If you’ve been paying attention to our outlet for any length of time, then you know that we adore fast project trucks, and we even have one of our own! Strap a big turbo to an LS-powered example, and you’ll have something special. Drop a turbocharged LS1 into an S10, and you’ll earn our attention. And respect.
That’s exactly what one enthusiast has done with his ’92 Sonoma GT. At a recent Street Car Takeover event in Indianapolis, the crew at 1320Video ran passed this 5.7L LS1-equipped S-Dime based GMC. Packing a rear-mounted (in the bed!) PTE 76mm turbo and intercooler, a Vengeance Racing camshaft, and a very strained 4L60E, this Sonoma is one quick little truck. The reason for the unusual turbo setup? “Mostly because I have power steering and A/C, and I have zero room for it,” the owner explained in the video. Heavenbound Customs handled all of the exhaust work and turbo installation sa well.
Sporting GMC Syclone/Sonoma GT bodywork, the truck does lend itself a menacing appearance to compliment the increased power output and performance. It is however, clearly not a Syclone, (purists, you can rejoice!) as the rear wheels are the sole providers of propulsion and the truck has a difficult time hooking up on the street, despite the Hoosier drag radials. It apparently is, however, legitimately one of the 1-of-806 examples of Sonoma GTs built for the 1992 model year. Basically, these were Syclone-bodied Sonomas with the standard, naturally-aspirated 4.3L V6 packing 200-205 hp (depending on who you ask). Rear-wheel drive only, too.
Built by the crew at Eccentric Motorsports while the turbo and exhaust installation was handled by, a shop that specializes in both LSx and Mazda rotary engines, this is one truck that we wouldn’t cross paths with in a lesser vehicle, but we would absolutely enjoy while behind the wheel. Combining big-boosted power in a tiny, lightweight, Syclone-bodied Sonoma? It doesn’t get any cooler than that!
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.
