project Ruth (budget build) 72 nova

[brownz]

I picked this car up late last year for $850 and have been collecting parts for it since. My goal is to have a car to drive around town and still handle some corners and STOP! The car will still have the stock 307 for now but I can't say it won't see a auto cross if it holds together. This is a budget build so the body will stay the same as will the interior minus some racing seats when I find some cheap enough. I have tried to get parts so when I do take the car completely apart I will not have to re buy some of the larger items

The reason for the project name Ruth is that is my grandmas name. Right after I bought the car I picked her up in it and she said " oh you brought this" I said yes is that okay? She said " I guess if you don't care what anyone thinks of you driving this I guess I don't " this coming from a 89 year old women make me laugh. So the name Ruth fits for me.

The parts list
Rebuilt stock upper and lower arms
Hotchkis front and rear springs
Ride Tech tru turn with spindles
Close ratio gear box
Bigger front away bar
GW solid body mounts
DSE mini tubs, offset shackles and leaf pads
Home made shock relocation I hope
BD racing fuel cell. Cheapest route
C-5 zo6 front calipers and kore3 adapter brackets and stainless lines
LS1 rear brakes
ARP wheel studs
Vintage wheel works V-40's.
18x9.5 front
18x11 rear
BFG kdw2 tires 255 front ( I already had these
295 rear. Got a good deal used
The car will have a stock width rear

I got the car taken apart this weekend so I will start the mini tubs next week and try to get this back on the road so I can take my dog Chevy to the dog park in it.

[brownz]

The day I picked it up

[72BBSwinger]

Cool build substance. Call it "Cheap Tour"....

[srh3trinity]

I like how your grandmother called you out. Should be a fun build. I am the pontiac version of you. Building a second gen Firebird and want to build a budget or all out Ventura next.

[craigs73]

awesome......nice score on the car.....850 for that....very nice..should be a fun ride when done

[precisionshootist]

Good Luck with your build. I look forward to seeing your progress..i think i speak for plenty of us when i say that it is inspiring seeing more "budget builds" on here. I am going a similar route with my running project. Thanks for the motivation!!

[eversmann79]

i tend to call my budget build "poor touring" lol

[Hotwhilz]

Hey Brownz, I do get the many questions you asked me in the past on my build, mine still not finished but the body work is all done, got to put it back together and stop modifying things as I rebuild, they are fun to ride and handle quite well!

Good luck with the build and Do NOT throw those hubs away! If you do drop me a pM.

SUSCRIBED!

[brownz]

I like how your grandmother called you out. Should be a fun build. I am the pontiac version of you. Building a second gen Firebird and want to build a budget or all out Ventura next.

Its like we are step brothers lol


Good Luck with your build. I look forward to seeing your progress..i think i speak for plenty of us when i say that it is inspiring seeing more "budget builds" on here. I am going a similar route with my running project. Thanks for the motivation!!

I could use some motivation also. do you have a build thread? I have always liked budget builds. I have kinda had fun hunting down second hand parts for this one. some of the parts I could not get second hand ie tru-turn, wheels due to custom specs...


Hey Brownz, I do get the many questions you asked me in the past on my build, mine still not finished but the body work is all done, got to put it back together and stop modifying things as I rebuild, they are fun to ride and handle quite well!

Good luck with the build and Do NOT throw those hubs away! If you do drop me a pM.

SUSCRIBED!

Thanks. I will be using the front hubs. Just got rid of the junk. I have always liked your build. The pic of it in bare steel is bad a$$. I know the feeling about changing things before they are done thats all I do to my camaro. But on this one its nice and simple and I already have all the parts sitting ready to be installed so it "should" go quicker. lol When I took my camaro apart I was 18 and didnt get it on the road until last summer age 27. so I hope to get this back on the road in a couple months

[SparkyRnD]

awesome build! And darn cool that you got it for so cheap :)

[CruizinKev]

looks good so far! :twothumbs

[brownz]

The mini tub started I hope to have the first tub done this weekend. This is a little more involved then my Camaro but not bad so far

[Motown 454]

Nice project, and a great score.

[Jimmypetersfit]

Looks like things are coming along nicely. What part of Ohio are you in?

[brownz]

about 30 min north of cincinnati

[rchaskin]

First off, I want to say I love your Camaro build, and I am really in to Novas.
Second, I do not want to bash anything or detract from your build. I am SUPER interested in this.

The thing is, I just cannot see a 18x9.5 working in the front of a Nova, with the tire up in the fender well, and with a stock subframe.

I have a 17x8 with a 5.25" BS, and BFG KDW tires, 245/45/17. My frame is about 4-1/2" off the ground, so it is very low.

The tire just rubs on the frame at full lock.
I have about 3/4" clearance between the tire and the inner fender at ride height.
This is with about 1.5 degree negative camber, and the G-Mod.

I just dont think you can pull it off in a Nova.

Geoff Potter (geoffp) has this setup on a 68 Camaro and he has a 18x9 and a 275 tire, but it is under the fender lip with a round fender opening. It looks and works great.

What BS is your wheel? Have you mocked this up yet?
Will this car be low ride height?

Again, not trying to offend or make anyone mad, but very interested in this.
If it does work, I will probably do it as well.

Thanks.
Randy

[csouth]

Very nice foundation for a project. I'd love to find one of these for my girlfriend...

[Bad94]

Check my build thread. I have 18x9.5 with a 275.

[rchaskin]

Check my build thread. I have 18x9.5 with a 275.

Wow....I stand corrected. I dont know how I missed that.
It sure is close to the fender. Did you say you did not mod the inner fender at all?

BrownZ, what BS did you end up with on all of your wheels?

Thanks
Randy

[brownz]

Wow....I stand corrected. I dont know how I missed that.
It sure is close to the fender. Did you say you did not mod the inner fender at all?

BrownZ, what BS did you end up with on all of your wheels?

Thanks
Randy


Randy,

No worries about offending me LOL.

I have the Ride Tech tru turn system with the spindles. With this it allows you to run up to a 10in wheel and a 275 tire with some slight inner fender mods. I have not mocked mine up yet but if I do need to cut up a few thing who cares haha. I will be running a 255 tire for now as I already had them. I see that you took a look at Dans (bad94) nova build. That thing is sick!

He has a 275 tire with a 9.5 wheel. I will not say his specs as i dont want to get them wrong but on mine I went with a 18*9.5 with a 5.75bs. This is what ride tech runs on the 48 hour camaro and also on the new goodguys camaro build. I would rather have issues with the inside of the fender well then the out side. But in order to have the correct clearance you should run the ride tech front sway bar. If you look at the 48 hour camaro thread they have pics of the car on the lift and you and see why this is needed. I will be running a big solid front sway bar that I got from Dan and I will have a rubbing issue but only until I get a ride tech bar. Just going to weld up some steering stops for now.

You will also have to keep in mind on my car I have 2in drop springs with 2in spindle drop. This will not work!. Another memeber is also dealing with this and I hope he figures it out before Im ready to put the front endn together LOL. Also I will be running stock control arms and I know the lower will be okay but not sure about the upper at this time. I think it has been done but we will see.

All in all its a trial and error I guess. In the next couple weeks I hope to move onto the front of the car. I just finished up one mini tub yesterday and will be starting the second tomorrow. So maybe I will have some more solid info for you.

[rchaskin]

thanks.

I am looking forward to seeing all of this come together!!

Randy

[brownz]

Did a little mock up. Since I have the room now

[rchaskin]

Cool!!!

What BS is on the rear?

[brownz]

7.75bs on a 11in wheel

[brownz]

I have been trying to work on the car as much as I can when not working. I got the front end about done. The tru turn fits great just need to make some steering stops until I get new arms. I have the rear mini tubs done and starting to set the rear pinion angle. I also did a drivers front floor pan patch. Once I get my hubs back from being turned down for the C5 front brakes ( thanks bad94 aka Dan ) I will start plumbing the brakes and fuel lines.

No the last photo is not ride height lol

[brownz]

Replaced the body mounts with some solid GW mounts. I think it was time. I started soaking these and several other bolts last year when I got the car. They came right out with no issue.

[brownz]

Ruth is on the ground. Still a lot of work to do. Thanks to Dan (bad94) for taking care of my hubs and axles for the c5 brakes and arp wheel studs.

[Bad94]

Wow i really like those wheels on the car.

[mr.murf]

Lovin' those wheels!

I like my TT2's but the crease is the v40's spokes looks much better than the rounded spoked on the TT2s.

Lookin' forward to the updates.

[brownz]

Got the rear seat modified to fit around the mini tubs and put the the original cover back on. Also mocked up my sumped fuel cell.I wish the KDW had a 315 but the 295 doesnt look to bad for now. My dog Chevy was helping me out with the seat lol

[csouth]

Looking good over there. Love the Nova's

[brownz]

Lovin' those wheels!

I like my TT2's but the crease is the v40's spokes looks much better than the rounded spoked on the TT2s.

Lookin' forward to the updates.

I think the wheels your buddy let you put on your car are the ones I sold off my old nova. same wheel and tire same specs and I sold them to a guy in Seattle... Car looks good

[brownz]

Got my seats today and started to try and mount them. The seats are not bad for the money but they don't compare to my recaro's at all.

[bhcustomdesigns]

Looks Awesome!!! :twothumbs

[brownz]

Decided to do a little work to the stock 307. Replaced the intake gaskets, water pump, all hoses and full tune up. Also installed a aluminum radiator. Figured a little paint wouldn't hurt since I had it apart. Got my other seat mounted I don't think they look bad.

[hookemdevils22]

man, good for you keeping that 307! Mine lasted all of 2 months after I bought the car before she was pulled for a 350.

Curious on what you had to modify to make the rear seat work with the tubs/ I assumed welding the lower tabs for the seat back was all that was needed. I haven't put my interior back together yet following a mini-tub.

[Motown 454]

It coming along nice, I love the wheels.

[brownz]

man, good for you keeping that 307! Mine lasted all of 2 months after I bought the car before she was pulled for a 350.

Curious on what you had to modify to make the rear seat work with the tubs/ I assumed welding the lower tabs for the seat back was all that was needed. I haven't put my interior back together yet following a mini-tub.

Yeah I'm going to get as much as I can out of the stock engine. It's quite nd runs good and doesn't fit the budget to replace. When I do need to swap it will be for a LS no question.

As for the back seat I removed the covers and notched both the back and bottom. Basically uncut the corners and welded them back in place but backward. Not really a big deal. Removing the covers without messing them up was harder. And yes the tab that is spot welded to the factory tub I just removed it and spot welded it back to the mini tub

[wheatie8252]

I love this build. I also have a nova and like the way this is turning out. Have you been able to drive it since getting the suspension done if so how do you like it. Would you do anything different so far. What seats are those they look great.

[hookemdevils22]

Well, I had a good excuse- I 'blew' the 307 (aka one rocker arm) 'racing' a guy. So I used that to convince my dad we should pull it for something a little more fun (this was my first car).

And thanks for the seat info. It's tough to get motivated to cut and weld any more with the ridiculous heat (Phoenix), so the seats have sat for the last few weeks since I finished the tub.

I'm also running the same brake setup here soon. Any idea what master you plan to use?

[LSXZ28]

Great project! Love the wheels and the whole look... would have to do an LS swap though...

[brownz]

I love this build. I also have a nova and like the way this is turning out. Have you been able to drive it since getting the suspension done if so how do you like it. Would you do anything different so far. What seats are those they look great.

I don't have the car on the road yet I hope to maybe put some miles in it soon. For a budget I don't know what I would change if anything. The seats are cipher 1019's. they look good for the price. They are a little hard though. If I had the funds I would buy another set or recaro's like I have in my Camaro

[brownz]

Well, I had a good excuse- I 'blew' the 307 (aka one rocker arm) 'racing' a guy. So I used that to convince my dad we should pull it for something a little more fun (this was my first car).

And thanks for the seat info. It's tough to get motivated to cut and weld any more with the ridiculous heat (Phoenix), so the seats have sat for the last few weeks since I finished the tub.

I'm also running the same brake setup here soon. Any idea what master you plan to use?

I'm running a manual 7/8 master cylinder from a 80's Chrysler.

[brownz]

Great project! Love the wheels and the whole look... would have to do an LS swap though...

Ls for sure just not in the budget for this one. The plan is to build another ls for my Camaro and us that ls1 for this car. But who knows when that will happen

[brownz]

Refinished my front and rear calipers.

[Moabdude]

Cool, I love the Nova's.
I am building one mysellf.

Didn't I buy a Lincoln from you a couple of years ago?

[brownz]

If your in the Netherlands I think so... Didn't you sell it?

[Moabdude]

Yep I m from Holland. Sold it to a guy in Germany.
It was a cool ride. Good condition also.

[brownz]

Still some work to be done but I did take it for a short ride.

[craigs73]

wow that was fast...let me send my car to you lol

[brownz]

wow that was fast...let me send my car to you lol

Yeah I have been putting in the hours to get it back on the road

[brownz]

Got the interior in and the Morris three point seat belts in. It's a nice kit and worth every penny. Already for exhaust and alignment.

[craigs73]

so the 3 points belts are nice? i have been wanting to get those...

[brownz]

so the 3 points belts are nice? i have been wanting to get those...

Yeah I like them the install was easy and they fit well. The only thing I see. Is you have to pull the belt out slow or it will lock up.

[brownz]

Drove the car the past four days. I have a few small issues but nothing bad. I did have to rebuild the carb from the accelerator pump going out. For what I have done to the car it handles pretty good and stops good also. I think I will need to upgrade the pads down the road. But all in all I'm happy with it ( for now...)

[craigs73]

hey brandon i have a question.....how did you finish weld you tubs on the front side of the tub in the trunk.... right behind the rear metal back seat thing lol...cant think of name of it....... the car looks great by the way.....

[Bad94]

Are you bringing this up to Columbus for a day or two? Find me we need to talk motors.

[MidnightSpecial]

I love the imperfection of the paint job. Something so cool about scuffed up paint on an old car

[brownz]

hey brandon i have a question.....how did you finish weld you tubs on the front side of the tub in the trunk.... right behind the rear metal back seat thing lol...cant think of name of it....... the car looks great by the way.....

I think I know what you mean... I just welded up to that point and seam sealed the small section that I couldnt get the welder in. I did think about cutting the seat back brace out welding it and then putting the back brace back on but I think it will be okay.

[craigs73]

ok...well that what i will do then.....cause it be a pita to cut out weld then weld brace back in......thanks...have you driven the car anymore? hows it handling??

[brownz]

Took the nova to the good guys Columbus show for a few runs. The car did better then I thought for what I did to the car. Now I need a LS swap and more power

[csouth]

I saw you in the pit area, but I missed your run. Would have loved to see how it performed

[68firebird]

Looks good. I'd leave the body just as it is! I'd love to hit up an autocross soon myself.

[brownz]

Looks good. I'd leave the body just as it is! I'd love to hit up an autocross soon myself.

The body is not on the to do list. I trying to find a ls for it but I need it to fit the budget

[wheatie8252]

How is it going? I was curious have you done any new upgrades to your Nova and do you have any new pics. Do you have any new plans or just been enjoying it.

[TheBandit]

I'm also a fan of your Nova - it looks great! What did you end up doing about the drop spindles and drop springs up front? Did you combine the two or do something different for springs? Are your rears 1.5" drop Hotchkis leafs or something else? Also I see your front tires are 255/40R18 - what's the aspect ratio on the rears?

Thanks for any help - really like the stance and wheel/tire combo on your car!

[TheBandit]

Updates?