1971 Nova Build ??

[Kiquee71]

Thanks for the complements guys. Now that it is done I've kept looking at it the other day and saying to myself that I could've done things differently that could've saved me some headaches lol Being this was my first, I'm thinking that the front will go a little smoother, still haven't decided what direction I'll be going. Drawing #2 has been looking like a candidate. Will see. That will have to wait, have a radiator coming so radiator core support needs some tweaking also. Power steering cooler, a/c condenser need also to be mounted before I get to the front bumper. More to come soon.

[Kiquee71]

Ok a little update. Modifications to the radiator support core is complete and radiator installed from Wizard Cooling. AC condenser, power steering cooler also installed. Want to give a lot of props for those guys, radiator came out exactly how I ordered it. Sometimes I get ahead of myself when working on things, should've waited till the radiator arrive before I did final welding on core lol. Oh well a little more time lol. I'm keeping the VVT on my LS so I needed spacers installed on the accessories which made the clearance issues with the electric fans. It all worked out, again thanks Wizard Cooling. Now I can check this off my list and onto the next.

[Kiquee71]

I was looking at recovery coolant tanks to finish up the coolant system. Wasn't to happy with what's out there and the prices they are asking for them. So I had some aluminum sheet laying around, ordered some parts and came out spending about half from the ones I was looking at. Will be powdered coated along with all the other crap lol. Plenty of room for the air filter and tube to be tucked behind the drivers headlight.

[BlackHD]

Looks great Kiquee!

[Kiquee71]

Looks great Kiquee!

Thank you BlackHD. Have you figured out what your plans are going to be for radiator yet?

[BlackHD]

I picked up the griffin radiator with the tranny cooler. Hopefully it works out. Trying to figure out the wheels and rear end now.

[Kiquee71]

I picked up the griffin radiator with the tranny cooler. Hopefully it works out. Trying to figure out the wheels and rear end now.

Nice. Wheels were tuff for me also, but eventually you'll figure it out.

[Kiquee71]

Ok, a little update of the progress slow but getting it done. Been working on the front bumper getting it tucked in all around. I think I've come to a decision on where I'm going with the look of the lights on the bumper, that will come later. I've looked for how to on these bumpers are done, but really got was a lot of before and after photos. Nothing in between on how it was really done so here I'm posting on how I did it and hope it will help someone here too. Here is where I'm at now.

[HotRod47]

Very nice job on the bumper fitment/mods.

[FormTA]

Looks great. Nice fitment.

[Oregon]

Looking good.

It looks like the bumper filler is the main constraint to how much you can tuck the bumper?

[Kiquee71]

Looking good.

It looks like the bumper filler is the main constraint to how much you can tuck the bumper?

You are correct Oregon, I was able to move it in 1/2" and took some off the bumper edges to line up with the filler. Doesn't sound like much but defiantly looks better than having that big gap.

[Z06killinSBF]

Looking good man, the bumper is turning out nice!

[Rebob]

They look so much better when there tucked, it’s the little details like that, that will set yours apart from the others. Nice job !

[Kiquee71]

Thanks Rebob and everyone for the compliments. Yes the little details is what I look for in cars that I'm looking at even tho it may be not so much a big wow factor, but knowing what it took to make that little detail is well worth it. The finish line is getting closer, ready to hand this over to a shop to finish this baby. lol.

[Rebob]

People that now cars will know what it took to do the mods and you’ll feel good about all the effort when you tell them you did it all yourself in your garage. Do you have to run a front plate in Ca ?

[Kiquee71]

People that now cars will know what it took to do the mods and you’ll feel good about all the effort when you tell them you did it all yourself in your garage. Do you have to run a front plate in Ca ?

Rebob lol I do live in Ca. that pretty much gives you your answer lol. Yes we do need plates here or else I would've of done something different to this bumper.

[Kiquee71]

Well as I mentioned before about the direction of where I was going with this front bumper. I went with option #2. Finished it up yesterday, but having a late night lol so I'm posting the finish product up now lol. I like the way it turned out. One of the biggest task I have left on my list is finally done. On to the next one on the list. Here is a before & after and in between lol

[Twentyover]

Did you need to weld both sides of the light buckets? Looks like there's a small radius/chamfer on the front of the bumper, how did you accomplish that?

[Kiquee71]

Did you need to weld both sides of the light buckets? Looks like there's a small radius/chamfer on the front of the bumper, how did you accomplish that?

I did not have to weld the back side of the light bucket cause I had enough heat on it to penetrate the other side. You are correct about the radius on the front. The bucket was a little long and I stuck it thru the hole while the bumper was fitted on the car. Then I set it in where it needed to be and traced the outside of the bucket. Removed it from the bumper and cut that section off, removed bumper and tacked it place. Very time consuming lol