1966 Nova good for a G-Machine treatment?

[Steve1968LS2]

Thoughts? How is the aftermarket for this year? I know it's nothing like 1st gen Camaros where you can buy pre-made minitub kits and complete subframes but what are your guys thoughts on this?



Just considering my next project

[CAMAROBOY69]

I used to have a 66 Nova and I would like to see a lot more of them. I never got to build it into "Pro-Touring" but it sure could be a fun car. They are so light but the front end demands a lot of attention due to the fact that the suspension is one of the worst I have seen in my life. When I drove it I was reminded of a little go cart or dune buggy. Beautiful little cars. I say go for it!

[Steve1968LS2]

I used to have a 66 Nova and I would like to see a lot more of them. I never got to build it into "Pro-Touring" but it sure could be a fun car. They are so light but the front end demands a lot of attention due to the fact that the suspension is one of the worst I have seen in my life. When I drove it I was reminded of a little go cart or dune buggy. Beautiful little cars. I say go for it!

I thought it would make a good project car. I would like to build it for open road and other track events and still have it nice looking of course.

I am pretty sure there are aftermarket subframes available to address the horid front suspension but haven't heard it they are all that great. Everybody builds first gens so I thought this might be more interesting.

Also, I KNOW an LSx engine will fit in one ;)

[CAMAROBOY69]

You are right Steve. There are several aftermarket, direct bolt on kits for the front. Most of them come with disk brakes too and if I remember correctly they were somewhere between $1,000 and $1,500 range. You could get a lot of info from a couple other members in here that have Novas of that genre. John Parson's "Too Much" instantly comes to mind and there are several others that have very impressive Novas. Also dont forget the yellow 66 Nova that DSE worked on too. That cars is just incredible and well built. :icon996:
Novas on this forum. Pro-Touring Novas

[Gonzostyle]

Steve, there is a large aftermarket for these cars. There are also at least 5 subframe manufacturers for these cars (including Wayne Due). Considering their weight (typically under 3000lbs) they are a fun car to play with. The limiting factor tends to be tire size on front and a cramped engine compartment if you are using a stock subframe. If you change to an aftermarket sub a lot of the problems go away.

Feel free to email me if you have specfic questions.

-Jeremie <- owns 3 first gen nova's

[email protected]

[datsbad]

go for it . sound's really good . i know this car is one of my choices !!

[Bill Howell]

Great cars and better sleepers! I looked at a front end set up at the World Finals in Orlando last year and if memory serves me right, that particular one was north of $5000. That was everything but certainly alot of coins. Rear end tight for big rubber too. I guess this must be what you are thinking of for your "project" car? Great choice, and maybe just maybe you can find some sponsorship.
There was a 2 door wagon (yellow) at the auction last week. It had had a tremendous amount of body work as GM never made a 2 door (66 or 67 nova)wagon, but it was one of the sweetest cars there to me.

[zbugger]

Steve, talk to John Parsons.

[nvawgn]

yes indeed, it was a beautiful car. i think it sold for close to 70k

Great cars and better sleepers! I looked at a front end set up at the World Finals in Orlando last year and if memory serves me right, that particular one was north of $5000. That was everything but certainly alot of coins. Rear end tight for big rubber too. I guess this must be what you are thinking of for your "project" car? Great choice, and maybe just maybe you can find some sponsorship.
There was a 2 door wagon (yellow) at the auction last week. It had had a tremendous amount of body work as GM never made a 2 door (66 or 67 nova)wagon, but it was one of the sweetest cars there to me.

[parsonsj]

Steve,

My car can't really be called a Chevy II or Nova any more. The only thing stock from 1967 is the roof, cowl, and package tray. My frame, floor, drivetrain, and suspension is all aftermarket or custom parts that could just as easily been applied to a Ford or Mopar platform (or even a Camaro).

Having said that, I think the Nova is a fine platform from which to build PT type cars. The stock suspension needs an upgrade, and there are several vendors with product for just that. It also needs a mini-tub and some tweaking up front to get some wider tires in it. Basic SBC stuff bolts right in.

They are small and light, good looking, with solid aftermarket support.

What else would you need?

jp

[Steve1968LS2]

Steve,

My car can't really be called a Chevy II or Nova any more. The only thing stock from 1967 is the roof, cowl, and package tray. My frame, floor, drivetrain, and suspension is all aftermarket or custom parts that could just as easily been applied to a Ford or Mopar platform (or even a Camaro).

Having said that, I think the Nova is a fine platform from which to build PT type cars. The stock suspension needs an upgrade, and there are several vendors with product for just that. It also needs a mini-tub and some tweaking up front to get some wider tires in it. Basic SBC stuff bolts right in.

They are small and light, good looking, with solid aftermarket support.

What else would you need?

jp

Nothing

I was checking out the Martz site and they make a nice front and rear set-up. I don't see that anyone makes a mini-tub kit like they do for 1st gens so that would have to be done the old fashioned way.

This is what I was looking at:


God I love that color and look.. The goal would be to make it capable of entering open road and track events. A "useable" PT car..

Thanks for the input..

[parsonsj]

Agree: that's a gorgeous car.

Is that Marina Blue?

jp

[Steve1968LS2]

Agree: that's a gorgeous car.

Is that Marina Blue?

jp

No, its listed as tourquise (sp?).. Supposed to have a very light ghost flame effect as well.

I'm sure that particular car will be sold by the time I get funds but it definetly has the look I would want, subtle and bad-ass (well more bad-ass after i screw with it for a while)

[ssx]

I am in the process of finishing up my 67'SS. This is the 4th 66-67 I've owned and finally building one the way I want. This is what I'm doing(sounds kinda close to what you are thinking about)

Heidt's front subframe with 2" dropped spindles
LS1 and T-56 out of a 99' Camaro with about 30K miles
4 wheel disc brakes
MiniTub to fit 17X7's front and 17 or 18X10's back
Full Airride system with shockwaves on all 4 corners
Vintage Air
In general the front end kits run closer to $4K, and I've heard that the Alston kit is the best. Thats what the shop that is doing my car says and they have done a bunch of Novas.
Nova's look cool when done right but the prices on them are climbing and all the work and parts to do it right (front end etc) really does end up costing a lot of money. The nice 2 tone Purple over Silver car that was on Ebay last week had $80k invested I believe, and he would sell it for $60K. Hope some of that helps.

[USAZR1]

If you really want a killer 66 Chevy II protourer,check this out.
http://www.vennom.com/ Much better platform to start with,IMO.

[Steve1968LS2]

If you really want a killer 66 Chevy II protourer,check this out.
http://www.vennom.com/ Much better platform to start with,IMO.

Call me a traditionalist but I want an OLD car.. not a new car the looks like an old car..

Cool kit though.. We are getting ready to feature a Nova like this.. one with no actual Nova parts.. lol

[ssx]

The Vennom kit is really nice. The year one guys built a sweet one on Rides. But for that kind of cash $25K or so rolling you can get a nice "real" Nova to start with. Also the interior leaves a little to be desired in my opinion. Also no back seat and the thing I don't like is the rear wheel openings are higher and bigger than a actual Nova. Kinda like rounding the rear wheel openings for a gasser or American Graffitti look on a 55' Chevy. Just my 2 cents though.

[ryans67deuce]

Steve,

Another Nova guy here.... With an aftermarket front sub, and custom rear system, it can be a fantastic project. Most aftermarket subframes allow for a 245 series tire up front, and minitubbing allows for up to a 295 series tire in the rear. Relocating the rear rails inboard a couple inches, combined with the minitub, you could run much more tire - even a 335 like someone I know is doing... My '67 has a Wayne Due clip, and am in the process of adding a C4 rear. If you'd like any more info - I'd be more than happy to help.....

Ryan

[Steve1968LS2]

Steve,

Another Nova guy here.... With an aftermarket front sub, and custom rear system, it can be a fantastic project. Most aftermarket subframes allow for a 245 series tire up front, and minitubbing allows for up to a 295 series tire in the rear. Relocating the rear rails inboard a couple inches, combined with the minitub, you could run much more tire - even a 335 like someone I know is doing... My '67 has a Wayne Due clip, and am in the process of adding a C4 rear. If you'd like any more info - I'd be more than happy to help.....

Ryan

Thanks Ryan, thats the kind of info I was looking for. DSE needs to make a mini-tub kit for these cars to make it easier (that was a hint). I mentioned this to someone the other day and they made some remark about the 66 Nove not being aerodynamic. I pointed out that neither is a 69 Camaro.

Also, getting a VERY clean 66 Nova is about 10-15 thousand $$ cheaper than getting a 69 Camaro in the same condition. That is a LOT of parts and upfits.

I haven't decided yet. I just know that as nice as my 69 is that it didn't turn out to be the kind of car I was looking to build. It sort of took on a life of it's own. Learn a boat load of information though and I got to meet you guys so its a win/win for me.

Here is a question.. What front sub-frame set-up is better, Wayne Due or Heits? and why..

I keep thinking of that idea for doing a "sub-frame shootout"..

[ryans67deuce]

I'm probably biased.... but I would think the WD is the better performing clip. Corvette vs. MustangII suspension. I can't testify to the performance yet, since mine hasn't hit the road. But a better comparison test would probably be the WD vs. the Chris Alston clip. CA's is considered superior to the Heidt's.

Ryan