Budget Build 1970 Nova

[Tidony]

Mini tubs are done, rear suspension is in. Today will pull the rearend back out finish welding the spots I couldn’t reach while under the car, clean it paint it with Steel-It and start assembling it. Hopefully will have it on the ground as a roller this week.

[Tidony]

[csouth]

Nice work! How was the fitment of the cradle? I have the same kit going in next year. I installed the front suspension this year before putting it in storage. Wish Currie offered the 9" with the brackets installed like they do for 1st gen Camaro's

[Tidony]

It was not bad at all, not a fan of the bolt style that it came with. Newer kits come with rivnuts which I would have rather used. Was not over concerned because I bolted and welded mine in place.

[Jolley_Man]

Very nice work on the project thus far. The mini tubs are a pain, but well worth it. Mini tubs were my first dive into metal work and I feel like I was into it 30 hours, but like you said it's not difficult.

[gto406]

Project coming along great! Keep at it Joe

[TheCrucible]

Fellow Nova owner here, great project! I need to do the mini tub ASAP, having traction problems over here with the LT4 upgrade.

[Tidony]

Well I got her on the ground and discovered I had a measurement off on my four link brackets that I welded to the rearend. Cut them off today and got new brackets tacked in place, will finish weld them tomorrow. Once rear end is done can start on the exhaust, brake lines and plumbing the fuel lines. I also modified the Tanks Inc tank to accept a Holley dual 450LPH pump assembly, will use the Terminator-X to turn on the second pump when it sees around 25-30% throttle. Tank is mounted and also got the Holley 12.3” dash mounted, plan is to make a custom dash bezel out of 18 gauge steel and some round bar. Was hoping to make Goodguys here in AZ in two weeks but just not going to happen. Have some really cool things planned for the wiring. I’m one of the sick in the head guys that likes to do wiring and plumbing stainless lines.

Thanks for the compliments guys, a lot of this stuff is my first attempt at this level of fab work. Have done a lot of swaps over the years but this is my first real dive into sheet metal work.

[thumper877]

You going to paint it or keep the patina? Wouldn't have to worry about rock chips or scratches and it looks really cool.

[Tidony]

Going to keep it patina is nice not caring about a rock chip or a door ding. I chased this car for a couple years because it was an untouched car it was all original. By the time I bought it someone had taken it apart to restore it. It is a really solid car with exception of typical clogged drain spots. I have always loved ratty looking cars with nice interiors, drivetrain and suspension even before it was common.
No one expected this one to be a ten second street car back when I threw it together was a turbo LS with a turbo 400 when swaps weren’t that common yet. Car was a blast and surprised a lot of people. Built that car for under $10K and it was so much fun.

[Threepointtwo]

This is some great work. Very inspiring.

[gto406]

The cars patina coupled with the wheel/tire combo and stance you have established sets the car off perfectly. Understated, and with the 307 call-outs - the car in the other lane may not see the thumping you will be dishing out, coming!

[jaybee]

I love it. This is going to be a great chassis under a body that looks solid but a beater. You have all the parts to build a very capable car in a sleeper package.

[Tidony]

Well have been slacking the last few weeks. Between the Holidays, dune trips, daughter’s dance recital, school play, and other family outings my time with the car was limited. Am back on it though. Completed plumbing the stainless brake lines and the stainless hard lines and hoses for the fuel system. Not entirely happy with the rear section of the hard lines for the fuel system with routing them around the four link but they are in and should hold well and be far enough away from the 3” exhaust I will be building. Mounted the flex fuel sensor along the return line under the passenger door using a Motion Raceworks flex fuel sensor mount. Got the 3.5” Aluminum driveshaft from Inland Empire Driveshaft installed along with a 1350 Yukon forged yoke on the 9”. Definitely wish the car was not undercoated, will just continue to peel it off over the years as it keeps getting brittle. Part of me wanted to blast the underside of the car, but didn’t want to have to deal with painting it when I’m not going to that level with this car at this point in time. All in all it’s coming together just about two months later than I originally wanted.

[Tidony]

Some more pics and initial install of the Hotchkis subframe connectors.

[Tidony]

[Steve68]

Looks great, nice attention to the clamps, lines, Its all in the little details,

[2ABodies1FBody]

What wheels are those?

[vince72]

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Great build!

[Tidony]

What wheels are those?

Just some cheapies meant for a New Edge Mustang, Current Performace CP21 wheels.