Nova question..

[RobM]

Does a 76 nova share the same suspension as earlier nova's or the camaro? does it have the 8.5 inch 10 bolt?

[Bill Howell]

Yes on the suspension, and I am pretty sure yes on the rearend too.

[RobM]

just what i wanted to hear, i knew it looked close but i needed to know for sure

[zbugger]

I believe the 76 Nova is similar to the 70-81 Camaro front suspension. The rear end should be an 8.5". They installed it in almost everything during that time.

[Bill Howell]

I believe the 76 Nova is similar to the 70-81 Camaro front suspension.

Maybe Allen, but if so, when did they change from the old style? 75? 76?
68-72 was the same and I feel sure thru 76or77 was the same as the 68-72
I am thinking they used the same front end suspension until they changed the bodystyle. Then I have been wrong before....

[zbugger]

First year on that body style for the Nova was '75. '68-'74 was the same chassis.

[Bill Howell]

Thanks,that was the Hatchback years?
decent new website on novas
http://www.novas.net/forums/

[RobM]

this is a different body style from 72-74 but its not a hatch back, the suspension looks just about the same as my 67 camaro though, this car is cherry and im getting it for 700 bucks so im wondering what kind of potential it has

[zbugger]

Rob, what does the spindle look like? One piece or the upright with a bolt on steering arm? Oh, an is it front steer or rear steer?

[RobM]

i have to look at the car again all i know its the controll arms look very much like my 67, now im kicking my self for not looking more closely

[Chevy350]

I friend of mine has a '75 Nova 2door - It's the first year 4th gen X-body, and shares the FRONT suspension with the 2nd gen F-body - Tall spindles, same UCA/LCAs, 5.5" diameter springs, and front-steer. You can see his car in the homepage listed in my profile, his name is Jarle (Just say Charles if you can't pronounce it )

[Bill Howell]

Rob,
Look at the steering, is it front or rear steer. ( Is it in front of or behind the cross member.) That will tell the tale.

EDIT, sorry I did not read the two above posts before I posted.

[69bigblock]

What I've found is that the rear diamensions are the same from 68-79
http://www.novaresource.org/axle.htm

As for the front, I know the front frames are the same 68-74.
not sure if the arms etc. are the same as the 75-later. Pretty sure that the steering is front steer. You could also check out.

http://stevesnovasite.com/forums/index.php

[Chevy350]

I can confirm that the front suspension on my '77 Caprice, my friend's '75 Nova and another friend's '70+'71+'79 Firebirds/Trans Am all share the same LCAs and tall spindles. The only differences over the years are that the bushings in the lower CAs have gotten bigger (bolts too), and the balljoint mounting angle have changed on the upper CAs. They all have the same upper and lower BJs. The subframes themselves are not identical between Nova/F-body, and to what I've heard do not bolt in to each other. The geometry part is still more or less identical, and mods that work on the F-bodys work on the X-body as well.

For the rear suspension, I can confirm your finding on the rear axle 69bigblock, as the leaf mounting width differs between the '75 Nova and the F-bodys I have measured. My question now is this - What leaf springs does the '75-'79 Nova use? The ones for the 1st or 2nd gen F-body? The lowest lowering springs I've found for the 2nd gens are only 1.5", while 1st gens have 2" and 3"...

Sorry for the thread hijack, It's just all interrelated here.

[RobM]

hmm this is going to be tricky, im wondering if maybee i should just build a tube chassis for this car and be done with it

[Chevy350]

Why? In stock form the '75-'79 Novas front clip is better than the elder ones, and need less modifications to be as good as a bolt-on '68-'74 will get. I'd do the normal upgrades to it, and enjoy The support for 2nd gen suspension is growing day by day, and prices are getting better. While a WELL executed tube chassis might be better, I don't think the price would be defendable - even if you do all of it yourself (and then, questioning your fab'skills, technical knowledge, and the possibility to pull one off at all - and still might end up with something heavier, less rigid, and just way more expensive than the upgraded stocker) Is it worth it?

By all means, for that price - buy the car! Enjoy it in every way possible, you don't see them around as much anymore.

[RobM]

i have training in chassis fabrication. I’m not sure what I’m going to do how ever i may just keep this one simple. The suspension isn’t such a bad designee and i think i can cure most of its flaws. What I’m going to do in the mean time is completely rebuild what’s there from ball joints to shocks to brakes and get a solid driving car for a base

[RobM]

what would you say nova of these years would weigh?

[Chevy350]

Then you know what is involved, and how much work it is. I still think it's a "waste of time" on a disco-Nova, but it depends on plans of use, etc. By all means - do what you feel is best, but for that price, please save that car ;)

My friend's car has 3700lbs written in the registration papers (1690kg), which I find quite heavy... But maybe it's correct - we haven't weighed the car yet. It's an 250cid L6 and TH350 btw.

[RobM]

Yeah I was half kidding about the tube chassis thing, 3700 does seem a bit heavy for that car, the car is a line 6 with a th 350. can i just use second gen camaro frame mounts to put a small block in? This car is going to be very budget.... plans are a mild small block (350 hp) Turbo 350. complete rebuild of all suspension and brakes, Mild suspension upgrades, frame connectors, custom (low key) interior by me, paint by me. I want a reliable car that I can take cross country in good comfort. Will handle decent and have good power. and last but not least I want to be able to park it at the mall and not have to worry about some one messing with it.