FIRST DRIVE In My 1971 Chevy Nova - Money Well Spent!

[@DDSpeedShop]

Sounds like you guys want the 3.73's haha

[@bwsgarage]

Yes please

[@bufords]

natch!

[@jeffreyschroder8004]

Yes! Put the dang thing in, already 😅

[@jaymiller2213]

Or gear vender

[@bigbow62]

Oh yeah... 3:73 will bring that wicked machine to life ✌️🙂

[@thomaswestrup2886]

Growing OLD is mandatory. . . Growing UP is purely optional!!

[@russellfuchs7903]

Well put.

[@NH1969GOAT]

Fukkin'n A

[@strokermaverick]

​@@russellfuchs7903 Exactly. I'm, 52. Hard to grow up, for me, with fast cars.

[@jeffmoran5973]

Well I am 62yrs and I still like to hot rod😊😊

[@coyboybc]

Me too ! I enjoy my old hotrod and this year I will be 63

[@larrydixon-vi7ld]

Me too , be 63 in September, love hotrods

[@Drafted066]

73 and my daily is a 2017 Camaro SS.

[@JimmyMakingitwork]

I'm 61 in July and just built a 62 C10 with a 460 hp 383...Gotta enjoy the ride!

[@davebutler2776]

I'm 7 0 48 fleetline with a 500 hp big block never to old for a hot rod.

[@JohnLegionH]

I love how Danielle was happy for you. You have a good lady there Dan. Keep her happy!

[@trillrifaxegrindor4411]

sick nova........the sound of it with open headers was glorious,get some e-dumps and let her sing . the 3:73's are necessary at this point as the "plan for the camaro" is now the "plan for the nova" you need a quick,in town car and you need to get to a dragstrip and drag us along to watch you....we will be there

[@DDSpeedShop]

U ain't wrong

[@strokermaverick]

​@@DDSpeedShop Like to see you, at the dragstrip, with on board camera.

[@johnp1966]

I'm not a Chevy guy, but I do like the nova's. Nothing beats a high winding small block and a 4 or 5 speed. I just got my new engine running in my car, AFR headed 302 and a t5 in a '66 mustang. The nova definitely needs to be on the channel more

[@Zazu2You]

You definitely have made the right decision on the Nova!! Nice work, Dan. Your smile tells the whole story!! Vinyl top? Cheers!! 😎

[@DDSpeedShop]

Vinyl top for sure

[@richardlees778]

Just cut the Roll bar out beyond the driver's seat and bend it around the seat and reconnect it

[@strokermaverick]

Great, idea!

[@Buzzsaw-Bullseye]

Don't let past Dan keep future Dan from being truly happy. Throw in the bad ass 373 rear end!!

[@Memry-dq7ug]

I’d like to see pinky get an LS if it’s getting an engine swap and just make it a good reliable cruiser since it sounds like Dani wants to drive it. Maybe the one out that yellow 56 if it’s any good. 🤷🏼‍♀️

[@chuckschultz7028]

Don't you love it when a plan comes together? Great to see/hear you two happy!

[@jemclenachan]

I like the thought of the not so subtle sleeper that kicks butt and is comfy doing so.

[@lonestarsy99]

Sweet Nova test drive D&D

[@stephenbraun9951]

Oh!!! 3:73 and bang that 4 speed stick. Fun times for all

[@Drafted066]

Had 3.73 in a 72 Vette, 4-speed, 383 stroker in my youth. I highly recommend the 3.73 for your Nova; no disappointments!

[@mikealdag7309]

dig the nova bud , enjoy the hell out of that car !

[@Thecleananunseenteam]

Who dont love a nice nova looking good dan 🏁

[@MikeAnderson-uj3oo]

I don't. I'm a Chevy guy through and through, but I've never been keen on the Nova. I don't know what it is about them. I'm more into the second gen Chevelles and the 3rd gen Elcaminos. I've owned several Chev muscle cars, never a Nova. Closest I came was a 74 Buick Apollo that my sister gave me. I never would of owned it otherwise.

[@williamquinones2870]

Oh yea the Nova sounds so good because it doesn't sound like it's falling apart Past Dan paid more attention to detail turning out a more refined and better product

[@azbelair54]

Nice to see you finally have a matching set of wheels and caps. Looks great

[@greggsvintageworkshop8974]

She runs, drives and looks gorgeous! Unless you have a trip planned anytime soon, I would put in the 3.73 gear. IT will then make full use of that awesome power!

[@jeffmoran5973]

Need to bring the nova 2 home, his & hers, that would be awesome 👌

[@heavyasi1981]

25:27 HAHA She put her window up lol!!!!

[@ralphhayward5693]

I enjoyed the snarl of the exhaust as you shift gears. This is so much your car, Dan. It obviously makes you happy. 🇨🇦

[@bert123456789]

When John built the engine for my car we took it out on Bishop Grandin and absolutely shredded the diff. The boys actually had a quarter mile marked off from River road east.

[@vwcoco]

Awesome car . Good seeing Dan at traffic lights looking to his left to see if anyone is looking at the car 😂

[@EricS-v9c]

Dan! Could you please take off the back dog dish rims off. I'd love to see that man. Just for 5 mins? 😅 I just want to see what it looks like.😊 Love the episodes. Much appreciated 👍

[@rzfs1v]

Loved the Hot For Teacher reference.... glad I'm not the only one that thinks that song sounds like a big cam, lol.

[@budbrown5687]

Glad to see you enjoying the Nova..... Also, Pinky and the non-brain, Luv it!! lol

[@donh8973]

I am 68 and still love all those old hotrod 😊

[@MikeWolf-427]

Great Work! You were smiling the whole drive. You've found your happy place. Swap the rear. *Don't fear the gear!*

[@blainehalley2201]

Love you two and really like what you've done to this. Also really like you are so supportive of each other and are so open. You are make me happy and inspire me. God Bless you and all, Your Santa Cruz fan.

[@harleykdognova4226]

Love my Nova there a great ride ! I’ve had most all the garbage and nova was my favorite driver . Second favorite 69 firebird 👍.. Cheers glad to c this classic on the channel and y’all actually enjoy as well ..

[@larrykittell726]

I'm glad you chose the Nova over the Camaro. I drove a 66 Nova with a 283 in High School and my brother had a 68 with a 396. I'm 63 now and get my kicks with an S-10 with a 350 and the stock 5-speed. The 4.10 gears are a little extreme, but it takes off like a rocket.

[@The_Kman]

Looking and sounding good!

[@jeffmoran5973]

It is called fine tuning now😊

[@jeffreybond6491]

Dan, As an old hotroder for best all-round, in both worlds; burnouts and incredible top speeds on the highway: are a rear axle with 323.1 ratio... !!

[@arjaitheoriginal]

I bought a Vega from a Drag Racer, no eng/trans. He had a 411 gear set and I built up an eng, 360-sumtin, ported heads, dual spring valves, balanced, blueprinted lower end...ended up just under 500hp. Turned out to be undrivable w/ the 411's. Got a rear end from a neighbor, on trade, w/ 373's. better but, could not pass a gas station! Also, I was buying tires every 3 weeks!! Ended up putting 323 gears in and got some Mickey Thompson's "street legal' skins. With a proper warm up, well and the frame connectors, I could pop wheelies in that thing! I also had the car dyno tuned and had the front end springs chained, limited up travel made the whole car a lever, pushing the rear tires into the ground. I was awesome, as long as it wasn't raining. I have had to park it and call a friend, a few times! Too bad I don't have anymore, would have liked to keep it around to tinker with. Life...maybe someday I will get another to play with?

[@marekkonarzewski4543]

It was worth all the work… and you definitely fit in it better

[@rockysplace6012]

Dan you are 2 cool 4 school in that NOVA all you need now is a pair of pit vipers and you will be ready set go.

[@shanewright6958]

Here we go again. It’s time for another good one 👍👍

[@steveduggins2063]

Nice hot rod Dan, you look comfy in that car, u need to run it through the gears, waiting for that video, the look on your face, will be the true test of your hard work, love it dude 😎, good job buddy

[@kennethsonier1766]

Good morning from Cape Cod ⛵ all in all it looks like you had a successful first run, it does sound awesome going through the gears. A little bit of driving and you'll have her dialed in. Keep up the good work guys 👍✌️🇺🇲

[@franksgarage8551]

Love the Nova! What more could you ask for? 3.73’s even on the highway shouldnt be too bad. Having a few running “keepers” is a good thing, building a few for sale may be a new niche.

[@TheInternetSaidThis]

You just outwardly appear a happier man dealing with the Nova vs dealing with the Camaro. Proof enough you did the right thing! Always protect your own inner peace even if it makes internet mad.

[@stevenralstin7141]

Novacane the ultimate sleeper. Nice car

[@non-nefarious]

Put the 3.73 and the gear vendor in it. 😊👍 I love the sound of that sweet engine!

[@hardball107]

The Gear Vendor O/D unit Dan has is for a T/H 350.

[@redwinstead7873]

Dan your car sounds hot i love the sound when you get down on it them pipes be talking though the phone haha❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@dipe277]

I'm NOT a chevy guy but have always liked an early '70s Nova

[@Donwrongway]

That Nova is sick good job you gotta keep it

[@BudFranks-fu9ye]

Awesome. What a badass car Dan. Thank you guys for the ride. love it. Sounds so good👍💯

[@Frontireadventures]

Shops are looking really tidy.

[@impalaman4546]

You the man Dan

[@davidhammons800]

Outstanding young man! I wanted to that power train in the Macaro but, meh. 9:73 is very close to what I was thinking, (3:90) Get those header dumps & rockit! Enjoy you guys! (BTW going blind, thanks for taking me back!)

[@MikeAnderson-uj3oo]

Sure, an LS might be more reliable and capable of more power, but a nicely done small block just sounds so nice.

[@merlin767]

I remember in seventies a neighbor had a nova 396 nice car

[@kevinwright1551]

She running awesome indeed. I think you should put the 3.73 gear in it. Keep up the great work.

[@steveanderson539]

Sounds very nice, that’s going to be a monster when you put the 411’s in .

[@Brianshrader6357]

I Love the Nova . Four speed a good sounding small block . Whats no to Love.

[@WyoCutlass71]

It’s the year of the Nova! Frieburger has his tunnel cram, Hatch’s Recreation is building one with a wicked 307 and we got this beauty! I feel like I need one now….

[@TheBuick40]

I hope Danielle gets to feeling better & I like the Nova

[@markgoddard3115]

Put gangster white walls on Pinky when she done lol nova is badass!!!! Great Job Dan 😅

[@stevekitowski686]

Love to see that nova....nice work guy.

[@russellfuchs7903]

Get well Dani!

[@williamwatkins1264]

This car is the coolest. Leave the gears for the road. good pep and good fuel milage.

[@robertutech1685]

Dan, you need to put the advance mechanism back in, better starting and also starting out with the 3:08 rear gear.

[@SBGHTEACH]

Helping a buddy do a basket case 37 Chebby, and taking inspiration from the DD Speedshop crew. Keep up the good work.

[@jimjacobson8758]

That nova reminds me of my 64 442, powershifts galore! Wish I still had that one! But the stereo in my 2020 is way better!

[@jeffmoran5973]

I had a 68 chevelle with 327 4 speed out of a corvette with 411 rear end gears and a hayns racing clutch. Miss that car😊

[@SSV-i-c-e]

I lost my 69 Camaro in a flood last year 327 m20 Muncie 100kph in 1st i miss that car sooo much it was fuckin awsome

[@bp.8334]

That engine sounds sweet. The reason it is unhappy is because you haven’t swapped in those 3:73s yet. I would have gone 4:11s since it is your around town rocket but oh well 😂. The 180 thermostat is perfect for that engine. It will still probably run around 190 in warmer weather, right where you want it.

[@ronniepate4315]

Looks and sounds great Dan . Put a breather on it and the 3.73's .

[@Leo-vf3py]

Great show keep up the amazing work be safe my friends God bless all rolling Dan go like always

[@kimberlywilliams9757]

That's a cool hot rod right there! 😊👍

[@d.mcdave8880]

That sounds really sporty. I would wait till you have put it on the highway a few times before messing with the rear end. You might really like it .

[@JakeWeddle-zo4xv]

I think about a 3.42 gear would be the sweet spot for a decent driver/hotrod. The nova sounds badass!!

[@garyinman5400]

Dan I think that the Nova is the car you truly love, and Danni does also. Make the Nova the way you want it the 3.73 gears are what you want in it, like you said you have highway cars the Nova needs to jump.

[@richardjones8500]

Great job and it sounds good. I love grabbing gears myself. My 71 Nova has a Skip White combination 406 Mouse 570 hp m, M23T 4-speed with 2.99 1st gear and 4.10 rear gears. With Pro-Trac N50s 60 mph is at 3000 rpm and I love it.

[@anthonyaguirre1614]

Love the sound of nice built small block. It sounds so good.

[@Biggspeed]

This sounds like hot for teacher right here. Nice!

[@JimLamison-r9u]

Awesome car keep up the good work guys

[@dionrau5580]

You got 400 HP in the Lil Nova, she'll be plenty for grown up Dan, and should be alright Up on the interstate....

[@TwistySeeker]

Enjoy the car! Looks and sounds great.

[@tomlappin9657]

Sounds and looks great

[@strokermaverick]

Glad, to see your happy with your Nova! By the way, its so much cooler, than the tri5s. Just, my 2 cents.

[@boatnut64]

Beautiful... 💪💪💪 It was definitely the right choice... I'm dying to get my '72 Nova, on the road... (Soon) 👍👍👍

[@Dowin-o5e]

Very nice Nova !!! Of course the 3:73`s are more fun around town !!! The timing bounce might just be the timing chain playing a little. John and Cecil will figure it out. Rave-On Danni and Dan !!!

[@GwynnOak1]

How about split the difference? Like 3:55 or 3:42? I've ran them all, and 3:55 is still drivable yet fun. I was always a 4:11 guy with Chevy ratio's, till I put a Pontiac/Olds jackpot rear in. Discovered Nirvana for street gears 3:90's with L60 15's was primo. More snap than 3:70, but don't buzz on the beltway like 4:11's. Realisticly if you want to cruise distances though 3:55 is the ticket. Living where y'all do, I'd imagine you need to stretch out to go anywhere! Nova sounds great, but needs some gear! Shame 12 bolts are such a pain to switch gears. How about a Frankland, or a Winters QC? lol Dig deep, the net will contribute. I'm SO envious, that Nova is NICE Dan! But that 3:08 is killin it.

[@MyHairyChin]

Feel better Dani ! And as always Dan, killer Nova

[@JaySea1069]

The Challenger was a monster that i was denied hearing at full song. I bet that unit screamed. Same with the Nomad. I want to hear this Nova SBC at full song from a holeshot with the skinny pedal firmly in contact with floor thru all the gears till it hits 6500 rpms in 4th gear. Can you do this in a video we can see? Fear not the skinny pedal!

[@markhirsch1782]

HOPE YOU FEEL BETTER DANY 😊!

[@rustywatts5088]

He might not have said it but I now Mer has to be a little proud to see that

[@c.d.england8217]

Change to 3.73 and you can still drive highway but it might take longer to get there but you have other cars👍👍

[@pb5778]

Thanks for sharing this video with us

[@kellyd887]

A real nice compromise between the 3:08's & the 3:73's for the rear gears is the often overlooked 3:55's. Jus sayin 👀 🤠

[@troyadams1076]

Brother i hope your channel grows like crazy

[@High_Perfomance_auto_repair]

Definitely a keeper! Wicked!

[@justinmyers2086]

U can use rubberize truck bed lining on the roof of ur nova to cumulate a vinyl floor using tape lines to cumulate the vinyl of the roof

[@tomkelley1100]

Good choice on swapping in the small block

[@1944chevytruck]

LOOKING GOOD!

[@scottbennett3119]

Sounds good, man! 3.73!

[@kerryhickman2235]

The car sounds awesome! I think you do need to something with the gears. What about going with something in between the 3.08 & 3.73 or using the 3.73's with a gear vendor or a 5 speed? There are so many options. I also think that when you remove the bar from behind the seats you'll be able to move the seat further back & lean the seatback more to where you aren't sitting so straight up which should make it to where you sit lower in the seat & won't be looking through the top of the windshield plus have more legroom to make it more comfortable! I like the idea of putting the vinyl top on it as long as it's a really good one that's installed correctly & the roof is properly prepped & sealed to help prevent any future rust or damage! I'm looking forward to seeing the future updates as you're able to do them! You can see how much you love this car by the huge smile on your face while you're driving & talking about the car!! I'm happy for you & Dani!! She sounds almost as excited as you do!!😂😂 Have fun & be safe & we'll see you in the next one!!

[@chrisbruce8972]

It always cracks me up how much u run your stuff without air cleaners.. lol