Suspension and Motor ?s

Hi everyone. I am Joe and this is my first post and also happens to be my first muscle car, 1973 Coupe with a 350 and TH350 (numbers matching). So I have lots of questions. I grew up on fuel injection, imports and Jeeps, therefore tuning these V-8s is a whole new world to me.

I am throwing around two ideas at this time: 1.a simple restoration because the thing is in good shape and just sprucing it up and having a weekend cruiser or 2. resto-mod (Chip Foose style thing) and have a wiked street machine with the works. With the later I would want to adjust stance by lowering it all around 2". My questoin is has any one done this with a big body Nova and where there any problems with rubbing? What parts did you use to get it that way? A tag along qustion to that is I was thinking if i went this route of doing 17x7 & 18x8 wheels front and rear respectfully: would this fit and what size tire would I use on that setup?

Now one to what we all love POWER! I have and edelbrock intake and 4brl carb that the guy i bought the car threw in for $200 bucks (good deal right?) Being the type of guy I am once I get the intake off to throw this duo on it will lead to other things. So planing ahead: I want to put in a more aggressive cam but I dont want to change the heads or the pistons (other than a port and ploish on the heads... I really want to keep the motor stock visually externally and at this time I have no want or need to up the compression ratio) what would any of you recommend that would give me better performance and good streetablity? If any of you live in southern AZ do you know of a good place to get a port and polish done?

I am excited to get to work on this new project and I will appreciate any help. I even left out the best part about this car... it only cost $1500. It really was one of those deals that we all hope to get one day.

By they way this is also my first Chevy so if me part numbers arent right forgive me

Your best bet for cam selection is to check out Comp Cams website,they'll have listing and the applications,which will help to choose the correct cam.As for the port and polish it would probably be cheap and easier to just put a better set of heads.Post this question in the "Drivetrain & Performance"section many other members have been through this transformation and will offer some good advise.IMO I would choose a hp # ie 350hp and build around that on paper first,it may be cheaper and easier to just buy a GM crate engine with a warranty.

Welcome to the site too!:yes:

i was thinking of doing a year one crate motor because the have a 400hp 350 for $2999... but it is a numbers matching car that is why i am looking in to the port and polish... any suggestions on heads? thanks for the advice about where to put the question i am still trying to find my way around the site

Drivetrain & Performance is the best place for these questions.If you want to keep the #'s engine I would go with a crate engine(Scoggin Dickey Performance as good deals too).Trouble is port and polishing is expensive and you want enjoy it's full potential on a stock engine.The new fast burn heads are supposed to give a good bang for the buck.I'll see if I can find the casting # for you.

I am throwing around two ideas at this time: 1.a simple restoration because the thing is in good shape and just sprucing it up and having a weekend cruiser or 2. resto-mod (Chip Foose style thing) and have a wiked street machine with the works. With the later I would want to adjust stance by lowering it all around 2". My questoin is has any one done this with a big body Nova and where there any problems with rubbing? What parts did you use to get it that way? A tag along qustion to that is I was thinking if i went this route of doing 17x7 & 18x8 wheels front and rear respectfully: would this fit and what size tire would I use on that setup?

http://www.popularhotrodding.com/features/0508phr_1970_chevrolet_nova/index.html

Check this bad boy Nova out, you want the stance to look something similiar like this? This is what look I'm going for as well 18's in back and 17's up front and about a 2 inch drop all around.

http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g110/Shaughn5150/Nova.jpg

there is several ways to lower our 3rd gens, and that one is not 2"..that thing is running air ride. 2" isn't enough, the 2 lowered springs from hotckis barley puts the fender over the top of the tire, i had to go lower. im right at
4.5"

i know some people that can re work those heads, but honestly i would ditch this number matching idea..the last motor i took out of my car was a 60 over 350 with the main block casting of the ever popular 3970010, i found another standard bore block with the same casting #'s. which is a number from early 60's to mid 70', i believe.

as far as the heads are concerned, i wouldnt want to keep 73 heads for anything, if its a numbers thing keep them around for safe keeping and buy another set of better flowing heads. your going to be easily in the $600 range for a nice set of ported heads vs buying a set of aftermarket heads that already flow better, have bigger valves and run nicer springs.

a good cam selection i ran was a split duration cam from crane. it was there z-cam series. i believe it was there 274 cam. not alot of valve over lap, good power all around

i thought about the idea of air ride for a second but decided against it... not really my thing unless it is on a cruzer like an oll merc of 2drsedan type thing. every one says that heads are cheap i cant find anything for under a grand a set... where is a good place to look


that is 4.5" maybe i should go lower??

Iron heads are readily available for under a grand. The main advantage to aluminum heads is weight and the ability to run higher compression. If you are 10:1 or below, iron are fine. GMs Vortec heads are a decent upgrade and sell for about $600 a set. Modified Vortecs with bigger valves and high lift springs go for about $850. You could also get a set of Edelbrock aluminum heads for about $1000 and they will let you keep your perimeter valve cover and old style intake. The Brodix IK heads are about a grand as well and are well liked. Just look them up on Summit Racing's web site. There are lots of quality options available in the $1000 range for street use.

Also, look for 64 CC heads to raise you compression as well.

Quit being a puss and just yank the #'s matching motor and replace it with a LS2 or 3. Plug and play power! Gotta love it!:p

Yank out the front clip and slip in a Speed Tech front clip with upper and lower tubular arms, Varishock double asjustables and ATS 'Vette spindles and your good to go!

Oh yeah! 12 bolt in the rear with some 31 spline axles would be nice!:yes:

John

Quit being a puss and just yank the #'s matching motor and replace it with a LS2 or 3. Plug and play power! Gotta love it!:p

Yank out the front clip and slip in a Speed Tech front clip with upper and lower tubular arms, Varishock double asjustables and ATS 'Vette spindles and your good to go!

Oh yeah! 12 bolt in the rear with some 31 spline axles would be nice!:yes:

John

yeah sweet.... so you are going to pay for all of that right? :yes: that would be great if i had the budget but really cant afford that sort of thing

yeah sweet.... so you are going to pay for all of that right? :yes: that would be great if i had the budget but really cant afford that sort of thing

You can find a truck ls and 6 speed for around $2,500 if not less. You'll put more in the motor you have now.:D

John