68 - 72 Nova SS GT manual trans combinations

[Dragsinger]

If I wanted to build a 68 - 72 Nova for SS GT manual trans which engine combination would be a good choice?

*What would be the race weight with driver and what class?

*What will be good options for clutch & trans?

My age is 67, a full adult career of successful drag race experiences, it is time to build my class racer project.

NOTE: I will build everything possible/practical in house with focus on the trend to control cost without sacrificing the ability to race competitively.

[Alan Roehrich]

In GT, most older cars just are not competitive, GT is a class for FWD conversions, or late model F body cars. Older cars don't have the aero package, or a good wheelbase/overhang layout.

We looked at a dozen different GT combinations for the SS/EA 69 Camaro, and just could not find one that worked.

Remember that the shipping weight you use to classify it is the heaviest V8 weight in the guide.

There's a reason the GT classes are full of Cobalts, Cavaliers, and late nineties Camaros and Firebirds.

Build the car as a traditional 1970 402/375 aluminum head 4 speed car.

[Tony Curcio]

Here's something different- look at a Pontiac 455 from the smogger era, 1971-74.

It's GM, so you can use one in your Nova for GT classes. The ratings look low for such a big engine with a big carburetor.

The aero issues are undoubtedly a challenge, and the indexes are typically a tenth quicker than the corresponding SS class. But a favorable factor could keep you in the game.

Remember, you asked.

[Dragsinger]

Alan,

with the 402 what weight & what class? Which clutch and which trans?

[Dragsinger]

Tony, Thank You for the suggestion and I will consider all options. However, with 50 years of Chevy experience most likely a Pontiac engine is not a good choice for me.

[Alan Roehrich]

Originally Posted by Dragsinger

Alan,

with the 402 what weight & what class? Which clutch and which trans?

It's a natural 8.5# car @ 405HP with aftermarket aluminum heads. That makes it a SS/F car. It can also run SS/E or SS/G. Still pretty tough classes.

There are others more versed in the stick shift side of it than I am. It also depends on how much you want to spend.

[Dragsinger]

Alan,

what about small block packages, what about 300/350 package in SS?

[Eric Merryfield]

Originally Posted by Dragsinger

Alan,

what about small block packages, what about 300/350 package in SS?

Dragsinger, my two cents for you and anyone doing package research:

#1 get yourself a nitro Joes subscription it $50 and money well spent. You can see what everyone else has run and is running across the spectrum of SS and GT car and trucks.

#2 You are talking about building a STICK car for GT. You are in Texas so you will likely never have any heads up runs if you put what seems to be the motor of choice in the car of a 66 chevy 283 rated at 230, and if you run it in GT/L or GT/K, with indexes of 11.3 and 11.1.

#3 Just have fun, you don't need to go .90 under the index to go rounds. You will get the clean tree(thats the good news), you will get run down by the FWD converts and the AH cars, etc, and have to judge the stripe with your opponent in the rear view. But life is about decisions and choices, get out their and have fun! I have a blast in a 11.30 GT index.

Papp's d-1 stick GT nova was for sale if you want to speed up your time to the track.

Good luck

Eric

[Lee Valentine]

LT-4 is probably a killer combo, stick only.

[Kevin Panzino]

Originally Posted by Alan Roehrich

In GT, most older cars just are not competitive, GT is a class for FWD conversions, or late model F body cars. Older cars don't have the aero package, or a good wheelbase/overhang layout.

We looked at a dozen different GT combinations for the SS/EA 69 Camaro, and just could not find one that worked.

Remember that the shipping weight you use to classify it is the heaviest V8 weight in the guide.

There's a reason the GT classes are full of Cobalts, Cavaliers, and late nineties Camaros and Firebirds.

Build the car as a traditional 1970 402/375 aluminum head 4 speed car.

II hear ya, Allen..... But a '68 Cuda just set the GT/FA record at 9.59....