To achieve the power and ET goals it would take a clean sheet approach from both an engine and turbocharger system to withstand the 15 lbs of boost and 1,000 crankshaft horsepower that the combination was slated for. Rather than packaging the turbos directly in front of the engine, Madman devised an ingenious turbo setup. "Since the car would be street raced and be run exclusively on 93-octane, we wanted to hide the turbos under the car and reduce the amount of transient heat that would transfer into the engine bay," Madman states. "Custom ceramic-coated 1.75-inch long-tube headers were fabricated and exhaust gases are routed to twin Limit Engineering GT67 ball bearing turbos located under the corners of the frontend. Capable of supporting up to 24 psi of boost, the turbos were designed to reach full boost by 4,500 rpm." After exiting the turbos, the boost is routed through a custom-made six-core intercooler and into an intake bridge that contains two TiAL blow-off valves. Induction is handled by a ported Edelbrock Victor Jr. intake manifold and an aluminum intake elbow from IntakeElbows.com. Fed by Edelbrock fuel rails pushing Speed-Pro 160-lb injectors, fuel flows from a stock sumped fuel tank via a Weldon Racing Pump. A 58mm Arizona Speed and Marine billet Monoblade throttle body that flows 1,300 cfm is combined with engine management handled by a FAST XFI computer that was expertly tuned by Madman and D.J. Loiacau. Stock coil packs send power to Taylor 8mm Spiro-Pro wires and NGK TR-6 spark plugs while 3-inch DynoMax Bullet mufflers expel the superheated exhaust mid-ship.
While the turbo and exhaust systems were being fabricated, a fresh GM Performance Parts LT1 block was sourced and sent out to Ronnie Favaron of Baton Rouge for machine work. With a targeted compression ratio of 8:1 and 396 ci, the block was clearanced for the added stroke, machined for splayed four-bolt main caps, and then treated with Hard Block block filler. The block was then zero decked, bored .030 over, and final honed to 4.03 inches. Assembled by Ronnie, the short-block features Oliver 4340 chrome-moly alloy billet I-beam connecting rods measuring 6 inches, swinging from a bulletproof 3.875-inch stroke Callies Magnum 4340 steel crankshaft. Custom-made Diamond Racing pistons feature 28cc valve reliefs and are wrapped in Speed-Pro plasma-moly rings.
With a super-stout bottom end, attention turned to the cylinder heads. A set of AFR 227cc LT4 SBC racing cylinder heads was chosen for its proven abilities to flow massive amounts of air and remain affixed to the block under big boost, courtesy of thick .75-inch head decks. The Competition version 23-degree heads received AFR's CNC race port, and were then milled by .008. Outfitted with AFR stainless valves measuring 2.08 and 1.60 inches, respectively, the heads flow over 300 cfm on the intake. Valvetrain harmonics are controlled by a set of Isky double valvesprings while Thunder Racing 7.3750-inch hardened chrome-moly pushrods work in conjunction with a fresh set of COMP "R" series hydraulic roller lifters and 1.60 ratio Jesel Pro Series shaft rockers. Cam Motion created a custom solid roller turbo cam, and it measures a meager 230/244 at .050 duration and .510/.540 lift on a proprietary lobe centerline. A Milodon billet oil pump and 7-quart racing oil pan ensure the lifeblood of the engine stays flowing while a front-mounted auxiliary Weldon oil pump scavenges oil from the turbos.
 The '96 TA was converted to...  The '96 TA was converted to 2002 WS6 TA specs, including a GM Ram Air Hood, headlight covers, front bumper cover, and rear taillights. Brian Abston Customs of Baton Rouge, LA, is responsible for the arresting paint and graphics. After block-sanding, the car was primed, and then shot with three coats of PPG basecoat in the same shade of '96 Bright Metallic Purple. Custom Hurricane-inspired graphics were airbrushed onto the hood and front flanks, and then sealed in clearcoat before being buffed out to a lustrous shine. |  A Momo Race steering wheel...  A Momo Race steering wheel sits atop a Tekniq removable wheel hub, allowing easy access to the cabin that is adorned with a dizzying array of gauges. An Autometer LED shift light is affixed to the steering column while a triple-pod gauge panel holds an Autometer Ultra-Light oil pressure gauge, DynoTune digital fuel pressure gauge, and an Autometer C2 nitrous gauge. A B&M Hammer shifter controls the race-built TH400 transmission, while a switch panel controlling the myriad electronics resides in the space formerly housing the ashtray. |  Laying in wait under the '02...  Laying in wait under the '02 TA Ram Air hood is 396 ci of LT1-based turbo insanity. Featuring splayed four-bolt main caps, a Callies crank, and Oliver rods, the 8:1 compression motor is a safe haven for a plentitude of atmospheric multipliers. |