1977 Nova Purchase?

Kania2k1 · June 20, 2008

So, our intern here at work has found himself a little hot rod that he's thinking of getting, $2000 for the thing. Specifics: 383 stroker, 292 crane cam, LT1 rods, March underdrive pulleys, MSD ignition, Hooker headers, rebuilt 3 speed Saginaw, 3.73 gears, 850 CFM Holly, high rise split plenum intake. All told, according to the seller, it's good for around 400hp. He's driving a 1950's jeep right now, and I think it's got about 70 hp. Little bit of a jump to the Nova. Several of us here are telling him that this is not what he wants for a daily driver. He's going to need to run 93, if not higher gas to keep the think from gunking up. He's fine with putting in the work on the car, he's mechanical and such, but I don't think that he's seeing the big picture here. I think the novelty of driving a "drag race" engine around on a daily basis, in Northern Virginia traffic is going to get very old, very quick. I thought I'd put this out here to you guys to get some more ammunition for this kid not to buy this thing. He's pretty set on getting it, and I'm all for helping a fool part with his money. I just don't want to be implicated when his parent's find out and come a callin'. Any help or suggestions?

pennzoil29 · June 20, 2008

I would love to have something like that to go around the block on a Saturday night, but as for a young kid wanting it for a daily driver, he better have a ton of cash lying around. I agree with you that he is not seeing the big picture. He'd probably wind up getting himself killed in it. I would probably advise him against getting it.

Zembonez · June 20, 2008

Fun toy... the money spent is just starting if he buys it though. It becomes a sickness.

For the record: A 77 Nova was a total POS car new. This one obviously has been somewhat de-shittiefied!

EDIT: because I can't type with a cup of coffee in my hand.

95Sierra2500 · June 20, 2008

Let him buy it. When he looses his license and has to sell it to pay off his tickets, laugh at him. At least, that's what I would do. You've already posed the questions he should be thinking about himself, and he refuses to 'fess up and realize it's more of a toy than a DD, so what he does from here on out is his choice.

Draenor · June 20, 2008

Let him get it and have his fun. When he gets tired of it, offer him a deal to take it off his hands.

de-shittiefied!

My word of the week.

VMax2007 · June 20, 2008

Let him get it and have his fun. When he gets tired of it, offer him a deal to take it off his hands.

de-shittiefied!

My work of the week.

Draenor · June 20, 2008

Let him get it and have his fun. When he gets tired of it, offer him a deal to take it off his hands.

de-shittiefied!

My word of the week.

Fixed.....

...or de-shittiefied

Kania2k1 · June 20, 2008

Yeah, there's no chance that I'm taking anything off of his hands, especially anything from that car. I'm just hoping he doesn't get it, because I have enough work to get through, and don't have time to play Mr. Goodwrench, or anything along those lines. He pretty much did a search for a car on ebay he thinks he likes, found one for his max budget, and duped himself into loving it, I think. I dunno. He can have all the fun he wants, the weirdo!

ZZ327 · June 20, 2008

sounds like a sweet ride, but I would use it for fun and maybe a couple times during the week. He will probly end up wrecking it cause he cant handle the power!

Schmids5.3l · June 21, 2008

Specifics: 383 stroker, 292 crane cam, LT1 rods, March underdrive pulleys, MSD ignition, Hooker headers, rebuilt 3 speed Saginaw, 3.73 gears, 850 CFM Holly, high rise split plenum intake. All told, according to the seller, it's good for around 400hp.

LT1 rods? Like factory LT1 connecting rods? I'd replace that, unless they are a forged after market set.

If the cam & stall aren't too massive it shouldn't be horrible as a DD but it's going to soak up his wallet at the pump, depending on his budget. Not only does driving around in a drag car everyday get old, but so does filling it up at the pump.

Zembonez · June 21, 2008

Specifics: 383 stroker, 292 crane cam, LT1 rods, March underdrive pulleys, MSD ignition, Hooker headers, rebuilt 3 speed Saginaw, 3.73 gears, 850 CFM Holly, high rise split plenum intake. All told, according to the seller, it's good for around 400hp.

LT1 rods? Like factory LT1 connecting rods? I'd replace that, unless they are a forged after market set.

If the cam & stall aren't too massive it shouldn't be horrible as a DD but it's going to soak up his wallet at the pump, depending on his budget. Not only does driving around in a drag car everyday get old, but so does filling it up at the pump.

I knew this post would wake up Sam!

rvsahs · June 21, 2008

Let him buy it. When he looses his license and has to sell it to pay off his tickets, laugh at him. At least, that's what I would do. You've already posed the questions he should be thinking about himself, and he refuses to 'fess up and realize it's more of a toy than a DD, so what he does from here on out is his choice.

He'll probably wrap that car around a tree and kill himself before he even looses his license. Just too many horses under the hood for a kid that age.

As for "de-shittiefied", I'll have to add that to my spellcheck.

thecraft · June 21, 2008

Let him buy it. When he looses his license and has to sell it to pay off his tickets, laugh at him. At least, that's what I would do. You've already posed the questions he should be thinking about himself, and he refuses to 'fess up and realize it's more of a toy than a DD, so what he does from here on out is his choice.

He'll probably wrap that car around a tree and kill himself before he even looses his license. Just too many horses under the hood for a kid that age.

Nice blanket statement.

BigJayDogg3 · June 21, 2008

Let him buy it. When he looses his license and has to sell it to pay off his tickets, laugh at him. At least, that's what I would do. You've already posed the questions he should be thinking about himself, and he refuses to 'fess up and realize it's more of a toy than a DD, so what he does from here on out is his choice.

He'll probably wrap that car around a tree and kill himself before he even looses his license. Just too many horses under the hood for a kid that age.

Nice blanket statement.