74 Nova dreams

Hey all, i was woundering if i could get a little help with some ideas ive come up with, but first a little backround :). I bought a 74 nova with a 350 in it about a year in a half ago (when i was going on 16) with the intension of fixing it up. Well now that i have time to get a job, i would like to take advantage of my purchase. The car has almost no rust on it except for the rear quarter panels, has a metalic blue exterior, black interior and is an automatic. I paid $3000 for it (you can let me know if i got ripped off or not :P, what can i say.... i fell in love). But onto the ideas .....

I was woundering what the right way is to go about starting this kind of project.I was thinking about stripping all of the chrome off and getting it sand blasted, but i really want to be able to drive it this summer and work on it at the same time, and in order to drive it i need to do a little engine work. Would it hurt to not start off with getting the body in great shape, and just getting it running soundly?

On to the engine. I took it for emissions last summer and it failed in a few catagories. I then had it checked out by a mechanic (mind you im new to cars, so dont laugh :)) and he said that the guy before me decided to put a huge cam in, which was causing the car to not get anywere near the power it should be, and it was one of the main reasons for my failing emissions. Should i just replace the cam or is there a way to take advantage of the big cam. If you think i should replace it could you please name a brand and specs of the cam that would work best (Remember im bringing in a whoping $6 an hour on part time, so try to mabey be a little conservitive...but im not cheap either :P). I wish i new more about the engine history and parts, but what ya gonna do. If you guys need any information before suggesting a cam let me know, and ill do my best to find it because i have easy access to the car.

Next, the trans. I love to drive stick....which sucks because the novas an auto.......i know you see were this is going. Yes! i would like to put in a manual trans. I was woundering how hard of a job this is, and how much money it would cost in the end. Thats with a trans that can support the 350 + all the goodies. If you guys could also name the trans you would recommend as well as the accessories id be thankfull.

Last but not least i would like to ask if you guys new of any books, web pages etc. on how to do all of these jobs, step by step if possible.

I know im asking a lot, so feel free to answer any questions you want. I am serious about all of the questions though and would greatly appreciate replies.

Thanks for your time
-Chris

Well, to put in the manual transmission, Nova's had both manual and auto's, so, all you gots to do is hang the clutch pedal after replacing the trans with a manual, the bell housing has to be changed also. You have to hook up the clutch (obviously). A good manual trans is a 4spd Muncie from any 4spd 1st gen or 2nd gen Camero. As for your emmisions failing, if your cam is stock, I don't think they can make you change it although the Edlebrock performer is a good budjet cam. Your car shouldent have emmisions testing anyway, I mean you can have it tested but, I don't think they can fail your inspection for this but, I could be wrong on this.

I was once in a similar situation, I have a '78 monte I got when I was 15, it had a 305, faded paint, 2.29 gears, you get the drift. not great shape. Personally, I would suggest you do your engine work first, that way you have a nice running car, and then you can worry about the body work. I drove my car stock for about 2 years, I then Aquired a 350, from a buddy of mine, I had some machine work done, then rebuilt it myself, dropped that baby in in 2002. After that I got it painted, then just did little things as I went along... All on about $120 paycheck, Now that I work full time in a skilled career, I've done the rear axel, (3.42 gears and a Eaton Posi) which was about $800...

back to you though, considering your budget, the engine is a good place to start, seeing that some common performance parts cost around $100 you can do quite a bit over a period of time...

as I recall, a Edelebrock manifold is about $100, cams are like $120-$150, headers as low as $125-150, just somethings you can do,

If I were you I'd forget about the manual, if you really want that your better off getting a car that already has that...... Otherwise you are going to get in over your head with complications.

Just start off with small things, then go from there, nad try to have fun doing it.

It looks like were in the same boat bro! I just bought a '72 Charger that has to have a lot of work done to it. I'm 17 in High School so I too do the part-time thing so I understand about the money factor.

One thing I can tell you is, unless that Nova body and interior are in very good condition you got ripped off. Nova's are cool, don't get me wrong, but from the little research I've done in the past they are not generally classified with sports cars unless its the SS type or you have completely modified it into a top fuel dragster.

I also know this to be true becuase I almost bought one. There was a guy with one sitting in his yard for sell for a long time here and right when I was gonna talk to him about it he sold it. A buddy of mine told me he only wanted $1,200 and it had a 350 in it with the engine completely modified and chromed up and all it had for exhaust were the chrome headers. It also had one of those racing hoods with the chrome pins in it to hold it down. And the car was running very well according to this same friend. Although he might of been just trying to get his money out of it... who knows right?

Anyway I'm glad I didn't manage to get it because now I have a Dodge Charger. What's cool about your car is your 350 more than get's the job done and it is ready for customization. My Charger only has a 318 in her so I gotta work on the body and then look for an engine-tranny combo to put in it. I too intend to change it from an auto to a stick although I can't drive one very well "yet". I can drive one just not well:D

Well the best of luck to you Chris!

Thanks a lot to the guys that posted. Still very interested to hear more :)

I just bought a 74 nova myself, I paid $500.00 for it. The kid I got it from had no idea what he had. The body is streight and has no rust. The 350 is strong and sounds great with headers and 3" pipes and flowmaster exhaust. I was offered $1500.00 as soon as I got home. The interior needs some help but thats easy.

As for your car...insted of going with a stick shift try a B&M shift kit and a rachet shifter, you can get both for around $200.00 and you can install them yourself in an afternoon. I would also do the motor before the body. That way you don't mess up the paint with dirty hands. Besides when all people see is the cloud of smoke from your tires who cares what it looks like. Good luck