L78 Nova needs to get out more
 

It was 70 today in So Cal, I was on vacation and just got done reading a post about not driving the cars enough.

That was it. Went out to the garage and looked at my L78 Nova that had not got out enough recently. Pulled the cover, connected the battery, fired it up. Man it sounded good. Headed out for some light driving which is the norm. Decided to give the matching numbers engine a little more than the usual 2500 - 3000 RPM it has got used to over the years on the 19,000 original miles it has traveled. So headed to an open road near San Juan Capistrano and came to a stop. Reminded myself not to get too crazy here so I told myself I was going to hold at 4800 RPM which is nicely in the power curve. Dropped the hammer leaving a little rubber from the old polyglass and heard the loud whine of the M22, grabbed a hard 2nd at about 4500 and did the same for 3rd. The beast pulled so strong. Brought back memories of racing back at Dragway 42 in West Salem, OH. Kept the sanity and held off getting anywhere near the redline. Drove easy for another 20 miles receiving a lot of thumbs up. (I know some of you thought I was going to tell you I scattered the matching number engine sending a rod through the hood, sorry!)

Told myself, I am going to do this more often! Get em out and enjoy! Mark https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...5-img_0542.jpg
https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...6-img_0544.jpg
https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...7-img_0481.jpg

Re: L78 Nova needs to get out more
 

Awesome. That's what they were made for, glad you're going to use it more. Beautiful Nova, and I'm glad you didn't break anything. Good New Year resolution to drive it more.

Re: L78 Nova needs to get out more
 

You are my hero Mark! Life is Good especially where you live and how nice your weather is. Do this again and report back to us.Looks like a real nice place you have too.
Drive em!!!

Re: L78 Nova needs to get out more
 

beautiful nova [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/burnout.gif[/img]

Re: L78 Nova needs to get out more
 

Great looking Nova! It makes me want to get my Chevelle out for a little drive. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/3gears.gif[/img]

Re: L78 Nova needs to get out more
 

And your legs were shaking from the adrenline ... right? Awesome feeling! TAZ [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img]

Re: L78 Nova needs to get out more
 

You nailed that perfect Taz. Great feeling. Like I said, took me back to the feeling at the track days when you drove it like you stole it.....and then reality sets in

Re: L78 Nova needs to get out more
 

Do it!

Re: L78 Nova needs to get out more
 

If you want to drive slow, take the family sedan for a ride. Hammer it every now and then! The weak link in these engines from the factory were the valve keepers, not that I want to blow my original engine, but I do have a NOS CE '70 854 block in the corner of my garage! (hopefully never need it). Like Uncle Fester from the Addams family once said, &quot;I know the combination to the family safe, but is so much more fun blowin it!&quot;

Re: L78 Nova needs to get out more
 

That is a good looking ride. Glad you had a blast and thanks for sharin'!!!! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/3gears.gif[/img]

Re: L78 Nova needs to get out more
 

Wow...very nice. We have it's twin brother in the 70 model.

Enjoy [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/worship.gif[/img] [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img]

-wilma

Re: L78 Nova needs to get out more
 

Thanks. I have seen the really nice Nova's you have as well. Love the original stuff.

Re: L78 Nova needs to get out more
 

Very nice [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/3gears.gif[/img]

Re: L78 Nova needs to get out more
 

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: JRSully</div><div class="ubbcode-body">If you want to drive slow, take the family sedan for a ride. Hammer it every now and then! The weak link in these engines from the factory were the valve keepers, not that I want to blow my original engine, but I do have a NOS CE '70 854 block in the corner of my garage! (hopefully never need it). Like Uncle Fester from the Addams family once said, &quot;I know the combination to the family safe, but is so much more fun blowin it!&quot; </div></div>


take it from this guy Mark. He shows it NO mercy but it is the cleanest, baddest nova on Long Island! if you can't drive a car in Southern Cal, there is no hope!

Re: L78 Nova needs to get out more
 

Real beauty Mark...

Re: L78 Nova needs to get out more
 

Do me a favour......next time you head out, try and bring a GoPro camera. We haven't heard the whine of a big block or M22 for several months up here in the Great White North.

Your story gave me goose bumps!

Paul

Re: L78 Nova needs to get out more
 

Very cool.. An Ohio sold car??

Rich

Re: L78 Nova needs to get out more
 

Nice Nova!!

Re: L78 Nova needs to get out more
 

Very nice! Love to see pics of interior

Re: L78 Nova needs to get out more
 

Thanks for the nice comments everyone. Good thing I got out as the rains(Which we need badly) have arrived for a few days in So Cal.

Re: L78 Nova needs to get out more
 

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Mr. Chevy</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Very cool.. An Ohio sold car??

Rich </div></div>

Hi Rich. Yes. Was sold new at West Chevrolet in Mogadore. Was in Ohio until I moved to California in 1996.

Re: L78 Nova needs to get out more
 

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: CamaroNOS</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Do me a favour......next time you head out, try and bring a GoPro camera. We haven't heard the whine of a big block or M22 for several months up here in the Great White North.

Your story gave me goose bumps!

Paul</div></div>

Will do Paul. The whine of the M22 actually drowns out the L78 in first gear! Thanks for the nice comments.

Re: L78 Nova needs to get out more
 

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Crush</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Very nice! Love to see pics of interior </div></div>

https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...4-img_0254.jpg
https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...a_interior.jpg
https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics..._interior1.jpg

Hey Crush. Thanks. I posted a few that I had handy. In process of moving files. BORING 731 interior, but the way I like it. Rubber mat car, bench seat. Only options on interior was remote driver mirror.(Original owner was a big dude that needed the remote mirror to see out!) Mark

Re: L78 Nova needs to get out more
 

Very nice! What's the build date on your car?I have a triple black 69 L78.i have found 2 other black cars built same week as mine

Re: L78 Nova needs to get out more
 

Very nice car you have Mark. Would look good in my garage next to my 70 L34. You should get it out more often, life is too short...

Re: L78 Nova needs to get out more
 

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: cwc</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Very nice! What's the build date on your car?I have a triple black 69 L78.i have found 2 other black cars built same week as mine</div></div>

Thanks. Third week of May(05C) What was your date? https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...0-img_0473.jpg

Re: L78 Nova needs to get out more
 

Will look forward to the ride......thanks.

Happy New Year to all!!!!

Paul

Re: L78 Nova needs to get out more
 

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Mr.Nickey Nova</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Very nice car you have Mark. Would look good in my garage next to my 70 L34. You should get it out more often, life is too short...</div></div>

Thanks the plan [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif[/img] Thanks!

Re: L78 Nova needs to get out more
 

Nice Car

Re: L78 Nova needs to get out more
 

Great car and loved seeing someone get out. In Western Canada we've had more cold and snow than in recent years and last night we got another 3&quot; to give is a base of about 15&quot; now. Another 90 days until this region gets it's typical early spring and any thoughts of getting the cars out for a rip are anywhere near a reality. Last time I was out was the end of November.

Thanks for the pics...now I need to see some Video [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/3gears.gif[/img]

Re: L78 Nova needs to get out more
 

mine is 04c. triple black with deluxe bench seat

Re: L78 Nova needs to get out more
 

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: cwc</div><div class="ubbcode-body">mine is 04c. triple black with deluxe bench seat</div></div>

Sounds nice CWC. You got the luxury carpet and I got the poverty mat!LOL

Re: L78 Nova needs to get out more
 

Sometimes you just gotta say WTF........and let it rip. I been running my L78 Camaro hard for years. That motor has seen 7500 on occasion. It's built for it.....

Re: L78 Nova needs to get out more
 

https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...-55811-047.jpg
Took my daughter out for a ride a few months back, but she only saw about 4000 rpm...

Beautiful Nova you have!

Re: L78 Nova needs to get out more
 

Nice 69 396 Nova!

Re: L78 Nova needs to get out more
 

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: MagicRatt</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Sometimes you just gotta say WTF........and let it rip. I been running my L78 Camaro hard for years. That motor has seen 7500 on occasion. It's built for it.....</div></div>

There you go Rich! We can treat these cars real nice and still drive them. Clean the cob webs out.

Re: L78 Nova needs to get out more
 

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: SeattleCarGuy</div><div class="ubbcode-body">https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...-55811-047.jpg
Took my daughter out for a ride a few months back, but she only saw about 4000 rpm...

Beautiful Nova you have!</div></div>

Thanks. Would be a great picture of your 50/50 Dover White next to my 10/10 Black!

Re: L78 Nova needs to get out more
 

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: [email protected]</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: MagicRatt</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Sometimes you just gotta say WTF........and let it rip. I been running my L78 Camaro hard for years. That motor has seen 7500 on occasion. It's built for it.....</div></div>

There you go Rich! We can treat these cars real nice and still drive them. Clean the cob webs out. </div></div>

Been a while but other than Sunoco race gas, this is the time slip from one of the last runs I did at the old Pomona Street Legal drags. Ran a strong 13.03 @112 like she sits. Shifted at about 6. Decent 60 foot on polyglass. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...ip_pomona1.png

Re: L78 Nova needs to get out more
 

<span style="font-size: 11pt">A '13 Second Grocery Getter'.. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img] </span>

Re: L78 Nova needs to get out more
 

Nothing wrong with that. A 13 second TRUE street machine is great!! TAZ