The el cheapo 1978 4dr nova base

[jake wells]

Got this for a low sum it is a base model with no options and features a 250 I6 3spd manual which is getting a S10 T5 swap. No a/c power steering or power brakes but does have a radio. The axle is 2:73 which is going to get swapped later.

Still fun little car to drive and it is a work in progress i am currently waiting on my custom clutch to get finished since i had issues using a stock S10 clutch disc with my flywheel.

It is a ceramic button clutch with a 1 inch input shaft diameter and 14 splines flat diaphragm it should last the rest of the cars life since i intend this to be a cruiser and not a hot rod.
The paint is light blue metallic if anyone is wondering.

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[bucket]

Neat car!

What's the reasoning for that clutch though? A puck style clutch is usually very grabby and on/off feeling.

And I thought GM only ever used 10 or 26 spline?

 

[Craig 85]

One of the the first patrol cars I drove in the police academy in the late 80's. We used it as a skid pan car.

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[1987 GMC Jimmy]

I like that!

 

[RetroC10Sport]

I was looking at a '78 4 door 6 a while back, odd car, 3 speed on the column, A/C and power locks but nothing else.

 

[Rusty Nail]

Saweeeet ride!

 

[rpcraft]

So, Ummmm... Interested in selling her? I have a 6.0 LS and 6 speed driveline itching for a granny sleeper....

 

[jake wells]

Neat car!

What's the reasoning for that clutch though? A puck style clutch is usually very grabby and on/off feeling.

And I thought GM only ever used 10 or 26 spline?

excessive chatter the original clutch is a 10 inch the S10 T5 uses a 9-1/8 my trans came from a 87 that has a 2.5 in front of it. it has a 14 tooth input shaft spline.

 

[MikeB]

How about a 4.3 motor from an S10.

My buddy had a 73 with a 305, so the 4.3 would fit.

 

[rpcraft]

if you are going to drop a boat anchor like a 4.3 on it why not just put an LS in it? You can put the carb intake on it and swap a 5 or 6 speed out of a F body on it as well.

 

[fussfeld]

Another good thing about these novas and other X bodies is they came with 8.5" 10 bolts, i
think?



P.S., the 78 i owned briefly could run 15.5 1/4 miles times bone stock.

LM1 350 and i think 3.08 rear gear.

 

[Old77]

wow. cool little car to tinker around on I'd definitely rock it!

 

[rpcraft]

Another good thing about these novas and other X bodies is they came with 8.5" 10 bolts, i
think?



P.S., the 78 i owned briefly could run 15.5 1/4 miles times bone stock.

LM1 350 and i think 3.08 rear gear.

I believe so. Nova's were actually good all th eway up until the last ones, so far as the axles and body strength goes. I always like the idea of finding a crew cab and dropping in a smooth drivetrain with a set of buckets, because I don't think a 5 or 6 speed will clear the bench (at least not without some obvious alterations). Once you do that do a little clean up of the interior, you got a nice huge trunk to put some subwoofers in and still carry a few dead bodies, then some Vintage Air and a couple of cup holders with some darkly tinted windows and your off for doing the Power Tour in style!!! I might spoil myself and do a 4l60E for starters just to make it nice and cruise friendly with no holes in the tunnel (and still maintain some cruise control).

 

[Crispy]

I always wanted to build a 4 door nova with a 3.8 F body driveline as a daily. Cool styling, good economy, and decent enough power.

A cummins 4bt would be a sweat swap too.

 

[DoubleDingo]

Cool car! I first saw this on my phone. Now on a computer and I see the front blinker lenses have the Bowtie molded in.