Photo: Killer Performance
We understand if you're sick and tired of another gosh-darn LS/LT-swapped classic Chevy truck. There's a sense that, while it'll always be a viable option for custom truck fans, you can't help but think that the same formula over and over again eventually leads people to try something else. But if there's one truck to ride out the new year and, say, this could be the cleanest custom truck we've seen in 2023; we think we've found your candidate right here.
This particular 1994 Silverado single cab comes to us from the Killer Performance shop in Grain Valley, Missouri. From GM to Ford and even Chrysler, there's no modern American muscle platform this shop hasn't had its hands on in the past. An assortment of Mustangs, Camaros, Corvettes, and, of course, pickup trucks of all varieties find themselves in front of Killer Performance's shop on any given day. They're the kind of shop you could trust to take a stock vehicle and turn it into something extraordinary. Rest assured, this Silverado was nothing special when it first rolled in the shop.
Sure, the General Motors GMT400 might be as hit or miss as a literal hit-and-miss engine. Their frames and body shells are just as prone to rust as a Lancia by the seaside, and their square-body styling is more subjective than which brand of cola soda you prefer. Ultimately, they're pretty device trucks. From the factory, these Chevy trucks and their GMC counterparts hit showroom floors with a number of different engines ranging from a 4.3-liter V6 up to a 454-cubic-inch
But all pale in comparison to the 6.2-liter GM LT4 V8 crate engine under the hood of this Silverado. Best known for its work under the hoods of the C7 Corvette Z06, the Cadillac CTS-V, and the Escalade-V, the LT4 takes the iconic LS/LT form factor and squeezes as much power as physically possible without upgrading to the even more insane LT5 found in the C7 Corvette ZR1. In this crate engine form, Killer Performance was able to fine-tune the particulars of this LT4's internals.
With forged steel connecting rods, forged aluminum pistons, a stage 2 camshaft from Brian Tooley, and a 1.7-liter Eaton R1740 supercharger running 16 PSI of boost pressure, this Silverado now jets nearly as much horsepower as a modern Ferrari 296 can from its hybrid electric powertrain. It makes 802 horsepower to the tires compared to 819 from the Ferrari. Power is fed to a GM 10L90E ten-speed automatic transmission and a set of QA1 coilovers with Wilwood disc brakes ensures this truck can handle too.
Add it all up, and we think there's no other custom truck on Earth we'd rather cap off 2023 with than this one. If only it were for sale, but alas, it isn't.
Sure, the General Motors GMT400 might be as hit or miss as a literal hit-and-miss engine. Their frames and body shells are just as prone to rust as a Lancia by the seaside, and their square-body styling is more subjective than which brand of cola soda you prefer. Ultimately, they're pretty device trucks. From the factory, these Chevy trucks and their GMC counterparts hit showroom floors with a number of different engines ranging from a 4.3-liter V6 up to a 454-cubic-inch
But all pale in comparison to the 6.2-liter GM LT4 V8 crate engine under the hood of this Silverado. Best known for its work under the hoods of the C7 Corvette Z06, the Cadillac CTS-V, and the Escalade-V, the LT4 takes the iconic LS/LT form factor and squeezes as much power as physically possible without upgrading to the even more insane LT5 found in the C7 Corvette ZR1. In this crate engine form, Killer Performance was able to fine-tune the particulars of this LT4's internals.
With forged steel connecting rods, forged aluminum pistons, a stage 2 camshaft from Brian Tooley, and a 1.7-liter Eaton R1740 supercharger running 16 PSI of boost pressure, this Silverado now jets nearly as much horsepower as a modern Ferrari 296 can from its hybrid electric powertrain. It makes 802 horsepower to the tires compared to 819 from the Ferrari. Power is fed to a GM 10L90E ten-speed automatic transmission and a set of QA1 coilovers with Wilwood disc brakes ensures this truck can handle too.
Add it all up, and we think there's no other custom truck on Earth we'd rather cap off 2023 with than this one. If only it were for sale, but alas, it isn't.
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