1970 L78 nova

[Bill Pritchard]

A good friend of mine bought a brand new Forest green 70 Nova L78, Turbo 400, 4.10 posi. Came that way from the factory. Undesirably slow factory stock, but the usual 'Day 2' mods woke it up, ran a best of 12.95. Wrapped it around a telephone pole around 72 or 73 Luckily he was OK.

[Schonyenko2]

I've had both. A 70 L78 nova, and a deuce. The deuce would have kicked that L78s a$$ all over the street.
The problem with frame twisting is'nt the 4.10 gears with stock tires, and rims. Its when you put on the serious big meats of the day back then and started sidestepping the clutch at 6k. That would tweak the qtrs. Most people were sharp enough to put on frame connectors. Schonye

[GTO_DON]

Something must have been wrong with your L78 If they both have the same gears,I'll take a solid lifter big block over a solid lifter small block anyday!!

[Kim_Howie]

What the L78 had six people in it.

[Salvatore]

Schonye, You know as well as I do that we love the little motors. Horsepower per cubic inch I think the small blocks got the big blocks beat but...... If my 1969 LT1 nova beat a comparable big block nova or camaro back in the day was because they were not set up correctly. I NEVER beat a good running rat motor car with basically the same set up as my 350 car had unless of driver error. My nova with the LT1 slicks, bars, headers, Hurst competition plus etc. (I drove the car to the track) Motor was balanced and clearanced but basically stock with the factory LT1 cam ran a best of 12.08 114.62. That was real good in those days. The big block guys with basically the same set up ALWAYS ran 11.70's. Also the big block camaros for the most part beat all the new LS6 chevelles, with the same set up. I was there, there was no doubt. I spent many a night down Front st. and Delaware ave. in Philly in those days. That is where the little motors would sometimes beat a big block, because of traction. Like I said it really depends on who owned them and drve them. An 85% efficient running small block could beat a 60% efficient running big block. And about the twisting, the tires in those days wern't good enough to twist those frames and sheetmetal as much as some people think. Starting in the early 70's did it become necessary to tie the frames. I don't even think Jenkins 1st. Pro Stock car had the frame tied at that point. P.S. Some people have to stop reading the books and start believing the guys that were there. You could basically get any combo that you wanted if the salesperson would order it for you.I don't care what the options list said or build sheets. Your salesperson was very important in those days. Now, You really can't order much. GM didn't stop making 4:10's in 1970 did they? If Don's car has a 4:10 in it, how can anyone dispute it. Just because the options list didn't state it? Come on! In 1970 it was not rocket science. How many 1959 ElCaminos did people ever see with fuel injection? Well they were available and I saw one.

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

Motown, now we're supposed to proof your rants for you? You assume that everybody even reads your baseless epics!

Sam, I agree with both you and Schoneye, what do they say; 'On any given raceday'.

Don,
Good to hear more about your car, I for one, love that color combo - the more unique the better!

[MotownMadman]

Marlin,
I suppose your right and everybody doesnt read all.....but you did.

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

How about some more football in this poor guy's thread!

It will be cool to find out what the code is on this rear. I have seen the 4.10 written in on other order forms as well. Anyone have 4.56 written in? I'd like to see what this guy's order form has - surely one of the baddest lookin cars out there!

[MotownMadman]

Schonye,
For the most part the L78 will beat the small block.....however....that is not always the case with the right, or some would say wrong person behind the wheel of the small block. If the small block has a 4.56, 4.88, or 5.13 gear and the owner/driver does not care about spending money on a regular basis the small block can be sent into the RPM stratosphere(providing it has solids), and get the big block. With the right hook up at launch the small block will jump far enough ahead that the rest of the quarter is all about catch up for the L78. Either the mouse will stand the pressure at the end ot the quarter or it wont. I have sent several balanced/blueprinted DZ motors through the traps at 9100, a sound that will stay with you for life. But, no small block should ever be discounted just because the neighbor has a noseheavy car.
Motown

P.S. Garage? Marlin, I thought your Deuce was sitting in a field?

[WILMASBOYL78]

This thread is like the Energizer Bunny, it just keeps going and going.

Tom