L89 Nova???????

[Late BrakeU2]

According to Fran Preve, Tonawanda had gotten WAY to big. There was a need to cut it down to size, eliminate versions so they didn't make so many different KINDS of engines. This meant dropping suffix codes (versions), and combining others. Where possible they made one engine fit many models rather than one version for each model. The program was called "de-proliferation" and apparently the plant workers loved it for it's simplicity. Lot's of disruptive production sequence going on in the last half of 69-plant strikes,complete A body reskin,and 71 emissions rules coming in that would affect which engines would be available.

[iluv69s]

Thats the article I remember!! So that build sheet is fake??? And how about that hood?? Has that been documented?? Imagine the weight savings with alum. heads and a glass hood!!!

[Carleen]

Suffix code on that Chevelle is CRW.
CRN 1970 Chevelle 454 360 Mt LS-5 HP
CRQ 1970 Chevelle 454 360 TH LS-5 HP
CRR 1970 Chevelle 454 450 TH LS-6 SHP
CRS 1970 Chevelle 454 450 TH LS-6 SHP, alum hd
CRT 1970 Chevelle 454 360 Mt LS-5 HP
CRV 1970 Chevelle 454 450 Mt LS-6 HP

CRW 1972 Chevelle 454 270 TH LS-5 AR

I dont know?

[Schonyenko2]

That's true in some cases. The prevailing thought among most Nova people is that the most likley time line for L89 novas would be 68, but best chance would be 69 for significant nbrs. That beggs the question that if Fred Gibb, who was as plugged into GM performance as he was to build the 68 COPO autos, why didn't he order them with al. heads. That's 60#s off the nose.
There is no code specific suffix for al. heads in 68, 69 Nova applications. Could they have shared one with the Camaro? Maybe, but it seems unlikley. To the best of my knowledge, no window stickers have been found with the al. head RPO option on any Nova, while many are known for Camaros, and Chevelles.
I've seen invoices that show a cost for al. heads on Novas, but this always seems to lead to a dealer installation.
Now, you're preachin to the choir here, as I believe there may have been some produced, but we simply haven't found any that pass all the criteria.

[Kim_Howie]

After awhile you have to look at the truth. It's about time you came around to my thinking.

[John Brown]

[ QUOTE ]
.....That beggs the question that if Fred Gibb, who was as plugged into GM performance as he was to build the 68 COPO autos, why didn't he order them with al. heads. That's 60#s off the nose.

[/ QUOTE ]

Even if aluminum heads could have been ordered in 68, 60 pounds off of a Nova would have put them at the heavy end of the next higher class for NHRA drag racing. That wouldn't have been a good situation, even if aluminum heads were a possibility.

[PeteLeathersac]

As stated in other threads I've always wanted to be an L89 Nova believer but have to admit the more we debate it, the closer I am to lining up for a ticket on Howie's bus..

What was it Bob Johnston had to say in past threads on this subject...didn't he say he tried to place orders and it was a no-go?.


~ Pete

[Carleen]

MQ 1968 Chevy II 396 375 Mt HP
MR 1968 Chevy II 396 350 TH HP
MX 1968 Chevy II 396 350 Mt HP
JF 1969 Chevy II 396 350 Mt HP
JH 1969 Chevy II 396 375 Mt SHP
JI 1969 Chevy II 396 350 TH HP
JL 1969 Chevy II 396 375 TH SHP
JM 1969 Chevy II 396 TH
JU 1969 Chevy II 396 PG
KA 1969 Chevy II 396 350 Mt HP
KC 1969 Chevy II 396 375 Mt SHP
KE 1969 Chevy II 396 Mt
CKO 1970 Nova 396 375 Mt L-78 SHP
CKP 1970 Nova 396 375 TH L-89 SHP
CKQ 1970 Nova 396 375 Mt L-78 SHP
CKT 1970 Chevy II 396 375 Mt L-89 SHP
CKU 1970 Chevy II 396 375 Mt L-89 SHP
CPS 1971 Nova 454 425 400 LS-6
CPT 1971 Nova 454 425 4sp LS-6

[WILMASBOYL78]

As stated in other threads I've always wanted to be an L89 Nova believer but have to admit the more we debate it, the closer I am to lining up for a ticket on Howie's bus..

Check the tires on that bus before you get on...they might need air

[WILMASBOYL78]

JU 1969 Chevy II 396 PG