'70 Nova V/SA to F/SA Makeover

[Doug Hoven]

Originally Posted by Mike Gray

So how would you rate the footbrake vs 2 step, which was better for RT and 60'? Do you leave at the same rpm?
I wanted to try some runs on footbrake only but haven't had a chance yet.
Nice picture and a pretty good wheelie for an 11 sec. car that looks like the front doesn't have a ton of travel dialed in.
(also like the color )

My testing in footbrake vs 2 step is inconclusive. From looking at timeslips with similar 330' and 660' numbers, the 60ft times I was seeing down there were very similar to what I've seen with the 2 step. However, the headers that I was using at Maple grove were not my own, and I had to return them to their owner, so I threw my "trusty" hooker super competition 1-3/4 headers on and went down there. The car was down on 660' mph from Maple grove, which I am going to "blame" on the header change, but, I was also running the car a little heavier at the footbrake race to try and ward off any potential traction issues. What I did notice, was I used my 2 step launch rpm as my footbrake rpm point, and then at one point decided to go up 500 rpm, and the car picked up .02 in 60ft. Personally, my "grouping" of R/T has proven to be more consistent on the "foot swap" over the 2 step. As far as front end travel goes, the springs that I put in the car are definitely better than what was in there, but the front end runs out of energy pretty quickly. I like the "lowered" look the car has, but trying to find springs that will keep the front end low, as well as retain energy all the way through the range of travel is proving to be tricky.

[Mike Gray]

I'm definitely going to try the footbrake and some more rpm, a .02 improvement in the 60' would be good.
I also would like to change my Hooker super competition headers for a set from REF and try a radial tire. (When the budget allows)
I bought new springs from Marty Rinehart, you might want to give him a try.

[Doug Hoven]

Well, it's been a while since I've posted on this thread. The car has seen a few changes over the past few months, and I was forced to learn some things. The most obvious change to the car is that the car once again sounds like it has a 230-inch 6 cylinder in it, but that is just due to the bundle of snakes that found their way onto the car earlier last month (see pictures below). While I was assisting with the headers, I noticed the bellhousing on my th200 was cracked yet again. This time I figured out why it re-cracked the bellhousing and remedied the issue. Due to time constraints, and the fact that I conveniently purchased a core for $75 a few weeks prior, I taught myself (with some over the phone guidance) on how to re-case a th200. So far so good with my DIY transmission, and as far as the headers go, they aren't too shabby either. I've also been driving myself crazy with ride height changes, which I'm hoping to put an end to by installing some 180lb/in landrum front springs in the next day or so. I had a fun trip with Billy out in Norwalk last week, where the "crew cab" nova made an appearance. Next stop, Lebanon Valley next weekend.

[Troy Henderson]

Would love to know how the crossovers perform vs some 4 to 1's. Super cool!

[Doug Hoven]

Originally Posted by Troy Henderson

Would love to know how the crossovers perform vs some 4 to 1's. Super cool!

Well, I have had 2 different sets of conventional 4 to 1 headers on the car. These are definitely better than the hooker 1 3/4 super competition headers that I ran on the car. The other set was a 1 3/4 to 1 7/8 header that was VERY long, even though the car didn't seem to care much. Just "throwing them on" they are pretty good, but with some testing there might still be some more in them.

[mtkawboy]

Badasp looking pipes!