Front Clip, 67 chev II, first time posting.

Hey guys and gals,

This is my first time posting- been watching and learning for awhile. I got a 67 chev II project underway and welding 90% complete, new quarters, outers, trunk drops, and misc firewall and floor patchs, etc-A complete car from a buddy i got for $600 non-SS. Trim, Glass all there, minus motor and tranny. This same friend has a 93 Impalla with LT1/auto I will swap into nova for motivation incl wiring harness and worry about rebuilding mechanical later. Just want to get it running(tire smoking) and safetied for now so its mobile and enjoy the fruits of my labours to that point. You got to understand its been going on for 5 years now. I finally got motivated and taught myself to weld. Epoxy primer this summer.

Here we go

Front clip.
I've dedicated to the fact that i will be using a front clip. I want the performance of a more modern setup and i don't want to regret an action later like spending money on to rebuild the front end. I will probally not sell this car as I would not have started this project and put in this many hours and kick my wifes car out of the garage if i would not following through to keep it. Got to prove to my wife that the time and money is not in vain. This will be a driver, tire roaster, cruser, mustang spanker. So i don't want it flopping around in the corners and off ramps.
The stock front end is shot and needs a complete rebuild anyway including the sloppy steering box.
Did much research on front ends and i'm sure i've read and learned about most options out there.

I reside in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and here are my best two options as i see it:

1. Macgyvers suspension in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. M2 based front end-nicest M2 i've seen. took a flight up last fall to view-Kicked rails, solid components, top of the line craftmanship, no compromizes construction, inner panels, etc $3500 hub to hub including downtubes- and close geographically to me.

2. Chassisworks- their custom front clip, hub to hub $5k to my door from California including with shipping and cross-border duty. Way superior to any M2 based setup(in their opinion).

My questions,
I'm hoping for facts from drivers and owners.
What is the driving and handling difference while driving a car in a good M2 clip vs CA's front end. I'm not interested in fluff. I want to hear from owners not reps. Help me out guys. I've been digging for a long time. 5k is a chunk of coin considering i would be locked into upgrade and replacement parts from Chassisworks with this front clip including replacement rotors which are unique.

All help and suggestions are appreciated.

Thanks

I have a Heidts MII front end. The car is not running yet, and is in 12000 pieces right now. But I want to have easy adjustability that comes with coilovers. That is not the case with an MII front end, because its coilspring and shocks, not coilovers. I wish I had a coilover type clip.

As far as the CW clip, I think everyone on here will agree that it is the best clip on the market. Great instructions, great quality, great fit. Expensive... yes. Worth the money.... that is up to the buyer to decide.

All I know is that I wish I could afford one.

Hi Shawn, Congratulations on joining the Nova ranks here at Steve's. You'll find a lot of great people here that are always willing to help with any info you might need. I've been on a little while now and can honestly say that I would not have gotten as far as I have with my rebuild if it wasn't for the people here on Steve's. Good luck with your build and welcome. Billy.

Thanks billy for the greetings.

Badboy,
Have you have the car running at any point with the Heidts M2 front end to experience the handling?

Nope:

http://inlinethumb17.webshots.com/42704/2856242500101879646S600x600Q85.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2856242500101879646KsjBDG)

Firs off, welcome to the site.

Second, I do not have an aftermarket front clip (wish I did:rolleyes:).
From talking to quite a few people that do have one, far and away the best I've heard of is the CW. Yes they're more expensive but ya get what ya pay for. Everyone I've talked to about them all rave about the quality and the fit.

Thanks Bill. I agree people speak well of the CW clip.

Badboy... Awesome clean garage. Sweet cradle- all you need are a few casters.... I got out 4 jackstands some wood shims and a 6' level before cutting and welding. Needless to say i cant move it yet.

Any drivers out there. I would like to hear personal experiences of people enjoying their equipment(or not) especially if someone has driven in cars containg different types of front clips.

Cheers,

Not sure if you have tried to search on this but there has been a ton written on this very topic.

Long story short for me... I rode in three different 2nd gen novas at the nats, one cw, one heidts and one tci. I honestly could not tell any difference in ride quality except that the CW had a harsher ride due to the fact the guy did not want 2" drop and had the springs set to achieve stock ride height. Last I checked CW only comes with a
2" drop. I wanted stock height.

I went with TCI M2 due to the fact they set the rails in to accomadate wider tires. I have approx 8000 miles on it and very happy with the setup. I only do street driving and no track stuff.

Tim (ibuildm) is a great guy with great prices and support.

Tg

Thanks for the feedback Tom.

I've read tons on the topic- almost every thread i could find and not too much on people actually reporting "seat of the pants" feedback.
Sales reps are quick to report why their product is great but its guys like you that i want to hear from. Drivers.

You mentioned ride quality. Did you get to push the cars a bit or just crusing?

Who is Tim (ibuildm)?

Thanks Again,

Who is Tim (ibuildm)?

Thanks Again,

Check out his member profile here:

http://www.stevesnovasite.com/forums/member.php?u=2684

I put a Chassisworks clip on my '66 SS about three years ago. I also set the coilovers stiff to counteract some of the 2" drop in the spindles. I don't think it rides too bad however I think I'm going to buy the shock extensions they sell and back off the spring tension on the coilovers this summer. That should soften up the ride a little. I researched all the aftermarket clips before I bought mine and I decided on the Chassisworks clip and I would do it all over again. Everything fits real well. The parts are all high quality. The engineering is top notch. The installation instruction booklet they send is fantastic. I don't think you can find better instructions for anything else you buy for the car. I have never heard of anyone that has ever regretted buying one(after they get over the initial cost).
BP

...i would be locked into upgrade and replacement parts from Chassisworks with this front clip including replacement rotors which are unique.

The ChassisWorks clip uses Wilwood brake components. The hubs may be special to CW, but you should be able to get replacement parts for the wear items (pads, rotors) and calipers direct from Wilwood or any other Wilwood distributor. You'd simply need to know the correct P/N's needed.

I have to run off to work. So really fast:

Check my site if you want to see the most pics on a CW intall ....

http://kracon.dyndns.tv/Nova2Main/Scottclip.htm

I dont regret going with CW.

Although mine is not running yet I am in Calgary also. I have a TCI, test fitted, had it powdercoated and re-assembled and will be going back on the car next week. Car is currently on a rotisserie at the body shop. Quality seems good. I looked at Magyvers also. Very similar to TCI, there 4 link rear was quite a bit more than TCI for essentially the same product so I went TCI all around. I'll know how it drives by spring 09 but that likley won't help you. Good luck with the build

I have a TCI coil springs 2 inch drop. The ride is totally different from stock. I went with TCI front and rear and love it. My car is a driver I'm not racing so after my research it fit my needs and ****. Installing S&S headers now and they seem to fit real well even though I had to grind part of my scatter shield to get the pass. side in without lifting the engine.
I have put over 6000 miles and still loven every minute.
Take your time, do the research and do whats right for you.

Thanks numbersguy and Ted6122 for the honest input.

Numbersguy,
Is there a chance we can connect and have a look at that front end?

My .02!

If you will be racing at all then the CW clip is probably the way to go since it is supposedly a "clean sheet" build and has been designed to optimize the spindle geometry! Other than that any of the other clips are probably fine for what you want so, from there, I would go on how easy it is to install in relation to your skills. It seems that you are pretty skilled so I would think that the TCI clip would be a good choice since I've heard good things about them and they are always having deals on them.

John

Thanks Novanutcase,

Anyone out there in the Calgary area running a CW, TCI or other clip?
I'd enjoy connecting.

Hey guys and gals,



1. Macgyvers suspension in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. M2 based front end-nicest M2 i've seen. took a flight up last fall to view-Kicked rails, solid components, top of the line craftmanship, no compromizes construction, inner panels, etc $3500 hub to hub including downtubes- and close geographically to me.

Thanks

I believe you can get a TCI for that or less. Allen Rod and Custom is a dealer, Classic Performance in the NE and even Matt at the Mustang shop on 11th street can get TCI I believe. My TCI with upgrades to billet coilovers and 12"polished slotted wilwood with 4 pistons calipers, power steering and coated a-arms was only $4200 and the dollar was $0.20 lower when I ordered mine about a year ago. Always best to shop around. What part of town are you in? I am deep south.

Thanks Numbersguy for the local contacts. I've been out of touch for a bit. Do you have any preferences/contacts with any of these shops?
I'm in beddington soon to be in deep south- Auburn Bay by April/May.

I got my TCI stuff from Zane at Allen Rod, I doubt he is the cheapest but he was great to deal with. I used to tinker with fox body mustangs so I delat with Matt at the mustang shop and he is really good to deal with if he can find the stuff you need and his pricing is pretty good. He doesn't try to bend you over. I am in Somerset, just north of spruce meadows. I have to take my clip and rear set up in this weekend to my body guy so he can get it off the rotisserie for panel alignment and final prep so I doubt we'll be able to connect before it goes. I should have my car back from paint in late march if that will help, be harder to see the clip but you'll be able to get and idea of fit and stance with the TCI stuff. It dropped it about 5" over all going with TCI front and rear.

Thanks for the heads up Numbersguy.
i'll have to make time to call around and make some contacts-check some pricing. I probally wont have a clip by then so keep me posted. Realistically late spring/summer.

Just some general info that may help in your build. I have built a few novas and co-own a shop in Indianapolis, IN call Paradise Road Rod & custom. We would love to work with you on your entire build covering everything from parts to as much advice as you need. If we dont know the answer, we'll find out for you. We can supply about any major manufacturer you can think of and our prices beat the big mail order companies. We do have an online store and a 100 percent feedback on Ebay. We are a full service shop and are currently building several cars including our own 62 Impala roadster that should be in the Budnik booth at SEMA 2008. Check us out and we look forward to helping you out.

Thanks

Hey guys and gals,

This is my first time posting- been watching and learning for awhile. I got a 67 chev II project underway and welding 90% complete, new quarters, outers, trunk drops, and misc firewall and floor patchs, etc-A complete car from a buddy i got for $600 non-SS. Trim, Glass all there, minus motor and tranny. This same friend has a 93 Impalla with LT1/auto I will swap into nova for motivation incl wiring harness and worry about rebuilding mechanical later. Just want to get it running(tire smoking) and safetied for now so its mobile and enjoy the fruits of my labours to that point. You got to understand its been going on for 5 years now. I finally got motivated and taught myself to weld. Epoxy primer this summer.

Here we go

Front clip.
I've dedicated to the fact that i will be using a front clip. I want the performance of a more modern setup and i don't want to regret an action later like spending money on to rebuild the front end. I will probally not sell this car as I would not have started this project and put in this many hours and kick my wifes car out of the garage if i would not following through to keep it. Got to prove to my wife that the time and money is not in vain. This will be a driver, tire roaster, cruser, mustang spanker. So i don't want it flopping around in the corners and off ramps.
The stock front end is shot and needs a complete rebuild anyway including the sloppy steering box.
Did much research on front ends and i'm sure i've read and learned about most options out there.

I reside in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and here are my best two options as i see it:

1. Macgyvers suspension in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. M2 based front end-nicest M2 i've seen. took a flight up last fall to view-Kicked rails, solid components, top of the line craftmanship, no compromizes construction, inner panels, etc $3500 hub to hub including downtubes- and close geographically to me.

2. Chassisworks- their custom front clip, hub to hub $5k to my door from California including with shipping and cross-border duty. Way superior to any M2 based setup(in their opinion).

My questions,
I'm hoping for facts from drivers and owners.
What is the driving and handling difference while driving a car in a good M2 clip vs CA's front end. I'm not interested in fluff. I want to hear from owners not reps. Help me out guys. I've been digging for a long time. 5k is a chunk of coin considering i would be locked into upgrade and replacement parts from Chassisworks with this front clip including replacement rotors which are unique.

All help and suggestions are appreciated.

Thanks

I'm in Edmonton and I've found better prices. Watsons Hotrod Parts quoted me $2500 shipped.