2003 Texas Motorplex Drag Racing Car Specifications - Displaced Aggression

Editor's Note: This shootout, which was one of three that day, took place in November of 2003. Unfortunately, these photos were lost in the mail soon afterward and only recently turned up. We immediately began cranking on this story, and the GMHTP staff would like to thank the participants for being so patient during that time.

Take a look at the tech specs of each vehicle on these pages. Besides our lone LT1 engine (which is a measly 5 ci larger than stock), they're all of box-stock factory displacement.Now take a look at those ETs-not 12s, not high 11s; how about low 11s, 10s, and even 9s.

GM's high-strung, late-model engines are the epicenter of the new performance revolution. A six-bolt main block and cylinder-head flow that puts our old-school musclecars to shame-that's what the LS1 and LS6 is all about. And they want one thing: airflow. Better heads, bigger cams, and big shots of the juice are the order of the hour here. One set of slicks later, and it's hero time.

But we couldn't let the LS engines have all the fun-we thought we'd throw a badass, blown LT1 into the fray as well. This engine is a bit dated when compared to its LS brethren, but LT1 aficionados have the savvy to make a Gen III pay dearly for underestimating the older mill.

The season was fall; the place was the Texas Motorplex in Ennis, Texas, and the theme? How does small-displacement, crazy power grab you?

The wind was strong deep in the heart of Texas-20-mile-per-hour gusts were present that November day in Ennis. Good fortune smiled briefly, as the gusts came from directly behind the starting line. However, it soon shifted to a full-on crosswind that gave our participants fits once they left the grandstands' protective barrier. But despite the wind, the day turned out great for racing. The threat of rain was there but held off all day. The temperature was in the mid-60s, with low 38 percent humidity, and a 1,470-foot density altitude. And aiding that "racin' weather" was the quick and competent Texas Motorplex staff, who prepped the track and sprayed a nice film of VHT for our high-powered GMs.

ConclusionWith ETs and MPH like this, from stock or near-stock cubic inches and a little traction, it's easy to see why the late-model LT1 and LS-series engines dominate. The learning curve for some of our participants was very steep indeed, because blown mills and damaged cars are no fun. But uncooperative transmissions and nitrous backfires aside, these shootout participants had a great time fighting the elements and their own machines in the never-ending quest for low ET. We had a blast Texas-see you next time.

Our thanks go out to the Texas Motorplex and its staff, Randy Allen and Don Fenton for their hard work, and the LG Motorsports and Texas Speed & Performance crews, who stepped up and fed the whole lot of us that day.