When Raybestos brand products were first used in competition during the 1950’s, one of the hot rods running their products might well have been the granddaddy of this modern version. The now-famous retro truck was built last year as part of a promotional drive by Raybestos and Hot Rod magazine, and a key part of the project’s success was due to a FAST fuel injection system.

The Hilborn stacks, Ford SOHC valve covers and Lakes-style exhaust effectively disguise the secret buried inside this hot rod. Photos: FAST

Enlisting the vision and capabilities of Troy Ladd at Hollywood Hot Rods in Burbank, CA, the timing was right to do more than just put together another hot rod. This one would be very special in all areas, but under the hood would be a surprise for even the most jaded hot rod enthusiast.

Only the best of components and materials were to be used, so the Hollywood Hot Rods team started out with a 1932 steel Roadster Pickup body, frame and custom pickup box from Brookville Roadster. Knock-off wheels carrying period correct Firestone Indy roadster tires and a custom, tuck and roll interior would flesh out some of the visual aspects of the project.

The driveline for this hauler would consist of a Tremec 5-speed manual transmission and an aluminum Speedway Engineering quick change rear axle. Up at the business end, arrangements had been made for a Ford Racing crate engine version of the new 5.0-liter DOHC aluminum V8 engine. One of Ladd’s objectives was to combine the modern, fuel-injected drivability of the “Coyote” engine, with the appearance of a classic, SOHC Ford engine with Hilborn mechanical fuel injection.

“When the engine showed up on the doorstep from Ford Racing, I didn’t even know what it was. It was kind of this spaceship-looking thing,” explained Ladd. “We reengineered the Coyote engine to look like a single overhead cam engine with classic fuel injection. The key was to make it look correct for the ’32 Ford pickup platform.”

The FAST XFI and XIM controller boxes are mounted inside for best results.

Looks can be deceiving and the end result has fooled more than its share of “experts.” A key system in moving the project forward from there was the FAST XFI fuel injection system, along with their XIM Ignition Module. Beyond the electronics, custom-made SOHC-appearing valve covers and ‘Lakes’ style headers, which were handmade by Hollywood Hot Rods, would complete the external conversion.

“Designing the fuel management system was a matter of understanding the basics of what it takes to make an engine run. I felt that if I had a solid vacuum signal and some basic parameters for the engine, I could take the FAST system, bury the critical modern components under the billet engine valley pan and run the Hilborn style injectors so that they looked like the original configuration,” explained Ladd.

Designed for both performance and versatility, the FAST modules provide a high degree of programmability out of the box, which helped get this project out the door on time. The latest XFI 2.0 systems include Qwik Tune Technology that allows ECU programming without a laptop. Additional features include on-board diagnostics, EZ Test Indicator Lights, five bar MAP sensing and controls for a power adder and torque converter.