After a thorough run-through of the engine, they discovered that over 30 percent of the factory parts were inferior. As a result, Boyle came up with a game plan for building the engine the “right” way. He wanted to prove that his version of the 5.7L would be bullet proof. So the engine was magna-fluxed, balanced and blue-printed. Nearly every engine component was gone through and all questionable parts were replaced with stronger ones, such as the “torque to yield” head bolts that were known to give way on these engines, the piston rods, main bearings and head bolts. The piston rods were also shot-peened for improved strength and longevity and a billet aluminum high-rise intake was fabricated, raising the intake 2-1/2-inches for more airflow. In addition, the engine’s induction timing was changed. Exhaust was routed through a dual 2-inch stainless steel system with mufflers, culminating in turn-downs just under the rear bumper. The end result was a running noise resembling the 350 cubic inch diesel’s gas-powered small block brother.
Boyle also called on famous hot-rod builder Richard Magoo to build the car from scratch, supplying him with the BF Goodrich tires, Centerline wheels and 350 turbo transmission that Magoo eventually added a gear bender overdrive to… (to be continued)