Sebtarta

iTrader: (1)

According to my daughter (2 1/2 eyar old) I have to fix the booboo on the car. Thus the name for the project.



Bought the 72 Nova in 2010, drove it for that year. It had a 307 with a TH350. It did not run good, very sluggish. Winter of 2010-2011 decided it was time to change the engine to either a 355 or 383 with a 200-4R. That did not go as planned. Floor, wiring, suspension, brakes and more got replaced. A LS2 with LS3 heads and intake and a 4L65e will be going in instead of the 383 combo.

So here it goes:

- Engine -
LQ9 with LS3 internals, heads and intake with a 4L65e Stage1 harness included
Hooker Headers 2276-1HKR Silver Ceramic
Hooker Engine Swap Mounts 12618HKR
Hooker Transmission Crossmember 12625HKR
Energy Suspension 3-1130R Kit
Allstar Performance Motor Mounts ALL38114
Fast GM LS Big Mouth LT Throttle Body™ (4-bolt) 92mm 54090
Belt
Cylinder Head Plug GM #12553191
PCV tube/hose GM #12594779


- Fuel - Post #12
LS filter/regulator Wix 33737 Complete In-Line Fuel Filter
Russell Fuel Rail Fitting Adapters 640940 (3/8 in. to -6 AN)
Russell Push-On EFI Fittings 644113 (5/16 in. to -6 AN)
Russell Push-On EFI Fittings 644123 (3/8 in. to -6 AN)
Tanks Inc. 1972-72 EFI Gas Tank TM46C-T
Fuel Tank Sending Unit GM 1965 & UP Type 5 Hole Design - 0-90 Ohms TAN-GML
High Flow Fuel Pump Module - 255 Liters Per Hour - Up to 600 hp / kt GPA-4
Remote Mount Rollover Vent Valve - Aluminum VVR


- Cooling -
Steam Line Adapters WA0214 x4
Earl's Performance 90* Couplers AT935104ERL x2
Fragola Performance Systems Tee Adapter Fittings 498302-BL x1
Russell Tee Adapter Fittings 661003 x2
Fragola Performance Systems Swivels 498102-BL x2
Fragola Performance Systems AN to Pipe Thread Fittings 481604-BL x2
Fragola Performance Systems Series 8000 Push-Lite Race Hose Ends 200104-BL x5
Summit Racing® AN to NPT Adapter Fittings SUM-220455B x2
heater delete hose

- Floors - Post #2 Post #8
Goodmark Floor Pan Braces 4012-517-681
Goodmark Floor Pan Braces Left and Right
Goodmark Floor Panel Patches Full Length Left and Right


- Suspension -
Hotchkis Sport Suspension TVS Systems
Global West Lower Control Arms
Global West Upper Control Arms

- Wiring -
AAW Complete Wiring Kit - 1969-72 Nova

- Brakes -
C6 front and rear calipers from eBay
Kore3 Rear Big brake kit with parking brake
Kore3 Front Big brake kit for short spindle

- Wheels -
Center Line Wheels Legend Series Lazer II - 18x8 with 5" Backspacing
Center Line Wheels Legend Series Lazer II - 18x9.5 with 6" Backspacing
Nitto NT 555 Tires - 245 /45R18
Nitto NT 555 Tires - 275 /40R18

I will keep updating this post as I go.

Sebtarta

iTrader: (1)

Inside it looked like this, the wiring was pathetic.



Then



Later to this



With everything out you can tell that the floors were not as good as they look. Bondo on the tunnel! So that had to be changed.



Not the best picture but you get the idea.

Sebtarta

iTrader: (1)

This was the old 307. It was removed and the work on the firewall began.



Here you can tell that by the use of a hammer you can always have a large HEI distributor. From what I have searched, it seems that the frame mounts I have are for the low v8 performance 302/350 engines. Where a large HEI will not fit unless firewall is modified, link









I know the smoothing of the firewall was not 100% perfect, but this is not a trailer queen car nor a show car. But I have respect to the body restoration people, that firewall smoothing BS is very time consuming. I used metal 2 metal to fill it. Then lots of elbow sanding. After that I used Eastwood primer and Chassis Black. I need to take a better picture, will update later on.

ls1nova71

iTrader: (4)

Looks like a nice project. I used to have the same Centerline Autodrag wheels on my Nova, brings back memories. Good luck with it.

Sebtarta

iTrader: (1)

I changed the wheels to Centerline Legend Series, 245/45/18 fronts 275/40/18 rear. Wrapped in Nitto 555 tires. This is when I was taken to have the floors done. I did not feel confident in doing it myself, so I decided to have somebody that does this for a living do it. Did not want to be driving the Flintstone's car on the highway.

nofun

I found replacing floors not that hard after I started. Great looking car, I love seeing
rod's with kids car seats in them, gives me hope the hobby will live on. Your daughter will love it, mine did.

bczee

iTrader: (12)

Looks like Booboo is off to a full and great recovery !... Keep the pictures coming..

What was wrong with the Floors? from the picture, they didn't look too bad !?

What are the size of the wheels and offset/backspacing ? (18x8 and 18x9 ?) I am about to get some wheels for my Nova... and was thinking of the same size... but what some more input on backspacing.. I am also using the Hotchkis TVS suspension.. or might go 17".

BC

Sebtarta

iTrader: (1)

I hear you on doing the floors but I just could not factor it in my head. Also I cannot wait to have it running and my daughter in the back.


BC - the rears had a cut to allow some ghetto sub frame connectors. The fronts under the toe firewall were really bad, so it was easier to just replace it.





As for the wheels, Fronts 18x8 with 5" BS, Rears 18x9.5 with 6" BS
I updated the 1st post with the tires as well.

bczee

iTrader: (12)

Ok, you didn'r really show them bad spots before.

Thanks for the info on the Wheel size. It is what I am liking on the BS..

nofun

I understand not wanting to replace the floor, I have a hang up with
engine work. Just don't trust myself and have a buddy how's great
at it making it easy for me to pass on it.

Sebtarta

iTrader: (1)

I started reading about the steam vent tubes and head explode! I ended up buying the water line adapters from Wegner Motorsports #WA0214, got 4 of them. I will make my own lines once i get the engine from the builder.

Sebtarta

iTrader: (1)

Nothing new, just the fuel filter/regulator and fittings



Still debating if I should go with a 3/8 SS line to the front or buy high end quality PTFE fuel line with AN fittings ready to go....

kirk69nova

iTrader: (9)

Nice. Subscribed and will be keeping an eye on your progress for pointers.

Sebtarta

iTrader: (1)

Engine is getting ready to ship. Cannot wait.






Here are the cam specs

Sebtarta

iTrader: (1)

Got the Hooker Engine Mounts #12618HKR and Crossmember #12625HKR dropped shipped from Holley. To be honest very disappointing on the packaging and inventory checking before shipping. The cross member I a missing an spacer plate so will have to call after the holidays.

Toddoky

Hey sbtarta, if you we're planning on installing these components over the holidays, you don't have to wait for the spacer to do so as it can easily be slipped between the transmission and mount after installation and is only required if you are going to run one of the popular aftermarket poly trans mounts. If you are going to run a stock 4th-gen F-body or 2003-up Chevy truck 4L60E trans mount, it is not used in the install of the components.

HexenLord

I'm getting the exact same size tires for my Nova. What size wheel and what backspacing did you use on the front/back? I was going to use 18 x 8 in the front and 18 x 9.5 in the back. Someone told me 4.5" backspacing for the front, and from what I can measure, 6" backspacing in the rear to clear the stock tubs.

Sebtarta

iTrader: (1)

Correct on the wheel size. I went with 5" for front and 6" for rear. Post #1 has the links to the wheels and tires.

HexenLord

Thank you! That saves me a LOT of trouble!

Toddoky

As soon as we get through the holidays I'll check in will the manufacturing facility for an update to see where they're at with the production. They put almost all their effort into getting the early 2nd-gen headers out just before everyone left for the Christmas break.

A sincere Merry Christmas to all you hotrodders on this forum.