DotS: Little Black Coupe Edition

"for Michigan" (formichigan) 01/10/2019 at 17:55 • Filed to: Bmw, 128i, Chevrolet, Nova, SS, Coupe, Dots

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The 1-series made an old school friend today. Now I just need to convince my other coworker to bring his black C5 and we can start a club.

WilliamsSW > for Michigan 01/10/2019 at 18:03

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Sweet Nova SS! 

MM54 > for Michigan 01/10/2019 at 18:06

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Very cool

Meanwhile on this side of Ohio, it’s been snowing for the past 36 hours. Thanks, not-so-great lake.

for Michigan > WilliamsSW 01/10/2019 at 18:09

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It’s really interesting to see these two side by side as they’re both compact coupes, but separated by 40 years. 

for Michigan > MM54 01/10/2019 at 18:10

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There’ve been flurries on and off all day here, but obviously not enough to accumulate. Honestly, I just wish we’d finally get some actual snow cover here.

WilliamsSW > for Michigan 01/10/2019 at 18:13

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Built for slightly different purposes, to be sure, but it looks like they’re about the same size (the Nova would weigh less, and appears to be a ‘68).

for Michigan > WilliamsSW 01/10/2019 at 18:20

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Generally accepted weight for a 68 SS 350 with no options seems to be about 325 0 lbs .

Weight of a 20 10 128i with no options is... 3250 lbs.

Huh.

MM54 > for Michigan 01/10/2019 at 18:22

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I’ll gladly trade. I hate winter.

WilliamsSW > for Michigan 01/10/2019 at 18:23

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huh - I figured your car right, but I’m surprised that the Nova weighs that much.  I figured it was around 2,900, but I looked it up, and you’re right.

Milky > for Michigan 01/10/2019 at 18:24

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Damn, wonder how close they are dimensionally / power wise.  Its probably closer then we realize.  

WilliamsSW > Milky 01/10/2019 at 18:34

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Nova would have (probably) come with a 295 HP 350, with 380 ft lb - but those are gross numbers, not net.

for Michigan > WilliamsSW 01/10/2019 at 20:36

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It looks like once they switched to net HP in 71 , the 350 was rated at 200-210 HP, which puts it a little under the 128i’s 230 HP. But torque was still rated at 300 lb-ft, which is a fair amount more than the BMW’s 200 lb-ft. 

Overall, they seem   surprisingly similar.

WilliamsSW > for Michigan 01/10/2019 at 20:40

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They dropped compression ratios generally in 71 also - I would think the net on the 68 engine is fairly close to the bmw if not higher.

0- 60 stock should be better for the BMW though- skinny bias plies and bad weight distribution would kill that for the Nova.

WilliamsSW > for Michigan 01/10/2019 at 20:40

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They dropped compression ratios generally in 71 also - I would think the net on the 68 engine is fairly close to the bmw if not higher.

0- 60 stock should be better for the BMW though- skinny bias plies and bad weight distribution would kill that for the Nova.

WilliamsSW > for Michigan 01/10/2019 at 20:41

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Yeah. The similarities are   very surprising to me!

for Michigan > Milky 01/10/2019 at 20:45

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128i: L 171.7", W 68.8", H 56.0", WB 104.7", FT 58.4", RT 59.7"

Nova: L 189.4", W 72.4", H 52.6", WB 111.0", FT 59.0", RT 58.9"

Length, Width, Height, Wheelbase, Front Track, Rear Track

The Nova is longer and wider with a longer wheelbase. I don’t know how they measure height, but his car was definitely higher than mine, so I’m not sure why the specs say it’s 3.4" shorter. Maybe it has to do with his massive ground clearance? Track widths seem comparable.

See WilliamsSW reply for gross power and mine to him for net.

for Michigan > WilliamsSW 01/10/2019 at 20:50

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That would make sense. 

Yeah, with the six speed, modern tires, and 50/50 weight distribution, it’s the BMW’s race to lose to be sure. I wonder if I can talk my new friend into a trip to the drag strip sometime soon...

WilliamsSW > for Michigan 01/10/2019 at 22:03

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The Nova doesn’t look like it’s at stock height to me - looks to be some rake to it, which isn’t factory.

Hardly any cars that old are stock height now - unless it’s some numbers m at ching trailer queen, and even those are suspect. 

for Michigan > MM54 01/10/2019 at 22:06

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As a Michigander, I find it laughable what passes for winter in Northwe st Ohio.

for Michigan > WilliamsSW 01/10/2019 at 22:09

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I see. Given how much ground clearance he has , I wouldn't be surprised if that were the case.

WilliamsSW > for Michigan 01/10/2019 at 22:09

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I’d pay to see that! Mods to the Nova will determine whether it wins or not - bone stock it would get killed by the BMW. 

MM54 > for Michigan 01/10/2019 at 22:36

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As a resident of NE Ohio, native of western PA, former resident of Erie, PA... me too.