Background
My dad and I bought this car in 1999 for $1,500, when I was just 15. It was originally a gold car with a 307, column-shifted turbo 350, with 4-wheel drum brakes and monoleaf springs. It was this color when we bought it, but we did pretty much everything else. We've since made it into a pretty mean 12 second car.
Unfortunately, I didn't take many pictures during the first couple years of the car (no digital camera plus I didn't think I'd want to make an album of the rebuild process). I've since wised-up and documented the changes I've made.
I completed a front-end rebuild and power disc setup (keeping it stock for now) early in 2008. I plan to eventually mini-tub the back and fit some 295s or 3xx's on 17s (sorry to all you purists out there - I like a bit larger rims, nothing too ridiculous). But for right now the 255/60-15 MT ET Street Radials work just fine.
Taken March 2008. I've swapped wheels since.
Taken a couple years ago.
Just before engine installation.
As of 10/28/09
Engine:
The original 307 was replaced with a 350 that got me to 12.951 @ 105 on MT ET Street Radials, with a 1.99 60'. It could have dipped into the 12.7s with better traction, as I had tire shake off the line. Soon thereafter, I found a 2001 6.0L LQ4 and 4L80e out of a wrecked Silverado 2500. I'm currently in the process of building them. I've got a set of L92 heads and LS3 intake/injectors/rails for it. I've also tossed in an LG Motorsports G6x3 cam with Comp 921 springs and American Racing 1 7/8" 304ss longtubes.
Here's a couple pics of the 350, which has been sold.
And one of the new setup when I bought it.
The engine and headers while I was test-fitting everything.
As of October 2009. I've since added the filter/MAF
and plug wires and finished the wiring.
Transmission/Rear End:
I sold the TH350, which featured a B&M Stage II shift kit and Holeshot 3000 converter.
I rebuilt the 4L80e and added a TransGo HD2 shift kit. I also picked up a Vigilante 3600 converter.
GM 8.5" 'corporate' 10-bolt rear
3.90 gears with posi unit
Steering/Suspension:
Front:
This was my graduation present to myself. I graduated May '07 with a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Arizona State.
I put Energy Suspension control arm bushings, Koni adjustable shocks, and Hotchkis 2" drop springs with a Hotchkis 1 1/8" sway bar in her. Side note - if you ever get a chance to do your control arm bushings, I'd recommend you NOT. Have a machine shop do it for you. It was an absolute b***h to do. Hint: torch out the old bushings - it really helps.
I recently rebuilt the front (again) with custom-fabbed chromoly upper and lower a-arms and QA1 coilovers. I had the front subframe, wheel wells, and radiator core support blasted and powdercoated low-gloss black. I also added poly frame mount bushings and a 3rd gen Camaro F41-suspension power steering box to give her a tighter feel.
*Hotchkis 1 1/8" sway bar
*QA1 coilovers
*Custom-fabbed chromoly upper and lower a-arms.
*Stock power disc brakes
*3rd gen Camaro F41 PS box
*Powdercoated subframe, inner fenders, and core support
Here's the new control arms and QA1 coilovers.
Another shot with the engine being mocked-up.
Rear:
A Christmas present from my dad several years ago. We decided to go with a pretty mean coil-over/ladder bar setup to get rid of those damn stock monoleaf shocks. Engineering marvel my ass. I'll minitub it to fit some serious meats down the road.
*Art Morrison two-way adjustable ladder bars with coil-overs
*QA1 10-way adjustable shocks
Decent view of the rear.
Exterior:
*2 1/4" cowl 'glass hood
*Tinted windows
*Clear front turn signals from a '70 Nova
*Centerline 15" Auto Drag wheels
*255/60-15 MT ET Street Radial tires (rear)
*215/60-15 Goodyear radials (front)
At least you can see the rims, right??
Interior:
*Complete wiring harness from American Autowire
*Grant steering wheel
*Restored vinyl front bench seat that has been notched for the shifter.
*Restored vinyl rear seat
*Autometer Ultra-Lite guages
*Covan's Classic Dash
*I bought a B&M Quicksilver shifter to row through the gears. I like that it doesn't have the lever for the reverse lock-out like the Pro Ratchet. I want to cover it with a leather boot and make a custom console. That will be the next project - the interior. Plan on bucket seats as well.
Covan's dash with Autometer Ultra Lites.
Audio:
*Pioneer head unit
*Pioneer 6x9s in the rear
*Soon to be kick-panel speakers
Page 1: General Info (you are here)
Page 2: Engine
Page 3: Trans/Drivetrain
Page 4: Steering/Suspension/Brakes
Page 5: Interior/Misc
Check out more pics at
http://s105.photobucket.com/albums/m235/hookemdevils22/Nova%20Pics/.
