I was driving along a state highway in central IA tonight and about 1/2 mile ahead the road goes from 2 North lanes to one North lane. I am next to a modded 60 something Nova with dual exhausts, wide mag wheels, etc... and I heel-toed it into 2nd going about 45-50 and this guy gunned it. OF course my lane was the one that was about to end so I either had to back off or commit. I revved to redline and for the first time powershifted and pulled about 3 cars on him until around 100 when I powershifted again into 4th. Put on my flashers-it felt great, but am now wondering if he didn't let me win?

 

any of the new IHP Impalas yet. I got a good look at one today in traffic. The suckers are harder to pick out then the Crown Vic's because of their smaller size. I've got to re-adjust my inbred cop car spotting instincts. It's been 14 yrs since my last ticket, that being compliments of a IHP aircraft trap.

 

I have seen one or two. Last ticket I got was from a IHP in a Buick LeSabre!!! What the $%&#? I was on I 29 and couldn't believe my eyes. Helps being an atty and I can usually plea bargain to a non moving...

I'm going to be getting the Warpspeed Y pipe in the group deal. I may become one of the only MAxs is IA to have an aftermarket Y pipe...

 

either the nova was a peice or he let you win. I had a 70 nova that would smoke ANY maxima. I blew that engine and put a stock 350 in it and it stilled hauled. there is no way that car could lose unless it had something wrong with it or wasn't a V8. oh yeah and how could you tell it was modded?

 

Thought he may have let me win. Could tell it was modded by the exhaust and the engine sound and the traction bars and the wide radials or the Cragar rims... Are these things really that fast?

 

Yes.

Small block Chevy V8s were made in many displacements, all the way up to 400 cubic inches. You can do a lot with 6.5 liters, especially since engines of that vintage aren't strangled with emission control devices.

It may even have been a big block Chevy V8 which is 454 cubic inches. Chevy will still sell you a brand new big block engine in various displacements up to 504 cubic inches. Aftermarket racing versions are available with aluminum blocks and displacements in excess of 600 cubic inches. With engines this big the primary concern is traction.

 

Love those Novas. My old '74 had a 5.7L(350) from '68 (higher hp rating) and was built up moderately....ram-air, cams, heads, hooker headers to straight pipes, ladders, 15x10's in the back, etc.. Never take an old musclecar lightly. They're not some wannabe Honda Civic running a DC sport muffler making some wining noise. My Nova was pumping out close to 400hp easily....and that's with a mild cam...and that's run of the mill stuff. Don't race any old car that has displacement badges on the side of the car that has numerals larger than 350 on it..ie...396,427,454,455,440,426.....unless you're running some juice, or have some serious power....you'll get spanked....until you take 'em into some twisties....

 

Just wondering did you ever run the 1/4 mile in your Nova? I ask because you say it will smoke ANY maxima and thats a bold statement. Not that I dow't you but I would like to see what times you got. Thanks