10-Second Classic GMC Pickup Diesel

September 30th, 2018

by: Ricardo Perez

It’s Rocky Mountain Race Week. All the elite street and strip racers are on-hand for this week-long test of man and machine. Despite all the unique rides at this event, no one is expecting a ‘70s GMC pickup (short bed) to be posting 10-second quarter-mile passes in the 140 mph range. They sure as heck ain’t expecting to see it belching coal over the roof.

Running a built LBZ (2006/2007) Duramax diesel 6.6-liter, with a compound turbo setup, this classic GMC is posting consistent 10s and dipping into the 9s on occasion. The combination is good for 1,189hp and 1,460 lb.-ft. of torque. Look no further than the disintegrated driveshaft yoke as evidence that this truck is a torque monster. The transmission is a TH400 and the rear end is a Ford 9-inch (2.73:1 final drive ratio).

After replacing the yoke, during testing, the C10 gets dialed-in with a 10-second index. If the short truck maintains that time for a single pass on 4 tracks in 5-days, he will have accomplished Rocky Mountain Race Week.

Follow