1970 nova motor choices - Page 3

Adger Smith · 08-18-2012, 01:25 AM

Joe,
Yes on Manifolds.
From NHRA Specs:
24 - Al Manifold 25 - Alt manifold - 3967474,3933163,19131359
Intake Manifold 3933163 with an open plenum (divider cut down) is acceptable as of June 6,2002

I think a couple of years ago, I haven't done it lately, but if you run the actual numbers the compression comes up a little more on the 402.
As for HP See below:

CHEVROLET II - 1970
Cont

402 402 402 402 402
* ** * * **
AUTO STICK
A A A
350 350 375 375 375

9.67 9.26 8.67 8.56
9.84 9.43 8.65 8.65

340 355 395 390 395
7.31.02 7.31.02 7.10.07 2.21.06
405 400 405
7.10.07
Sorry it didn't copy and past very neatly
I also think there might be an advantage in carb /hood clearance over the 70 mod camaro.

JRyan · 08-18-2012, 09:41 AM

Adger and Joe you are correct about the open plenum manifold on the 402. However, I believe Grant was referring to the 350hp motor when we said it was a one year only manifold for 69.
We ran the 396/350 for a couple seasons sparingly. It is a fairly good combo in my opinion. We never spent much time or money on it so it wasn't overly fast. I just finished another 70 Nova that I'm running as a 72 model with the 350/200 engine same as Johnny's. We've only had one real good weekend on it to try and sort the car out. It has good engine pieces but not the most trick by any means and it's capable of -.50-.60 under at the moment. There is still plenty more left in the trans and converter area as well.

Rick

Joe DeMarzo · 08-18-2012, 04:30 PM

Rick and Grant, sorry thought you were talking 402 BB vs 396/375... I have no experience with the 396/325-350. Let you guys who run them comment, you are in a better position.
This is a good segment of posts....

Rick if you want to pm about the 200 combo, love to.... Mine is good not killer yet.

B Parker · 08-21-2012, 09:15 PM

If you have not stuck the needle in your arm yet. I would drag that car out by the street and put a sign in it that said free take her away. It's too late for most of us on here we have been shooting this drug in our arm for years and there is just no hope. Save yourself if you can. And I'm sorry to be the one to tell you this drug is not cheap. If you can't be talked out of it I would call Johny Gray and get his motor. It's fast and will save you a lot of money in the end. Good luck

John Nechiporchik · 09-18-2012, 10:43 PM

When you guys talk about building a 1970 then claiming it as a 69, 71 or 72 etc.....does this require making the appropriate trim changes or simply changing the model year on paper. I realize the engine/trans has to be correct for year claimed.
After many years of brackets and 10 yrs. in Top Sportsman, strongly considering building a stocker....and a stick car at that!!

08-18-2012, 01:25 AM	#21
Adger Smith VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Texarkana Ark/TX Posts: 2,349 Likes: 435 Liked 677 Times in 261 Posts	Re: 1970 nova motor choices Joe, Yes on Manifolds. From NHRA Specs: 24 - Al Manifold 25 - Alt manifold - 3967474,3933163,19131359 Intake Manifold 3933163 with an open plenum (divider cut down) is acceptable as of June 6,2002 I think a couple of years ago, I haven't done it lately, but if you run the actual numbers the compression comes up a little more on the 402. As for HP See below: CHEVROLET II - 1970 Cont 402 402 402 402 402 * ** * * ** AUTO STICK A A A 350 350 375 375 375 9.67 9.26 8.67 8.56 9.84 9.43 8.65 8.65 340 355 395 390 395 7.31.02 7.31.02 7.10.07 2.21.06 405 400 405 7.10.07 Sorry it didn't copy and past very neatly I also think there might be an advantage in carb /hood clearance over the 70 mod camaro. __________________ Adger Smith (Former SS) Last edited by Adger Smith; 08-18-2012 at 01:31 AM. Reason: add

08-18-2012, 09:41 AM	#22
JRyan Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Aberdeen SD Posts: 642 Likes: 28 Liked 104 Times in 28 Posts	Re: 1970 nova motor choices Adger and Joe you are correct about the open plenum manifold on the 402. However, I believe Grant was referring to the 350hp motor when we said it was a one year only manifold for 69. We ran the 396/350 for a couple seasons sparingly. It is a fairly good combo in my opinion. We never spent much time or money on it so it wasn't overly fast. I just finished another 70 Nova that I'm running as a 72 model with the 350/200 engine same as Johnny's. We've only had one real good weekend on it to try and sort the car out. It has good engine pieces but not the most trick by any means and it's capable of -.50-.60 under at the moment. There is still plenty more left in the trans and converter area as well. Rick

08-18-2012, 04:30 PM	#23
Joe DeMarzo Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Mahopac, NY Posts: 666 Likes: 48 Liked 114 Times in 9 Posts	Re: 1970 nova motor choices Rick and Grant, sorry thought you were talking 402 BB vs 396/375... I have no experience with the 396/325-350. Let you guys who run them comment, you are in a better position. This is a good segment of posts.... Rick if you want to pm about the 200 combo, love to.... Mine is good not killer yet. __________________ Joe DeMarzo 1317 STK

08-21-2012, 09:15 PM	#24
B Parker Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 835 Likes: 921 Liked 2,314 Times in 455 Posts	Re: 1970 nova motor choices If you have not stuck the needle in your arm yet. I would drag that car out by the street and put a sign in it that said free take her away. It's too late for most of us on here we have been shooting this drug in our arm for years and there is just no hope. Save yourself if you can. And I'm sorry to be the one to tell you this drug is not cheap. If you can't be talked out of it I would call Johny Gray and get his motor. It's fast and will save you a lot of money in the end. Good luck

09-18-2012, 10:43 PM	#25
John Nechiporchik Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Grosse Ile Mi. Posts: 315 Likes: 74 Liked 12 Times in 6 Posts	Re: 1970 nova motor choices When you guys talk about building a 1970 then claiming it as a 69, 71 or 72 etc.....does this require making the appropriate trim changes or simply changing the model year on paper. I realize the engine/trans has to be correct for year claimed. After many years of brackets and 10 yrs. in Top Sportsman, strongly considering building a stocker....and a stick car at that!!