 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
By John Trowbridge see Katrina also...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Here it is folks… da-finished product!
"Well, Angola, Da-Nova has 100 miles on it… 100 NEW miles anyway.
It runs true but, still needs a front end alignment for a little shimmy a 41 MPH.
Runs and handles just like a Tank, really grumpy running through the gears - even with the 3 chambered mufflers. Sounds really radical… I Love It!
The temps look OK, but I have to check the charging system. I have so many fans, stereo components and other items drawing current, I'm not sure that the 160 amp alternator is handling it OK. The volt meter reads 12.3 V at night with the lights on. I haven't even turned the AC on yet while driving.
More to come…"
- John
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
550 Horses, 350 small-block stroked to 383 cu. in. and bored .030 over, aluminum heads, ported and polished, forged Eagle crank, forged Crower rods, forged Mahle 10.7 to 1 pistons, 4-bolt main?, balanced, 248 duration - 575 lift cam, hydraulic roller lifters , Victor Jr. intake manifold, Mighty Demon 820 CFM Carb, 700 R4 transmission, 3,500 R.P.M. stall speed, Chris Alson front coil over and rear 4-link suspension, stainless steel fender-well headers, FAB 9 Detroit Locker rear end with 4:11 gears…all the goodies a guy needs to have a little fun on the street!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
This is the initial installation of the Chris Alson rear 4-link suspension framework.
Notice how the entire trunk-floor and the seat-back metal body-panels have been completely cut out.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Here are the "4-links" of the 4-link suspension (blue bars). They prevent the nearly indestructible Detroit Locker rear end from twisting on it's axis, which keeps the u-joints in line and eliminates wheel hop, delivering all the horses to the pavement, right where you want them.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Here are the huge Mickey Thompson (31" tall x 18.5" wide x 15") rear tires, which fit within the rear fender wells. The whole purpose of doing this is so that the car can sit level and have the same profile and stance of a stock car, yet have the capabilities of a true drag racer. Plus, it looks incredible on the street.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chevy sure knew what they were doing when they built the 1965 Chevy II Nova!
"I bought the Nova as stress relief. I lost my house in Mississippi during Katrina in 2005, but, luckily, before the storm my wife and I had bought 10 acres of land on high ground north of the interstate. We moved there after Katrina and while we were still in the FEMA trailer, I had a shop built for that much needed stress relief. I bought the Nova from a kid in Oklahoma. He promised it ran great...and it did, or so it seemed. He cranked it and it sounded awesome. So, I put the Nova on a trailer and towed it toward home. We stopped in Marshall Texas for the night and I just had to hear the car again. I noticed after it idled for a few minutes that it started running a little hot. I thought, 'Oh well, no problem. Hmm, let me check the oil. Ooh crap, that's not oil...that looks like a milk shake on the dip stick! OK, maybe it's just a blown head gasket.' Well...not exactly. I found out the kid had hooked up a 250 nitrous and melted the # 1 and # 8 pistons. Oh well, these things happen. I wanted to build the engine anyway! After I called the guy back, he agreed to refund me a grand and I started the long journey to 'Da-Nova' bliss"
" THIS HAS BEEN MORE STRESSFULL THAN KATRINA ! ! "
- John
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The quarter panel wheel openings had to be moved forward 2.4 inches to accommodate the immense MT rear tires. While they were at it, the gas cap hatch was welded shut because now the new gas tank gets filled from inside the trunk. Plus, it looks cool. Pretty slick stuff.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The rear fender wells have been "tubbed", the trunk floor is in place and the fuel cell has been installed along with the battery box. The battery box provides for extra traction by adding substantial weight out behind the rear wheels while freeing space under the hood and reducing front end weight.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
It appears that the rear seat is gone forever.
Sorry, only one passenger riding at a time...
But, what a ride it will be!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Apparently, the engine was removed to finish painting the engine compartment and frame members. Notice the rack and pinion steering. I'm pretty sure that didn't come as original equipment. Also, the brake master cylinder has been installed. You're definitely gonna need that, John!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
If you're gonna paint your car, you might as well paint the underside of the trunk lid, too. That way, no one will know your car has been painted!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bang picked out the color. Pretty sweet, huh? It is Matador Red Mica from a 2008 Lexus IS250. Look at that shine! Look at those tiny rear tires! Try to find the spot where they extended the rear quarter panel...I dare you!
John, whoever did the bodywork obviously knows what they are doing.
Check Out Katrina
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
It's not even out of the shop yet, it's covered with dust, it doesn't have any windows, it's probably not even drivable at this point...and it's already attracting chicks!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
And, of course, don't forget the wheelie bars for the inevitable!
You know what's gonna happen!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
It looks like it's going fast, even though it's sitting still. Can you imagine going from
0 to 150 M.P.H. in about 10 ˝ seconds? in this pretty little cherry colored coach?
I can...I'm doing it right now!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
15) Da-Gauges for Da-Nova are comin', Da-Gauges for Da-Nova are comin' ! !
Notice that this 1965 Chevy Nova will only have 9/10 of one mile on it when it first rolls down the street under it's own power!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Is it just me, or is that a different set of stainless steel headers than in the first picture?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
John and Bang, I need more pictures and any details you can give me.
No hurries...I'll add stuff as you guys send it.
Kraig
See Katrina
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|