Guys I have quite a few left over parts sitting around that I want to use for a new project. The engine I have is a 10:1 406sbc that I will be using vortec heads, rpm intake, .500 lift sft cam and have a 700R4 that will be rebuilt for the power.

I just don't have a carriage for the powertrain.

I already have a 91Z28 so I have been thinking about going with a mid 70's nova, but haven't ruled out another 3rd gen F-body,maybe a bird. What do you guys think between these 2 cars? Are there any benefits to one chasis over the other. I plan on this being mostly a bracket car but may just keep it street worth. TIA

 

You already know we all love thirdgens but for strength and consistency i would go with the nova.

 

You already know we all love thirdgens but for strength and consistency i would go with the nova.

HA! There are no stock nova's that have strength and consistency nor thirdgens. The question is which one would cost less to buy and upgrade. Chances are if you buy a nova you won't be able to install a lower gear unless you change the rear. Atleast with a thirdgen with a 7.5 rear you can.

Please don't get a mid 70's nova they are butt ugly! A 73 and under nova would be nice. Now here's another problem to get one of those nice nova's with a good rear your gonna pay but a thirdgen can be bought for a few hundred. Unless you find a really good deal on a nova I would go with the thirdgen.

 

You don't ask people what you want to race. You race what you want to race. I've seen many different types of vehicles at the track. Some I'd never want to touch. Others, no matter what brand or style they are, just look cool to race.

Personally after racing the third gen for many years, I'd never recommend converting it to a race car to anyone. The whole chassis/driveline is terrible and takes a lot of time to modify it properly to be a real race car. Unless you go right to a tube chassis car, there are better choices that offer cheaper ways to go. A G-body, although heavier, is a better platform for a race car and there's a huge aftermarket supporting it.

 

Actually my first car was a 76 nova back in the mid 80's. Only problem is most of them were rusted out back then.

Stephen 87 Iroc: any explanation why the G-body would be a better platform? I have also considered a late 70's malibu. Not up with all the A/F/G etc etc. body designations. I know G bodies are monte/cutlass and camaros/firebirds are F-bods. Thanks for the suggestions though.

 

The factory 4 links in the G bodies offer alot of tunability with little investment and work very well few few and onverall inexpensive mods. Full frame so doing a cage is alot easier, having a full frame offers places to tuck and hide, fuel linies, brake lines, exhaust. They're back from the dieing era of the muscle car and have some cool factory since they're older.

I hate my 3rd gen, hard to work on things since everything is so tight and no place under car to tuck and hide things. I do like the factory suspenion set-up, I have no problems taking the stock design and making it competative and neither have a few others-and I'm talking about racing for consistency not just going fast. My bird has better aerodynamics than G bodies and less front nose area to push the wind over a camaro so you can get a little extra mph or ET just from an aero design, might not be much, but worth a little.

 

I seem to be seeing more and more 3rd gens out at the track. And, there are a bunch in the NHRA Stock and Super Stock ranks.

Hard to beat the old '68-'72 Novas for weight, though. Lighter than the 1st gens.

 

Thirdgen cars have it over the leaf sprung cars in my opinion. I'm trying to find a bird shell now. If you are going to back half it, doesn't really matter. Those sub frame cars are pretty nose heavy, stock. I run 2 2nd gen birds now and have a heck of a time with the setup on them. Looking for 3rd gen to put my 406 pontiac in for next season.