For the sake of doing something different, what would you guys think of taking an early Nova/Chevy II, and putting the blown Ecotec 2.2 in it? Or how about the blown 3.8 V-6?  

ABSOLUTELY NOT! I understand you want to be original but you need something stronger because early Nova's are very heavy. DUDE it's a muscle car for a reason. Put a muscle engine it it. If you want a smaller engine with a Nova throw in a 305 and blow that if you want. Plus you would have to readjust the mounts for the transmission and engine. Plus you would have to put in the transmission with the engine and then buy a new driveshaft to fit the new length between the transmission and rear-end. Then you would have to get all the computers and wiring to make the fuel injection, and all the rest of the sensors work. It just seems like such a hassle.  

I dont know, I'd like to see something like that. The early Nova's were not touted as muscle cars. They were the small economy cars of their day. Those Eco-tech engines are stout buggers. I saw one at Bonneville hit in the mid 200+ range in the HHR.  

I fully support that idea. I think that if you did a tech article on the install of a blown 4 cylinder into an old musclecar it would serve many purposes. I have myself thought of doing something along those lines (perhaps in a corvair or a nova), but do not have the funds or the means to acquire an ecotech crate engine or early nova or corvair. I think that an article like that could not only serve the purpose of getting people my age that are only into modern 4 cylinder tuner cars interested in musclecars and likewise get the old muscle car guys interested in the new american tuner cars such as the cobalt. I do not think that a musclecar is defined by a v8 engine, but merely by a powerful engine and a stripped down, spartan like appearance and attitude. I think that articles like this in Super Chevy would be a wonderful idea as long as articles outlining the installation of a V8 chevy into an old school foreign econo car. What about a road race prepped 283 powered Datsun 510? maybe an old celica or corolla with a 305? These are all ideas I have had floating in my head for some time, but unfortunately the money tree i planted in my backyard has yet to bloom so i cant afford any of it. so i say to you guys at Super Chevy, GO FOR IT!!  

The early Novas (62-65) weren't that heavy. They all were under 3000 pounds, and not far off from today's Chevy Cobalt. But obviously the early Nova is a helluva lot better looking than the Cobalt! Another possibility would be an early Vega, but the early Nova is far more attractive.

The other idea I've toyed around with that has appeal, same car, but instead of the 2.2L Ecotec, install the 4.2L I-6 out of the Trailblazer. 275 HP is the same output of the moderate 327s available from the factory in later cars, and it boasts great economy.

It's not gonna be long before we can't ignore the high gas prices with any project. Why not test the waters now and see what happens?