@479 Merlin

The MERLIN LITE big block is the latest improvement for NIGHTWIND. Nearly 200 Lbs lighter than the original cast iron, bored and stroked 427 c.i.d. engine, this all aluminum 479 c.i.d engine helps lighten the load. Matched with a new lightweight Fidanza aluminum flywheel and some additional tuning to the fuel injection, this new motor is crisp and strong

Changing from carburetors to fuel injection required installing a high pressure fuel system, mounting (8) 42 lb. injectors in the upper plenum, and installing sensors and controls for intake charge temperature, idle air control and manifold absolute pressure. The carbs were converted to throttle bodies by gutting them and blocking all internal passages with carbon fiber plates. A divider plate was added inside the plenum to enhance fuel dispersion, and the entire system is programmed to operate in "speed-density" mode.

@Supercharged

The supercharger was one of the earliest released by B & M for big blocks. The main prerequisite for installation in NIGHTWIND was it had to fit under the existing hood. The upper plenum manifold was fabricated from .125" sheet aluminum and schedule 40 tubing to place the model 40 DCOE Mikuni carburetors as low as possible, and the fuel inlets were relocated. A pocket was fabricated in the front frame crossmember for the lower drive pulley, solid engine mounts were cut, lowered and rewelded, and ½" aluminum spacers were added to the body mounts to raise the body on the chassis.

As with the blower, the transmission was one of the very first 6-speeds released by Richmond. It necessitated removal of the factory welded center frame crossmember, and replacing it with a new, removable unit fabricated from 2" x 3" steel tubing. Shifter mounting was designed to place the shifter as low as possible in the console, and in stock location.