Difference between a Chevelle and Nova?

[civickid77]

I'm trying to find out what the main differences are between a 69 chevelle ss and a 69-70 nova ss?

[-The Stig-]

Well, i'll quote the sponsor of this forum...

Musclecarclub.com


1969 Chevelle SS

For 1969, the SS 396 became an option package on all Chevelles. Therefore, it was possible to order the SS 396 package on everything from the Malibu sport coupe (the most popular) and convertible to the Chevelle 300-series hardtop and pillared coupe and the El Camino pick up. All Chevelles got new styling which included new tail lamps. The 396 returned in 325, 350, and 375bhp tune but still suffered from poor handling and four-speed linkage. Late in the 1969 model year, the 396 was bored out to 402 cubic engines, reportedly to meet new emission standards. The official name and power ratings were not changed and the Chevelle SS remained one of the most popular muscle cars of the era. Of particular interest to drag racers was the availablity of a number of limited edition Chevelles. Known as COPO Chevelles, these Chevelle's were specially ordered from the factory by certain dealers or well- connected customers with standard L72 427 V8s rated at 425bhp. An estimated 323 Chevelle COPO 427s were built, all of which were often devoid of badges or other indications of the power that resided underneath.

Production: 86,307
Engines: 396 V8 325bp@4800rpm, 410lb-ft@3200rpm. L34 396 V8 350bhp@5200rpm, 415lb-ft@3600. L78 396 V8 375bhp@5600rpm, 415lb-ft@3600rpm. COPO 427 V8 425bhp@5600rpm, 460lb-ft@4000rpm.
Performance: L78 396/375: 0-60 in 6.5 sec, 1/4 mile in 14.5 sec @ 100mph.
Performance: COPO 427/425: 0-60 in 5.1 sec, 1/4 mile in 13.3 sec @ 108mph.


1969 Nova SS

There were no major changes for 1969 for the Chevy Nova SS. The standard SS package with the 350 cid V8 cost just an extra $280 above a base Nova coupe and included a special suspension, red stripe F70x14s, and power front disc brakes. To replace the 350 with the L78 396 V8 375 bhp engine cost an extra $500, but even with the $184 close-ratio four speed transmission, $43 limited slip differential, and excellent $84 fast-ratio power steering, the total cost was still under $3,500. In 1969, a total of 5,262 Nova SS were built with the 375 bhp 396 while another 1,947 were built with the 350 bhp 396 engine. Total SS production for totaled 17,654 units.

The biggest news for 1969 was the very limited Yenko Nova 427. Unlike COPO Camaros and Chevelle's, the Yenko Nova 427 engines were not factory installed. Instead, Yenko ordered Super Sport Novas equipped with the 396 V8 with 375 bhp and promptly dropped in the Chevy 427 with 425 bhp at the dealership. As with the Yenko Camaros and Chevelles, Yenko rated the 427s at a realistic 450 bhp. Yenko Nova 427s were available with either the close-ratio Muncie four speed with Hurst linkage or a Turbo Hydra-matic with Hurst Dual-Gate shifter, mated to a heavy-duty 4.10:1 Posi axle. The Novas had 14x7-inch wheels, as opposed to the 15x7s on the Yenko Camaros and Chevelles but were available with the usual Yenko supplied headers, Atlas mags, and tachometer. On the exterior, they were dressed up with Yenko stripping, 427/Yenko badges, and "sYc" headrests. Built in both 1968 and 1969, they were extremely rare with only 37 built in 1969, well short of the numbers of Yenko Camaros and Chevelles. But with less weight than either -- even less than a 427 Corvette -- the L72 Yenko Nova was probably the fastest automobile Don Yenko ever offered.

Production: Nova SS: 17,654 Nova SS w/ 396/350: 1,947 Nova SS w/ 396/375: 5,262
Engines: 350 V8 295 bhp. 396 V8 375 bhp @ 5600 rpm, 415 lb-ft @ 3600 rpm. (Yenko) 427 V8 425 bhp @ 5600 rpm, 460 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm.
Performance: 396/375: 0-60 mph in 5.9 seconds. 1/4 mile in 14.5 seconds @ 101 mph. (Yenko) 427/425: 0-60 mph in 4.7 seconds. 1/4 mile in 13.2 seconds @ 103 mph.

1970 Chevelle SS

1970 saw the introduction of the most powerful Chevelle SS of all time. Responding to the lifting of GM's ban on engines larger than 400 cid in midsize cars, Chevrolet responded by dropping in a new 454 cubic engine into its Chevelle SS. The entry level 454 was known as the LS5 and packed 360bhp. The top engine choice was the LS6 version with 450bhp. The LS6 had a 800-cfm Holley four barrel on an aluminum manifold, 11.25:1 compression, solid lifters, four-bolt mains, forged steel crank and connecting rods, forged aluminum pistons, and deep-groove accessory pullies. No production engine ever had a higher factory horsepower rating. The standard Chevelle SS 396 continued with its 402 cid engines, although the 325bhp was dropped and the 350bhp version was now standard. Optional on both the 396 and 454 was a new cowl-induction hood, which had a rear facing flapper near the base of the windshield to feed air into the engine. The styling was new with a "vee" front end, functional hood pins, and five-spoke Rallye wheels. This was truly the pinnacle of the Chevelle SS performance.

Production: 53,599
Engines: L34 402 V8 350bhp@5200rpm, 415lb-ft@3400. 402 V8 375bhp@5600rpm, 415lb-ft@3600rpm. LS5 454 V8 360bhp@5400rpm, 500lb-ft@3200rpm. LS6 454 V8 450bhp@5600rpm, 500lb-ft@3600rpm.
Performance: LS6 454/450: 0-60 in 6.1 sec, 1/4 mile in 13.7 sec @ 103mph.

1970 Nova SS

The big change for 1970 was Chevrolet's decision to slightly modify the venerable 396 engine to meet new emission standards. The result was a slight enlargement of the big block to 402 cid although Chevrolet still refered to the engine as the "396" or the "Turbo Jet 400" to take advantage of its name recognition.

Production: 19,558
Engines: 350 V8 295 bhp. 402 V8 350 bhp. 402 V8 375 bhp.




As you can see, the Chevelle was the more popular 'muscle car' choice, cause it had the more options available.

I've always called the my Nova a baby Chevelle.


I'm not sure if I can help you anymore than that... other than they're two different cars.

[Musclecarclub]

Yep, they were very different cars, even though they shared many of the same powertrains.

[civickid77]

So is it now just a personal preference if i want to look into getting a Chevelle or a Nova. Are there pros and cons to either?

[samandiar]

It all depends on the engines and options, but a Chevelle will probably be more expensive than a Nova, and usually faster, but there are always exceptions. My understanding of it is that the Chevelle is generally a higher quality car, but the Nova SS 396 kicks major ass

[-The Stig-]

Originally Posted by samandiar

It all depends on the engines and options, but a Chevelle will probably be more expensive than a Nova, and usually faster, but there are always exceptions. My understanding of it is that the Chevelle is generally a higher quality car, but the Nova SS 396 kicks major ass

I agree stock for stock the Chevelle is usually faster cause it came with the better motor choices, but the Nova has a slight weight advantage for being about 3200-3300lbs, Chevelle I believe is about 3600-3700lbs.


I raced a buddy of mine from school, He had a old beater '72 Chevelle with a mild 350. I had my old beater '70 Nova with a tired 350 making maybe 240hp. Well my car being lighter was able to keep up with him. It was pretty neat staying neck and neck with each other.

The Nova is the standard Chevy Sleeper... heck they even advertised it as a sleeper. In 1969, Chevy released an add with a picture of a Nova SS with no hood showing off the motor. With big letters 'The Sleeper Awakes'. And the caption 'The '69 Chevy Nova SS, the car that woke up swinging.'


Hehe, Go Nova!

[Musclecarclub]

The Nova is the true sleeper. A 396SS Nova will beat any other 396 Chevy, including the Camaros, because of their lighter weight and better weight distribution. Problem is that Nova's tended to be ordered with the smaller engines so they are very rare now. Still, Chevelles are traditionally more popular, so either with a 396 will be expensive. If you are looking at an SS, expect to pay some $$ for either one. If you are willing to step down to a 327 or 350 (skip the 307's), I would get the Nova for its lighter weight and sleeper status.

[PWMAN]

Originally Posted by Musclecarclub

If you are willing to step down to a 327 or 350 (skip the 307's),

Whats the matter with the 307? You know the 307 is the same thing as the 327 except slightly smaller bore. Just because it never came from the factory with a 4 barrel and hi-po parts doesn't mean it can't be hopped up. I have a 307 sitting in my garage now out of a 69 el-camino. It has ported big valve heads, solid cam, and should make about 425 HP with headers and single plane 4 barrel intake.
I would actually go with a Nova with a 307. They are much cheaper and plentiful to find. You can always drop a crate 350 in it. Or whatever you want, Motown make 454 small blocks that are streetable on pump gas and make 600 HP

[-The Stig-]

Originally Posted by PWMAN

Whats the matter with the 307? You know the 307 is the same thing as the 327 except slightly smaller bore.

You're close... A 307 is a 327 crank in a 283 block. Basically a factory stroked 283.

Oh yeah... Good stuff.

[PWMAN]

Originally Posted by RedNeck383

You're close... A 307 is a 327 crank in a 283 block. Basically a factory stroked 283.

Oh yeah... Good stuff.

Nah thats the 302 chevy. 307 is the same stroke as the 327 with 1/8'' smaller bore. It's just that from the factory the 307 never came with anything performance like a 4 barrel so no one thinks it's any good.

[-The Stig-]

Originally Posted by PWMAN

Nah thats the 302 chevy. 307 is the same stroke as the 327 with 1/8'' smaller bore. It's just that from the factory the 307 never came with anything performance like a 4 barrel so no one thinks it's any good.

Actually...

The 302 was made from a 327 block with a 283 crank.

Large bore + small stroke = High Revs

[PWMAN]

Originally Posted by RedNeck383

Actually...

The 302 was made from a 327 block with a 283 crank.

Large bore + small stroke = High Revs

Oh sorry I didn't realize that you flipped them. I just took a glance and thought you said 283 crank in the 327 block, but you actaully said 327 crank in a 283 block. my bad.

[CrzyMR2T]

i think that the nova looks better in my opinion, you could just put a better motor in it.

[Musclecarclub]

What I meant was that the 307 didn't come with a lot of the performance parts that the bigger engines did. That doesn't mean that it can't be made into a performance motor. But for a beginner, it is better to start off with something a little easier to get performance out of.