Hello all
I thought I would finally take the time and post some information on my Nova chassis build.
I decided to build a drag car, for whatever reason I thought it would be cheaper then a resto....how wrong could I be.
I started with a basket case, gutted shell that had sat for years.
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What a mess my space was!
The floors were quite good, all considered. The quarters were shot and it had been hit in the RR. The fenders are average and are still on the car.....soon to be replaced now that they are available.
So off with the 1/4's and on with the new.
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The wheel wells were mini tubed to the frame.
I had a plan at this point to not cut up the car but make the cage and suspension work in the car. Chris Alston Chassisworks sold me the cage, frame connectors and ladder bar rear suspension. As a note knowing what I know now I would have gone with moving the springs in and Caltracs. Nothing against the product just allot of work. The rear was out of a 68 Camaro a buddy swapped me for some engine parts. Here is proof you can do this on the floor. Extra thanks to my buddy Monty for his incredible welding skill.
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The frame connectors were tacked in and all measurements checked. The locating of the front crossbar was marked and all pulled out of the car. The frame connectors were then hole sawed so the cross member would pass through. It was all stuffed back in the car and the front bar brackets were located and tacked. Back out of the car for final welding, then installed and final welded to the car. An extra piece of tubing was fitted to connect the cross member to the rockers.
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The diff was narrowed 7" and the ladder bar brackets fitted. The diff is equipped with an Eaton posi, Richmond 4.56, Toms axles and bearing cap kit. 15 x 8 wheels with 28 x 9 MT's.
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The cage has bent back bars so a rear seat could be fitted. The #7 and #8 points tie to the frame connectors right at the same point the cross member passes through. The cage fitted up very well (thanks Monty).
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I will finish this segment with the front suspension. Cash was not there for a clip.
So the car was originally finished with a CPP disk brake kit and a stock rebuild. The weight transfer was a challenge to say the least of it. So thanks to this site i got some ideas to improve it. This was in 2004, things have come a long way since then. So I made up my own strut rods and lower spring seats to free up the travel and improve geometry. I made a pattern off the old from strut mounts and had a buddy make up two blank front mounts. I purchased parts from AFCO for the struts. The strut bars are nla? but here is the image. I used one of the stock holes, cut the end off and drilled a new hole so the pick up the two stock strut mounting locations.
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The ends were fitted with 20053 12" tubes and 3/4" rod ends. I then finished off the brackets with spacers and hardware.
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The lower spring mounts were made up with AFCO parts as well. I pressed the stock rubber mounts apart. The a 20069 bushing (A body lower arm) was installed in the seat. A Friend made up the bushings for the shafts. Sorry no pics. It is finished off with CE C2025 travel limiter kit. This setup works well but soon to be replaced with CBR stuff, great stuff.
Thanks to the members for a great site.
I thought I would finally take the time and post some information on my Nova chassis build.
I decided to build a drag car, for whatever reason I thought it would be cheaper then a resto....how wrong could I be.
I started with a basket case, gutted shell that had sat for years.
What a mess my space was!
The floors were quite good, all considered. The quarters were shot and it had been hit in the RR. The fenders are average and are still on the car.....soon to be replaced now that they are available.
So off with the 1/4's and on with the new.
The wheel wells were mini tubed to the frame.
I had a plan at this point to not cut up the car but make the cage and suspension work in the car. Chris Alston Chassisworks sold me the cage, frame connectors and ladder bar rear suspension. As a note knowing what I know now I would have gone with moving the springs in and Caltracs. Nothing against the product just allot of work. The rear was out of a 68 Camaro a buddy swapped me for some engine parts. Here is proof you can do this on the floor. Extra thanks to my buddy Monty for his incredible welding skill.
The frame connectors were tacked in and all measurements checked. The locating of the front crossbar was marked and all pulled out of the car. The frame connectors were then hole sawed so the cross member would pass through. It was all stuffed back in the car and the front bar brackets were located and tacked. Back out of the car for final welding, then installed and final welded to the car. An extra piece of tubing was fitted to connect the cross member to the rockers.
The diff was narrowed 7" and the ladder bar brackets fitted. The diff is equipped with an Eaton posi, Richmond 4.56, Toms axles and bearing cap kit. 15 x 8 wheels with 28 x 9 MT's.
The cage has bent back bars so a rear seat could be fitted. The #7 and #8 points tie to the frame connectors right at the same point the cross member passes through. The cage fitted up very well (thanks Monty).
I will finish this segment with the front suspension. Cash was not there for a clip.
So the car was originally finished with a CPP disk brake kit and a stock rebuild. The weight transfer was a challenge to say the least of it. So thanks to this site i got some ideas to improve it. This was in 2004, things have come a long way since then. So I made up my own strut rods and lower spring seats to free up the travel and improve geometry. I made a pattern off the old from strut mounts and had a buddy make up two blank front mounts. I purchased parts from AFCO for the struts. The strut bars are nla? but here is the image. I used one of the stock holes, cut the end off and drilled a new hole so the pick up the two stock strut mounting locations.
The ends were fitted with 20053 12" tubes and 3/4" rod ends. I then finished off the brackets with spacers and hardware.
The lower spring mounts were made up with AFCO parts as well. I pressed the stock rubber mounts apart. The a 20069 bushing (A body lower arm) was installed in the seat. A Friend made up the bushings for the shafts. Sorry no pics. It is finished off with CE C2025 travel limiter kit. This setup works well but soon to be replaced with CBR stuff, great stuff.
Thanks to the members for a great site.
