69 Nova LS1 mini-makeover, T56 conversion and season prep

[Rybar]

Very nice clean install. Got any pics of the entire car??

[KPC67]

Let me know how you like the shifter.

[NOPANTS68]

Originally Posted by Rybar

Very nice clean install. Got any pics of the entire car??

Thanks for the kind words- here you go:

Originally Posted by KPC67

Let me know how you like the shifter.

will do- I'm doing a wierd pistol grip deal in billet so it might be funky but we'll see.

[Rybar]

Wow, that Nova looks awesome. Well done, really like everything you've done on it.

[Flash68]

Sweet motor!

[NOPANTS68]

Originally Posted by Rybar

Wow, that Nova looks awesome. Well done, really like everything you've done on it.

thanks dude. I'm trying to get my RW close to yours. I think you have PRC heads as well?

[Rybar]

Originally Posted by NOPANTS68

thanks dude. I'm trying to get my RW close to yours. I think you have PRC heads as well?

Nope, ET Performance 215's. I'm sure you'll get there with the carb intake.

[tones2SS]

Nice car. Looks great.

[NOPANTS68]

Well, first track outing with the T56 was interesting. I didn't know how much grip the track had so I tried a small burnout and staged. I softly let the clutch out at 2500 RPM, the tires dead hooked, it rolled out 10 feet and nearly shut the engine off. I managed to keep it running, threw it back into gear and ran out a 13.0 @ 118. After another short burnout to clean up the tires I staged again. This time I dumped the clutch at 4500 and the car didn't move. It made a hell of a racket out back and rolled a foot. Turns out the bearing support in my stock 9 inch case snapped off sending the pinion walking up the ring gear and ripped the housing apart. After disassembly, I found a broken case, chipped ring gear, bent splines on the axles (Currie 31 spline) , and all of the studs bent (Strange 1/2-20s). The housing, locker, and yoke were all fine.

So...I ordered all new Moser 35 spline axles, new locker, Strange Pro-G case, new 4.33s, 5/8 studs, and billet pinion support. It might be overkill, but I also braced the hell out of the housing yesterday so it'll be ready for the next bullet I put in the engine bay. Lesson learned- stock 9 inch Ford third members don't like big launches on big drag radials. Pics:

Calm before the carnage


broken case


new vs old


braced rear ready for hell


Should be back on the road next week.

[waynieZ]

Yep you sure did some damage. That new housing should handle the extra power. Tha car looks great.