Re: 75 Nova U/SA
 

Wow Mike, I've really enjoyed following your build. I feel it's the spirit of what Jr. Stock is all about. A true do-it-yourself dime rocket.

And you're right about Chip (the Legend) Johnson. Great guy.

Keep chipping (no pun intended) away at it and keep us posted. I see you've got quite a following of true racers that build with their heads, not their wallets.

Good luck.

Re: 75 Nova U/SA
 

The powers that are not checking booster size for now. All they worry about is main body venturi size and throttle plate bore size.

Re: 75 Nova U/SA
 

Update - Found a set of 1.5 primary tube headers so installed them with 18 inches of 2.5 collector. Changed the converter to one with more stall and about 500 more flash. Leaned the carb up just a bit - from 69 jet down to 66 jets.
The result (in great air 30.4 barometer 495 adj alt) was best runs to date at legal weight (3470) - 9.152 and a 9.156, 73.0 and 72.99 mph in the eighth. Need to get this out to a test and tune since was doing this on race day, looks like on the right track. Car was running consistent 9.39 / 9.40 before at 70.2's mph.

Re: 75 Nova U/SA
 

Update - Spent a day last weekend doing test and tune to try and get jetting/timing set, and get some 1/4 mile times.. Best was 14.87 at 1700 D/A. Most were 14.92-14.94. Best was with .064 jet and 40 timing.


So readjusted the valves based on some ideas from this site, for racing this weekend, and HOORAY went 14.84 - UNDER NHRA 1/4 index for the first time. Two other runs 14.91 (changed shift points) and 14.90 first round elims(dialed to high-opponent had way better lite and I dialed a little to high-broke out). The track had issues with the MPH clocks so no 1/4 MPH data for any runs.
I also put on new front tires-same size-and consensus was less rolling resistance since riding on the new tire 'nubbies'-LOL.

Re: 75 Nova U/SA
 

Very cool!

Re: 75 Nova U/SA
 

update- November 11 2015 at Virginia Motorsports Park. Three runs in the 14.7's in 1/4, at last under NHRA index. Incredible air, like 95 adjusted altitude. Best of 14.700 at 87.67.

Re: 75 Nova U/SA
 

Been accumulating some parts for a 350 2bbl motor, finally have everything (used of course) so going to try my hand a building an engine. Haven't done that in years, just want to give it a go. Going thru all that I have, cleaning parts, picking out the best. Hope to have it in and tested by Charlotte LODRS.

Re: 75 Nova U/SA
 

Did you consider a '76 305 2-bbl?

Re: 75 Nova U/SA
 

Speaking of which, Mike please call me at 513-836-3648. Bob Michael. Leave message with your number if I don't pickup. Thanks.

Re: 75 Nova U/SA
 

I did, and it looks pretty good. But I came across a bunch of very decent 350 pieces/parts for reasonable cost, plus I had a lot of stuff laying around. So won't have more than 2-2.5K in it, and it should be a decent piece. And I can just change the manifold and carb (and year) to a 4bbl and run another 4 classes (automatic) or so. Hey, just having some fun, haven't built an engine in 40 years!

Re: 75 Nova U/SA
 

Bob,
Great to talk to you , thanks for the info.

Re: 75 Nova U/SA
 

Mike - I totally understand. Go have some fun!!

Re: 75 Nova U/SA
 

Didn't get the 350 done for Charlotte, so took car as is since track is downhill and weather looked good. Was hoping to run fast enough to ask for HP reduction, didn't happen but actually got to third round. Surprise!

Then I get an offer of 'loaner' 305 thru the generosity of a gentleman racer, so stopped all and went and got it. Spent the week prior to VMP LODRS putting it in, building a carb, guessing at the tuneup. So the VMP results were 3 runs under the R/SA index, 13.743, 13.91, 13.687(1st round loss broke out on 13.79 dial and pretty hard on the brakes) under very good conditions. Since the timing, jetting, header setup were pretty much a guess I was pretty happy. Only change was from a 28 tall bias slick to a 30 tall radial to cut down the trap rpm which was 6700. That was done after the first run, better at 6300. Can't wait for a test and tune session.

Re: 75 Nova U/SA
 

Very cool!
D

Re: 75 Nova U/SA
 

Congrats to Mike, semi final finish @ccra race @ GALOT Saturday

Re: 75 Nova U/SA
 

Mike also went to the semi finals at the rained out divisional @ Darlington a few weeks ago which will be completed @ Piedmont later this month. Has been very consistent and going rounds !!

Re: 75 Nova U/SA
 

Congrats Mike

Re: 75 Nova U/SA
 

So ended the season with the 305 combo, never did get to test much but ended up best of 13.687 and best mph of 94.01 in 1/4, best of 8.525 at 78.02 mph in 1/8. Next few weeks planning to get on a chassis dyno and get some data for jetting and shift points. Still looking to swap in the 350 2lb combo which I did complete during the summer, just want to see what that can do.

Re: 75 Nova U/SA
 

This car is deadly consistent and a winner-goes rounds !!

Re: 75 Nova U/SA
 

https://scontent-ort2-1.xx.fbcdn.net...da&oe=591685D6

Is this the same Mike Moller?

Re: 75 Nova U/SA
 

Sure is, just a little older LOL! Don't remember that particular add though, and that car was always SS/K never SS/O. Thanks for posting it Terry.

Re: 75 Nova U/SA
 

Sorry, but I don't see Mike anywhere. :rolleyes:

Re: 75 Nova U/SA
 

So I requested and got a HP adjustment from NHRA, knocked 3 hp off the 78 305 2bbl combo(180 down to 177). So with the 'gift' only have to add 123 lbs to the car as it sits and can move to 'T', which has a .35 slower index. No brainer!! I would guess I could pick up about .2 net? And by the way, the Nova Custom 4 door can now go into 'U', although at a monster weight of 3710!

Re: 75 Nova U/SA
 

That's great mike! I too got that xmas gift from NHRA this winter moving my tbird from Q/SA to R ! :)

Re: 75 Nova U/SA
 

Go for it Mike. Congrats on the reduction which is better than a tax refund!

Re: 75 Nova U/SA
 

Got another Xmas gift from NHRA! Reduction of 3 hp! At this rate I can compete with the 302 fords in about 3 years LOL. Got a few changes planned for 2018 that may help the cause.

Re: 75 Nova U/SA
 

Mike, do you remember how much et you picked up on the SS Nova when you switched from the heavy Motor wheels, to the lighter ones?

Re: 75 Nova U/SA
 

Jeez that was so long ago I really don't remember. Surprisingly I really don't think it was that much, though one would think it would be a lot. I was told by an engineer (John Pratt of Behemoth fame) that the effect is the cube of the weight difference because you have to transport the weight from A to B as well as accelerate/rotate that additional weight. Sounds like a big difference, but we never tested that. Wasn't any incremental times back then, would assume it would have shown up there.

Re: 75 Nova U/SA
 

Glad for you Mike. Merry Christmas to you and your family.