'75-'78 Nova questions

[Q ship]

Well, after attending my first open track event, I'm thinking I may want something a little more svelte than my Caprice. I still want something fairly large inside, as I spend a ton of time in the car. So a Nova seems to be a fair compromise.

I know the '68-'74 cars used first gen Camaro front suspensions, and have heard the '75 up cars use 2nd gen-can anyone confirm that for me? I have pretty much the entire front suspension from my old '71 Camaro, with C5 front brakes, that I would like to use. Emissions aren't a huge concern. I would be trading my cruddy C4L rear suspension for a cruddy set of leaf springs so that seems to be a draw.

Does anyone know of any drawbacks to the late Novas? And if any of you guys know of one sitting around, please let me know!! I actually prefer a (this guys cracked! ) four door.

Oh, and I know a '78 up Bu would be great also, but I would really like to use as many parts as possible that I already have. (but if you know of a cheap one.....)

Thanks guys!

[Lowend]

Yep - 75-77 Novas are the same subframe as the 70-81 Camaro all the same suspension stuff will work

[Q ship]

Thanks Brett!(it is Brett, right?) Does the actual subframe also interchange?

[Lowend]

Hmm that I'm not sure about.
Ask Tony Huntimer about that one

... yeah Brett is the name

[JMarsa]

As a 4th Gen Nova owner I can tell you that the front end parts are the same as the 3rd gen Camaros. There is a difference though. The angle of the cross shafts. One is pigeon toed while the other is opposite. I'll have to look it up which is which. The subframe will not interchange as there is differences in the mounting points. BTW, my car weighs in at 3200lbs stock. I think it's possible to get one under 3000lbs with a LS based engine, custom subframe with aluminum control arms, lightweight seats and some other tricks.

You can use the brakes but I think you have the short spindles. These Novas have the tall. I'm working on a C5 front brake conversion right now. I've got all the parts. Just haven't mocked it up yet.

--JMarsa

[Q ship]

JMarsa, thanks! I have tall spindles, so it sounds good for me. The subframe is no biggie anyway, I just want to bolt what I have up to it. 3200 lbs sounds great, the Caprice is a little over 3800. Do you have any pics of your car?

[JMarsa]

It might seem strange that I don't huh? I do have pics of an identical car (same color) with the same 70-72 Chevelle/Camaro SS rims that my last Nova had on it. I can take pics this week if there is anything you want to see. I've been collecting parts and making plans so there appears to be little progress as it sits. A good site to check out is: www.novaresource.org

There's lots of info and links there. A good message board is: http://stevesnovasite.com/forums/ People seem friendly and knowledgable there as well.

Just let me know if there is anything else you want to know. I think I'm the only 4th Gen Nova person here.

[Q ship]

Well, maybe not for long! Thanks for the links, I'll be pestering you as I go!