1969 Chevy Nova - LS Swap / Pro-Touring Build

[1fastssnova]

Well, I'm finally going to commit to a build thread here on the forum. At this time, the car is actually finished (for now), but I didn't have much extra time (with 3 kids) while working on it to upload pics and post the daily progress on here.

This is what she started out as back in 1997 when I purchased her from a guy in Elmont, NY:






She had a 396 bbc, 4-speed M21, and 9" rear. Body and interior were very clean - all for $5,500. It's not an original big block car, but I think it may have been a small block SS. I don't have any paperwork to go off of, only the VIN and cowl tag.

The M21 didn't last very long, as blew it apart on the street one night, trying to practice lauching it with slicks. In went a Turbo 400 with a trans-brake for the drag strip (I know... shame on me for ditching the stick).

Then she got an 8 point cage, a fuel system and 468 bbc, after I sold the 396 to a buddy for his Chevelle. I also picked up a set of Weld Draglites, ditched the Centerlines and added a 4" cowl hood.

I ran her like this for many years, focusing mainly on a street/strip setup and going out to the dragstrip in West Hampton, L.I.

2004:




In 2006, I installed a TKO600. I really missed the car as a stick. The overdrive was something I really wanted also. Now, I actually drove her a lot, the Pro-Touring scene was getting more popular and I was hooked.



Here's a quick list of what's in her now:

LQ4 with LS3 heads and intake
Intercooled Procharger P1-SC
Holley HP EFI
Kooks Stainless Headers with full 3" Stainless Exhaust
Lee 12:1 680 Steering Box
SPC Upper and Lowers with Varishocks
Chassisworks G-Link with Varishocks
CPP Big Brake Kit
Tremec TKO 600 (upgraded with Liberty Trans Kit)
Quicktime Bellhousing and McLeod RXT Clutch
Hydroboost brakes and American Powertrain Hydraulic Clutch setup.
C6 Z06 18" Wheels (18x8.5 and 18x10.5)
DSE Mini-Tub
Aeromotive 20 gallon Stealth Tank
Arizen VR1 Seats and Corbeau Retractable Harnesses
3rd Gen Camaro Console
Custom Dash with Autometer Sport Comp Gauges
American Autowire Harness

I'm going to try and post every couple of days with pics of the build as it progressed to get her to this point:



Take care - Frank