I need some expirenced advice on a Nova

[rowdy51]

i am new to this place and I'm not sure if I'm posting this in the correct spot. But I've taken on my on little hotrod/performance build by taking a 1974 Nova shell and rearend placing a 1969 front cap on and swapping the subframe to a front steer 1976 Nova. I hve the stub in place and bolted in i'm just kinda stuck on fabbing the radiator and bumper support. I would like to ask anyone on here if they have had dealings with this and some things they done with theirs, thanks.

[Kenova]

........ and swapping the subframe to a front steer 1976 Nova.

We need pictures!
This is one of those swaps that someone's cousin's brother's best friend did but I've never been able to find any documentation. I would like to know what kinds of mods you had to make and what problems you had to solve.
It's too late now, but I would have suggested leaving the front clip on untill the subframe was swapped. This way you would know the front clip is where it is supposed to be and you could make the necessary modifications to the subframe with confidence.

Ken

[cornfedbill]

I have a friend who has built many first gen Camaros, but likes the geometry of the second gens. He built a fixture to align all of the frame mounts so the frame to body mounts would all be the same.

I would modify the front horns to match the original 3rd gen Nova frame. If you search, you can find the measurements for the first gen Camaro frame, which is the same as your 74 Nova frame. This would allow you to place the frame to radiator support and bumper holes in the correct location ralative to the other two frame mounting holes.

If you cannot find it, let me know and I will dig out a copy and post it.

The second gen has better geometry and will fit the 12" B-body wagon/police special brakes. This is not a bad low cost alternative to the aftermarket subframes.

I am eager to see how you like the handling when all is done.

[rowdy51]

Thx Bill i kinda figured that would be the best way. i still have the 74 stub setting there I guess i was just more or less looking for some pictures to see how other folks have done it. I guess I need a cheat sheet lol

[cornfedbill]

I wish I had photos from my buddy's fixture. But I have since moved cross country and don't have easy access anymore.

Try this cheat sheet:

71685

[rowdy51]

That does help. I have a 76 fisher body book but I had nothing on the 74. The best thing about this swap is 4 out of six holes lined up lol.

[cornfedbill]

Glad I could help. My buddy swears this is the hot set-up to fix the first gen suspension geometry issues. I expect you will be pleased with the results.

By the way, he claims a second gen Camaro (fourth gen Nova) steering column bolts right almost perfectly. I cannot say this will work from personal experience, but I have never known him to be wrong.

[rowdy51]

I think it will. I have the colum from the 76 in it right now but it looks like crap. I thought of putting a circle track type steering colum in and the Wilwood pedals in and everything. What my plan is is to build and fashion the car on the basis of the 71 monte carlo from fast and furious tokyo drift only painted a bit better. Basically a budget type old school trans am series nova, lol.

[cornfedbill]

Well that Monte is sure spartan and race bred in appearance. I can't wait to see some photos.

I plan to keep the interior so I can make a daily driver out of it. It's no fun if I can't drive the wheels off of it. :drive:

[rowdy51]

I know this is the wrong place but what all year modle gms rear disk brake assemblies fit my staggered shocks on this Nova 8.5? And in a pure budget move i cut one coil off my front springs(old dirt tracker trick lol) to budget lower the car about 2" and improve the handling.

[cornfedbill]

The 1975–1979 Cadillac Seville was a Nova clone and had disc brakes. Some second gen Z/28's and Trans Ams had disc brakes.

I believe they will bolt on with little effort.

[rowdy51]

Thx so much I really do appriciate all your help.

[SRD art]

Do you still have the 74 front clip parts? I need some...

[boneheadzz]

I've been wondering about this same swap. I have a 69 Camaro and it needs EVERYTHING... So I wondered if this was possible since the 2nd gen has better factory swaybar, geometry and disc brakes. Good luck and give us an update!
later
Mike

[cornfedbill]

Thx so much I really do appriciate all your help.

Glad to be of help.

[rowdy51]

Update. I installed the stuv with engine and trans i took some pics with my phone but have never posted pics before. Now im to the point of fabbing my radiator support but i might change trans i heard saginaws are weak and i have a th350.

[cornfedbill]

Update. I installed the stuv with engine and trans i took some pics with my phone but have never posted pics before. Now im to the point of fabbing my radiator support but i might change trans i heard saginaws are weak and i have a th350.

Glad to hear you are making progress.

Actually the Saginaws are not as weak as people think. I would run a Saginaw over a TH350 any day. But then that's just me.

[cornfedbill]

Update. I installed the stuv with engine and trans i took some pics with my phone but have never posted pics before. Now im to the point of fabbing my radiator support but i might change trans i heard saginaws are weak and i have a th350.

Glad to hear you are making progress.

Actually the Saginaws are not as weak as people think. I would run a Saginaw over a TH350 any day. But then that's just me.