Speed Tech's 1972 Chevy Nova - Resurrexion

This Nova proved itself a willing partner and I had a blast behind the wheel, wishing I had more than my allotted five runs available. My only complaint was the brakes, and as I've said before, I'm more of a power brake "linear" feel gal. Brakes aside, as I can learn to love these stoppers, the Speed Tech Nova royally rocks it!

Driver's Impression - On the Street Whereas last month we applauded the Hotchkis Camaro for the OE feel and manners it delivered while bringing insane grip, this month we give a standing ovation to the Speed Tech Nova, which had all the handling prowess you could ask for, but in a package that was right on the edge of polite society. This one was for the guy who wants his exhaust note to make his neighbor's china cabinet rattle and set off car alarms wherever he goes.

Its interior ergonomics were definitely track-oriented, with a small-diameter steering wheel, snug-fitting OMP seats and race harnesses. In the test log, we described the overall comfort level as, "good, but definitely edgier than some of the competition." The steering was nicely weighted and very direct. I'm a sucker for great steering and the Speed Tech Nova had me at the first turn. It might strike some as heavy, but it made this car go exactly where you pointed it.

Like Mary, I was no fan of the manual brakes, which definitely required a lot of leg to function. On the other hand, the handling on the street was first rate. The ride was firm, and the Nova's reflexes were cat-like. And if you were going to an open track event, you'd be hard-pressed to find a more willing dance partner. In the timed events, it simply devoured the '10 Camaro SS bogey car in every category. It held a 3.4-mph advantage through the slalom over the fifth-gen and its 52.22-second time on the autocross (twice) was only .02 off the fastest time of the day by any entry at the Challenge.

There is no doubt Speed Tech's parts worked as advertised. Despite its show-car appearance, the Nova was a track-day beast.-Jim Campisano

Speed Tech '72 Nova
Engine
Type: LS 6.0L
Block: Stock iron
Heads: LS2

Drivetrain
Clutch: Mcleod dual disc
Rear End: 9-inch with custom sheetmetal housing

Chassis & Suspension
Speedtech Track Time Suspension System

Testing facility provided by AMCI at eltorofield.com.

Front
Speedtech upper and lower tubular control arms on Speedtech front subframe
Steering: Rack-and-pinion
Springs: Hypercoil 550-lb rate
Spindles: American Touring Specialties with C6 Corvette hubs
Shocks: QA1 double adjustable
Sway Bar: 1 5/8-inch Speedtech unit
Brakes: Baer 14-inch rotors with Proplus six-piston calipers

Rear
Speedtech Rear Torque Arm system
Springs: Hypercoil 220-lb rate
Shocks: QA1 double adjustable coilover
Sway Bar: None
Brakes: Baer 14-inch rotors with Proplus six-piston calipers

Wheels & Tires
Wheels: Forgeline WC3, Front: 18x9, Rear: 18x11
Tires: Nitto NT05, Front: 275/30ZR18, Rear: 295/35ZR18
Cost of chassis/suspension:

Front/Rear Balance Percentage
F = 52.4%
R = 47.6%