I have a 77 Nova that could be a clone of your disco nova project. This was an e-bay find for $500.00 and will be built along the lines of the Hot Rod for around $3500.00. The articals on late model parts on the cheap are right down my ally. Some things that come to mind are 9C1 parts off of mid ninety's Caprices. I'm not sure but Nova's are X bodies are't they? will the parts mentioned transfer to the Nova like rear disks and close ratio steering. maybe a LT1 350 with electric fans and a OD tranny. Also will the fat Sway bars on these cars work? I want to build this car for cruising and a little tire chirping along with good cornering and handeling. this is to be a long term project built on a budjet.  

I have a '77 Skylark with a 455 Buick in it that will be started any day now (Maybe tomorrow).  The car is definately an X-body.  As to what will transfer over..... It is mostly a combination between First Gen and Second Gen F-body parts for the suspension.  Late model parts will not directly bolt in, there would be cutting and welding involved.  The late model steering is probably rack and pinion versus the Gear Box in the Nova now, not undo-able but certainly not easy.  The LT-1 with OD trans is pretty straight forward any LT-1 conversion kit (electronics etc.) for older cars would work in this case.  The sway bars probably would not interchange (I would surprised if they bolted in) as the late model car has a different wheel base and suspension geometry.  

For any kind of serious power remember that car will require sub-frame connectors otherwise bad things could happen.  I don't know what the Hp/Tq limit is for the frame, but I figured I'll be exceeding it so I put some in my car.