Spectre Performance purchased a 74 Maverick, with a 200ci inline six to use as a project car and test bed for their new EMS-Pro fuel injection controller. The motor only had 20K miles since it was rebuilt, but had a severely scored piston in one cylinder. This was causing major blow-by and a loss of compression in that cylinder. Hence the decision was made to pull the six and swap in a V8.

However, before the engine was pulled out and sent off to it's final resting place, Hot Rod Magazine came up with an idea to test the hardiness of the little six, with its bullet proof seven main bottom end. The idea was to take it to the track and add small increments of juice until she blew. Would it be the bottom end, a piston, thrown rod, head gasket, or something else? Nobody knew for sure, but everyone had their own idea, and the bets were on. However, they decided to take it one more step, as they wanted to see how it would do with a homemade fuel injection setup, made from parts they had on hand. After all, it didn't make much sense to put a lot of money into an engine that was headed for the bone yard.

Spectre proceeded with a baseline run on their in-house dyno, and made a couple passes at the track, before adding the EFI and NOS. Once the crazy looking injection system was added, they decided to loaded her up and take her back east for the Hot Rod Power Tour. This was done so they could gather more information, and obtain mileage figures, for their new EMS-Pro.

Once home, they began prepping the Maverick for her last day at the track. However Classic Inlines got word of the project, and offered to donate a mild performance cam and a set of headers just to make it more interesting, and to give her just a bit more pep. Classic Inlines thought the little six deserved to go down in glory, making all the power she could muster.

Once the cam and headers were installed, we performed another dyno run and made some final adjustments before loading the Maverick on the trailer, and heading out. Much to the surprise of the Spectre Employee's, the addition of the cam and headers showed a 30% gain in horsepower, which was pretty decent for a motor with one dead cylinder.

We got to the track around 2pm on a Friday afternoon and proceeded to unload, and made a couple passes without juice. Much to everyone's surprise, the cam and headers knocked a full 1.6 seconds off the track time. For the third run, we decided to make a pass with a 35 shot of NOS. Unfortunately the solenoid malfunctioned, and with no spare on hand, we had post-pone the testing. We spent the rest of the afternoon just taking it easy and made another half dozen passes just for fun. The following day the employees from Spectra Performance, and the Hot Rod staff, returned to the track to complete the test. Unfortunately we had to head for home Friday night, so we didn't get to go back with them, however I did get a full report Monday morning. They said the Saturday crowd really enjoyed watching the Maverick, cheering her on, and wound up giving her a standing ovation when she finally blew her top. For the full story, read "Bye Bye Baby", which was published in the Nov 2007 issue of Hot Rod magazine.