Our friends over at Livernois Motorsports are some of our favorite late-model gurus. When we heard they were dyno testing a 2006 TBSS with their Stage 2 package, we had to check it out. After beefing up this TrailBlazer SS, they strapped it down to a special dyno for all-wheel-drive vehicles and opened it up!
The 2006 TrailBlazer SS is a great starting point for any build. They are a (somewhat) compact SUV, so their light weight is easier to carry than some of the mammoths out there. Stock, the TBSS is capable of reaching 60 miles per hour in only 5.4-5.5 seconds, and can cover a 1/4 mile in 13.9-14.0 seconds. Powered by a LS2 6.0L V8, the TBSS makes 395 horsepower and 400 lb.-ft. of torque. At the wheels, the TBSS will typically dyno at 290WHP/320WTQ. So obviously, this isn’t your average soccer mom vehicle, but it has some room to grow.
Livernois makes it easy to bump up the horsepower with their different level packages. They offer two different Stage 2 packages, one with a supercharger, and one without. The TBSS on the dyno has the package without the supercharger.
In this Stage 2 Performance Package, customers get the MyCalibration tuner, Evenflo thermostat, CAI, Powerstorm 1C camshaft, Powerstorm dual valvesprings, and Powerstorm pushrods. This package also usually includes in-house CNC ported Powerstorm cylinder heads, but it looks like this particular customer decided not to grab those. To finish off the install, the 2006 TBSS was dyno tuned, and then put to the test.
Without having before dyno numbers, we’ll use the ‘typical’ stock WHP/WTQ numbers as a comparison. After it’s all said and done, this 2006 AWD TBSS put down an impressive 376 WHP, and an even more impressive 390 WTQ. Those few mods and custom dyno tuning really opened this beast up. It’s definitely now capable of at least chewing up a few 4th-gen F-Bodies, so watch out for it out there!
Elizabeth is a hardcore horsepower enthusiast with unmatched intensity for making things faster and louder. She wakes up for power and performance and only sleeps to charge up for the next project that’s heading to the track. From autocross to drag racing, Elizabeth is there with you, so stay tuned for her unique perspective on horsepower news, builds, tech info, and installs — with her, it’ll never be boring!
