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?

[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....

[Dragsinger]

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
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ck my math, is this correct? For SS/E at 405 HP [8 x 405 = 3240 + 170 = 3410 race weight]

If my math is correct, in a perfect world I want to be lighter than that

[Alan Roehrich]

Larry, I spoke with a friend who would know about that combination, at length. He actually wanted to run a 70 Camaro to do it, and he already knows the engine and the stick shift set up. But he's already got another car.

You always WANT to be lighter, but you can't always get what you want.

The 350 engine combinations in Super Stock aren't a lot different than the ones in Stock, well used and popular.