2008 SoCal Nova BBQ - Block Party

...and drag shocks all around. The TCI Turbo 350 transmission with a 3,800-stall converter and a Detroit Locker in the rearend has proven to be plenty strong and more than capable of handing mid 11s at 117 mph in the quarter-mile.

This slammed '66 sled owned by Tony Causor features a CPP front mini subframe kit with an Air Ride system and a TCI four-link with Air Ride shockwaves. To make a lasting impression, a set of 18-inch Coy Wheels is up front, with a monster set of 20s out back. Causor's choice of mill is a mild 9.5:1 small-block with a set of World Products heads and a Comp cam.

The love for early Nova Wagons is alive and kicking! An entire row was dedicated to them, and they were garnering plenty of attention from everyone.

With so much to see, it was hard to decide where to begin. Here, Nova enthusiasts Scott Haggai and Eddie Perez couldn't help but notice the 408ci small-block with Dart Pro 1 cylinder heads in this '66.

Lyndon Scott may still be running the original 194ci six-banger in his '63 hardtop, but this thing was mint. It still sports the factory shoes, manual steering, and manual brakes. His plans call for the larger 292 inline-six, a 700R-4 transmission, a five-lug rearend, and disc brakes for the front.

Al Schey, the host of the block party, has a prime example of what a box Nova can become. His '63 is powered by a 562 hp 482 ci big-block. Inside the powerplant is a Scat crank, H-beam rods connected to a set of forged pistons. Up top are a pair of Edelbrock heads and an RPM manifold with a Demon 850-cfm carb. Suspension up front includes a complete Chassisworks front clip with coilovers and Wilwood 4-piston calipers. Out back, a ladder bar suspension keeps everything in check. Schey has yet to hit the tarmac, but we know he's plenty excited and we can't wait to hear the results.

ven our friends at California Performance Products brought out their Nova to join the fun. From brakes to suspension, this thing had it all.

The four-door crowd wasn't left out either. Here, Charlie Pedregon's Ermine White '66 Chevy Nova II 100 sedan only has 75,000 miles on the clock and still sports the factory 195hp Turbo Fire 283ci V-8 with a two-speed Powerglide, the original interior, and Rally wheels.

To our surprise, there weren't many '68-72s running around at this event. While this one wasn't in the cleanest state, it did give us a chance to show its new Weiand 142 supercharger setup.

We couldn't miss Todd Bartley's yellow '77. Between the fenderwells is a 383ci stroker with just 2.56:1 cogs out back. Bartley says it is good for mid 13-second passes at the track, and he eventually plans to swap it out for a set of 3.42:1 gears and an Eaton posi unit.

There was no grand stage here. Instead, the driveway of host Al Schey was used for the closing ceremonies. Forum members gathered 'round to receive and acknowledge other participants and to enter the raffle for all sorts of killer goodies.

Dale Snoke's '65 wagon also caught our attention. Snoke's wagon has a new small-block 350 that's backed by a Powerglide trans, CPP front tubular control arm suspension, and four wheel disc brakes, and plans call for electronic fuel injection and air conditioning. Wondering where that paint's shine comes from? Try WD-40.

As Novas entered the neighborhood, they were placed by years, beginning with the earliest and branching off into varying models.

Vince Mayeda was the Grand Poobah and the recipient of this year's trophy for his laborious efforts in helping other forum members on the website and for helping to organize the event. Look close; it's completely handmade out of various engine parts, and it's flat-out awesome. Other award winners were John Olsen for his enormous dedication to the SoCal Nova movement, and Eric Holt for longest distance traveled, having made the ride all the way from Missouri!