Next Project 66 Nova 2 Dr Sedan

[bowtieguys]

Hello, I am looking for any and all recommendations on a street suspension setup for a 66 nova. I bought this car for my dad for father's day last year. We would like to put mini tubs (any recommmendations?), and fit an 8.5" Cheater Slick (I know it;s not pro-touring style). I have an Impala 12 bolt rear to narrow, I was wondering if anyone has any experience doing this type of thing. I don't know what will need to be relocated, cut, moved, etc.? Any front suspension recommendations considering that this will only be used on the street? Is there anyway to fit a BBC in this car without messing with the shock towers. I remember seeing a kit made by a company a few years ago for mounts and I thing Sanderson makes a header that will fit without having to go fenderwell style. Here are some pics:

[F70t/a]

That's gonna be sweet

[bowtieguys]

That's gonna be sweet

Thanks, My chevelle is almost done, so it's my dads turn.

[CAMAROBOY69]

You and your dad are going to have a great time with that car. At least your are in the right direction. The suspension was horrible on those. I just got rid of that exact car about 3 years ago. 66 Nova Sedan. Doesnt take much to make them go fast at all in a straight line. Its just cornering thats the hard part.
To answer your question you will have to modify quite a bit on that car since everything is packaged sooo tight depending on your main goal.
Get ahold of parsonsj. He has a nova called II Much. Good luck with the project and its nice to see a sedan. Most people do the Coupe.

[parsonsj]

Yeah, I'm gonna watch this project with interest. I used to have a 66 sedan just like that. It was too nice to cut, so I sold it, and bought a coupe body.

About the suspension, the original monoleafs need to be ditched and upgraded, and the original front suspension needs a LOT of work to do anything other than go in a straight line. Not to mention the 4 wheel drum brakes.

Good luck with it, let us know what sort of mods you end up doing.

jp

[bowtieguys]

Yeah, I'm gonna watch this project with interest. I used to have a 66 sedan just like that. It was too nice to cut, so I sold it, and bought a coupe body.

About the suspension, the original monoleafs need to be ditched and upgraded, and the original front suspension needs a LOT of work to do anything other than go in a straight line. Not to mention the 4 wheel drum brakes.

Good luck with it, let us know what sort of mods you end up doing.

jp

Let me first say that you are building one awesome machine. That is absolutely incredible. I will be adding an aftermarket setp for the from and rear suspension. I will definately get rid of the monoleafs. I'm just really in the concept stage, but would love ANY and ALL advice.
Thanks,
Rich

[Travis B]

The best thing you could do for that car is put a front clip on it. There are some better than others of course. If you want to put a big block in it I think it will have to be clipped unless you want to run fenderwells which i'm sure you don't! For the rear TCI (total cost involved) makes a nice set up as well that includes subframe connectors and a 4 link! Of course you could fab your own link set-up.

[bowtieguys]

The best thing you could do for that car is put a front clip on it. There are some better than others of course. If you want to put a big block in it I think it will have to be clipped unless you want to run fenderwells which i'm sure you don't! For the rear TCI (total cost involved) makes a nice set up as well that includes subframe connectors and a 4 link! Of course you could fab your own link set-up.

Thats the kind of info I'm looking for. I'll check out TCI right away and maybe make that a late X-Mas gift for my dad. Any recommendations on the front? I know a Big block won't help handling with the weight, but as I said earlier, it really won't be very pro-touring inspired (my dad is old school).Thanks for your help!

[bowtieguys]

You and your dad are going to have a great time with that car. At least your are in the right direction. The suspension was horrible on those. I just got rid of that exact car about 3 years ago. 66 Nova Sedan. Doesnt take much to make them go fast at all in a straight line. Its just cornering thats the hard part.
To answer your question you will have to modify quite a bit on that car since everything is packaged sooo tight depending on your main goal.
Get ahold of parsonsj. He has a nova called II Much. Good luck with the project and its nice to see a sedan. Most people do the Coupe.

Thanks for your support. Also I would like to see if you would be interested in doing some emblems for me? (design) I've got some conecpt drawings that I could send right away.
Thanks,
Rich

[Travis B]

Thats the kind of info I'm looking for. I'll check out TCI right away and maybe make that a late X-Mas gift for my dad. Any recommendations on the front? I know a Big block won't help handling with the weight, but as I said earlier, it really won't be very pro-touring inspired (my dad is old school).Thanks for your help!

I looked into front clips for my chevy II way back when
There are several clips

Heidts
TCI(total cost involved)
Scotts Hot Rods
chassis works

all of these use a mustang II spindle and are about the same price

And I believe Art morrison makes one as well along with wayne due but i'm not sure! A big block would look right at home in there with the clip on it

[bowtieguys]

I looked into front clips for my chevy II way back when
There are several clips

Heidts
TCI(total cost involved)
Scotts Hot Rods
chassis works

all of these use a mustang II spindle and are about the same price

And I believe Art morrison makes one as well along with wayne due but i'm not sure! A big block would look right at home in there with the clip on it

Thank you very much for your help. I may just buy everything from TCI.

[Travis B]

Thank you very much for your help. I may just buy everything from TCI.

there is a write up in this months CHP of a nova with all TCI stuff.....I htink it is CHP the mag has a blue chevelle on the cover

[bowtieguys]

there is a write up in this months CHP of a nova with all TCI stuff.....I htink it is CHP the mag has a blue chevelle on the cover

I'll check it out. I'm sure I have that issue in my bathroom....Um, I mean library.

[Alan66ss]

I have Wayne Due's front clip for my 66. I just did not like what I saw with the mustang ii front clips. As for the rear I hav not decided n it yet. Read up on the type rear suspensions that you can do. There is a ton of info on this site. Now if we could get John to make his three link into a kit........

Alan

[bowtieguys]

I have Wayne Due's front clip for my 66. I just did not like what I saw with the mustang ii front clips. As for the rear I hav not decided n it yet. Read up on the type rear suspensions that you can do. There is a ton of info on this site. Now if we could get John to make his three link into a kit........

Alan

I'm gonna check everything out really well before I decide. The problem that I'm running into is my dad would like to use the inner fenders of the car.

[Kenova]

For the front, I'd say go with the Wayne Due clip. It will most likely perform better than the others, gives you easily replaced parts, and of course bigger brakes (again, easily replaced). If your Dad can be creative, he may be able to use part of the inner fenders and still have enough room for a big block.
A couple of years ago, I saw a Chevy II that had been mini-tubbed. I believe the springs were still in the original position but had been replaced with Landrom mono-leafs. The front eye of the spring was mounted with a Delrin bushing and the rear eye was mounted to a spring slider. The owner said that without shock absorbers, the springs had so little resistance that the car would bounce forever. In the corners, the car felt much more stable (with shocks of course). Very simple and very effective.
Ken

[Alan66ss]

I'm gonna check everything out really well before I decide. The problem that I'm running into is my dad would like to use the inner fenders of the car.

I can understand wanting to use the inner fenders. I am thinking of a way that I can use them also. I want it to look a little factory under the hood.

Alan

[wiedemab]

My dad has a '67 SS that he's owned for 25 years. When it came time for some upgrades (he likes driving across the country to Goodguys events). We went with a Fatman setup. It allowed him to retain the "factory" under hood look of the original suspension, but gain disc brakes and rack and pinion steering. It uses 82-93 camaro spindles/uprights, struts, and brake setup. The rack is from a Chevette, with outer tie-rods from a citation. We realized that for all out performance there are always better options, but this setup works great on his car. We installed it into a finished car without any problems. (well, minor header clearance issues with steering).

Here is a link to my site with a few pics of the install.

http://wiedos.com/Nova/Nova%20Fatman.htm

If you went this route you would still have the same clearance issues as stock with the Big Block though.

Just thoght I'd throw another option at you!

We also replaced the 4-speed with a TKO-500.

[bowtieguys]

For the front, I'd say go with the Wayne Due clip. It will most likely perform better than the others, gives you easily replaced parts, and of course bigger brakes (again, easily replaced). If your Dad can be creative, he may be able to use part of the inner fenders and still have enough room for a big block.
A couple of years ago, I saw a Chevy II that had been mini-tubbed. I believe the springs were still in the original position but had been replaced with Landrom mono-leafs. The front eye of the spring was mounted with a Delrin bushing and the rear eye was mounted to a spring slider. The owner said that without shock absorbers, the springs had so little resistance that the car would bounce forever. In the corners, the car felt much more stable (with shocks of course). Very simple and very effective.
Ken

Thanks for the info. I actually just logged off of the Wayne Due site. I like the rear suspension idea. Thanks again

[bowtieguys]

My dad has a '67 SS that he's owned for 25 years. When it came time for some upgrades (he likes driving across the country to Goodguys events). We went with a Fatman setup. It allowed him to retain the "factory" under hood look of the original suspension, but gain disc brakes and rack and pinion steering. It uses 82-93 camaro spindles/uprights, struts, and brake setup. The rack is from a Chevette, with outer tie-rods from a citation. We realized that for all out performance there are always better options, but this setup works great on his car. We installed it into a finished car without any problems. (well, minor header clearance issues with steering).

Here is a link to my site with a few pics of the install.

http://wiedos.com/Nova/Nova%20Fatman.htm

If you went this route you would still have the same clearance issues as stock with the Big Block though.

Just thoght I'd throw another option at you!

We also replaced the 4-speed with a TKO-500.

Thanks for the info. I had not thought about a Fat Man's setup. I'll definately look into it.Thanks for the info!