb ft of torque. The transmission is a 5 speed TKO 600 and the rear is an 8.5" 10 bolt with an Eaton posi, 30 spline axles and 3.73 gears.
Interior was upgraded to bucket seats from a 95 Firebird, Concours dash with Autometer gauges installed, a factory console modified to fit the TKO shifter and Autometer instrumentation.
The brakes were converted to 4 wheel disc using all GM parts. Front spindles are from a 79 B body with 12" rotors from a 1LE Camaro. Originally stock calipers were used but a pair of Wilwoods were won in a raffle at a car show and are now on the front. Rear brakes are from a 2001 Camaro Z28. Also 12" rotors with the parking brake shoe in the rotor hat. The car stops very well, even from speeds in excess of 120 mph (it was tested on a closed course, I do not condone racing or speeding on public roads). Master cylinder is an 82 Corvette and the proportioning valve is an AC Delco part number 25504613 that was used on the Cadillac Eldorado and Oldsmobile Tornado. Stock booster and brake lines were used.
The car is driven to shows and events, never trailered. To add to driving comfort power windows, door locks, drivers seat and trunk release were added. Factory AC was upgraded to use 134A refrigerant and a tilt/telescopic column from an 82 Eldorado was installed.
I have attended the last 2 Nova west coast Nationals in Pleasanton CA and received a Peoples Top 25 both years.
As purchased
Currently
I just completed a 6 year build on a 77 Nova. It started life as a 6 cylinder, th350 car.
I found it in a very rural area with flat tires and sinking into the desert. Knocked on the door to inquire about it but no one was home. A few weeks later found an ad in the local paper and called the number. Turned out to be the same car and after a little negotiation on the price I brought it home.
My new wife looked at at it and thought I was crazy, but never during the whole build process complained about the time and money being spent. She was intrigued as I completely disassembled the entire car. She said she had never seen anyone take a car apart that far and asked it I was going to be able to reassemble it
Slowly as money was available it started to go back together. During the build I had purchased 14 other 4th generation Nova's and used some parts from each one and parted the rest out to fund my project.
My Nova has parts from those 14 cars, a Cadillac, several Camaro's, a Firebird, 2 Oldsmobile's, a Corvette and an Impala.
Engine is a 72 400 small block. It has 10.5:1 static compression, AFR 295 heads, a Lunati VooDoo cam 60103, an Edelbrock Performer manifold and reworked Quadrajet carb. Computer modeling puts it just under 450 hp and 500 lb ft of torque. The transmission is a 5 speed TKO 600 and the rear is an 8.5" 10 bolt with an Eaton posi, 30 spline axles and 3.73 gears.
Interior was upgraded to bucket seats from a 95 Firebird, Concours dash with Autometer gauges installed, a factory console modified to fit the TKO shifter and Autometer instrumentation.
The brakes were converted to 4 wheel disc using all GM parts. Front spindles are from a 79 B body with 12" rotors from a 1LE Camaro. Originally stock calipers were used but a pair of Wilwoods were won in a raffle at a car show and are now on the front. Rear brakes are from a 2001 Camaro Z28. Also 12" rotors with the parking brake shoe in the rotor hat. The car stops very well, even from speeds in excess of 120 mph (it was tested on a closed course, I do not condone racing or speeding on public roads). Master cylinder is an 82 Corvette and the proportioning valve is an AC Delco part number 25504613 that was used on the Cadillac Eldorado and Oldsmobile Tornado. Stock booster and brake lines were used.
The car is driven to shows and events, never trailered. To add to driving comfort power windows, door locks, drivers seat and trunk release were added. Factory AC was upgraded to use 134A refrigerant and a tilt/telescopic column from an 82 Eldorado was installed.
I have attended the last 2 Nova west coast Nationals in Pleasanton CA and received a Peoples Top 25 both years.
As purchased
Currently
