LBZ 73 Nova

RPM Motorsports

smokinum
May 13, 2008
3,271
10
38
Central Valley Ca.
looks great Russ.

Thanks Ken! Just ordered the rest of my safety equipment last night, should be here mid week. Getting the car together the rest of the way, and will be ready. Still need to mount the engine diaper plus fab up a belly pan. Not sure if I will have enough time to hit NHRDA Az this weekend, it will be close.
 

IdahoRob

New member
Jun 5, 2007
1,151
0
0
Um, Russ.....that car is going to be a handful (meant in a good way). Man, you are going to have some fun. :)
What was Rob's opinion of how it ran once he hit it a couple times?

Tom, the car really responded to some tuning. The biggest goal was to have the low and mid range cleaned up and seemless TPS. Easy to make top end HP, but with this large triple set-up and driveline configuration with trans brake, it took a bit of work. This is the first time I've spent any amount of time working on the tuning for the Nova.

It now spools very fast, on or off, the trans brake with very little smoke. The throttle sensitivity was also worked on so it could be staged consistently. I'm very happy with the results.

The base tune went over 1000RWHP as Russ mentioned and that was on a total of 1500us of fuel and only 40 lbs of boost. We couldn't load the dyno as any load applied to help the turbos and it would shred the slicks.

I believe it will be a very nice combo on this base tune and should be easy to stage, spool, and launch.
 

rfletes79

Active member
Mar 5, 2010
649
164
43
Galt, Ca 95632
Tom, the car really responded to some tuning. The biggest goal was to have the low and mid range cleaned up and seemless TPS. Easy to make top end HP, but with this large triple set-up and driveline configuration with trans brake, it took a bit of work. This is the first time I've spent any amount of time working on the tuning for the Nova.

It now spools very fast, on or off, the trans brake with very little smoke. The throttle sensitivity was also worked on so it could be staged consistently. I'm very happy with the results.

The base tune went over 1000RWHP as Russ mentioned and that was on a total of 1500us of fuel and only 40 lbs of boost. We couldn't load the dyno as any load applied to help the turbos and it would shred the slicks.

I believe it will be a very nice combo on this base tune and should be easy to stage, spool, and launch.

Rob, you are the man!!! Glad you and Russ were able to get it dialed in. Car looks like it's running amazing. Can't wait to see it make some laps at the track.

:)
 

TheBac

Why do I keep doing this?
Staff member
Apr 19, 2008
15,611
1,868
113
Mid Michigan
Tom, the car really responded to some tuning. The biggest goal was to have the low and mid range cleaned up and seemless TPS. Easy to make top end HP, but with this large triple set-up and driveline configuration with trans brake, it took a bit of work. This is the first time I've spent any amount of time working on the tuning for the Nova.

It now spools very fast, on or off, the trans brake with very little smoke. The throttle sensitivity was also worked on so it could be staged consistently. I'm very happy with the results.

The base tune went over 1000RWHP as Russ mentioned and that was on a total of 1500us of fuel and only 40 lbs of boost. We couldn't load the dyno as any load applied to help the turbos and it would shred the slicks.

I believe it will be a very nice combo on this base tune and should be easy to stage, spool, and launch.

Thanks Rob. :) Only 40lbs of boost and 1500us? Cripes. I'll say it again, that car is going to be a handful.
 

RPM Motorsports

smokinum
May 13, 2008
3,271
10
38
Central Valley Ca.
Made a few test launches down here at sea level before putting it in the shop. Throttle response is amazing (gasser like), and absolutly zero smoke. On the brake I was able to lite the turbos at a crazy low 2k rpm's. She comes alive quick and finding second gear while sideways was interesting to say the least. The car is up on the rack getting the wider rear diff & new tires installed, plus fixing a couple minor leaks at V-bands on the hot side. All my safety equipment showed up today, can't wait to hit the track and get the suspension dialed in. :woott:
 

56taskforce

Well-known member
Mar 30, 2014
1,081
56
48
:happy2: for a lack of words to show how excited I am for you Russ. The Camaro is bad ass but the Nova is, well the big brother...:thumb:
 

RPM Motorsports

smokinum
May 13, 2008
3,271
10
38
Central Valley Ca.
Thanks Rob. :) Only 40lbs of boost and 1500us? Cripes. I'll say it again, that car is going to be a handful.

Current situation, as some may have herd.
Big tune was.. well..., a big tune! Pulled the front tires up at around 100' 500' and 1000' while giving Rob in the next lane a show. Something let go when it came down the last time and sent me into the wall, then onto and up over it the second hit.
 

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c20elephant

C20ELEPHANT
Apr 25, 2013
2,065
0
0
Phoenix, Arizona
Some one was trying to be a graffiti artist on the windshield in this picture, good to hear you're OK........:thumb:
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TheBac

Why do I keep doing this?
Staff member
Apr 19, 2008
15,611
1,868
113
Mid Michigan
Current situation, as some may have herd.
Big tune was.. well..., a big tune! Pulled the front tires up at around 100' 500' and 1000' while giving Rob in the next lane a show. Something let go when it came down the last time and sent me into the wall, then onto and up over it the second hit.

Im sorry I foreshadowed that, Russ. Damn glad you are ok.
 

RPM Motorsports

smokinum
May 13, 2008
3,271
10
38
Central Valley Ca.
This is my biggest fear in doing this crap. So much time and money down the drain. Do you plan on rebuilding?



Not sure how the under side looks yet, that will be the deciding factor. The front clip is not an issue. I took out 50-60' of K rail riding right across the top of it, plus the 15' from the initial hit.
 

IOWA LLY

Yes, its really me
Feb 23, 2007
2,275
4
0
It's a risk we take buddy, the four link was not set correctly for that power level, but was good on the smaller tunes.
I don't know anything at all about 4 links. But I would love to hear a more detailed explanation of what you mean here.....


I'm glad to hear your ok. Looks like a gnarly wreck.

Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk
 

PureHybrid

Isuzu Shakes IT
Feb 15, 2012
3,495
476
83
Central OH
I'm not a 4link wiz either, but if I had to guess they needed dropped in the front to get more push instead of lift.

Sorry to see the car in that condition, but that's all replaceable. Good luck on your recovery Russ :thumb:
 

Chevy1925

don't know sh!t about IFS
Staff member
Oct 21, 2009
21,681
5,835
113
Phoenix Az
I don't know anything at all about 4 links. But I would love to hear a more detailed explanation of what you mean here.....


I'm glad to hear your ok. Looks like a gnarly wreck.

Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk



I'd assume they needed more anti squat and change instant center a bit.

Damn Russ, that sucks to see but at the same time, all that hard work to keep the driver safe did its job and well.