'70 Nova V/SA to F/SA Makeover

Doug Hoven · 09-07-2023, 04:16 PM

Even though it's a few months after the fact, but I figured I would write up a build thread for a project that I got myself into a few months back earlier this year. Took a bit of mild convincing, well maybe more than a little bit, to "hack up" his original 28k mile 6 cylinder PG nova with a roll bar, frame connectors, and a new drivetrain. I decided at the end of last year, even though I had gotten the handle on hitting the tree with a low horsepower, tall front tire car, I decided I wanted to go a bit faster. After some thought, and the generosity of a fellow D1 racer in donating a 295hp 350 engine, I decided to go with the 1970 350/300 rated at 286. One thing that sticks in my head is when I suggested that's what I was building to my car owner, I got the response "Nice job choosing the worst 4bbl 350 combo in the guide." A little harsh IMHO, but I decided to do it anyway. I'll start with the chassis/fab work, and move on to the engine. The car owner is a very knowledgeable and talented fabricator, so naturally, with some "here, hold this" assistance from me, we got the bar and frame connectors done to where we are both very satisfied with the final fit and finish. I'll post some pics of this process under this post.

Doug Hoven · 09-07-2023, 04:29 PM

At some point, I decided I was not a fan of the "70s couch" style bench seat, and with some more convincing, made the decision to fit the car with aluminum racing seats.

Tim H · 09-07-2023, 04:29 PM

Congratulations on "moving up " a bunch in class designation. Anxiously waiting to follow along with your project.

Doug Hoven · 09-08-2023, 02:38 PM

Well being that I just got off the phone with crower try and order a replacement connecting rod (more on that later), I figured I would go ahead and talk a little bit about the engine I put together for the car. I started with a complete 295hp stocker engine that had been sitting for quite some time. I pretty much ended up using the block, cylinder heads, and camshaft due to the crank being cracked, and my lack of trust in stock rods, and worn out .030 over trw pistons. I was originally going to send a stock crank to get cut and indexed, but after realizing I could by a brand new eagle crank from summit for $250, I figured it wasn't worth the effort(in the end I threw the crank in the garbage, spoiler alert.) Nonetheless, I was able to get a great deal on a set of good JE pistons, and some old, but in nice shape, crower rods. I took the cylinder heads to a fellow d1 racer in CT who did a great job with a stocker valve job, and was more than fair in pricing the work. Side note, ever wonder how many sets of sbc cylinder heads fit in the trunk of a 2010 camaro? Well I'm glad you asked because the answer is 4, with some room to spare. Anyway, I got a few replacement valves from Manley, and set up the heads myself with some leftover valve springs I had from the 6 cylinder. The machine work was done by B+B machine in LI, who did a really nice job with everything I had him do, and provided some very useful tips throughout this entire process. For rings, I sort of made up my own ring package. I can't afford the latest in Total seal rings, so I bought a basic set of Enginetech rings, and had a local friend back cut the top two rings for me. I was able to mix and match oil ring expanders to make my own low tension oil ring, and with some fish scale measurements, I was ready to go. I put it together almost all by myself, with some guidance from others in the process. Was able to dig up a set of NOS crane gold rockers, and some morosso valve covers(that leaked horribly), and I was ready for the dyno.

Doug Hoven · 09-08-2023, 02:48 PM

Some pictures to follow up my last post. My cylinder heads are the second pair in on the left for those with keen eyes.

MR DERBY CITY · 09-08-2023, 04:50 PM

Just curious, did said car owner Splurge for a new Headliner ?

Doug Hoven · 09-09-2023, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MR DERBY CITY

Just curious, did said car owner Splurge for a new Headliner ?

No, he did not. The headliner is actually still in pretty nice shape. We did however remove what was left of the original blue rubber floor mat in exchange for black carpet.

09-07-2023, 04:16 PM	#1
Doug Hoven Member Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Jersey Posts: 181 Likes: 171 Liked 752 Times in 146 Posts	'70 Nova V/SA to F/SA Makeover Even though it's a few months after the fact, but I figured I would write up a build thread for a project that I got myself into a few months back earlier this year. Took a bit of mild convincing, well maybe more than a little bit, to "hack up" his original 28k mile 6 cylinder PG nova with a roll bar, frame connectors, and a new drivetrain. I decided at the end of last year, even though I had gotten the handle on hitting the tree with a low horsepower, tall front tire car, I decided I wanted to go a bit faster. After some thought, and the generosity of a fellow D1 racer in donating a 295hp 350 engine, I decided to go with the 1970 350/300 rated at 286. One thing that sticks in my head is when I suggested that's what I was building to my car owner, I got the response "Nice job choosing the worst 4bbl 350 combo in the guide." A little harsh IMHO, but I decided to do it anyway. I'll start with the chassis/fab work, and move on to the engine. The car owner is a very knowledgeable and talented fabricator, so naturally, with some "here, hold this" assistance from me, we got the bar and frame connectors done to where we are both very satisfied with the final fit and finish. I'll post some pics of this process under this post. __________________ 1189 F/SA Defunzalo Racing Enterprises

09-07-2023, 04:29 PM	#2
Doug Hoven Member Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Jersey Posts: 181 Likes: 171 Liked 752 Times in 146 Posts	Re: '70 Nova V/SA to F/SA Makeover At some point, I decided I was not a fan of the "70s couch" style bench seat, and with some more convincing, made the decision to fit the car with aluminum racing seats. Attached Thumbnails __________________ 1189 F/SA Defunzalo Racing Enterprises

09-07-2023, 04:29 PM	#3
Tim H VIP Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 1,010 Likes: 898 Liked 430 Times in 142 Posts	Re: '70 Nova V/SA to F/SA Makeover Congratulations on "moving up " a bunch in class designation. Anxiously waiting to follow along with your project.

09-08-2023, 02:38 PM	#4
Doug Hoven Member Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Jersey Posts: 181 Likes: 171 Liked 752 Times in 146 Posts	Re: '70 Nova V/SA to F/SA Makeover Well being that I just got off the phone with crower try and order a replacement connecting rod (more on that later), I figured I would go ahead and talk a little bit about the engine I put together for the car. I started with a complete 295hp stocker engine that had been sitting for quite some time. I pretty much ended up using the block, cylinder heads, and camshaft due to the crank being cracked, and my lack of trust in stock rods, and worn out .030 over trw pistons. I was originally going to send a stock crank to get cut and indexed, but after realizing I could by a brand new eagle crank from summit for $250, I figured it wasn't worth the effort(in the end I threw the crank in the garbage, spoiler alert.) Nonetheless, I was able to get a great deal on a set of good JE pistons, and some old, but in nice shape, crower rods. I took the cylinder heads to a fellow d1 racer in CT who did a great job with a stocker valve job, and was more than fair in pricing the work. Side note, ever wonder how many sets of sbc cylinder heads fit in the trunk of a 2010 camaro? Well I'm glad you asked because the answer is 4, with some room to spare. Anyway, I got a few replacement valves from Manley, and set up the heads myself with some leftover valve springs I had from the 6 cylinder. The machine work was done by B+B machine in LI, who did a really nice job with everything I had him do, and provided some very useful tips throughout this entire process. For rings, I sort of made up my own ring package. I can't afford the latest in Total seal rings, so I bought a basic set of Enginetech rings, and had a local friend back cut the top two rings for me. I was able to mix and match oil ring expanders to make my own low tension oil ring, and with some fish scale measurements, I was ready to go. I put it together almost all by myself, with some guidance from others in the process. Was able to dig up a set of NOS crane gold rockers, and some morosso valve covers(that leaked horribly), and I was ready for the dyno. __________________ 1189 F/SA Defunzalo Racing Enterprises

09-08-2023, 02:48 PM	#5
Doug Hoven Member Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Jersey Posts: 181 Likes: 171 Liked 752 Times in 146 Posts	Re: '70 Nova V/SA to F/SA Makeover Some pictures to follow up my last post. My cylinder heads are the second pair in on the left for those with keen eyes. Attached Thumbnails __________________ 1189 F/SA Defunzalo Racing Enterprises

09-08-2023, 04:50 PM	#6
MR DERBY CITY VIP Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Derby City, USA Posts: 3,331 Likes: 859 Liked 6,625 Times in 1,291 Posts	Re: '70 Nova V/SA to F/SA Makeover Just curious, did said car owner Splurge for a new Headliner ?