Hello everyone,
First off this site is awesome, full of great people and alot of information. This is my first post, so bear with me. I started this project as a hobby to step away from work (I own a HVAC company, that is stressful) and so far working on the bodywork is the only thing that helps me relax.
I am building my first project car and have good common sense, but not much knowledge about the details. My project is a 72 Nova, has a solid body, 8.5 rear end, not sure of the gears. Multi-leaf. I picked up a virgin 400 SB. I am wondering if I should rebuild it and put it in my car mated to my turbo 350 or just buy a crate motor. The 400 is a 4 bolt (71 model, I think), it came out of an Impala wagon. I am looking to build a mild motor. I don't need more than 400 H.P. As this is my first car my knowledge is limited and I am looking to do this on a budget, however I want to do it right the first time and not make any costly mistakes (if that is possible). I am looking to build a good looking car to drive to shows with my family. Won't really be racing it, but would like it to sound good, represent the muscle car era and be fun to drive.
If I stay with the 400, here are a few concerns or obstacles that I may encounter: I am going to have power brakes and and the auto trans, so I think vaccuum may be an issue. I woudl prefer to stay away from a stall if I can. I want to use pump gas and am looking to do as much work as possible myself. I am thinking maybe stock lower end, cam, some decent heads, good intake and carb, headers and exhaust.
With all of that being said, what would you recommend for me to do? Any things I should worry about? Any threads on here you can refer me to? Thanks in advance and I look forward to hearing your input.
First off this site is awesome, full of great people and alot of information. This is my first post, so bear with me. I started this project as a hobby to step away from work (I own a HVAC company, that is stressful) and so far working on the bodywork is the only thing that helps me relax.
I am building my first project car and have good common sense, but not much knowledge about the details. My project is a 72 Nova, has a solid body, 8.5 rear end, not sure of the gears. Multi-leaf. I picked up a virgin 400 SB. I am wondering if I should rebuild it and put it in my car mated to my turbo 350 or just buy a crate motor. The 400 is a 4 bolt (71 model, I think), it came out of an Impala wagon. I am looking to build a mild motor. I don't need more than 400 H.P. As this is my first car my knowledge is limited and I am looking to do this on a budget, however I want to do it right the first time and not make any costly mistakes (if that is possible). I am looking to build a good looking car to drive to shows with my family. Won't really be racing it, but would like it to sound good, represent the muscle car era and be fun to drive.
If I stay with the 400, here are a few concerns or obstacles that I may encounter: I am going to have power brakes and and the auto trans, so I think vaccuum may be an issue. I woudl prefer to stay away from a stall if I can. I want to use pump gas and am looking to do as much work as possible myself. I am thinking maybe stock lower end, cam, some decent heads, good intake and carb, headers and exhaust.
With all of that being said, what would you recommend for me to do? Any things I should worry about? Any threads on here you can refer me to? Thanks in advance and I look forward to hearing your input.