68 - 72 Nova SS GT manual trans combinations
 

If I wanted to build a 68 - 72 Nova for SS GT manual trans which engine combination would be a good choice?

*What would be the race weight with driver and what class?

*What will be good options for clutch & trans?

My age is 67, a full adult career of successful drag race experiences, it is time to build my class racer project.

NOTE: I will build everything possible/practical in house with focus on the trend to control cost without sacrificing the ability to race competitively.

Re: 68 - 72 Nova SS GT manual trans combinations
 

In GT, most older cars just are not competitive, GT is a class for FWD conversions, or late model F body cars. Older cars don't have the aero package, or a good wheelbase/overhang layout.

We looked at a dozen different GT combinations for the SS/EA 69 Camaro, and just could not find one that worked.

Remember that the shipping weight you use to classify it is the heaviest V8 weight in the guide.

There's a reason the GT classes are full of Cobalts, Cavaliers, and late nineties Camaros and Firebirds.

Build the car as a traditional 1970 402/375 aluminum head 4 speed car.

Re: 68 - 72 Nova SS GT manual trans combinations
 

Here's something different- look at a Pontiac 455 from the smogger era, 1971-74.

It's GM, so you can use one in your Nova for GT classes. The ratings look low for such a big engine with a big carburetor.

The aero issues are undoubtedly a challenge, and the indexes are typically a tenth quicker than the corresponding SS class. But a favorable factor could keep you in the game.

Remember, you asked.

Re: 68 - 72 Nova SS GT manual trans combinations
 

Alan,

with the 402 what weight & what class? Which clutch and which trans?

Re: 68 - 72 Nova SS GT manual trans combinations
 

Tony, Thank You for the suggestion and I will consider all options. However, with 50 years of Chevy experience most likely a Pontiac engine is not a good choice for me.

Re: 68 - 72 Nova SS GT manual trans combinations
 

It's a natural 8.5# car @ 405HP with aftermarket aluminum heads. That makes it a SS/F car. It can also run SS/E or SS/G. Still pretty tough classes.

There are others more versed in the stick shift side of it than I am. It also depends on how much you want to spend.

Re: 68 - 72 Nova SS GT manual trans combinations
 

Alan,

what about small block packages, what about 300/350 package in SS?

Re: 68 - 72 Nova SS GT manual trans combinations
 

Dragsinger, my two cents for you and anyone doing package research:

#1 get yourself a nitro Joes subscription it $50 and money well spent. You can see what everyone else has run and is running across the spectrum of SS and GT car and trucks.

#2 You are talking about building a STICK car for GT. You are in Texas so you will likely never have any heads up runs if you put what seems to be the motor of choice in the car of a 66 chevy 283 rated at 230, and if you run it in GT/L or GT/K, with indexes of 11.3 and 11.1.

#3 Just have fun, you don't need to go .90 under the index to go rounds. You will get the clean tree(thats the good news), you will get run down by the FWD converts and the AH cars, etc, and have to judge the stripe with your opponent in the rear view. But life is about decisions and choices, get out their and have fun! I have a blast in a 11.30 GT index.

Papp's d-1 stick GT nova was for sale if you want to speed up your time to the track.

Good luck

Eric

Re: 68 - 72 Nova SS GT manual trans combinations
 

LT-4 is probably a killer combo, stick only.

Re: 68 - 72 Nova SS GT manual trans combinations
 

II hear ya, Allen..... But a '68 Cuda just set the GT/FA record at 9.59....

Re: 68 - 72 Nova SS GT manual trans combinations
 

It's a natural 8.5# car @ 405HP with aftermarket aluminum heads. That makes it a SS/F car. It can also run SS/E
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Ck my math, is this correct? For SS/E at 405 HP [8 x 405 = 3240 + 170 = 3410 race weight]

If my math is correct, in a perfect world I want to be lighter than that

Re: 68 - 72 Nova SS GT manual trans combinations
 

Larry, I spoke with a friend who would know about that combination, at length. He actually wanted to run a 70 Camaro to do it, and he already knows the engine and the stick shift set up. But he's already got another car.

You always WANT to be lighter, but you can't always get what you want.

The 350 engine combinations in Super Stock aren't a lot different than the ones in Stock, well used and popular.

Re: 68 - 72 Nova SS GT manual trans combinations
 

Remember,, if you're building a Nova for Superstock,, with a good intake and some sort of spacer, you could have a clearance issue as there were no cowl hoods offered on them. We've got a racer out here facing the same issue with his Nova project. My 2 cents.
Danny Durham

Re: 68 - 72 Nova SS GT manual trans combinations
 

Don't overlook the '68 327-325 motor in the Nova (manual trans non-GT combo). -Al

Re: 68 - 72 Nova SS GT manual trans combinations
 

305 w/ 5spd would be a killer

Re: 68 - 72 Nova SS GT manual trans combinations
 

Danny…Define "good intake and some sort of spacer"? MB.

Re: 68 - 72 Nova SS GT manual trans combinations
 

There's a cure for that.

Re: 68 - 72 Nova SS GT manual trans combinations
 

The '96 LT4 Vette engine is absolutely a killer stick-only combo. That thing has been given a hp reduction, yet I could make some tuning adjustments in the computer and make more power at the tires on my chassis dyno than the original factory rating. Many virgin LT4 Vettes topped 330 at the tires. Add the 15% loss through the drivetrane........

Re: 68 - 72 Nova SS GT manual trans combinations
 

Still looking for the right pieces at this time,, probably settling for a 1 inch spacer. Cylinder heads will dictate intake choice, but for right now the Brodix that was on the shelf won't allow the hood to close,,, an older Holley Strip Dominator we borrowed did have clearance. Nothing has happened on the car in over a year, right now.
Danny Durham

Re: 68 - 72 Nova SS GT manual trans combinations
 

I'm listening, Scott.
Danny Durham