63 CHEVY II NOVA VERT

[Shovelrick]

My good friend that works with me Paul just bought this for what I consider a very good deal but I'd rather not say the price as it's not my business to do that on the web, but it has a very healthy 350 with a performance type cam, 3 speed auto (he's not sure 350 or 400 but my guess is 350) it orig. was a 283 PG car so he's thinking he needs another gear so I mentioned a Gear Vendor or a Grand National or Monte SS 200r4 trans, I also said I didn't think he'd like a 700r4 in a light car like his since it'd be out of 1st gear before he knew it lol, any opinions on trans?

 

[kmakar]

Looks clean.

 

[Shovelrick]

It's very clean, he's also looking to upgrade the 4 whl drum brakes and said 4 wheel disc, I said unless you're going to autocross I would just put some real good rear drum brakes and wheel cylinders and Wilwood front conv disc set up along with a Wilwood MC and if you decide you want power assist after that you can always add a booster and I think you'd need to relocate the brake pedal rod same as Chevelle, I didn't get a chance to look the car over real well since I was cleaning blinds at home and he just came by to pick up a check for a job we just finished, I asked him if he could find out more about the engine since the cam sounds like it would need a perf conv, he's not happy with the floppy door mirrors so I mentioned Morris and Im changing mine so maybe we could get a disco of some kind?

 

[Nashville Cat]

Go with the 200R4 because it has a much better 1st gear compared to the 700R4.
Does he have the money to have a new rear made ? Moser or Strange.
If not, it probably already is geared high (3:08?) and the 700R4 with it's 3-1 1st gear might be a better choice.
If the rear gear is 3:55 or better, go with the 200r4.

I love those cars

 

[Shovelrick]

He said it seems like it needs another gear when trying to keep with traffic on US19 55-65 mph traffic and he doesn't know rear end ratio, I can turn a wheel while he counts DS turns in the next couple days, I told my wife how much he payed and she said "And how much $ have you spent and we're not on the road yet " lol, the 3 spd trans is hooked to the orig column 2 spd shifter and he doesnt want to put a floor shifter in it so anyone know what column 3 spd shifter fits a first gen Nova?

 

[77cruiser]

Probably has fairly short tires?

 

[Shovelrick]

Probably has fairly short tires?

I didn't look at the tire size but he does want to raise the rear an inch or 2 so maybe a taller rear tire would do the trick for both more highway gear and raising the rear of the car and a lot cheaper, I'll mention it to him

 

[cage2592]

I'm with Cat on the 200r4. As well as a taller tire to fill the fender well and raise an inch or so. Beautiful looking car.

 

[Shovelrick]

He's going to add 1 leaf to the rear suspension, his older brother owns a Welding/Fab/ Trailer repair shop that has mechanics and a lift or 2 so he's getting that done first, IMHO it'll make the rear tires look even smaller raising the rear end, I think I'll mention adjustable coil over shocks...Guess I'll check to see if those are even avail. for leaf springs

 

[Chevelle_Nut]

IIRC the driveshaft doesn't have to be cut with a 200R4, it does with a 700R4

 

[Shovelrick]

He's thinking removing the 14" wheels for 17" so I said lets try my 245/45r17" AR TTII's with 8" wheel and 4.5" BS that I have on the front of my car on the back and front of his car for a test and I also have 2 very nice Fuzion 255/50r17" tires he can have for the rear if they fit