Introduced in 1961, the Chevrolet Nova didn't develop into a full-fledged muscle car until 1968. That's when Chevy began offering the big-block 396-cubic-inch (6.5-liter) V8 with up to 375 horsepower.

When it came to motivating the Nova down the highway, Johnson knew he wanted a boosted LS mill, and to make that happen he hit up Moruzzi Race Motors. Starting with a GM LS3 block, the bores were ...