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On a 1970 nova if it has an "In-Dash" tach showing a 6500 red line ...would that be a 375hp car if it came with a big block?
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Hey John, here's some info I copied from another discussion forum/ info site. I wish I could remember which one it was so I could give them proper credit, but I had just copied it and stored it on my computer some time ago...
<font color="blue">Some people call it the Gauge Package. Some call it the In-dash Tach. Others incorrectly call it the SS-dash. But from 1968 until 1976 the optional RPO-U17 Special Instrumentation Package was a set of extra gauges that helped build the sporty image of the Nova.
First I want to clarify that RPO-U17 was NOT part of the Super Sport option. It was available on any V8 equipped Nova those years. The Special Instrumentation Package did include 4 extra gauges: a tachometer, an ammeter, oil pressure and water temperature. The tach was placed to the left of the speedometer in the location where the fuel level gauge was normally placed. This was to make it easier for the driver to see (when in reality, it was really too small to see and mostly blocked by the steering wheel). Because the fuel level gauge was replaced by the tach, it was moved to the console with the other 3 new gauges. The gauges were all electrical, so there is a special, additional wiring harness need to power them. You will notice that I said the gauges were located on the console. This means that if you wanted the U17 Special Instrumentation package you also had to order the RPO-D55 Front Compartment Floor Console. And since the floor console wouldn't fit with a bench seat, you also had to order RPO-A51 Bucket Seats. All these requirements made the U17 package a pricey option.
</font> As far as I know, the maximum redline was 5500 RPM, for the L78...
Manish