By Nick Licata – Images by Luke Munnell
Paul Olsen’s passion for cars, nurtured by his father, led him to build a stunning 1971 Nova. After years of drag racing with his dad, Paul restored the Nova in 2022, transforming it into a powerful Pro Touring machine with a 663hp Mast Motorsports LS7 engine, advanced suspension upgrades, and a refined interior. Although Paul’s father passed before seeing the completed car, Paul cherishes the memories and continues his father’s legacy by helping neighbors with their hot rods, just as his dad did. Read full article here.
TECH CHECK
Owner: Paul Olsen, Enumclaw, Washington
Vehicle: 1971 Nova
Engine
Type: LS7
Displacement: 427 ci
Compression Ratio: 11.4:1
Bore: 4.00
Stroke: 4.125
Cylinder Heads: Mast Motorsports
Rotating Assembly: Callies forged crankshaft, Callies H-beam rods, Mahle pistons
Camshaft: Mast Motorsports (specs not given)
Induction: MSD Atomic intake
Fuel Injection: Holley Terminator X
Exhaust: Hooker headers, custom 3-inch galvanized exhaust by Cochran Exhaust, (Orting, WA), MagnaFlow mufflers
Machine Work: Mast Motorsports
Valve Covers: Billet Specialties
Accessory Drive: Vintage Air
Ancillaries: Griffin aluminum radiator, Derale fans, Eddie Motorsports hood hinges, K&N air cleaner
Tuning: Kenny Sampson at Gixxer Tuning
Output: 663 hp, 595 lb-ft
Drivetrain
Transmission: TREMEC Magnum
Clutch: McLeod Racing twin disc
Driveshaft: Driveline West 4-inch aluminum
Shifter: Driveline Components
Bellhousing: Quicktime
Rear Axle: Quick Performance, Eaton Truetrac, 3.89 gear ratio, Quick Performance 35-spline axles
Chassis
Front Suspension: Ridetech subframe, coilover shocks, and springs; Borgeson steering box
Rear Suspension: Ridetech four-link, coilover shocks, and springs
Brakes: Wilwood 14-inch rotors, six-piston calipers, front 12-inch rotors, four-piston calipers rear, Wilwood proportioning valve
Wheels & Tires
Wheels: Rushforth Night Train 18×8 front, 18×9 rear
Tires: Continental ExtremeContact 235/40R18 front, 255/40R18 rear
Interior
Upholstery: TMI Products
Installation: Jason Morey
Seats: TMI
Door Handles: Ringbrothers
Sifter: Ringbrothers
Steering: Stock column, Billet Specialties steering wheel
Console: TMI with Ringbrothers shifter boot
Instrumentation: Dakota Digital RTX
Wiring: American Autowire by Jason Morey and owner
HVAC: Vintage Air
Control Panel: Vintage Air
Entertainment System: Alpine head unit, speakers, and sub
Installation: Jason Morey
Rollcage: Custom four-point by Rob Hancock, Flipside Customs (Renton, WA)
Harness: Simpson
Exterior
Bodywork and Paint: Austin Riddle (Austin’s Autobody, Tacoma WA)
Paint: Chrysler Metallic Gray
Hood: Auto Metal Direct 2-inch cowl
Grille: Auto Metal Direct
Front Bumper: Auto Metal Direct
Rear Bumper: Auto Metal Direct
Headlights: LED
Side Mirrors: Billet Rides
