Western Canadian drag racing fans — set yourself for a “special project” treat this season!….
British Columbia’s David Kowalski, who has dabbled within the Pro Mod class scene for the last decade +, recently debuted something very creative.
During the NHRA Arizona Nationals (near Phoenix) just two weeks ago, the Fort St. John, BC-based racer made a first competitive appearance with an all new and very versatile machine – when he entered it into that event’s Top Sportsman class program.
While Kowalski, did not progress very far during eliminations this first time out – he most certainly grabbed audience attention (both fans and NHRA Tech) for his spectacular new/rebuilt Chevy Nova.
David Kowalski
“This car is the result of what can happen when you’re with friends and family and come up with some crazy ideas!” David admitted. “It’s a totally collaborated effort.”
Kowalski’s Nova which is a “big tire” car could also be street driven. Expertly constructed at JS Powersports (Mission BC) during 2025, the chassis now houses a 548 CID Steve Schmidt, 11.1 compression BBC, with MBE top end, a screw blower — that can handle both EFI gasoline and mechanically injected alcohol*.
“I had the car before — it was 8.50 secs capable – but we have given it a whole new life,” David explained. “This now has one of my engine and trans combos after I went to a Hemi motor program for our Pro Mod Corvette. That old engine had sat doing nothing for 6-7 years so we thought — Hey — let’s put that into the Nova. Now I can drag race more classes, street class, no prep, and even drag and drive.”
This Nova oozes with creativity. That long list includes working head and tail lights, signals, horn, hi beam low beam, reverse lights, trailer hitch, engine oil cooler dual fans, trans cooler dual fans, big radiator dual fans, steel body, real vinyl roof, glass windshield, door glass, power windows, phone docking station and a passenger seat. The Nova has a “dual” funny car 6.0 certified cage along with dual 7 point seatbelts.
“It even has Bluetooth operation — I can start it from my phone, operate all fans, lights, windows,” he laughed. “The whole goal with this car was build the coolest baddest street cars I could come up with and race it anywhere in nearly any class.”
This Nova’s interior is pretty much as meticulous as things could be too.
“It retains as much Nova interior as possible — including door panels, dash pad, headliner, ash tray, glove box, interior lights and even a backup camera.”
*The transitory fuel delivery system and options package are however — truly an impressive design/feature.
“A Holley EFI controls the gasoline side and we use a IAC in the base of the injection hat to allow for changes in airflow requirements at idle between the two fuels. A travel sensor is used on the alcohol barrel valve fuel shutoff lever so the EFI knows when to come alive and take over or not. In gas mode is when the lever is pushed forward ignition timing is automatically retarded by 10 degrees. For long distance street driving we simply remove the alcohol fuel tank, uncouple the Enderle fuel pump and fuel lines and put it in the trailer. YES — we run the PSI screw blower in street mode as well — and NO we not need to change pulleys to lower the boost.”
“With the fuel system setup I can startup on gas in the pits, drive into staging, drive up to the burnout box, pause, pull the fuel lever to alcohol, do the burnout, make the pass, pull the dual chutes, round the corner onto the return road, push the lever to gas mode, stop and gather my chutes, fire it up again and drive the “bitch back” > (a Erica Enders quote LOL!) Switching from gas to alcohol and to gas is instantaneous without delay.”
“As far as I know this is the first and only dual fuel system that operates this way,” David surmised. “That’s fully custom and designed by Jay Syvertsen’s group at JS Powersports.”
The Nova, which tips the scales at 3200 lbs with everything fully loaded, is poised for potential 6.5 secs elapsed times.
“I can remove the engine oil cooler, fans, engine oil cooler and fans and a few things to drop some weight to go quicker if needed,” Dave added. “But I choose to race this car in its full street trim. I think it’s more badass that way and makes it different than any other in the T/S class.”
At NHRA’s Nationals at Phoenix, Kowalski’s effort did garner a very nice NHRA “Best Appearing” award for the event. Given the build — it could have/should have easily been a candidate for “Best Engineered” too!
Award Winning at NHRA Phoenix!
“At Phoenix — I never expected to win anything. Our goal was to just get a start on the race season early and get the car chassis, suspension and tuning. To win the NHRA award was a total surprise — because there’s a lot of very nice cars out there!”
As of this post date – Canadian fans could get their first on-track taste of now the fully completed Kowalski Nova – coming up at Mission Raceway a bit later this month.
Dave’s very family and friends orientated race team is sponsored by DaKow Ventures Ltd., who are Water Management Projects specialists. Visit them at: www.dakowltd.com
Posted by Bruce Biegler
Photos by Dave Ostazewski
