If you want to inject a serious amount of corner-carving performance into your muscle car, you’d better do your homework to figure out how to get it done. Don’t be fooled into thinking that adding a set of tires and a lower stance will get you there, because while you might look cool, you’ll be left in the dust by someone who’s brought all the right parts to the party. Bill Jelinek and his team at Rt. 66 Motorsports in New Lenox, Illinois, have a reputation of infusing just the right combination of horsepower and handling into vintage Detroit steel. For their latest build, a ’67 Nova, code-named Pro Ride, they teamed up with Heidts Hot Rod and Muscle Car Parts to showcase a brand-new cutting-edge Pro-G front subframe and suspension package for ’62-67 Chevy Novas. The car will act as a testbed for the new Heidts Pro-G components by being driven hard at events all over the country, showcasing autocross, and SCCA-style road racing, as well as regular day-to-day driving. Oh, and the Nova will be stuffed full of LS3 power generating 650 hp, as well as a 4L70 trans by Gearstar, so razor-sharp handling isn’t an option, it’s a necessity.
With Heidts being an industry leader with their Superide IFS subframe and suspension components, you might ask just what the difference is separating them from the new Pro-G lineup? We asked the engineers at Heidts to walk us through the major benefits of the Pro-G line, and here’s what Heidts Engineering Manager Owen Bassett told us: “While the Superide is perfect for exceptional handling while cruising on normal roadways, Pro-G takes it up a big notch with a fresh redesign for purpose-built use. One of the most noticeable differences within the system is the 2-inch drop spindle. Unlike the industry-standard Mustang II-based suspensions, the new spindle is designed for the hard-core racer who wants the best of both worlds on the street and the track.”
To give your ’62-67 Chevy Nova a new dual-purpose personality for superior handling both on the street and racetrack, all it takes is a call to Heidts Hot Rod and Muscle Car Parts to order their new Pro-G suspension package. The kit comes complete with everything pictured here plus steel inner fender panels.
The spindle is exclusive to Heidts and is the key to the Pro-G suspension. This improved geometry yields better control over camber gain, roll center migration, and antidive to deliver more grip, better handling, and shorter braking. But it doesn’t stop there, since the basis for the Pro-G platform is a stout bolt-in steel subframe, featuring double crossmembers for increased structural rigidity (i.e. less flex, squeaks, and rattles). The Pro-G’s proprietary upper and lower control arms are constructed from 1.25- and 1.5-inch steel tubing, and are engineered to handle heavy loads, precluding flex under hard driving conditions. The control arms also feature threaded adjusters for easy suspension alignment as well as urethane and Delrin bushings for better compliance. Add in 10-way adjustable coilover shocks for easy ride-height adjustment and spring rate changes, 11-inch disc brakes with four-piston Wilwood calipers, and power rack-and-pinion, and you can see that this well-designed system is ready to give your Nova a serious injection of attitude.
It didn’t take the team at Rt. 66 Motorsports (New Lenox, Illinois) long to strip down their ’67 Nova to bare bones to prepare it for the new Pro-G suspension package installation. With the frontend sheetmetal, drivetrain, old suspension, subframe, and wiring out of the way, installation will be a breeze.
So what’s the cost to step up to the next level? The team at Heidts wanted to bring the Pro-G package to enthusiasts at a reasonable cost, so their base package (PN NVF-320) retails for $4,350, which brings you a lot of bang for the buck. The package includes the bolt-in subframe with double crossmembers, steel control arms with all bushing and ball joints installed, 2-inch drop spindles, 11-inch Wilwood smooth brake rotors with black four-piston calipers, plain billet 10-way adjustable coilover shocks with choice of chrome springs, power rack-and-pinion, engine mounts, firewall support tubes and shims, steel inner fender panels, and all related installation hardware. If you’re interested in tweaking your system for even more performance, a number of braking packages are offered, including 12-inch drilled Wilwood rotors with four-piston calipers (PN DF-222-D-B, an additional $275), or step it up another notch with Wilwood 13-inch drilled rotors with black six-piston calipers (PN DF-223-D-B, another $1,310). The optional 1.25-inch splined sway bar will run $549, while polished stainless steel control arms will add $1,100 to the tab. All things considered, the Pro-G package adds up to big performance at an affordable price!
The Heidts coilover shocks are shipped without the springs installed. To assemble the shocks, the 10-way adjustment knob must first be removed using an Allen wrench. The springs can then be installed, followed by the spring seat rings and locking rings. Finally, reinstall the shock adjustment knob back in place.
