Awesome site...been ready post for 2 hours or more. I have an original, numbers matching 63 Nova SS Conv with a 194. I bought it pretty much done so I'm looking for ways to make it mine ya know. Reading the posts here I'm thinking about soopin it up a bit. I want to keep it stock appearing so I can show it, but I also want it to get up and go when I want it to. I'm thinking I can pull the 194 and keep it in case I decide to sell someday. Would a 250 be a good start? Reason I say 250 is because I know where one is that I can probably get for free. Prepare for questions, I'm not new to the inline thing, but it's been awhile. Been wrenchin on V8's since I was old enough to reach for tools. V8's are too easy these days. They come in a crate for crappin out loud.
6T3 Nova,
A 250 would be a good start.
It will bolt right in & make much more power than the 194,& still get decent gas milage.
A 292 requires a bit more custom work to drop in.
Mainly just your pass. side engine mount.
It is pretty hard to get good gas milage w/a292.
But w/a 292 there is more potential,bigger cubes,4.120 stroke.
It just depends on what you are looking for??
6T3 Nova...
Take a look what brazilians do with the 250. As Douglas and Edy about their brazilian 250 and ya'll see that is a good choice for start with.
Cheers
Excellent swap.
In my 63 SS 3-on-the-tree [slow shifts], my 0-60 times dropped about 3 seconds from mid-13s to mid-10s just by swapping a tired 194 for an equally tired 250. Those cubes REALLY help, even stock. Except for the casting numbers, they look identical too.
GT3 Nova!
be welcone in our inliner brotherhood! here a tip take a look at Santucci's Chevrolet Inline Six Cylinder Power Manual. It's an excelent start in the 6 cyls world!!!
Edy
Edy,
My copy of Santucci's book is sitting right beside me. Ton of good info.
Getting good ideas from the book and this site. One thing I'm still curious about is how much power I can give the stock frame?
I don't want to get to the point of putting in a Hiedt's front end.
6gt nova
my stock 250 put on wheels 312HP's all stock!
Edy,
Care to share your recipe?
Crank, cam, pistons, rods etc.?
What is this engine in?
Do you race it?
Any pictures to post?
Hello 6T3 Welcome to the Inliners FUN world of inlineing & v8 buttkicking LOL
6T3 Nova
everything is original, except for the clutch! my chevy 250 came from the factory with 168HP @ 5500 rpm. after installing 2 audi 4 intercooler and two mitsubishi turbos (.40/.42), 2 pipes 3" each, and iginition module we dynoed those 312hp´s. here you can find some pictures of my ride.
http://www.chevy250l6.blogspot.com/ and a video
http://rapidshare.com/files/1216583/Ocdtt1.avi
6T3 Nova,,,
I do not think there are any difference in the Nova's w/a six cylinder or a V-8 car frame.
Ask Twisted6, AKA Larry
So, up to a certain amount of HP & torque I would not worry too much about tweaking the frame.
Are you making a drag car? They put 300-or was it 350 HP?? 327's in the 66 Novas.
Only real time to worry about twisting the frame is when you have slicks,stick shift ,or auto trans w/a trans brake & so on.
Or you are auto crossing your car w/sticky tires getting crazy.
Then you would tie the front of the frame to the rear w/subframe connectors, run a cage & so forth.
A Hiedt's front end, would really be a great improvement on the Nova's.
More stability,holds alignments,+ strengthening.
The 250 is great upgrade for the 194. Even in a stock configuration it will greatly improve the performance of your Chevy II. Paint it Chev orange, throw on a couple of factory 194 decals on it and no one will know the difference. If want to be totally stealth, make sure you get a 250 without the emissions holes in the head or use your 194 head. You will likely want to use the stock pan and pick-up from your 194 unless you luck out and find a 67 Chevy II 250.
No need to worry about sub-framing it with a mild 250l; it will hold up fine. The stock drive train will also hold up if you drive it somewhat conservatively. Nothing wrong with it, but it is 40+ old technology. If you plan on driving it hard, it may be worth while finding a 10 bolt rear from a 64-67 and adding front disk brakes. This will require going to 5 bolt wheels, but if you have 14" wheels now, you can use your stock wheel covers to continue the totally stock look.
Good luck with your Inline II
The Mustang front end Is worst Then the ChevyIIs when it comes to Bumpster. Chassi works I think is the company That makes a Much BETTER bolt on front end kit and It don't have the bumpster issue. But you would have to do your own L6mounts
Because Like anything Else Everyone Is Pretty Much Bent on the Vthing.But I have Now come across another company That makes a Lot of front end parts Tubular control arms & then some. AND at a very Nice Price. which will improve handleing and stopping power.
http://www.classicperform.com/ check out the tubular front end Kits They even have a set-up on the Home page link. just scroll down you will find the early Nova Kit.
Remember the chevy2 block has the zbar pivot located lower than the other chevys. So your 250 will need to be a chevy2 block or like me have a adapter plate. Twisted6 might can help you there.
Clyde
I have the plates for NON chevyII blocks.
Thanks all, this site rocks
Zbar?
The Zbar is what holds your pedal linkage and the rod that goes to your clutch fork. It is the pevit point for all your linkage.for a STD.
I agree with Twisted, don't put a mustang II front end on it. There are adjustable coil over set up's that will bolt right in your original front end, and handle better, and definately hang on to your 194 head, it has smaller combustion chambers, and when installed on your 250 it will boost up compression.
Is the zbar also used for shift linkage on a PowerGlide? Too cold to go to the shop and look for myself. Thanks for all the help.
No ZBar is required with a powerglide. You can use all your original trans and shift linkage from the current setup. Sounds like a nice car, glad to hear you are leaving an Inline in it.
Hum funny he never said anything about what Tranny he had. But GMDad is right If you have a AT tranny of anykind You don't need to worry about the Z bar.
Sorry folks, I should have revealed my tranny info in my original post.