Thank you for the kind words! I really appreciate it! I have more to post now on my car... :)

Now that NovaJane is staying with me, I decided to address one of my pet peeves (and also a brand spanking new legal issue): Noise! The car is (was) Loud! Essentially, the exhaust consists of race car style 2.25-inch primary tube headers that bolt into a 4-inch collector. From there, each side goes into a 4-inch into a 3-inch slip on reducer and then into a 3-inch exhaust system. The system is made up of a Hooker "X" style cross over and then into a set of 3-inch in and 3-inch out Hooker VR series mufflers (straight through with glass packing). Finally, it exits into 3-inch turndowns in front of the rear axle.

I had the exhaust pretty much nailed down when I moved from the west coast to the prairies. By the time I had the car finished, the province I live in established a new set of noise laws: Cars, light trucks and motorcycles must not be over 101.3 decibels. If the vehicle is below 103.3, you get by with a warning (all tests are on the L-Max scale from idle to 3,750 RPM). Over that dB number, it's a fail and you must fix it. There are several parameters that include where the test equipment is located in relation to the exhaust exit, along with others.

So I decided to test my car:

https://i.imgur.com/vtnYpvih.jpg

L-max was 104.7. Fail! Oops...L-O-L

Now what? I could add tailpipes, but they foul both the electric fuel pump and the home brewed ARB I made for the car. Can't use them. I decided to try a set of dB killing cone inserts in the exhaust. The holes in the cones have more surface area (combined) than the diameter of the pipe. There is very little exhaust restriction.

https://i.imgur.com/iToiuigh.jpg

These cones can go almost anywhere, but they're most effective if they're close to the collector.
So I installed mine in the reducers. The pointy end must face forward. Once installed, each cone was tacked in place (you can actually bolt them in as well).

https://i.imgur.com/15i5xCah.jpg

Next up, my research pointed to using a set of resonators. My dilemma is the straight sections in the cross over aren't very long. Additionally, the exhaust runs very close to the big M-W aluminum driveshaft. That means the resonator body has to be short and relatively small in terms of diameter. So I came up with these straight through 3-inch in, 3-inch out, 4-inch body stainless jobs from Vibrant Performance:

https://i.imgur.com/t6YjMm2h.jpg

I sliced open the exhaust and had a local shop TIG weld the resonators in place. This is the complete "new" system, less mufflers:

https://i.imgur.com/VU7sHGgh.jpg

In order to tighten up the exhaust during the install, I used a ratchet strap hooked to the exhaust and anchored under the car to the front suspension cross member. Worked slick. Then I used a bottle jack to raise it up (it fits tight up under the car):

https://i.imgur.com/IKbpMryh.jpg

Once the mufflers were reinstalled, it was time to test it. I used the same parameters as the "before" test. The results were excellent! The cones and resonators work, without adding a whole bunch of restriction to the exhaust:

https://i.imgur.com/6nDtX2Ah.jpg

If I get stopped and sent to a test station, I'll remove the fan belt. Reason is, big block Novas with long water pumps have no room for a clutch fan. The direct drive fan is quite noisy. I figure running it less fan will should get me down to the legal limit...Worst case scenario is I will get by with a warning...:)

You didn’t miss it. I just fixed it. The “before” was 104.7. I edited it so many times last night, I edited it right out of there😉

Rad Caps!
 

Here's something for everyone (I think !): I put my Nova together with a DeWitts aluminum rad. It's a beautiful sort-of-stock appearing piece. They also included a cool billet covered rad cap. But in my "stock appearing" mindset, I decided to swap the cap for a reproduction RC15. I never thought anything of it. But when I started driving the car a bit, I was plagued with what appeared to be runaway overheating. It was frustrating, but one day when it was hot, I put a towel over the rad cap to check to see if the coolant was disappearing. No hiss. No steam. Nothing. Further investigation revealed the reproduction cap wasn't seating on the rad neck. Obviously the cooling system wasn't holding any pressure. So I replaced the repro cap with the DeWitts' supplied cap. Bingo. I can park it outside on a 90-degree day, nosed up to the garage door, put it in park, let it idle and walk away without overheating. Instant cooling fix. I wonder how many other repro caps are like this?

https://i.imgur.com/FJ5Hqeih.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/5HXr8O1h.jpg

I have a DeWitts aluminum radiator in my Beaumont. It didn't come with a DeWitts cap.

Mine did but that's not the point.

Yes, but I believe the problem is in the cap. Over the years it seems other folks have had similar issues with repro caps. It’s kind of a hit and miss situation from what I decipher. I suspect if I had a rad cap pressure tester, I could nail it down exactly, but honestly since it’s working correctly now, I don’t think I want to spend $$$ on the test equipment😉

The DeWiits cap is pricey, but I’d first check to see if your system is pressurized correctly (Be careful man…). I was pretty frustrated with mine in traffic until I resolved it. By the way, I can now watch the temp change as the thermostat opens. That wasn’t possible before. It would just keep climbing until the traffic cleared up (or I shut the thing off). I’m currently using a 180 Stewart Thermostat, but I’d like to try a 160 example (I have a similar drilled Stewart on order).

Not suggesting this for you, I'm sure I'd just be happy with the new cap, but someone could just plug a t fitting in the bypass hose and check pressure.

Good tip.

I can't use it for my car because I don't use a bypass hose (no machined port in the intake). I use a drilled thermostat from Stewart. That part works great.

Hi there…they fit nicely with the Competition Engineering connectors I used. If you click to post #137 of this thread you can see the front of the routing. Zero issues at the rear as well….if you jump to the cars for sale section, my ad is still up for the car (although no longer for sale).. there are several good images of the chassis and park brake cables. Hope this helps :)

IIRC, they came from Inline Tube.

Hi Joe. I have Detroit Speed uppers and lowers in the car. They do not have a provision to clamp the brake hose, but when I built the car I ran the suspension on both sides through full travel and checked the steering lock to lock at the same time. I’m confident the hoses will not be caught anywhere during suspension travel or when turning.

As far as the steering stops are concerned, I have them, so I can’t comment. Plenty of aftermarket an arms do not have steering stops. My blue Nova didn’t have stops (TRZ a arms). The guy who bought it is still delighted with the entire car, so you can take it from there :).

Good luck with the build and if you have any questions, fire away. I’ll answer if I can.

Hey Joe… in next few days I’ll pop off a hubcap and get you a measurement.

Hello again Joe. The back wheel studs in my Nova are 1/2 x 2.0 - inches. Mark Williams screw in examples, part number 51255. I prefer 1/2-inch studs over the stock 7/16-inch on the rear. Just stronger.

I am about to take some long ones off my car and put stock length studs back on. What is the stock length for a rear stud that would have been used with a closed end lug nut?

I don’t use press in stud on the rear and I don’t use closed end lug nuts, so I have no idea. Sorry, I can’t help. I’m sure though that many of the very knowledgeable people on this board can help you out with OEM parts.

At this point I have to know what it ran at the track?

Never took it to the track. As some here know, my wife is seriously ill. Car is for sale and if it doesn’t sell I’ll probably place it in storage.

I am thrilled to report Wayne and I agreed to terms on the Nova. I've admired this car, the build, and Wayne's detailed approach since I first discovered the car. Ironically, Wayne and I share the same vision for the car moving forward (along with a love for Corvette's).

I'll keep the thread going with updates. Ya never know, may even have to put that 3rd pedal back to use:3gears:

Great car. Great New Care Taker.... :)

Glad to hear this......congratulations to all.

AWESOME!!! Congrats to the both of you!

Congratulations !! I am surprised to see it's you, doesn't seem like it's "in your wheelhouse" as you call things...:wink:

When I read his other thread, I first thought of Charley, since he loves to build vehicles like this, but then Wayne did mention a Great Guy was the new owner...:CharleySucks:
As a sponsor of SCR, are you going to get it out there this year ?
New year, new owner, may as well start your own new thread, this one is Wayne's and rather personal with his wife's health mentioned.

I'll leave that up to Wayne. You're right Mitch, it is very personal. There is tremendous content Wayne has provided, and I would hate to see it get lost. Perhaps Steve can help with that.

I have had this closet addiction with Nova's. I miss my 67, which was similar in spirit to Wayne's build (although not near the same quality). This was a pump gas 422 SBC with either an M22 or a TKO Tremec behind it.

Congradulations to both buyer and seller on the Nova. What a great car.

Congrats on the sale of your Nova.

Congrats to seller and buyer!! Another visit to the Boulder Beer Bar may be in order :burnout::3gears:

So happy for both Wayne and Tim!




Wayne, your beautiful wife Cindy put up a heck of a fight. She was a true warrior. Thanks for the messages all along. You rock...

Thank you Bruce.

W

After a long and laborious process (due to US Customs), Plain Jane landed yesterday. By a stroke of luck, the temps were in the 20's as opposed to below zero like it was earlier in the week. As one can imagine, a car with the characteristics Plain Jane possesses, it was still not happy starting out of the trailer. Nonetheless, I got it running and is now safe and warm in the shop.

Once the car was up to temp, I was pleasantly surprised with how docile the car is, especially when compared to the L88 in the HM Camaro. I suppose you could say the size of the motor adds manners.

I was on a tight schedule yesterday. In the short time I looked the car over, I don't know that Wayne's pics did the car (and his work) the justice it deserves. It's a stud! I'll get up close and personal with the car tomorrow.

I'll say it again Wayne.......you were a true gentleman to deal with. Furthermore, very accommodating with the shipping delays. Through it all and more importantly, I feel like I gained a friend.

More to come!

Thank you for the kind words Tim. I did set it up to be a bit soft on the bottom end, out of respect for the little tires out back (P275-60 Drag Radials)…:), and I think that helps with the manners. I hope you have as much fun with Jane as I had. For me the build is the big pleasure. And I too believe I gained a new friend. You’re in good hands Jane! W

What a beautiful car, I hope to see a good video as the weather gets better.

‘

Over the top car and builder also cool again when anything changes hands within the circle here.
:beers:
~ Pete

.

Such a bad azz ride! I love it!!

All I can say is Wayne did a phenomenal job on this car. It certainly helps when one starts with a low mileage clean unit to begin with. In the pic below, is just a small example of the detail that goes unnoticed until you are right on top of the car. This is how Wayne plumbed the overflow for the radiator......
https://i.imgur.com/65iLjCbh.jpg

The rest of the pics, are basically Nova porn. One can only appreciate the build quality once the car is on a hoist, which we know Wayne did not have the luxury of.

https://i.imgur.com/Hild4DEh.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/QJlvqlRh.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/KohEWzIh.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/XPPVGPEh.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/BO1yGCBh.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/qpZ1cGzh.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/I4SLIZQh.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/1eyl2MCh.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/XsAFqfuh.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/XXUJh03h.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/ySVFJOQh.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/v3Nht6mh.jpg

:headbang::headbang::headbang::headbang: This thing has got to be a weapon on the street and hold its own at the track!