The Nova is already set up for a small block V-8, and the suspension is a bit beefier than the S-10. There's a mid-frame weld in the S-10 which can be trimmed off easily and the rear frame can be adjusted in length to achieve any wheelbase necessary, then spliced onto the Nova front. The front engine mounts and transmission crossmember will be in exactly the right location on the Nova front clip to accomodate a smallblock/turbo 350 combination, and the Nova rear springs and rear end will adapt to the S-10 spring mounts with a minimum of fitting.
I'll have a full-frame version of the Nova with stovebolt sheet metal, and the heating/air conditioning system from the Nova should adapt to the 54 cab with a little creative ductwork. Sort of a resto-rod, with modern running gear, and GM did most of the suspension and steering engineering. All I've got to do is make the sheet metal fit. I'm not terribly impressed with the S-10 front suspension, as it's intended to carry a V-6 and a lighter-weight body. We ran the Nova body and subframe on the asphalt tracks for a lot of years, and it performed exceptionally well at very high speeds and suspension loading.
Jerry
