Another Nova

[p_call]

I guess it is about time to stop mooching and introduce myself and my project. My father in law gave me a '63 Nova about a year and a half ago. I stripped it and looked at it for about a year before I decided what to do with it. Being a midwest car, the frame was pretty suspect for high horsepower. I looked at using a morrison frame, but what I really wanted was a backbone frame (cobra-style) with complete independent suspension. I finally found a fabricator in the midwest (Active Power of Mentor, OH) that would build a frame and attach it to the remaining body. From there, most of the major components fell in place as listed:

- 5" ground clearance
- C5 front and rear
- C5 torque tube and 6 speed
- Air Ride Shockwaves
- 6/4 piston wilwood brakes front/rear
- 18" rims 9"/11" front/rear

I took the car to the fabricator on Dec 17, but we just got the motor mocked up on Thursday (I changed my mind on what to use about 3 times). Now that I actually have some photos, it was time to formally introduce this effort. I plan on doing the mechanical work myself, so it will be a slow project.

[Sales@Dutchboys]

Welcome
Love them novas

[novanutcase]

Looks good Bro! I do have a couple of questions though! How are you going to get the Trans or Diff out if you break them? Are you going to use the stock 'vette attach points for the front? Are you going to have enough room in front to clear the rack from the motor or are you going to push the motor back?

John

[XcYZ]

Thanks for the project introduction. The Aurora V8 is going to make it a one cool ride.

[pushrod243]

looks like a great project. I'll be the second to say the Aurora V8 is cool

[p_call]

We'll probably do a removable aluminum plate on the bottom, or a series of plates (see photo). My fab guy, Chris, spent alot of time working on race teams back in the day, so he knows alot of tricks. The front points are pretty close to stock, but he has moved them around a little for the narrower car.

The motor is set back a little, it's hard to see, but I think the rear cylinders are midway through the firewall. It is really small, actually it is a cube 20" x 20" x 20". I think it will be really sweet when it is done. Using an IRL motor presents a unique set of challenges, but it will be able to rev over 10 grand. And nothing beats the sound of an indycar motor.