How (Not) To: Drag Race! 72 Nova Pt. 2 | Not Rod Ep. 2 

Nice job on the Nova. At one time, all GMs made a Nova with different tail lights, and it spells NOVA. Chevy N-ova Olds O-mega Pont V-entura Buick. A-pollo

"If you want to win, you've got to be willing to lose because you've got to start somewhere and that somewhere is normally in a position many others have already crossed." What a great line that is applicable to nearly everything in life.

Brought to you by "The Twist Tie Not Rod Garage" LoL 😆

15:01 I'd be happy with a cruiser that does that , I'd be nervous too , great job

You guys did a great job putting it together. The car did great at your first go get ya some launches under your belt Even with those rear gears those times will come down. I made my first pass in 1974 with a similar setup. difference Was motor it was a 67 camaro factoy 3 spd 2 bbl single exaust the engine had just been rebuilt by a friends Dad and at the time I managed to put a slight Cam into it it ran a 15.2 my first ever SIR (PRP NOW) I was hooked! I many more grudge races and many changes to that car the 3 speed was the right mix in the 1/4 I tried a couple 4 speeds and it always came back to 3 Speeds and 2 shifts won the race for me. Life was simpler and times were slower thanks for the trip back!

You can't "Scoff" a 15.01 run... Y'all did great on this build! PNW representing! Take care, 🤓 -Thomas Skagen Western Washington State

I love the long Gears of a 3-speed but not with a 273 rear end. No no

I like it as that how most of us start out.

A "FAIL"..........hell no! For what you got a 15.01 is a really good time.......Congratulations............well done, especially on a really low budget!

3:73’s for the win

ET does not matter if your having fun that's all that matters. Have a blast.

That's a win! You MADE it down the strip, and drive it home. I'd call that good man. Nice job.

As long as you're having fun, you're wining. Keep up the fun!

Man this channel is awesome, old beaters are my world. 👍🏻 You really need to make the Nova quicker, you’ll have a blast running 13’s or 12’s, and it’s relatively cheap.

You need to do a little searching. The 72 comes with a 10bolt rear-end. Try to find yourself a 12bolt and go with 4:10 gears. While you are under there, also install a drive shaft loop. May not be needed yet but in case you ever get fast enough, it may be required.

I'm 50 yrs old been doing this along time... like that other guy said you fellas make us old guys young again.. let me know if you need some info. Love your videos fellas

I'm rebuilding a 74 Ventura, this gives me a lotta hope. Glad to see your Nova run a decent quarter mile!

Runs pretty darn good, looking forward to see what's up next!!!

NOT A FAIL! This is a great channel man and it is gonna be huge. Real is the deal.

That was great. Inspiration for anyone else building an old school. Liked and subbed

Nice guys this is what it's all about, building a car is a journey, I'd rather have a not rod I'm building up that a bought rod I didn't build

15's for your first run with those gears is pretty damn good.

Every one needs to drag race once in there life even if you have a stock car it's fun!

I'M SO PROUD OF Y'ALL BROTHER!CONGRATULATIONS!! YOU ARE A WINNER IN MY EYE'S!KEEP UP THE HARD WORK! PEACE OUT!

This is hilarious and extremely rewarding all at the same time hahaha

That's a win in my book! Looking forward to watching you dial it in.

Nothing blew up it's a win.

That’s such a cool car. My friends dad growing up had a 72, he had one when he was a kid but sold it when kids came, he badly wanted another one but wouldn’t bring himself to spend on it. Eventually his wife saved enough money up to buy him a project nova, 72, black with a stock 350. That car today after many years of blood sweat and hard work is a beautiful car that rumbles down the road and shines like a diamond. I honestly like the ratty style finish on it, that’s how I finished my project truck because I like the way it looks lol

Enjoyed every minute. Gotta say,,, In my day 1976 - 1982, for ANY high schooled car built like you built this one, pushing 14's was a "GOD" car!!! "God I wish I had that.'" Well done. I can not wait to see more!

Good Job! i think i had just as much fun as you. i really enjoyed the journey. you remind me of me when i was younger , and you look and act like my boy! you guy's are about the same age. i am 60 and still doing what you just did. keep up the fun

your nova reminds me of my friends camaro from back in the day. He had bullet holes in the quarter so you are doing better.

It's already been said here but I have a very similar experience. The immense feeling of success and confidence from achieving what you have done here cannot be overstated. For the folks snickering about your ET---which is not bad in my book---have to understand you turn just as many wrenches, nuts, and bolts as those cars running sub-10's. What's the difference? Simple--the money invested. I would argue you get more satisfaction running how and what you did versus the guy spending $30k or more. Job well done!

I’m loving it! I daily drive a classic that’s thrown together like your sweet Nova. I love having a vintage car that isn’t perfect because that way I’m not terrified to drive it.

When I saw the car come to the line i thought 15's and I was right on the money. I bet a 4 speed and shorter rear end ratio would get you into the 14's easy. This is old school "run what you brung" drag racing. I'd give you an A for your first ever drag race.

96 mph at the top of second gear. 2.73's are Bonneville salt flat gears.

The only way to win is to lose, so that you become humble and start from ground zero and build your way up.

My first scratch built car was very similar. Also ran low 15s with stupid high 2.42 gears. Good job man.

Air filter screwing itself off ! 😂

Do what u do...ND have fun doing it ..screw all the uppies with deep pockets..u did a great job ..

Awesome video! This is what building an old car is all about. You don’t have to be crazy fast. Just enjoy putting something together and have fun. Great point to build on.

Awsome, love old cars that but back together and tun of fun:)

Love the budget Nova project, wish there was more videos in the series. Hope to see you continue with it in the future and knock more time off your et's.

Dude, if'n y'all stop making videos, I'ma gonna come whar y'alls at and do somethin' bad to ya'...no, for real, I love your content and you make an "old" man feel like I'm 17 again...I will spread your videos far and wide...one of my first cars was a '74 grandma yellow, brown vinyl top Nova...an old lady had this car and everyday drove it until I bought 'er in '84...her husband bought it a Chevy dealer in Elkton Md. known for selling brand new race cars starting in the '60s...the 350, slipslide powerglide, 4something rear gear was built more for him, but it was her daily driver...she took super meticulous notes on everything that was done to it...she included the maintenance book and all original paperwork in the sale...there were about 20 guys interested in the car and she could have gotten a whole lot more for it, but I told her the right story and she sold it to me...I explained what I was going to do with it, drive to work during the week and run 'er at Cecil County Dragway on the weekends...just what they did with the car...how much you say, had to be $4k or better, right? $1200 bucks, because she wanted, SHE wanted me to put Keystone Klassics and new rubber on 'er...she knew that I was blue collar and she wanted to help out a kid like me with not so deep pockets...when she pulled the Nova out of their garage, I asked her if she would do a burnout...her answer was a screamer that obliterated the sun...DAMN WAS I STOKED! On the test ride, I stopped by the local tire shop and had the rims and tires put on...when I pulled up in her driveway, she looked at the new rims, she said it must mean that I was taking 'er...I responded by handing her a bank envelope with $1500 in it(I'd have given her anything she wanted, but I was poor, remember?)...I found myself crying like a little girl when she told me WHY she was selling it...her husband had just died and she hadn't received the life insurance yet...the damn electric company wouldn't help her keep the lights on, even though they were aware of the situation...me and the rest of my boys passed the hat everywhere we went and collected over a grand to help...I offered to let her keep the car and to consider the money a gift to help out and I thought she was gonna hit me! This 66 year old, 5'nothin' of a woman had me a bit worried! Anyhow, I didn't intend this to be a damn book, I had to finish what I had started...she and I and all my racer buddies become the best of friends and she was like another grandma to most of us...we cut her grass, shoveled her driveway, and hung out with her every chance we got...sad thing was, even though we were around her on most days, the nights were long without her beloved "bubula" and after 4 years, she passed in her sleep...from what, I believe, a broken heart...she was found by her daughter and myself...somebody's cuttin' onions in here...I'll never forget Liz, or what she did for me...I was definitely blessed by her cruising through my life...đã wôôķīëë...

I just found your channel and I love it........regular people doing things regular people do....good work folks........blessings on you all

Good show. Not bad for nothing but parts you already had. Loved he hydraulic clutch stuff. Now you have a number and MPH, you can commence to making more speed and MPH. One tip: once done with a run, write down how the car ran, shift points, anything about the car going wooga wooga at a shift or top end...write down everything. Keep a log of your timing, the curve, the jets, float settings etc. You running slicks now, make sure the tubes are set. Maybe add 5psi to the fronts ( less rolling ya know?) Lots of stuff but you get the picture. Have Fun!!

I just found your channel and am VERY glad I did! You're production quality and editing is truly awesome. I can tell you put A LOT of hard work into it. If you keep this up your channel is going to absolutely blow up! Guaranteed. There's millions of guys who really appreciate this sort of "in the garage" type of wrenching. It's more relatable and thoroughly entertaining. Love what you're doing with your channel!! A+++

Awesome new show Ive stumbled across. keep it up guys. well presented and put together. wicked nova too. love it. awesome.

thats fracking awesome shows people you don't need a crazy fancy set up to have fun, a good friend and some know how to goes a long way

Just found this channel. Very cool, real world garage work. Keep it up, look forward to more episodes!

Awesome Video, and awesome car! I love my 1972 Nova. Keep the videos coming! This channel is awesome!

well done that was so awesome ..keep at it guys its all about the fun waves from aussie land

Funny, I'm working on my beater Nova so I can drag race my brother in the spring. You just got me more pumped up for it. I'll be more than happy if I can run a 15. Great videos man keep it up.

Total win my friend!!!!

Absolutely top notch my dudes! I'm impressed love the channel.

I THINK YOU ARE GREAT !!!! Nice to see used parts been used, keep up the good work :- ))))

Nooo brother always get that carb up off the intake especially with a dual plane at least a 1 inch open... I put a 2 inch open spacer on my 70 Nova stock bottom end 350 a 280--- ,480 comp cam performer rpm intake 750 dual pump and 4.11 gear ran 7.80 in 1/8th ..but the 2 inch spacer picked me up 2 tenths ...I changed it at the track after 3 runs I ran 8.00 then the spacer and 7.86 .. trust me the spacer helps. Find you a old torker or a scorpion intake and a 2inch spacer with 4holes brother you will be flying with that little car ...ported 461 that intake a 292 comp cam 3500 you tci converter and you go 7.00 ...you got a sweet car

You've got 100% more drag racing experience than I do! Let's be honest it's a 14 second car or better. I can't wait to see some continued adventures with this Nova.

Cant wait for your next improvements, especially rear gear change. Eg 3:73 ? Then you'd actually get some use out of third gear. Good transformation so far guys! Fun video!

Looks like alot of fun . good job brothas

Love the videos man honestly I bet rocks your channel blows up if you keep up with the good videos

Wow, you got some heavy hitters for season opener in the N'west! We didn't have O2 sensors back in the '80's (not in the hood, anyways), just tuned by sound and smell, but hell of a result with 2:73's! Maybe 3:55's with your combo will yield high 13-low 14's if you tweek that launch. Good luck, bro!

AWSUM,working on my second car now at 57, well the motor,have 62 imp and 66 stang,dont know yet but thanks for the inspiration I just subscribed to learn more

Bring back the nova ss lol but seriously bring it back bbc T-5 or t-56 3.42 or 3.73 posi !!

My dude, to be your first few videos, the editing is fucking amazing!! Keep it up and this channel will blow up. I can actually relate because I'm a typical middle class fucker that can't afford to buy expensive shit. Hell I don't even have a shop! I poured me a small slab with some quickrete and put up a fucking tarp. Haha!

That's not rodding! Awesome vid man.

this was cool,everything worth doing has a curve. im finally building my "not" dream car,a 1986 third gen trans am but im doing it all myself.my real "dream car" is a 1970 cuda! ive owned 4-5 of them but never really did them up or did much of anything other than driving them.i had a 72 chevelle and started to build it "right" and found the frame was cracked in multiple places and the car was rotten in several unseen places so i got rid of it.i didnt have a shop,tools or the skills at the time.now ive got a garage and a clean car to start with so theres that!!

You come across on video as the average Joe but your technical knowledge was impressive.

Love'n the effort!!, reminds me of my first race car. Nice job!!

Kudos.. not a bad beginning.

Win win with your gears you have got a good car to run on the street and you'll probably get decent gas mileage and it's nice to run across videos like yours I like the Raw shade tree mechanic real African American Ingenuity builds

I feel the eye movements at 7:00 so much.

Hay ,good job all around. but befor you go to that big block ,get some sub frame connectors.

NICE JOB!! GREAT VIDEO!!

Awesome content. Keep it coming. Love Novas.

40 years ago I helped my cousin piece together a 69 out fo 4 different cars with a 307 Tonawanda and a 3 speed. Had a LOT of fun in the old one wheel peeler! Thought for sure you would have made more than one pass!

You have great quality videos I was surprised by that considering your channel size I love these videos so far

Cool build man! I love Nova’s. Somewhere I have a complete set of SS badges for a Nova. I will look for them. I will donate them to you if can find them. Time for a rearend.

Badass ride, I'm throwin together a 73 myself

That was fun 👍😎 Thanks !

Awesome...make you feel good when you build your own engine back in the 90s I had a 77 nova. I had 350 stock just a big cam and headers and a 373 gear ratio. I think it ran in upper 14s which is ok for a stock back then mustang's GTs ran mid 15s. Thanks loved the videos. Thanks for posting.

Its not a fail if it makes ya smile.

Great video! Cool project!

Like you said, you were slow out of the hole, but after that, excellent job.

You made it happen. Congrats!

Really liked these!!

fantastic job taking that dreck and turning it into FUN!!

I laughed so hard at you guys on build one that I forgot to comment but I subbed and liked it

You guys did a helluva job on the nova 15s isn't to bad for your first time down a track

That was freaking awesome

Absolutely awesome episode I'm very inspired by your drive and passion keep up the good work and please get some more zip ties my man🤔🤯🤪#good stuff

Hey 15:01 isn’t a bad time at all for a first ever pass. Fine job brother. I’m a new sub because of your journey with this Nova.

Good stuff bro keep it up

Nice job Subscribed.

Great channel!

Keep up with the great content guys

hell yeah i love novas i have a 68 big tire nova big block 540 twin turbos that i have owned since i was 16 i drag race it too

Nice job brother.

What are the specs on your wheel sizes and tire combo? Really like the fitment going to get a 76 Nova soon.😁

Good job

Race Fuel does taste like candy...👍 Great video guys.