"Plain Jane" 1970 Nova Build

[EZ Nova]

Napa, you can also call these guys @ Modern Driveline. They have a T56 package to use behind the Mopar Hellephant motor that make 1000Hp and 950 Tq.

A Hellephant make quite a good more bit Hp and Tq then your 565, and the new Challengers are what 1000lbs heavier.

[napa68]

Originally Posted by EZ Nova

Napa, you can also call these guys @ Modern Driveline. They have a T56 package to use behind the Mopar Hellephant motor that make 1000Hp and 950 Tq.

A Hellephant make quite a good more bit Hp and Tq then your 565, and the new Challengers are what 1000lbs heavier.

A T56 would require a complete tunnel replacement. Given the extra height as well as the extra length necessary, That would interfere with the bench seat. That's a no go for me.

[cheveslakr]

Good point on the length Tim. On my '66 chevelle bench seat, the tunnel mod actually created a slight interference with the center of the seat frame. It's all the way back, since I'm 6'3", and it'll only get tighter moved forward. You're going about this in a comprehensive way, which so many don't. I used an LT1 T56, which added another cost being the $400 conversion flywheel. I was lucky enough to get the clutch master and line with my tranny. You'd also need a new driveline. The speedo is another issue, which is doable on a T56 magnum, but it's not on the standard LT1 based T56, which would necessitate a GPS conversion speedo.

[GrumpyJeff]

Yep , Jody Haag is the Man to Talk Too ...

[L78_Nova]

Once you've powershifted a faceplated trans you will never go back.
G-Force for the win at that power level. G101 or GF5R

If synchros are necessary the GF3650 is the best fit for the tunnel and power level

Slipper clutch is the key to not smashing teeth even at way lower power levels.

All hardcore stuff but you get to keep the Man pedal !!

[markjohnson]

Listen . . . . I absolutely kneel & worship at “The Church Of The 3rd Pedal” with my current rides having an M22 RockCrusher & The Other having a Liberty clutch-less 5-speed but I’ve had fast automatics too & they certainly have their place in the world. We all know the quality of Wayne’s builds & that car has a heck of a nice TH400 with a great torque converter behind it. Not to even mention Wayne’s skills & abilities at transmission cooler plumbing that would be a Federal Crime to undo. I’d leave it alone for two giant reasons:

1: It’s absolutely foolproof in its current reliable form & gives you time to point & steer such an incredibly fun, overpowered/undertired beast!

2: It will save you 2.5 years of fiddling with a slipper clutch to even get it halfway right before you just wanna go back to the click-click TH400. This thought also comes with deep regret after looking up at the large transmission tunnel hole for a crazy-looking linkage that’s currently for sale on RJ.

3. Yeah, I’m gone add a third: Good trans, good flywheel, scattershield, GOOD(!!) clutch, driveshaft, etc. = Low 5-figures for parts that will actually live after MUCH testing.

[GrumpyJeff]

Originally Posted by markjohnson

Listen . . . . I absolutely kneel & worship at “The Church Of The 3rd Pedal” with my current rides having an M22 RockCrusher & The Other having a Liberty clutch-less 5-speed but I’ve had fast automatics too & they certainly have their place in the world. We all know the quality of Wayne’s builds & that car has a heck of a nice TH400 with a great torque converter behind it. Not to even mention Wayne’s skills & abilities at transmission cooler plumbing that would be a Federal Crime to undo. I’d leave it alone for two giant reasons:

1: It’s absolutely foolproof in its current reliable form & gives you time to point & steer such an incredibly fun, overpowered/undertired beast!

2: It will save you 2.5 years of fiddling with a slipper clutch to even get it halfway right before you just wanna go back to the click-click TH400. This thought also comes with deep regret after looking up at the large transmission tunnel hole for a crazy-looking linkage that’s currently for sale on RJ.

3. Yeah, I’m gone add a third: Good trans, good flywheel, scattershield, GOOD(!!) clutch, driveshaft, etc. = Low 5-figures for parts that will actually live after MUCH testing.

Gotta Say as a Hard Core 4 Speed Believer , I think Mark pretty much Hit the Nail on the Head !!!

[napa68]

Originally Posted by markjohnson

Listen . . . . I absolutely kneel & worship at “The Church Of The 3rd Pedal” with my current rides having an M22 RockCrusher & The Other having a Liberty clutch-less 5-speed but I’ve had fast automatics too & they certainly have their place in the world. We all know the quality of Wayne’s builds & that car has a heck of a nice TH400 with a great torque converter behind it. Not to even mention Wayne’s skills & abilities at transmission cooler plumbing that would be a Federal Crime to undo. I’d leave it alone for two giant reasons:

1: It’s absolutely foolproof in its current reliable form & gives you time to point & steer such an incredibly fun, overpowered/undertired beast!

2: It will save you 2.5 years of fiddling with a slipper clutch to even get it halfway right before you just wanna go back to the click-click TH400. This thought also comes with deep regret after looking up at the large transmission tunnel hole for a crazy-looking linkage that’s currently for sale on RJ.

3. Yeah, I’m gone add a third: Good trans, good flywheel, scattershield, GOOD(!!) clutch, driveshaft, etc. = Low 5-figures for parts that will actually live after MUCH testing.

Originally Posted by GrumpyJeff

Gotta Say as a Hard Core 4 Speed Believer , I think Mark pretty much Hit the Nail on the Head !!!

I gotta agree with both Mark and Jeff. The car is an absolute blast just the way it is. In my mind, I'm a hardcore 3 pedal guy as well. I agree with your sentiments Mark about a 5 digit spend. Not that I'm not willing to spend that on this car, but I may also sign up for more part breakage in the future. Given we are at the beginning of the summer, I won't be taking the car apart anytime soon.

Wayne and I chatted a bit offline. He made a solid point if I were to make the 3rd pedal active again, a 4 speed (be it G101A or M23) should allow the use of the trans crossmember and the VERY expensive driveshaft the car has right now.

I'll keep you guys posted!

[napa68]

Originally Posted by L78_Nova

Once you've powershifted a faceplated trans you will never go back.
G-Force for the win at that power level. G101 or GF5R

If synchros are necessary the GF3650 is the best fit for the tunnel and power level

Slipper clutch is the key to not smashing teeth even at way lower power levels.

All hardcore stuff but you get to keep the Man pedal !!

I gotta admit, I've never driven a faceplated trans before. I'm sure it's addictive

[napa68]

I have one remaining thought in the back of my head about the combination in the Nova, and that revolves around Tracey. I have the unicorn of a wife that actually likes these types of cars, and wants to drive them. She could handle the 422 powered 67 Nova (600hp) I used to have, but also made it clear she was not a big fan of the ram rod when I had it in there. While this sounds kind of morbid, I wonder if something happened to me, which cars would she keep? She digs this Nova almost as much as I do. I did get a bit of a stink eye from her when I showed her the M23 with the Long "ram rod"

She can certainly handle the TH400, and can handle a trans with synchro's. The faceplated thing, that may be where the line is. I have not had a problem with finding my way around synchro tranny's before, I just have not had a car at this power level. I also have to be honest with myself how often I am going to use the car at it's potential?