This is our shop truck--a leaf spring wrapping, tire smoking, wheel hopping monster I call "Dark Horse!"
Wanting an "Old School" vibe I converted the factory TBI to a more nostalgic “Dual Quad” and small oval using Edelbrock Performer 600 cfm Carbs, matching intake, progressive linkage and a Lokar throttle cable and bracket kit. This conversion on a late model injection vehicle required a 3-port return style fuel pressure regulator to maintain the in-tank high pressure pump while dropping output to a more carb friendly 6.5 psi and a recurved HEI to support a more aggressive tune without reprogramming the computer. I changed the amount of advance and lead-in time for both mechanical and vacuum advances and then threw a lot of base timing at it. Finally topping it off with a set of matched under-drive pulleys from March Performance. To remedy a shifting problem and gain some tunability I installed a F.A.S.T. EZ-TCU Transmission Controller.
The used "Dual Quad" setup I purchased had been sitting for years and the build-up from bad fuel created a serious lean condition at idle; so I had to tank clean and rebuild both carburetors.
Easy fixes included a new rotor cap to replace the old one covered in brown residue from severe voltage arching; new plugs--E3's are the only dyno proven horsepower increasing plug I'm aware of; and a set of 1.7:1 SS Roller Rockers to increase valve lift without a cam swap and eliminate some parasitic power loss.
These picts were taken after I adapted a set of Corvette Z06 wheels, front spoiler, a steel cowl induction hood, leather and electronically adjustable buckets, carpet, and a lot of rewiring and engine tuning.
The early days before scrapping the airbrushed pain job. Radically lowered, shaved, NASCAR exhaust exits, aluminum louvered grill, etc. Note the Arizona Speed and Marine 1,200 CFM Tuned Port Injection setup. These were designed and built for the MerCruiser performance boats (Mercury Marine) but can work on street applications with the right controller and programming; however, the $4,000 price tag of the induction system coupled with another $2,500 for a computer, wiring harness and sensors made them a rare sight.