Total Cost Involved and Jim Reese, owner of Classic performance parts, are in cahoots to build the sleekest street-driven '70 Nova. Jim provided the Nova and TCi provided its r&D team's collective talent in the construction of their own brand of a four-link rear end specifically for the thirdgeneration Nova. like any good manufacturer, TCi offers its rear end kit with standard parts and optional upgrades as well. Before we move on, let's take a look at what they are.
Rear End:
The standard rear end in this kit is an all-new 58 1/2-inch rear with new 31-spline axles from Currie Enterprises that can accommodate some wickedly wide wheels. The optional gearing is as follows: 3.00, 3.25, 3.50, 3.73, 3.89, 4.11, and 4.56. Posi-traction is also another available option. A Panhard bar is supplied when a 9-inch inch rear is used, and a track bar is supplied when a Chevy rear is used.
Brakes:
Brakes range from 12- and 13-inch Wilwood drilled and slotted zincwashed rotors with optional painted or polished calipers. Standard GM 12-inch smooth rotor and GM calipers are also available. Drum brakes and the backing plates are another possibility. All brake kits have an internal parking brake assembly similar to the Corvette's.
Out with the old. It served...
Out with the old. It served its purpose well for many years, but the old junk under the trunk is gone.
Four-Link:
Four-link options include billet adjustable coilovers (manufactured by TCI) or polished billet coilovers, chrome bars with chrome coilovers, polished stainless bars with chrome shocks, or an antisway bar (also with chrome option). If coilovers are not desired, ShockWave airbags from Air Ride Technologies can be ordered.
Our goal for this article is not to cover every nut and bolt of the rear clip install. We really wanted to take it out to the endless blacktop at the California Speedway in Fontana, California, and thump it till it cried for mercy. The end goal is not the install itself, but rather does it work? Can it handle, and what are the results?
 Smoothed and cleaned on both...  Smoothed and cleaned on both sides. |  Again, it's not major surgery,...  Again, it's not major surgery, just necessary details. |  Before the new crossmember...  Before the new crossmember can be bolted in the framerails, a few more brackets need shaving. |
 Prior to installing the TCI...  Prior to installing the TCI rear suspension, a few areas of the unibody framerails will need to be ground down. It's not major surgery, just necessary prep work. |  A 1 1/2-inch notch will need...  A 1 1/2-inch notch will need to be cleared in order for the four-link bracket to mount to the vehicle. |  Now that it's cleared, the...  Now that it's cleared, the bracket install can proceed. |
 These should be the last of...  These should be the last of the cuts and grinds we need to make. Put the grinder away; its time for the drills. |  A 5/16-inch drill bit is put...  A 5/16-inch drill bit is put to good use. |  The holes drilled into the...  The holes drilled into the floor for the brackets come up through the trunk floor. TCI has provided the reinforcement brackets and bolts in the kit. |