(Video and quotes by VictoryRedColorado YouTube channel) – For years one of the things that that LS world has been most, umm, enthusiastic about is going fast while using as many stock parts as possible. That has of course launched 1,000 stories about guys running ungodly quick with nothing more than a camshaft and a tuneup. Those are mostly crap but this story, the one involving the freaking awesome 1971 Nova of Minnesota’s Nate Shaw? It is 100% legit. This guy has been at it for years with engines based off of a stock 5.3L production block and he’s been 10s, 9s, 8s, and now 7.90s! The crank is about the only other factory piece in the engine as (according to him) is comes from an LS2. After that there are an expected raft of performance parts, which we’re not knocking! This car is built the right way and better than that, he uses the hell out of it.
When the VictoryRedColorado channel made this video the car at Byron Dragway Shaw and some pals were in the middle of their own private Drag Weekend. They race at three tracks in three states in three days covering about 850 miles and have a riot among themselves the entire time. How radical is that? The run you will see was the first trip in the 7s for the car and you can see the excitement of the people on the starting line over the accomplishment.
There is a TON more to this story so once you watch the video, click the YouTube button on the lower right of the viewer and read the whole interview that Shaw did with VictoryRedColorado. He talks about how the car has evolved, what the different setups have been on it, and just how he got it to where it is today.
The look, the stance, and the wheels on this car are just as right as rain!
Congratulations, Nate, and good job on the video, James.
Very very nice car and a great run.
The Nova is one wicked ride! A 5.3 and a turbo going 7.90’s. NICE!
Nathan Shaw is a photo thief who won’t pay his bill.