Expert: Matt Lyons - 3/10/2010

Question
Matt - I am a Harley racer transitioning into auto racing (Street\Strip). I have found a nice 73 Nova Custom will a well kept 350. I am at the very beginning of the performance aspect dealing with engine upgrades.  I could not be beat on my Sportster because I was taught run the bike lean on the low and mid circuits and pouring on the fuel once she is spinning with a huge top end circuit. I combined this with advancing the timing to light the match at 22 deg before TDC, this would make RPM climb unlike any other Harley I ever raced. The engine turned like a buzz saw and took me and the bike with it.

On the bikes we used SS Carbs and pulled the jets out and leaned them up and then used a Thunderjet 4th circuit that was tunable up to 110 MM (which is sick). I don’t know if the same theory applies to the SBC engine. I would love to know if and how I can do this with my SBC.

Answer
Welcome to the show! A Nova is a really nice base to build up for street/strip action. To give you a more detailded answer I will need to know more about the car.
What brand and size of carb is on it?
What trans, gear ratio and rear tire size?
What do you truly want to do with it, street drive, some street some strip or mostly strip?
Get back to me with these answers and I will try to help you out.