Story and Photos by Steve Magnante
09/28/07

his month, Magneto takes you through the engine, transmission, fuel system, electrical, rims, tires, brakes, body and frame, and paint and graphics sequences and gets ready to stand on it. Straight front axles forever!

The crate engine’s cast aluminum valve covers are too modern so we fitted traditional smooth covers from a 1995 Suburban, with tall breather tubes ala Arnie Beswick’s 421 GTO for extra Match Bash vibes. The entire engine was stripped of the factory black paint and covered with several coats of Chevrolet Orange Red from OEM Paints (PN 62020).

By 1966, legitimate ‘60s match racers ran either individual-runner mechanical fuel injection or a Roots blower. Carburetors were for also-rans. Knowing this, we substituted the ZZ502’s cast aluminum single quad intake manifold and 850 Holley for an Electromotive Tec-III engine controller that runs the Hilborn C-396E EFI induction system with 55lb/hr injectors. Taking cues from throttle position, air inlet temperature, and crankshaft position sensors, the Tec-III delivers excellent power while maintaining street manners that users of mechanical fuel injection can only dream about. Remember, Match Bash is about street as well as strip.