During our trip to this year’s Holley LS Fest, we stumbled upon LSXperts owner, Charlie Hill’s boosted Silverado in the pits, where he was running low 9-second times at Beech Bend Raceway during the event. We watched trackside as the truck pull one high-9 second run after another, and we actually had a shoot schedule with Charlie that weekend.
Looking to build something a little different from the rest of the Southeast guys, the crew at LSXperts decided upon the Silverado to have it stand out. We concurred, and despite the enthusiasm, the track had an engine failure halfway through the event that sidelined it for the rest of the weekend.
Charlie picked up the 2007 Silverado brand new, full frame, full interior, 8.50 is the ultimate goal. Their engine builder had a bad batch of connecting rods — including Charlie’s — which he’s since replaced with billet pieces for increased strength and durability.
The engine in question is a hydraulic roller 388 LSX, based on an iron block LQ9 with a stock stroke. peeking into the bottom end reveals a K1 crankshaft, Callies billet rods and forged Diamond pistons. Working our way up, reveals a Brian Tooley camshaft and valvetrain, Trick Flow 255 cylinder heads and a Holley Hi-Ram intake manifold.
Rounding out the rest of the package is a CX Racing air-to-water intercooler, Race Car Solutions turbo and Fuel Injector Connection injectors. An FTI-modified Powerglide transmission sits behind the boosted LSX, and Charlie says the truck is good for 1,625 hp at the flywheel on 20-psi.
With a full chassis and full interior, the truck tips the scales at just over 4,000 pounds so it’s no lightweight! It’s also registered, tagged and insured as a street-going vehicle, so that’s just icing on the cake. We’re already looking forward to seeing the truck at next year’s Holley LS Fest!
Rick Seitz is the owner and founder of GMEFI Magazine, and has a true love and passion for all vehicles. When he isn’t tuning, testing, or competing with the brand’s current crop of project vehicles, he’s busy tinkering and planning the next modifications for his own cars.
