If you didn't already know, the early Chevy IIs are great cars to use as a project. They are small, yet still have the great muscle car styling of their bigger brothers. One of the biggest issues with the Nova is the front suspension and engine compartment. The factory suspension leaves a lot to be desired, especially the rear-steer setup. Also, the shock towers encroach into the engine compartment so much that even putting in a small-block can be a tight squeeze. Luckily for anyone who wants to build one of these, Heidts Muscle Car Parts has a two-for-one-type product. The company's Pro-G front clip will give the car superior handling over stock and make room for wider front tires and larger engines. This is a new product for Heidts, and since we are all about showing off interesting new stuff that makes classic cars better, we hooked up with Randy Johnson of D&Z Customs. Randy built the wicked second-gen Camaro that we had on our January cover this year. The next project he is working on just so happens to be a shoebox Nova that is receiving Heidts new front suspension. We will cover the the car's rear suspension in a future issue. We arrived at his shop just in time to watch the installation, and here is how it all went down. 1 Starting disassembly, Randy and his crew removed the front sheetmetal and bright work.1 Starting disassembly, Randy and his crew removed the front sheetmetal and bright work. 2 Randy has done this type of job before and knows in a complete clip swap it’s easier to remove the stock stuff as one unit. After unhooking the wiring, steering column, driveshaft, exhaust, fuel and brake lines, he unbolted the stock subframe from the car.2 Randy has done this type of job before and knows in a complete clip swap it’s easier to 3 There are also some bolts along the firewall that needed to be removed before the clip could roll out.3 There are also some bolts along the firewall that needed to be removed before the clip 4 Now instead of needing a cherry picker to hoist the engine out, the entire unit will just roll on the tires. This will be set aside until it’s time to stab the motor.4 Now instead of needing a cherry picker to hoist the engine out, the entire unit will ju 5 After cleaning and painting the firewall, Randy moved onto installing the freshly powdercoated Pro-G subframe. The new subframe bolts to existing factory holes without any mods. As with any new piece, you need to check for proper alignment, which Randy is doing here by measuring diagonally from each side.5 After cleaning and painting the firewall, Randy moved onto installing the freshly powde 6 Besides checking side-to-side alignment, Randy also made sure the subframe is plumb with the body.6 Besides checking side-to-side alignment, Randy also made sure the subframe is plumb wit 7 These killer down bars are standard equipment on the Heidts Pro-G subframe. Randy kept track of where all the factory shims went and used them when installing the down bars to the body to make sure of proper alignment of frame to body. The bottom of the down bars bolt directly to framerail.7 These killer down bars are standard equipment on the Heidts Pro-G subframe. Randy kept 8 With the subframe in place and all squared up, he moved to the lower control arms. The hardware was installed but not tightened all the way. He’ll wait till the car is on the ground to tighten all the way to avoid bushing bind and squeaks.8 With the subframe in place and all squared up, he moved to the lower control arms. The 9 He installed the upper arms next. They were ordered with the optional Heim joint upgrade since this car will see the business end of a track.9 He installed the upper arms next. They were ordered with the optional Heim joint upgrad 10 The double-adjustable QA1 coilovers went in next. These coilovers will allow for full adjustment of shock valving and also ride height.10 The double-adjustable QA1 coilovers went in next. These coilovers will allow for full 11 Heidts uses 2-inch drop spindles with all of its Pro-G subframes. He finished with tightening the castle nut and cotter pins on the spindles before installing the steering arms.11 Heidts uses 2-inch drop spindles with all of its Pro-G subframes. He finished with tig 12 Since Heidts designed the subframe for this type of steering, the rack-and-pinion goes in nice and easy. It uses special stands and U-bolts to attach it to the subframe.12 Since Heidts designed the subframe for this type of steering, the rack-and-pinion goes 13 Again, since everything was designed as a unit, things like the tie rods go in smoothly.13 Again, since everything was designed as a unit, things like the tie rods go in smoothl 14 The Heidts Pro-G subframe uses a splined-style sway bar. Before Randy tightened the bar down, measurements were made to ensure the bar was centered in the mounts.14 The Heidts Pro-G subframe uses a splined-style sway bar. Before Randy tightened the ba 15 Then the sway bar arms were slipped over the splined centerpiece and the pinch bolts tightened. The adjustable end links were hooked to the arms’ ends and the lower A-arms.15 Then the sway bar arms were slipped over the splined centerpiece and the pinch bolts t 16 For improved stopping performance, Randy went with a 14-inch Wilwood brake system. Here he is installing one of the caliper mounting brackets.16 For improved stopping performance, Randy went with a 14-inch Wilwood brake system. Her 17 Then he greased the bearings and installed the sweet-looking Wilwood hubs.17 Then he greased the bearings and installed the sweet-looking Wilwood hubs. 18 The Wilwood system features a six-piston caliper and GT rotor. These brakes will provide a lot more stopping force over the factory drum setup and will be needed when the car sees track duties.18 The Wilwood system features a six-piston caliper and GT rotor. These brakes will provi 19 The factory radiator support was cleaned and painted before being reinstalled. The subframe has all the correct holes in it so things like this bolt right back on the same way as they do from the factory.19 The factory radiator support was cleaned and painted before being reinstalled. The sub 20 The new Pro-G inner fenders are next to be installed. These new inner fenders allow for more tire clearance.20 The new Pro-G inner fenders are next to be installed. These new inner fenders allow fo 21 Once the inner fender is mounted, the factory hood hinges are installed with supplied hardware and spacers.21 Once the inner fender is mounted, the factory hood hinges are installed with supplied 22 With the extra clearance provided from the new Pro-G inner fenders, we are able to use Forgeline’s new DS3P 18x9 titanium powdercoated wheels and P275/35R18 Nitto NT05 tires to give all this new suspension the grip it wants.22 With the extra clearance provided from the new Pro-G inner fenders, we are able to use 23 As we stated before, the Heidts Pro-G clip has all the right holes in the right spots so the rest of the original sheetmetal installs as it did from the factory. That concludes this installment, and as you can see this shoebox is going to be a bad mamma-jamma. Look for future issues when we cover the rear stuff and also get it out on a track for some numbers.23 As we stated before, the Heidts Pro-G clip has all the right holes in the right spots SOURCES Forgeline 3522 S. Kettering Blvd Suite A Dayton OH 45439 800-886-0093 www.forgeline.com D&Z Customs Kewaskum WI 262-347-9741 http://www.dandzcustoms.com/ Heidts Hot Rods 111 Kerry Lane Wauconda IL 800-841-8188 www.heidts.com By Calin Head Enjoyed this Post? Subscribe to our RSS Feed, or use your favorite social media to recommend us to friends and colleagues!
