The Nova finally does the 1/4 mile with 4.10 gears! | Not Rod Ep. 9

A redemption story! Following up on the exquisite amount of fail which ended the last episode on this 1972 Nova the guys finally make one pass down the 1/4 mile with 4.10 gears to improve on their previous time by almost a whole second. Prior to which the Super Sketch Nova gets a bunch more goodies like a new set of multi-leaf springs, a driveline loop, and a set of ceramic coated headers to replace the low hanging truck headers originally installed in episode 1.
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#1972nova #dragrace #musclecar

[@badmoon5249]

Trip down memory lane. In 1971 my '70 Nova SS 350 ran a best of 13.8 sec. 101 mph at Lions Drag Strip in Long Beach. it had the Muncie M20 4 speed and 3.31 posi 12 bolt. It was on street tires, and i rolled off the line at 3000 rpm and then punched it to minimize wheel spin. Because of the too high rear gears and the wide-ratio trans, it topped out at 6000 RPM 150 feet before the lights in 3rd gear, but lost too much on the shift to 4th, so my best time was driving thru the lights in 3rd. The engine had a 151 hydraulic cam, single plane intake and a too-big Holley carb and Hooker headers. Car had a lot of potential, but I had a girlfriend who took most of my time. The girl is long gone, but I still have the car.

[@PatandDoopypoopy]

For those that are used to new cars which are incredibly fast they do not understand the sensation of old hot rods. I think most would agree that if you can run low fourteen, get into 13, that is incredibly fun and feels fast in an old hot rod. And having a clutch makes it that much more Interactive fun to drive. A lot of driver input which makes it Epic. Keep on driving it, keep on smiling, keep up the work and by God keep it on the road. That's fantastic that another old hot rod continues to run and has not been turned into a $100,000 supercar most of us can't relate to

[@electricwork3155]

Had a 69 nova in the late 70s. Watching brings me back in time especially floor jacks and working on the floor. My favorite though is the fact that your hands are filthy unlike the wimps today wearing gloves. For this reason I sat thru the commercials on your channel and gave you a thumbs up. Thanks for the great content. Good luck!!

[@re-geargarage]

Picking up .8 of a second is impressive for just a gear change. Good work. Like the content

[@olskoolsgarage9987]

Cool show guys!! Great seeing average guys working on cars with a real budget!! Not seeing guys who build $100,000 cars!! I’m a gasser guy so can’t wait to see more of the Stude!!!

[@markwise9868]

I built a low compression pig of a 318 for a '71 Barracuda years ago. It did almost exactly what you are doing now running 14.9 @ 95 mph. It was such a bucks down build and some of the most fun I've had. I now have a car that runs low 10's but that car taught me the same lesson about mph as well. I went from 3.23 to 4.56 expecting big gains. Nope! I look forward to watching the Nova evolve.

[@badgerbait8351]

I hated to click the like button because it was at "396" and I took it to 397! Anyway, great job you guys! This is barebones racing like it was meant to be!

[@pcbullets8726]

Not bad at all guys! Looked like it was a fun time, minus the waiting forever at the track. Not Rod Shop rocks!

[@robertweitlauf4653]

You got bitten by the drag race bug. It only gets more expensive from here. I haven't had my car out in over 3 years and watching you makes me want to go out. Have a blast with it and be safe.

[@JaredR1996]

Awesome to see the Nova once again 👍

[@richardwimmer6846]

Had a 69' Nova SS when i was a kid back in 85' bought it out of a wreaking yard with bent control arm and crashed fender for $350.00 it was a 396 4 speed with a 12 bolt an 4:10 gears the car was black all over including vinyl top and interior , put about a hundred dollars in crash parts back in it and drove the snot out of it

[@randallelder486]

you guys are the real deal not the crazy stuff a lot of these shows were they spend thousands of dollars that the every day person has

[@southstreetbarbecue7875]

Ok, I've binge-watched all your videos. You need to upload a new one every four days from now on. :)

[@halljam70]

Put a chain or torque strap running between the driver's cylinder head and the frame. Watch your launch, and see how much the motor moves before your nova reacts and leaves the starting line. If you are running the front sway bar, take that off. Optimize what you have and it will run that 13.99 without making big changes.

[@04pts8k]

before you go throwing alot of money at a motor. do all the small things like a torque strap for the motor. there are alot of small cost effective things to do to the car that dont equate to much money by themselves, but will help. read up on stock eliminator cars to learn tips and tricks. weight transfer is very important. gets some old, tall front coils from a old chevelle wagon and some 90/10,s

[@1080sucks]

Great show guys. Bring on the engine power!!!!!!

[@trevordevins1042]

I had a Howard's .555/.555 solid flat cam with the tight lobe separation that cam was magic In my nova with a world head. And I had speedway .504/.504 cam in a smog flat top 350 with 882 heads that cam was the best bang for the buck in a nearly stock engine

[@jefftuttle7442]

Considering you have a manual transmission you should be bringing them RPMs up way higher when you leave the line will make a world of difference in your quarter mile time

[@roflman]

14 sec is pretty quick considering what you're working with

[@engine22emt]

Stumbled on your channel by chance But I absolutely love it This is my life and my Nova

[@davidsanstad9846]

I'm getting my '70, 454, TH400, 3.73 together on an extreme budget. Hope to see more videos from you soon!

[@5ociopathic]

Look at that 4th gen Nova go! Such un underrated car

[@jimmiller4667]

When you stage, turn on the top bulb and stop. Then slowly creep just until the second bulb comes on. That stages you shallow which gives you a "running" start which will lower the et. Also, leave as the last yellow comes on to cut a better light.

[@shitbox7413]

Right on! I’ve been anxious for a Nova update, low 14’s is impressive with a tired old 350. Love the needle and the spoon intro music too, one of my favorite Skynard tunes. 👍🏻

[@jacobharlan1312]

Absolutely love yall's page and have been enjoying this Nova build since the beginning. I recently pulled the rear and multi pack out of my 74 Nova a few months ago by myself with hand tools and put in new suspension bushings and new body bushings while I was at it., also did subframe connectors while I was there, the same exact low buck summit racing ones you added lol, and after hogging out some holes and massaging a few parts with a grinder they went in pretty nicely. Overall a pretty harrowing adventure but doable with a full tank of patience lol

[@hondalover2428]

bad ass video with a tech tip on the buddy wrench set up 👌F-ing mint

[@randycarlisle6814]

Thanks for the videos. Enjoyable. Getting better with each one.

[@ratgasgarage]

Love it brother's! Perfect way to get my afternoon started! With a little of NRS

[@spoolinsvt6489]

Cool to see videos at your local drag strip. For a smaller channel, this is very well edited! Keep up the good work and it will grow rather fast!

[@sporkit]

Great content. I put a 4.10 out of a Ford Explorer under my Nova last year. Still haven’t run it at the me track though. Keep up the good work!

[@HammerHeadGarage]

A jewel of a show as always boys!

[@kevinroy8611]

Harbor freight jack stands? If so take em back, there’s a recall on them. If you have already done that then nevermind

[@mw4992]

I think it’s running pretty good for what you’ve got. I’ve got a 69 Camaro with an early 70’s truck 350, stock dished pistons, 58cc L-98 aluminum heads, Lunati .454/.454, 217/217 @.050 high efficiency cam, Performer intake, 600 Holley, HEI, Saginaw 4 speed, and 3.42 rear. Ran consistent 14.1-14.2 @ 98 mph on street 255/60-15 radials which are too tall IMHO for the gears I’ve got. Hooked surprisingly well on a sticky Cecil County track. Like you, I felt like that was pretty much getting all there was out of that combination. I enjoy your channel, keep up the good work!

[@TnTravelers33]

Love the Skynyrd for the intro

[@11secghia]

And it was one of their best tunes too!!

[@BA-pz3lo]

That is a gorgeous nova. That’s exactly what I’m looking for

[@kblopp]

@ 17:51 I cant believe your battery hold down passed inspection.

[@OldManBadly]

The downside of the 3 speed is that when you shift, you tend to fall out of the power band, which is probably where a few tenths are lost compared to your terminal speed.

[@glennramsey917]

I remember the days i ran my first old car down the track i sooo get your excitement ..im sunscribbled up im gonna be waiting on your videos ..man i love em backyard builds and everybody loves the underdog

[@johnsheetz6639]

You getting a thumbs up for your intro music 👍 that tape used to be on loop in my beater!

[@marvinalancornell8275]

DAMN, A VIDEO? Few & Far Between... Oh well... Keep-um coming fellows... Need more Videos my friends.....You-all stay safe......

[@cfrank925]

Awesome video! Keep it up! Looking forward to seeing some better times and mods.

[@gatorunleashed275]

Just found your channel and love it, I'm close to getting my 71 Nova on the road, just really cool stuff.

[@Slingshotgixxer]

Great episode guys, really enjoyed it :)

[@danmyers9372]

6 tenths improvement with only a gear change is pretty impressive. I thought the car would be spinning higher RPM through the traps than it was.

[@jdiv1968]

Surprised tech missed your battery being strapped down, dam near popped out of the tray on your launch.

[@NotRodShop]

Oh no, he grabbed onto the handle and jerked on it. Somehow it still popped out.

[@jerylcarter330]

I'm so jealous, trial and era on a good Nova body style.👍

[@ericnelson6982]

Nice work guys.

[@MRobichaud99]

Nice work guys!

[@drewfausett5388]

Heck Yeah! New NOT ROD!!!!

[@TJones327]

Great episode!!!

[@MonzaRacer]

Guys good ol flat top 350 is solid bottom end depending on combustion chamber size of your heads. Also with lower compression you can affordably add NOS, Blower or Turbo(s) while a bit of work modifying a Holley for boost isn't hard. And spending a bit on a wideband 02 sensor for tuning is good money as it would help with NOT hurting anything down road as power increases and it speeds up your ability to dial things in. So don't look past rebuilt stock blocks till you get into high rpm and high hp wants/needs. Those dishes and beveled 350 smog pistons can be a cheap alternative if you find them on eBay cheaper AND minor mods can adapt them to longer rods when engine work is required

[@joesprague1464]

Awesome episode!

[@tomtomsolvic]

Great video and great job on the nova!

[@technicallymax8197]

Ahhh can’t wait to see the stude go down the track with the nova trailing way behind it 😂

[@wwmaness]

Great point at the end of the video! Get that battery secured! 😎

[@markdavey2107]

Love ur channel..ND ur passion ..

[@wildlandcamplife6532]

Nice job guys! I’m doing the same thing right now! I just got my 1960 galaxie running with its stock 292 y block v8. It’s hardly going to go 70 so you’re doing a lot better than me😂

[@voodoopowder]

I hate my 410 rear end on the highway. Thanks for the video, it’s reassuring that my nova is running et close to yours.

[@dmwi1549]

The car, the garage, the music and the ZZ Top beard...I’m having an 80’s Flashback! Like the excuses comment, so true!

[@josephnubile1970]

Awsome video, time for a Performer RPM Air Gap manifold a Holley 700 double pumper and a Nice 230/240 duration at .050 Camshaft. 12.9 sounds Great... Cant wait for the next video.

[@bennyshreds]

Long tube headers always bang on speed bumps in novas, that's why I switched to mid length

[@brandonpriest3604]

Totally dig all this

[@deansley174]

Thumbs up for needle and the spoon

[@7REDDRACO7]

Awesome job, awesome car and story/ channel! Here, now do this to the engine= pocket ported, bowl ported only, vortec heads and O.O15" felpro MLS gasket with performer EPS or RPM intake with comp XR282HR cam ground on a 109 LSA. or Pro Maxx MAXX series 183cc heads.

[@wakanene1]

Great run love the intro music go Skynyrd

[@Jasonkartracing]

I had a junk yard 71 nove with a junk yard 350 had a big cam 750 carb junk double hump heads 2500 stall on a th350 trans 4.10 gears with a spool and I ran a 7.60 in the eighth. Lots of fun, I ended up selling the car for 6500.00 about a grand more than I had in it.

[@ronwest7930]

Maybe a video on the tech inspection and the lanes leading up to the track. You push your car? Keep starting it up? This may help many people. My dad raced a Dodge Lancer/Dart with a slant six and ran 14 flats all day. He won lots of trophies bracket racing. But that was in about 1970.

[@BBBILLY86]

Slow down in ET is from weight. Multi leafs, sub frame connectors and whatever you gained on lockdown the last few months. Lol

[@spartynation355]

You may be closer to about 240 flywheel. Thanks for the hard work, great build

[@detectivethomas8406]

You guys are cool thank you!

[@11secghia]

hey you might want to try leaving that air shock in the passenger side to help with the launch check out the bottle rocket in unkle tonys garage ,BTW GREAT CHANNEL LOVE THAT CONTENT!

[@lordsauto]

Good job brother!!i have a 74 4 door nova ..

[@garrettwhite436]

tech tip. just notch the washer not the part... and I think you need a battery strap... great video always love to watch it.

[@barryrussell4106]

Wow that nova launched good with no power lol. Adopt a hottie small block with aluminum heads do some port work and make it a screamer. Would love to see the small block nova go up against the 440 studie on equal footing. That would be an awesome shootout.

[@jonathonmartin3765]

The rubber comment at the end was funny af

[@twotwocold]

I guessed the MPH wouldn't change to much because a taller gear will give you a better 60 foot but not top end unless the tire size matches the gear ratio💯🤘🏾

[@zachattack2016]

sick man. but tbh i woulda kept that engine with the 3 speed in the truck cause thats rare.

[@JerryJrsGarage]

Not bad!

[@FlatheadGarage]

Hell yeah

[@Hemi-gc8zg]

Come on fellas put a file to the synchros in power shift that thing

[@shannonmedley4058]

2950 lbs with driver ??? My dads 70 nova weighed 3090 without driver. 350 / th350 trans and stock 8.2 10 bolt and rally wheels. Man steering and drum brakes with 1/4 tank of fuel. I worked @ the local track back in the 90s weighing cars and doing tech. That would be the lightest 68-72nova ive ever seen given the mods or lack of.

[@lucysmith4242]

Probably because it started as a roller and is about as bare bones as it can get

[@incompetentobjectivist3850]

Light transmission, also.

[@andy347495]

Awesome! I was waiting for this video. Big block next!? It would be pretty cool and interesting to see what a motorhome 454 would do in there.

[@mikesteelheart]

That wouldn't be any faster, more weight and same or less HP. More torque but it makes it too low for 4.10's.

[@georgew.morrowiii118]

You’re moving in the right direction and in time you will see the ET drop

[@jeffrey4547]

in my 73 ss nova i put a 396 bb in it liked it way better then the sb 350 then put a pro built 400 turbo then i loved the car

[@Moparmaga-1]

I'm just seeing your channel for the 1st time. I'm a mopar guy 100%. I used to hate the nova, now I respect them. It's more of a jealousy thing for me because chevys are heavily favored by aftermarket companies & the shit is cheap compared to big block & small block mopar. Good job, I can respect a do it yourself guy like myself. I'm getting close to building my 70 dart 471 stroker. It should be a 10 second street car with no power adder

[@DeanMk1]

DUDE! I've got a set of AK5000's for that car! ...NEVER USED. STILL IN BOX. I woulda sold them to ya for a hundy...and I'd throw in the 80's Super shops receits, too!

[@thomasaltruda]

How about some old school traction bars with the rubber snubbers? I prefer the Comp Engineering versions with the J bolts. Also put solid Moroso engine mounts, but keep the rubber trans mount.

[@jodypierson3137]

I had solid motor mounts with a rubber trans mount at one time and I ended up breaking the bellhousing On my th350, went solid everything after that and I have put 3000 miles with no issues, I would go solid everything or nothing.

[@beaumontracer1640]

Unless you've got wheelhop, you're just adding unnecessary weight and expense with slapper bars. Been there, done that. Manual steering box and lose the front sway bar if you haven't already. Those will help free up the front end to launch better. Just subbed. Great content.

[@gmjunky87]

Little Skynyrd!! 👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@kmc468]

Definitely put more motor good video still sounds great looked like it ran great for what motor you have at horsepower 204 like the video you guys are entertaining!

[@davidingling9791]

I like that car

[@richardgulick9548]

What was the Nova's rpm at the end of the 1/4 mile?

[@m1l3s1]

Just found the same broken ilets on my car as well

[@dougekren6495]

Alright besides motor get 4 speed or automatic , but awesome job ! With what you have .

[@morgansword]

It sure didn't sound like it was turning high so what type cam are you running and carbration or throttle body?

[@danperkins2430]

So, on that cheap part that you were going to notch so that the washer would have room to clear, you came to your senses and simply shaved a little bit off of one side of the washer instead of modifying the part, correct?

[@NotRodShop]

Thanks for watching the show! This is like the fifth comment on that so I'll answer it here. The washer doesn't spin independently of the bolt so that's not an option. The washer could be turned down however it has little bumps on it that dig into the metal and keep the bolt from backing out, also the large diameter of the washer gives those "locking bumps" more leverage on the bolt to help keep the bolt from spinning. Ultimately it seemed better to have that bolt in place than to have it fall out so the best thing to trim seemed to be the gusset. The intention was always to weld in a piece of pipe cut in half going around the washer tying the gusset back together, which has been done but we forget to film the finished product.

[@danperkins2430]

No sweat man. I was just bustin on you because Of how tired you were. I do like your show. Wish I could do something similar to what you’re doing.

[@chuckelliott258]

I fill the same way about anti seize

[@juniorthird7952]

It's sad that good shows like this are on you tube and not on motor trend tv. Motor trend just flat out sucks.

[@mikewillett5076]

A 4 speed WOULD get down the track faster.....less of a drop in rpm on the gear changes.

[@Wildstar40]

A Muncie M22 close ratio 4 speed. Not the truck 4 speed with the Bull Low first gear.

[@mikewillett5076]

@@Wildstar40. True the "granny gear" truck boxes have an extremely low 1st, but even a wide ratio car 4 speed (2.54 or so 1st) wouldn't have the dramatic drop at the gear change as a 3 speed.

[@Wildstar40]

@@mikewillett5076 Agreed. 3 speeds take a year and a half to shift. The only good 3 speed in my opinion is automatic turbo 400.

[@danmyers9372]

Lincolntek - A wide ratio Muncie is actually better/quicker for drag racing. The close ratio was built for road racing with a really tall first gear then tightly spaced 2,3&4. The wide ratio has a much lower first gear which really helps the launch the car.

[@91backinblack]

Did you get the new driver side header in from the top? Without removing the motor Mount?

[@NotRodShop]

Driver side header went in from the bottom. Only thing that had to come out was the clutch slave-cylinder.

[@charliehustle8885]

Take off the air cleaner! Lol

[@Phatty057]

I hope you tell the part number for them headers with the 825 Saginaw brother. I got a mind to change the cheapo HEDMAN ones I beat up that are now rusty. I have a 68' that I have been tooling around with since the mid 90's.