1978 Nova

[GrandAmSSE]

Heres my new car. Looking for suggestion on what to do next. All I've really done is detail the motor, install my new 4bbl intake and Q-Jet carb.

[99GrandAMSE]

... I had a 78 Nova once (first car I owned actually) but it only had a 6-cylinder :(

[GrandAmSSE]

I got a V8 305(GM 5.0L), 350 intake and Q-jet carb. Next come headers.

[Rayz]

Look for an advance distributor curve kit with lighter weight springs and an adjustable vacuum advance can about $50 (Old School stuff)
It will change the car unbelievably
also a 700R4 works nicely when you can afford it.:D

My old Nova I miss it :(
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/1103/RAYZ97/nova.jpg

[GrandAmSSE]

What motor did yours have? I'm thinking of putting in a big block.

[TA^Guy]

For the price of a BBC you can build a killer SBC.

Do you know what 305 it has in it? It's probally rated under 180hp, simular to the old LG4 or LU5 in the early 80s Camaros. Shoot the LG4 has as low as 145hp at one point.

[Rayz]

What motor did yours have? I'm thinking of putting in a big block.
350 with 305 small chamber heads 350/350hp cam, headers,ect

[GrandAmSSE]

I'm pretty sure mine was rated like 170-180hp. I wonder how much more HP I have now with the new intake and carb.

[MagusXIII]

I am pretty sure your 305 is the 145hp version. I had a 1977 and a 1982 Malibu, both with a 305, and they were only 145hp. Compression is only a laughable 8.5:1. Without knowing which manifold and Q-jet you have, I cannot give a definite HP gain. But I will guess somewhere around 15, maybe 20. So there is not a lot that can really be done with them unless you tear the engine apart and install higher compression pistons, etc. But here are a few tips.

1.6 ratio rocker arms
3.73 gears
Comp Cams 268H cam along with Rhoads Lifters
Mallory HEI distributor along with an HEI style high output coil (Stock GM HEI systems are rather weak)
Cool Can
Catco catalytic converters.

Your carburetor, is it one of those awful hot air choke types? If so, convert to electric choke as soon as you can.

[Nighthawk243]

You'll have to build it up. 1978 was when GM was shying away from performance.

[TA^Guy]

350 with 305 small chamber heads 350/350hp cam, headers,ect

Would that be the 58cc (IIRC) combustion chamber heads

I am pretty sure your 305 is the 145hp version. I had a 1977 and a 1982 Malibu, both with a 305, and they were only 145hp. Compression is only a laughable 8.5:1. Without knowing which manifold and Q-jet you have, I cannot give a definite HP gain. But I will guess somewhere around 15, maybe 20. So there is not a lot that can really be done with them unless you tear the engine apart and install higher compression pistons, etc. But here are a few tips.

1.6 ratio rocker arms
3.73 gears
Comp Cams 268H cam along with Rhoads Lifters
Mallory HEI distributor along with an HEI style high output coil (Stock GM HEI systems are rather weak)
Cool Can
Catco catalytic converters.

Your carburetor, is it one of those awful hot air choke types? If so, convert to electric choke as soon as you can.
I'm going to have to agree. BTW, nice choice on camshaft. Anything over 270 would have been over kill on that motor, the 268 should give him enough lift and duration without killing it's vaccume and drivability.

Also depending on milage change out your timing gears when you swap cams. If it has those neoprene/plastic <sp> gears the teath wear and strech, better going with casted gears and new chain.

Also don't forget exhaust. A inexpensive pair of headers will do the job, just get smaller 1 5/8 primaries to help keep velosity in the exhaust. I would mate it to a dual 2.5 exhaust with either a crossover X or H pipe.

Can't forget fuel delivery if you start making power, Summit has some nice inexpensive mechanical fuel pumps. And if you really want to setup game later on don't even consider Holley if you want to drive it often. Go right for the Demon carbs. Easier to adjust and not nearly as finiky as the classic Holley.

[MagusXIII]

I'm going to have to agree. BTW, nice choice on camshaft. Anything over 270 would have been over kill on that motor, the 268 should give him enough lift and duration without killing it's vaccume and drivability.
Thanks, John. Comp Cams makes great stuff in my opinion. Normally I would suggest the 260H cam but by using Rhoads Lifters over traditional lifters, he can go one step up in cam selection yet retain the vacuum and driveability. And the 3.73 gears will help get the engine spinning up faster. IIRC, the rear end would most likely be a 2.73.

Also depending on milage change out your timing gears when you swap cams. If it has those neoprene/plastic <sp> gears the teath wear and strech, better going with casted gears and new chain.
And since timing chains are rather inexpensive, may as well get one of those "true roller" chains. Plus most of them will have 3 keyway settings so his cam timing could either be normal, 4deg advance (for more low end) or 4deg retard (for more top end).

Also don't forget exhaust. A inexpensive pair of headers will do the job, just get smaller 1 5/8 primaries to help keep velosity in the exhaust. I would mate it to a dual 2.5 exhaust with either a crossover X or H pipe.
Summit's own brand of painted headers is around 90 dollars for SBC engines. Hooker headers (Comp, not SuperComp) are around 160 for painted. Want ceramic coated? It would be 180 for the Summit brand or 370 for Hooker comps. Gotta love that backwards old school tech we old farts used. Can you get a GA header for that price??

Can't forget fuel delivery if you start making power, Summit has some nice inexpensive mechanical fuel pumps. And if you really want to setup game later on don't even consider Holley if you want to drive it often. Go right for the Demon carbs. Easier to adjust and not nearly as finiky as the classic Holley.
He would either have to get a squarebore carb to spreadbore manifold adapter plate or go with a squarebore manifold if he went to a Holley. :) But another good carb besides the Demon series would be the Carter AFB and its variants such as the Edelbrock carbs.

Holleys are not too bad if you have the thing they used to make called the Weber power plate. It made jet changes exceptionally easy.

[GrandAmSSE]

Heres a pic of the intake and the carb is a 790cfm rochestor. Is there anything I can do to the pulleys to get more low end? All the stuff I've done so far have been things that could be easily done with the motor in the car.

In the future I plan to get...

Shorty Headers with 2.5in and Flowmasters. Also exhaust cutouts.
Trans Cooler
Convert to Electric Fans
8.5mm Plug Wires
Larger Oil Pan
Chrome Alternator Kit
72' Nova Ralley Wheels
Grant Challenger Steering Wheel

[MagusXIII]

Heres a pic of the intake and the carb is a 790cfm rochestor. Is there anything I can do to the pulleys to get more low end?
The pulleys will not be a big help. Your biggest problem is your axle ratio. The 2.73 that you have is really limiting your off the line power. That is where the 3.73 will come into play. I forgot to add that if you ever drop the transmission, a higher stall torque converter may not be a bad idea. But do not go too wild on it. 1500-2000 rpm stall speeds are ideal for a daily driver and will give you a quicker launch and still maintain driveability and economy. The B&M Holeshot 2000 as well as the TCI Sizzler (1700rpm stall) and the TCI Saturday Night Special (2000rpm stall) would be ideal.

Personally, I think you have too much carb. That is the biggest problem with the Q-jets. GM only made 2 versions and the smaller of the two is the 750. While the Qjets are good for cruising due to their tiny primaries, the huge secondaries seem to be a bit much for a 305. I would recommend either an Edelbrock 525cfm or an Edelbrock 600cfm. I simply cannot see your 305 ever needing more than 600cfm based on what you plan to do with it.

[GrandAmSSE]

Here check out this link. It tells more about my car and has other pictures.
http://www.smokemup.com/bb/garage.php?mode=view_vehicle&CID=210

Also whats a Cool Can? Isn't that a can the fuel line runs thru and is packed with dry ice?

[TA^Guy]

I agree with Don, a stock internal 305 doesn't need more than a 600cfm carb.

[350F]

Just drop in a ZZ4 crate motor :D

http://www.hagenracing.topdeadcenterpodcast.com//videos/novavid.wmv

Here's my dad's 72 Nova last week at the track.