Tube chassis 63 nova

[ironworks]

We have started on a 63 Nova with a 5" ride height. We are going to put an Ls1 with a 6 speed in it with a Procharger. We will be using a Chris Alston front crossmember with a Chris Alston Billet triangulated four bar. We will be using Wilwood brake and I'm thinking 13 spoke Fikse wheels. We are looking at 245/17's, 335/18 with BFG. In this project we will be doing the Heavy fabrication and the New sheet metal work. I will also attempt to tell you how many hours are involved in each phase of the project to give an idea of the time it takes to build something like this.

In this project we are not going to fabricate everything, we want to make a high tech well fabricated car using smart parts. We have a handful of problems to over come in a small car with such a low ride height. The track width will be 51" so the tires can fully turn. The Chris Alston clip does not come with power steering so we are working to get a nice scrub radius with a 4.120 back space on a 7.5 wheel, we may run 8's but I'm not sure they will fit. We also need to keep the the flat hood, so engine height is important. Not to high, but not low. The location of the Procharger, How much of back seat we can have, these are some of the many issues to deal with.

We are budgeting 500 hrs to get a rolling chassis with rollcage. It looks like custom headers or block hugger shortie headers are a must already to improve gas pedal area. The cheap hooker swap headers are just not to friendly for space. The engine is set back into the firwall about 3". Wait until you see the rear frame rails

Current hours to this point are about 50, with 2 sticks of .120 DOM. And a Old nova floor in the scarp bin. The front suspension shows up on monday.

[ironworks]

1 more pic, but I cannot get it to get bigger

[reds65ss]

i've seen a couple of these threads with some of the work that you guys are doing and you guys are bad ass! i'm in visalia (45 min away from you) and i'm working on a 65 malibu ss, my question is could i afford to have you guys work on my car? with this car for example you say 500 hours, what is your shop rate? now i understand there are alot of variables on hours and all that, i'm just wanting a general idea before i call you with my list of ideas. also how long is your waiting list? sorry to jack your thread if i did so, you guys are awsome!

[novanutcase]

Wait until you see the rear frame rails!

I saw 'em! LOL!

John

[reds65ss]

hey john after seeing your thread i would say that you are well qualified to answer my question, your car is sick!

[novanutcase]

Since you're so close you should just go down to the shop and talk to Rodger! He'll give you a tour of the shop so you can get an idea of what they are capable of. Rodger is pretty good with helping you figure out what would be best for the goals and budget that you have for the car so a trip down will definitely be the best thing to do IMO!

John

BTW Thanks!

[ironworks]

Well 500 hrs @ 65.00 per hour is 32500. We will do all the chassis and sheetmetal work to get it back to a complete car. Then you add your wheels and tires. We are using everything in the Chris Alston triangulated 4 link except the rear clip. If we used the clip we would kill any chance of a back seat at this ride height and lose tons of space in front of the tubs. The front suspension is just the crossmember with suspension, not the whole bolt in front clip. This car will sit about 3-4 inches lower then the Bolt on front clip car. Like I said we are trying to build a sweet chassis with smart parts. We have decided to build headers since we cannot find any to fit like we would like or need. But the front and rear suspension with brakes, axles, and axle housing for 8000 is pretty good. Just add a differential and your engine and trans. I just ordered the Procharger for this one this morning.



If you come down sometime you can check out the other work and options. The 1st gen chevelle are going through the roof right now. I have 2 in the shop and 2 on the board. The parts avalible for the chevelles are plenty but you can not get a good ride height on those cars with out cutting them up. We have a wedge sectioned 67 you have got to see. Sorry no posted pics of that one.

If you have any questions call me at the shop. (661) 399-8999

Thanks Rodger

[65chevelle''ss'']

Rodger,

Not trying to jack your Nova thread either (which is going to be sweet by the way) but I also had a similar question as Reds65. Here is a link to where I'm at with my Chevelle if you have a chance

https://www.pro-touring.com/forum/sh...ad.php?t=33289

I planned on going AirRide so I could get the "perfect" ride height(everything is bought and ready to be installed) but after seeing some of these C5/C6 drivetrained Chevelles and Novas I'm leaning toward going that route. From a handling standpoint it wouldn't even be a comparison....would it? What are your plans for the suspension on your "C6-67 Chevelle with LSX" posted up on your website?

I unfortunately don't have an endless supply of money however I do have a large amount invested into this car and I want it built "right"... I've been working on it for over 4 years now and I personally don't think I have cut any corners yet so why start now...? In a perfect world where you don't run into any problems or variables that would largely effect the baseline price, how many hours would you have into installing the corvette drivetrain into a 65? Just labor, no parts. You can PM me a response if you'd like.

P.S. NOT to the extent as John's Nova. That thing is absolutely
wicked and I know I don't have the pockets for a build such as that. ;)
Is there an inbetween?

Thanks Rodger

[ironworks]

There is an in between, but we would need to meet in person to discuss what the exact project your looking at. Johns nova is unbelievible but there are ways to improve everything. With Visalia being 1.25 hours from me I would recommend you come down here and I can further discuss and show you some ideas on projects in different money ranges. We can build anything it is just a matter as to weather you can pay for it when we send you the bill.

The LSX chevlle will get complete C6 drivetrain and suspension with a 4L80 trans in the stock corvette position to handle the 475 cu in Procharged engine. We are thinking 1200 -1500 Hp. It has 2 90mm throttle bodies.

We have a wedge sectioned 67 that we are building. When I set the frame on the ground without and suspension it was 1.25" over ride height. This thing will be super bad ass.

[65chevelle''ss'']

There is an in between, but we would need to meet in person to discuss what the exact project your looking at. Johns nova is unbelievible but there are ways to improve everything. With Visalia being 1.25 hours from me I would recommend you come down here and I can further discuss and show you some ideas on projects in different money ranges. We can build anything it is just a matter as to weather you can pay for it when we send you the bill.

The LSX chevlle will get complete C6 drivetrain and suspension with a 4L80 trans in the stock corvette position to handle the 475 cu in Procharged engine. We are thinking 1200 -1500 Hp. It has 2 90mm throttle bodies.

We have a wedge sectioned 67 that we are building. When I set the frame on the ground without and suspension it was 1.25" over ride height. This thing will be super bad ass.

Thanks for the info Rodger! I live in the Portland Oregon area so it's a little bigger drive for me to come see the shop but I would love to plan a trip out there in the near future and check it out. I have some family in Northern Cali so it would split the drive up nicely ;)

Thanks for the info! I will be contacting you
Travis

[Young Gun]

Sent you an email at [email protected], rodger, please be on the lookout for it!

[ironworks]

Some pics from today, We will install the front crossmember tommorrow and bend up the next section of the rear rails.

I should have a total for hours to this point later tonight. We do billing every wednesday night, Dont worry John you have the week off this week. I send bills next week. We bill every 2 weeks.

Rodger

[ironworks]

Sent you an email at [email protected], rodger, please be on the lookout for it!

You mean [email protected], I got an email from some body with a Nova, was that you?

[Young Gun]

You mean [email protected], I got an email from some body with a Nova, was that you?

haha yup thats what I meant! it was me, Ill check my email and try and find some time to give yall a call in the next few weeks! thanks Roger!

Colin

[HWY Nova]

I was at Ironworks all day last Friday..... and to see these progress pictures now.... WOW. Last Friday, only the two new main frame rails were in, and they were cutting out the original trunk! You have an awesome crew.

Nice work Rodger. I'll have to keep an eye on this build (if you know what I mean).

--Eric

[ironworks]

I was at Ironworks all day last Friday..... and to see these progress pictures now.... WOW. Last Friday, only the two new main frame rails were in, and they were cutting out the original trunk! You have an awesome crew.

Nice work Rodger. I'll have to keep an eye on this build (if you know what I mean).

--Eric

I think we may put some custom pedals in here pretty soon, (If you know what I mean)

[HWY Nova]

Rodger,

I sent you my resume...... Did you get it?

Seriously, this is going to be a nice car. There will be a few challenges, but I know you and your crew will prevail.

And you thought John's 66 was tight for space.........

--Eric

[ironworks]

This one is definitely smaller. I got the go ahead this morning to cut the roof. Just tiny bit. I need to photoshop it to figure out exactly how far.

Rodger

[ironworks]

65chevelle "SS" I thought you lived in Visalia, There are just so many Chevelles going togther to keep track of. The guy at the top of the post is from Visalia and he has a 65.

Rodger

[65chevelle''ss'']

65chevelle "SS" I thought you lived in Visalia, There are just so many Chevelles going togther to keep track of. The guy at the top of the post is from Visalia and he has a 65.

Rodger

Haha... I figured you were getting us confused by your post yesterday ;) It's OK!!

Nope I'm up here in Portland. It's really not that far from you actually, I can make that in way less then a days drive. Next time I head down to see my family I'm gonna stop by the shop to check it out, I'll let you know! Can't wait!

Keep up the AMAZING work Rodger! The Nova's lookin crazy
T