Small Block & Big Block Chevy Specific - New Guy Trying to figure a few things out

Ok. Finally found out that I'm gonna be able to get started on my Nova sooner than I'd thought. Car for the most part right now is stripped of the interior. I'm trying to figure out what all is gonna have to be done to the car if I build the engine the way I'm planning right now. The motor is a stock 350 Crate Motor(not a ZZ350, just a plain old service motor) suppossed to be putting out somewhere around 280-290 hp. I've swapped out to a Dual Energy Comp Cam. Not sure on the specs but it's a really small, hardly agressive profile. I'm considering throwing between a 100-125 hp wet nitrous setup on it. All of this will be linked through a TH400 w/around a 3500 stall and trans brake to a Ford 9". The question is how likely is it that I'll run faster than low 13's to high 12's and need a cage? If I can get away without having to install a cage that would be optimal, due to the fact I'm just planning to race the car while it's being rebuilt and than sell it to pay for a couple of other projects. Thanks in advance and sorry for the long post.

A 300-325 hp car with a 100-125 shot of juice will probably run somewhere between 12.00-12.75 depending on traction and chassis set-up. My nova is running 11.30s in negative DA air, and considering you don't need a roll bar until 11.49 or quicker, I'd say you'll be safe to not need that kind of safety equipment at the moment.

Derek

A 300-325 hp car with a 100-125 shot of juice will probably run somewhere between 12.00-12.75 depending on traction and chassis set-up. My nova is running 11.30s in negative DA air, and considering you don't need a roll bar until 11.49 or quicker, I'd say you'll be safe to not need that kind of safety equipment at the moment.

Derek
Thanks for the input. I'm shooting for at least 390 hp on spray, and figure to strap the motor on an engine dyno before it goes in the car. Traction wise I hope it won't be a problem. I'm planning to run a 26x10.50 ET Street, but as far as traction aids, not sure yet. I'll definately be doing SFC's and probably some form of traction bar. Still can't decide on a LSD or going with a full locker. I'm hoping to have the car going by the end of March to the first part of April so I can make some shakedown runs before bringing it out to Commerce for the Year One Experience.

BTW, that's a beautiful looking Nova. I hope mine turns out half as nice as that. Just can't decide between going back with the original Cortez Silver or going for something newer like a Sebring Silver Metallic or Steel Grey Pearl.

thanks for the compliments. If you need any ideas/tips for your Nova, just let me know. With 2 friends that also have Novas (1 in the high 10's N/A on SBC, and the other in the low 10's N/A on BBC) chances are we've tried a few things you might be looking at doing to yours.

Derek

I'll keep that in mind. Like I say, I'm just gonna get it up to where it will pass tech for now, and than race it ocassioanly as I restore it to sell. I would love to keep it and make a wild drag car but I really need some money for a project on the bird. Plus, I have plans for a little bit different beast than the Nova:secret2: . I'll definately keep you in mind though to have someone's brain to pick on things.

I actually do have one question that has been bugging me for the nitrous system. I know pretty much how things are plumbed in for the fuel on an EFI car, but where do you plumb for fuel on a carb setup? And what kinda SFC's are you using?