Upgrading the 1962-1967 Chevy Nova Front End: The Heidts Mustang II Suspension, Part by Part

3 min read
Upgrading the 1962-1967 Chevy Nova Front End: The Heidts Mustang II Suspension, Part by Part

The early Chevy II / Nova is light, simple, and a blast to drive — but the factory front suspension was built in 1962, and it drives like it. A Mustang II-style independent front end is the most popular way to modernize one: better steering, a flat stance, and a clean platform for disc brakes. Heidts builds a bolt-on front subframe for the 1962-1967 Nova, and this guide walks through that part and everything that works with it, in the order you'd spec a build.

One thing up front: the Nova changed slightly across these years, so a couple of the supporting pieces are year-specific. We'll call those out.

The heart of it: the bolt-on subframe

The 1962-1967 Chevy Nova Mustang II Subframe (CX-320-S) is the foundation. Per Heidts' own description, "this bolt-on subframe will work with our Mustang II control arms, spindles and brake kit." In other words, it's the crossmember that lets you run a modern Mustang II-style front suspension and brake setup under an early Nova.

Because the arms, spindles and brakes are matched components, the cleanest way to order is as a complete front-suspension package rather than piece by piece. If you want us to put the right combination together for your car and your goals (street cruiser vs. autocross, stock vs. aftermarket wheels), send us a message and we'll spec it with you.

Bracing: support tubes and firewall tubes

A bolt-on subframe wants to be tied back into the body so the chassis stays stiff. Heidts makes the bracing for that — and it's matched to which subframe system you're running, so order the one that goes with your subframe:

If you're not sure which system your subframe is, check the box or ask us before you order the tubes — they're system-specific.

Inner fender panels — mind the year

When the stock front suspension comes out, the inner fenders change too. Heidts makes steel inner fender panels with hardware, and this is the clearest year split in the whole build:

Order by your car's exact year. A 1964 and a 1966 do not share this piece.

Handling: the front sway bar

The 1962-1967 Nova Superide II Front Sway Bar (BS-061) comes with its hardware kit. Heidts says it "will help stabilize your ride and reduce unwanted body roll on the street or track." It's also offered in chrome and in narrowed versions if your build calls for it — browse the options in Sway Bars & Chassis Braces.

Connecting the steering — the 62-66 vs 67 split

Going to a rack means tying your steering column to it, and the adapter you need depends on the year:

Power-rack versions exist for both year ranges as well — search Nova rack column or ask us which adapter matches your column and rack.

When you do the rear, too (4-link builds)

A lot of these Novas get a Heidts 4-link rear at the same time. If that's your plan, three more pieces are built for it — and note they are specifically for the 4-link rear and front subframe, not a stock rear end:

Spec'ing it without guesswork

A front-end swap is a big, satisfying upgrade, and the only way it goes wrong is a mismatched part — the wrong-year inner fender, support tubes for the other subframe system, a steering adapter for the wrong column. If you tell us your car's exact year and what you're building toward, we'll help you put the right list together.

Browse Front Suspension Kits and Sway Bars & Chassis Braces, or send us your build and we'll spec the Nova front end with you before anything ships.