1970 nova ??????'S

[Mike Taylor 3601]

Have to be careful 69 - 70 have diferent size tailights and side marker lights& front bumper.68\69 use
shorter taillights&side markers 70-72 use longer versions can't swap them back and forth without body
work. Mike Taylor3601

[Todd Bailey]

I'm in the same boat here. How much do the tech guys lean on you to have the correct lights/bumpers for the year you are claiming?

[JRyan]

Ed's right. There are a lot of cars running as a different year then what they actually are. We used to run a 72 and claimed it as a 69 with the 350hp 396. I'm also building a 70 now to run as a 71-72 with the 350 that Al just mentioned. As an automatic it's rated 278 and 274 as a stick which is what I'm currently building. We do all our own engine and bodywork and one of our best friends is an upholestry guy. So the car is fairly nice but, even with that I'll have far more into then I care to think.
So, Alan is pretty much correct about you can't build a super competitive G-H car without spending a boat load. Even if you can do most the work yourself. However, it also depends on what your definition of competitive is. If you're looking to run .6-.7 under and aren't all interested in having it be the nicest car in the country it can be done on a reasonable budget.
I can't say if you're looking to be somewhat budget conscious that I'd look into a 396/402. While the majority of the parts don't cost anymore (pistons,rods,etc). Some of the castings as well as having really good springs, rockers, lifters which require a little more attention. That's the reason I chose to build the new car with a small block. After running our 350HP I knew I couldn't afford to keep up in A-E/S on my own. If you're looking to go -1.-1.25 under you'll have to spend the money for the best stuff no matter what combination you'd choose to use.

Best of luck

Rick Ryan

[Larry Fulton]

Originally Posted by Todd Bailey

I'm in the same boat here. How much do the tech guys lean on you to have the correct lights/bumpers for the year you are claiming?

From what we've seen pass tech lately, Not Enough!

Larry Fulton

[Bobby Zlatkin]

That's funny! Dip your toe in the water and run .6 to .7 under. I think you will have to at least get in up to your waist to do that.

I think claiming as a '71-'72 would be the best way to go. More favorable HP rating.

[greg fulk]

Yea you don't just run .6 or .7 under with one of those combos.... now then if you would want to run a 230 6 cyl....... that may not brake the bank

[Joe DeMarzo]

I have a 70 nova which i ran for 2 years in A/SA & B/SA with the 402 combination. Ran -1.2 under and won a race in A/SA. Lots of fun to drive. Currently running it as a 72 350/200hp combination. Car runs -1.18 under first year out and won a race in G/SA. It is a good combination and a lot less expensive then the 402. I repeat a lot less expensive than the 402. Maintenance is a lot less and the parts are more readily available for the small block. You can get 150 runs out of a small block not the big block. Did I mention the small block is a lot less expensive than the big block. Call me if you want to talk (845-216-8027), I will give you the pro's and con's. All depends on your time and money. -1.0 is easy with either combo. Find out the killer cars in A/B or F/G/H in your division, In Division 1 everyone is killer...........

[ron mattson]

the 1972 combo is easier to make run than the 1970/300 but to have a killer you will
still have to spend the cash,just a little less..i have both combos and can give you the
highs and lows of each if interested. 218-878-3456 ron mattson