Project Scope Creep - '74 Nova Spirit of America

[68Formula]

Great progress Bill! Can't wait to see the finished product.



Question: The appropriately named scope creep seems to continue in part because of the large engine setback. With all that you learned through this, could you share, how much setback is possible before it leads to the additional unforeseen efforts? As in, if it was limited to "x" inches, then "this, this and this" wouldn't have had to have been modified. What's the "bang for the buck time-wise" if one is willing to compromise a little of the max effort to save a bunch of extra fab?

Thanks.

[cornfedbill]

Great progress Bill! Can't wait to see the finished product.

Question: The appropriately named scope creep seems to continue in part because of the large engine setback. With all that you learned through this, could you share, how much setback is possible before it leads to the additional unforeseen efforts? As in, if it was limited to "x" inches, then "this, this and this" wouldn't have had to have been modified. What's the "bang for the buck time-wise" if one is willing to compromise a little of the max effort to save a bunch of extra fab?

Thanks.

The issues I ran into have to do also with raising the engine when I channeled the subframe into the body. It now protrudes 1 inch into the passenger compartment. This is a huge commitment and a lot of work.

Moving the engine rearward only would have limited the impact. One or two inches will make minimal difference in the weight bias. You are better off to move the battery to the trunk as far at that is concerned. That's why I went to a full four inches. The conflict is the throttle pedal. It is attached to the transmission tunnel and is the most effected by the move. the other issue is the wiper plenum. It needs to be modified to make room for the distributor. You will find that you will have to relocate your wiper motor also to make room for the valve cover on the driver side.

I would begin by moving everything you can rearward in the car before moving the engine back. Also, using aluminum heads, intake and water pump, and scrapping the cast iron exhaust for headers will help take weight off the nose.

If you do move the engine back, plan on a lot of time and unexpected issues.