NovaMC
12-06-2025, 05:15 PM
Hello there. I'm new to the forum and am wanting to be able to bounce ideas and ask for advice on a pretty serious build I'm doing on my 68 Nova. The picture attached is the day I got it home after buying it. This was in the summer of 2019. Shortly thereafter, the main seal went out and I decided to upgrade it from the installed 307 to a Blueprint 383 stroker. Then I wanted to upgrade the suspension and perhaps repaint it to something a little more original, as there are probably three yellow Novas in Rapid City, SD, where I live. I ordered a TCI full tube chassis and went to work dismantling the car. Unfortunately it didn't take long to find hidden rust, courtesy of the bonehead who "restored" and painted it before I bought it. After finding rust throughout the floorpan and firewall, I decided to do a full blown, off the charts (for me, anyway), restoration and modification. 219087 To go along with the chassis, I had a Supercharged 427 big block built by Wegner automotive and a cryogenically treated Tremec T56 magnum six speed from American Powertrain. It will have a Currie rearend, torque arm suspension, Wilwood six pistons up front and four piston in the back. The engine peak dyno'd at 1115hp and 1000lb torque. I am not an "autophyle" by any means, and part of my desire is to learn as this project goes along. So if you ask me a technical question, I might not know the answer off the top and I'll need to get back to you on it. One item I'm trying to work out is the gear ratio. I used Tremec's calculator and I'm thinking maybe 3.50 or 3.70's. I BELIEVE the tremec is of the "wide" variety and not the "close" type, but I'd have to go take a look at it to verify. It is with the car right now, which is at the builder's shop. I go there and help work on it most days, as he doesn't care. I'm also having Detroit Speed mini tubs put in, which is what he's working on currently. I'm debating about a roll bar and just negating the back seat. Anyone have any experience using a roll cage builder by the name of Wild Rides Race Cars? They're out of NJ and look pretty good, just going off the website and reviews. And I'm hoping to fit 315 30R19's in the back (about 26.5 inches tall) with the mini's and 18 inch wheels up front. I like that staggered tire size look.
So, for now...
1) gear ratio
2) roll bar
If anyone has any questions, please feel free to ask! I'm looking forward to hearing from anyone who wants to or is willing to help me move this project along!
PS: I don't know why the dyno graph rotated sideways! Can't seem to rotate it.
Thanks! Mike219088
So, for now...
1) gear ratio
2) roll bar
If anyone has any questions, please feel free to ask! I'm looking forward to hearing from anyone who wants to or is willing to help me move this project along!
PS: I don't know why the dyno graph rotated sideways! Can't seem to rotate it.
Thanks! Mike219088