NSS Inline 2x4 Intake

How in the wide world of sports did the throttle linkage end up with that set up ?
The orange one is a buddies '572' ish motor. He's run the afb's on it and in super conditions he theoretically ran an 8.99999...But he won't say that. He tried my old prosystems 4150's and then in 2021 he went to Lightening's BIG 4150's. It's been in the 8's now but he NEVER chases ET. Here is some linkage pics...

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