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Super Street Nova Build - In-Nova-Tion, Part 2

Building A Super Street Chassis Nova

By Mike Petralia, Photography by Accessible Technologies, Inc.
1969 Chevy Nova Super Street Chassis Build

Last month we kicked off the buildup of Accessible Technology's (ATI) Super Street Nova with a detailed look at how they built a 1,200-plus-hp big-block on pump gas using mostly off-the-shelf parts from GM Performance and a few extra key suppliers. The reason for the buildup was to showcase ATI's newest F-series line of competition superchargers. Instead of just doing the usual "engine build up and test" story, we wanted to follow-up with ATI and see how production of the '69 Nova they plan to race was coming along. During the Nova's construction, ATI took the supercharged 502 apart and downsized it considerably to 427 cid to better fit the pounds-per-cubic-inch rules of the classes in which they plan to compete. At the blower-mandated 8 pounds/ci the smaller engine would allow the Nova to run right above 3,200 pounds, with an additional 175-pound weight break allowed for the pre-'73 body and stock-case trans. ATI also plans to step up the power level of the 427 to around 3.25 hp/ci, or just about 1,400 hp, which they feel would make the Nova a competitive car. However, it takes more than tons of horsepower and a pretty paint job to make a car go down the track in less than 9 seconds at about a buck-sixty-five, so this month we'll show you the work that ATI had done to get them in the game.

  • 1969 Chevy Nova Super Street Chassis Build
    ATI stripped down their Nova and trucked it to Mick's Place in Atchison, KS, for the chassis transformation. The front subframe was hauled to the shop later on. A final chassis wrap-up will be done at MDRC in Midwest City, OK, before the car hits the track. The crew at MDRC has considerable experience making over-powered small-tire cars work, and ATI feels their knowledge will be instrumental to getting this beast down the track.
    1969 Chevy Nova Super Street Chassis Build
    ATI stripped down their Nova and trucked it to Mick's Place in Atchison, KS, for the chass
  • 1969 Chevy Nova Super Street Chassis Build
    After gutting the rear floor and removing the frame, Mick's technicians began installation of the Chassis Engineering rear framerails and ladder bar suspension system. The Currie 9-inch rearend didn't come with brackets installed, so the team at Mick's Place welded all shock and ladder bar mounts onto the housing.
    1969 Chevy Nova Super Street Chassis Build
    After gutting the rear floor and removing the frame, Mick's technicians began installation
  • 1969 Chevy Nova Super Street Chassis Build
    With the trunk and floor removed, working on the chassis is much easier. Measurements were taken for the diagonal brace that keeps the rearend from swinging side to side under the car. The diagonal link was then fabricated to fit correctly.
    1969 Chevy Nova Super Street Chassis Build
    With the trunk and floor removed, working on the chassis is much easier. Measurements were
  • 1969 Chevy Nova Super Street Chassis Build
    Since QA1 Motorsports purchased Hal Shocks a few years ago, all of their suspension pieces are now referred to as QA1 products. The Nova uses all QA1 shocks and springs, but this photo shows a Hal shock being installed because the shocks were bought before the company changed hands.
    1969 Chevy Nova Super Street Chassis Build
    Since QA1 Motorsports purchased Hal Shocks a few years ago, all of their suspension pieces
  • 1969 Chevy Nova Super Street Chassis Build
    Plenty of tire clearance was built into the suspension, in case ATI ever wanted to go big-tire racing with their Nova. The Mickey Thompson E.T. Street tire shown is actually pretty big on its own at 30 tall x 13.5 wide with an 11-inch wide tread. Many back-half cars like this one have already run in the 7s on this size D.O.T.-approved tire.
    1969 Chevy Nova Super Street Chassis Build
    Plenty of tire clearance was built into the suspension, in case ATI ever wanted to go big-
  • 1969 Chevy Nova Super Street Chassis Build
    To finish fitting and adjusting the chassis, the car must be sitting at ride height. That means that the entire Currie rearend had to be assembled so that things like driveshaft angle could be checked.
    1969 Chevy Nova Super Street Chassis Build
    To finish fitting and adjusting the chassis, the car must be sitting at ride height. That
  • 1969 Chevy Nova Super Street Chassis Build
    It's much easier to make adjustments and modifications with the car jacked up in the air. However, the tires need to be at ride height and the suspension must be loaded to set everything properly. Sturdy wooden boxes like these can be built to raise and level the car.
    1969 Chevy Nova Super Street Chassis Build
    It's much easier to make adjustments and modifications with the car jacked up in the air.
  • 1969 Chevy Nova Super Street Chassis Build
    Since the engine was being assembled while the chassis was built, they needed a way to simulate nose weight. A few old cast-iron heads, manifolds, a block, and some miscellaneous chunks of steel provide the necessary load.
    1969 Chevy Nova Super Street Chassis Build
    Since the engine was being assembled while the chassis was built, they needed a way to sim
  • 1969 Chevy Nova Super Street Chassis Build
    The driver's seat must also be installed to get it positioned comfortably for the driver. Also, when setting up the chassis, temporary weight equal to the driver's weight must be loaded in this location.
    1969 Chevy Nova Super Street Chassis Build
    The driver's seat must also be installed to get it positioned comfortably for the driver.
  • 1969 Chevy Nova Super Street Chassis Build
    With the rollcage and chassis components painted, the next step is installing the tinwork in the interior. Cardboard templates are cut to test-fit each and every piece. Typically, when a car like this is completed, you'll have a template left over for every piece of the puzzle.
    1969 Chevy Nova Super Street Chassis Build
    With the rollcage and chassis components painted, the next step is installing the tinwork
  • 1969 Chevy Nova Super Street Chassis Build
    Once the tin is trimmed, bent, and rolled, it can be riveted in place. If this area does not turn out looking pristine, you can always cover it with upholstery or carpeting and still win major points in the "appearance" categories.
    1969 Chevy Nova Super Street Chassis Build
    Once the tin is trimmed, bent, and rolled, it can be riveted in place. If this area does n
  • 1969 Chevy Nova Super Street Chassis Build
    The trunk and fuel system get attention now that the tin is finished. Note the sano battery box on the right. The large fuel cell was installed to give this Nova some legs on cruise night.
    1969 Chevy Nova Super Street Chassis Build
    The trunk and fuel system get attention now that the tin is finished. Note the sano batter
  • 1969 Chevy Nova Super Street Chassis Build
    Check out the smooth parachute-mounting bar that was fabricated between the framerails. Later, the battery disconnect switch will also be mounted on it.
    1969 Chevy Nova Super Street Chassis Build
    Check out the smooth parachute-mounting bar that was fabricated between the framerails. La
  • 1969 Chevy Nova Super Street Chassis Build
    A final fit check of all the rear suspension components and the back half is complete. Note the rear antiroll bar that was added.
    1969 Chevy Nova Super Street Chassis Build
    A final fit check of all the rear suspension components and the back half is complete. Not
  • 1969 Chevy Nova Super Street Chassis Build
    Up front, all stock suspension bushings were replaced with Energy Suspension's polyurethane products. The A-arms were disassembled, sandblasted and powdercoated prior to reassembly.
    1969 Chevy Nova Super Street Chassis Build
    Up front, all stock suspension bushings were replaced with Energy Suspension's polyurethan
  • 1969 Chevy Nova Super Street Chassis Build
    The stock front suspension was upgraded with QA1's direct bolt-in coilover adjustable shocks and stiff springs to support the heavy big-block.
    1969 Chevy Nova Super Street Chassis Build
    The stock front suspension was upgraded with QA1's direct bolt-in coilover adjustable shoc
SOURCES
Energy Suspension
1131 Via Callejon
San Clemente
CA  92673
Currie Enterprises
7-14/-528-6957
www.currieenterprises.com
Mickey Thompson Performance Tires
4670 Allen Rd.
Stow
OH  44224
8-00/-222-9092
mickeythompsontires.com
Jaz Products
www.jazproducts.com
Accessible Technologies, Inc. (ATI)
14801 W. 114th Terr
Lenexa
KS  66215
www.procharger.com
QA1 Motorsports
800-721-7761
qa1.net
Chassis Engineering
P.O. Box 70
West Branch
IA  52358
3-19/-643-2645
By Mike Petralia
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