'72 Nova project

[mikem]

My project is well underway and I thought it was time I got some pictures up. The ultimate plan is to have a 6.0 liter LQ-9 with a t-56. I have the LQ-9 but not the 6 speed yet. The suspension is this years project. I removed the front with plans to put SPC adjustable uppers, Hotrods to Hell tubular lowers with Fatman Fab. tall spindles. As the front end came apart I saw that the body bushing were a mess and the frame was welded by a blind man at the factory. So I ended up pulling the motor and the whole front subframe. I had all the factory welds redone, the frame rails are welded from one end to the other and the support between the crossmembers is boxed. I am going to put it back together with DSE solid body bushings but first I need to get it stripped and painted.



I will be running Wilwood 12.2" brakes on all 4 corners and the rear suspension is loose and ready to be pulled to make room for the Hotrods to Hell truck arm set-up. I am still trying to decide on a wheel but right now I like the look of the Boze Pro-touring with a charcoal face and the brushed satin rim.

The current 355 will be reinstalled with the Richmond gear 5 speed until the 6.0 liter and T-56 are ready.

Here are some pics of the subframe and suspension components.

[zman1969]

nice start and plans so far , what are doing for rolling stock and body? keep us updated

[69Nova]

Awsome! How bout a picture of the car itself?

[Steve68]

more Pics,

[mikem]

After a crappy winter with more snow than I want to see again, things are finally coming together. The frame was stripped and painted and I started getting all my parts. I am still waiting on the Wilwood brake kit but that will hopefully show up soon.

The frame had all the joints welded and I used a 2 part epoxy primer. The lower arms are from Hotrods to Hell. They are solid, I am impressed with the workmanship on these, so I hope they perform well. The upper arms are from SPC and are completely adjustable. The pics are obviously mock ups and the springs are not installed.

The spindles are Fatman 2" drop. I hope the steering arms work. I got these prior to becoming a member here and the stock spindles are gone. If I had it to do over I would probably not have these.

The steering box is a 12.7:1 from Unisteer. It is the 600 series box and I am thrilled with how much smaller it is.

All the steering components are Moog and the adjuster sleeves are from DSE.

I have new 1/2 height body bushings from DSE and will hopefully be reuniting the frame and body as soon as possible.

Brakes are coming from Frank at Prodigy. 6 piston front and 4 piston rear, both on 12.2 inch rotors.

[MrQuick]

great looking body. nice start. Looking forward to more pictures.

[Part Time]

Love it !!

[mikem]

Finally some more updates. I have been moving and trying to learn a new job so it has been slow going. Combine that with a brake package that is still not in Wilwood's catalog and you can see how easy it is to get stalled. Just a couple quick pics of the new brakes. I should get the front brakes installed later this week or early next week.

If my tires show up the car will finally be on its own feet again. I can't wait. It has only been about 9 months now since it came apart.

Without further babbling here are the pics.
Front hub and rotor



Rear rotor



Front with caliper



Both front and back



Thanks to Frank from Prodigy Customs for putting up with my constant phone calls about where these brakes were. If you couldn't tell I was a bit excited.

More Pics when they are mounted.

[mikem]

Th project has taken a backseat to some other time consuming things this year. I moved, am attempting to sell my house and got married. So far I am happy I still find any time to work on this.

The Hotrods to Hell rear is finally in and while I still have to finish some of the smaller welding it is close to done. The mini-tubs are in and I just need to finish a few things there as well.

The new axles and c-clip eliminators are supposed to come in today or early next week. Once the axles are here I can finish the rearend and get the Wilwood brakes mounted.

I don't have pictures of the wheels and tires but the backs are 285/40 17s and the fronts are 245/45 17s. Both are Nitto 555s and they are mounted on Crager Soft 8s. I am hoping for a NASCARish look. I really wanted something in a billet but just can't swing the cost now. These wheels were less than $250 for all 4 but they are HEAVY!

I have not been completely thrilled with the Hotrods to Hell rear. The idea is kind of cool but the instructions weren't exactly crystal clear and the measurements didn't always come out like they said they would in the instructions. All in all it will come down to how it drives and handles so I am still hopeful.

The mini-tubs were great but I wish they were complete tubs. The back lower portion of mine had rust holes and I removed it. Now I have to find a way to cap the area that exposed. Not a huge deal but for as nice as they are it would great to just replace it all.

As for what is next.

The original hope was to have it rolling this fall.... now that snow is here and salt has been poured on the roads that will not happen.

I am working on getting the LQ-9 ready for the spring. I am going to go with the Richmond 5 speed behind it. Less things to change and it will allow me to retain the current gears and posi in the rear.

The interior will be getting new front seats (the old bench was shot and it was a bench) and new upholstery on the rear. Not sure what seats to use so suggestions are welcome.

On to what everyone wants to see... pictures.

Here you can see the floor pans cut out and the cross member in place. The cross member was not wide enough to reach the rockers and we had to make spacers on each side. This also allowed us to make sure it was centered too.


This one is not the clearest but it is the end of the cross member with the spacer welded in place.


This is the modified gusset that was directly in front of the old leaf spring mount. It has been strengthened and a support runs from there to the cross member.


This photo shows the entire support as it runs across the new floor. The instructions did not call for it but the new floor was completely welded to the support. It also serves to tie the front of the rear subframe to the back of the front subframe.


Here the frame is prepared for the minitub. You can see the notched frame and the other fill panel.


Here is the drivers side tub installed.


One from the inside of the trunk.


Here you can see the rear suspension installed. The panhard bar was 3 inches too long and needed to be shortened but it is in and ready for the axles. It will be in need of some paint too...


Here you can see the cross supports for both the shocks and the panhard bar. You can also see the extra bracing between the trunk floor and frame for the panhard bar mount.


Last one is of the panhard bar gusset. The fill panel it welds too was a bit too short so we will probably extend it back to completely support the gusset.


I will try to keep updates coming as the Power Tour will be here before you know it. Seeing as it is starting less than 1 hour away I have no excuse in missing it.

[WILWAXU]

Nice looking project!

[70TWO NOVA]

Looking good, dig the color on the car!

[mikem]

The rear suspension is in and the floors are done. The brakes and axles are in. I have seats on the way so I can fabricate some brackets and get those mounted. Then it will be on to painting, sealing and Dynomatting the interior.

I am really digging the look of the wheels and tire combo. Granted it is still on the lift and not sitting at ride height, I am still digging it. The wheels are Crager Soft 8's in 17X8 in the front and 17X9 in the rear. The tires are Nitto 555s in 245/40 17 in the front and 285/45 17s in the rear.

I still have to mount the master cylinder and run all my brake lines and then I can start mapping out the headache that will be installing the LS style motor.

Here are some pictures of the car with the wheels and tires on.

[stealth71]

Looking good. I just put Soft 8's on my Chevelle.

[JJSmitches]

I just wanted to double check your tire size in the rear. You are running a 285/45/17? Where did you pick those up? I checked Tirerack, discount tire direct, and Summit with no luck.

Thanks!

[ebncrdr]

Very cool...looking forward to seeing the rest of your progress

[mikem]

I messed up on the rear tire size. It is a 285/40 17.... not a 45. I was typing in a hurry before and didn't proofread it. I picked them up on Summit last summer but they were backordered for months.

[JJSmitches]

Thanks for double checking.

I forgot to mention earlier, nice updates!

[icebird84]

nice Nova , good job

[1971CHEVELLE]

This car is going to be awesome I like the color

Good work

[BossaNova]

Man, what you've done is v. impressive. That is a cool looking car.

Look forward to seeing that new engine going in.