[1]Every project usually has a humble beginning.
When you’re in the business of building quality suspensions and suspension parts for all sorts of classic vehicles, how can you convey that to everyone? You do what Total Cost Involved [2] is doing, and you build a vehicle to showcase those products.
[3]TCI Engineering’s C10 Pro-Touring IFS is a bolt-in package that uses factory mounting points.
Jason Wilcox gave us a teaser at this currently-in-the-works project, and we were curious about what’s in store for this unique hauler. “The overall plan for the build is pretty much everything. It will see the autocross, go drag racing and road racing, get wound out at half and standing mile competitions, and also be a show truck, shop truck, tow truck, and maybe even a date night rig as well,” According to Jason.
[4]A used LS engine is being upgraded and made ready to easily smoke tires.
Building a suspension that will corner, be steady at high speeds, launch like a rocket, and still be able to tow the racecar home is asking a lot, but the guys at TCI Engineering feel their components are the perfect product for just such an endeavor.
“The rear rails will be stepped to accommodate roughly a 5-inch ride height. There will be triple-adjustable Ridetech Shockwaves [5] at all four corners, with two 3-gallon tanks and two compressors. Aerodynamics will be a big issue trying to push this truck beyond 150 mph. We also have some tricks up our sleeves to keep it planted at speed,” said Jason.
Under the hood will be an iron block 6.2-liter LS engine with a forged LSA crankshaft, H-beam rods, and a 10.0:1 compression ratio. Up top will feature a pair of 230 cc AFR [6] heads (being built by HPS Machine). Located behind that will be 4L80E built by The Toy Shop, and the Currie [7] 9-inch rear will be connected via an Inland Empire Driveline [8] shaft. But wait, there’s more.
“Did I mention it’ll be turbocharged? We’ll run it on the waste gate spring and pump gas for autocross racing where a lot of power isn’t as important. Then, we’ll throw some E85 in it and turn the boost up to 15 psi or so, and ‘Send It’ at the dragstrip.” You did now Jason.
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Making room for the large-by-huge asphalt grabbers.
Jason, and Bill Tichenor of Holley [11] decided that Holley’s new, cast-iron turbo manifolds and a bunch of other Holley parts like a Hi-Ram intake, LS coils, 92 mm throttle body, valve covers, valley cover, fuel rail, injectors, and dual 450 fuel pumps would be needed.
As far as the interior? Plans have not been finalized yet, but it’ll have a Dakota Digital [12] HDX dash, custom center console, bucket seats, and a chromoly rollcage tucked up very tight. Vintage Air [13] A/C will keep it cool, and will likely have a Kicker stereo system to heat up some tunes.
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Renderings of the completed truck. Jason tells us that he is leaning towards the red version, but can't decide on a name for the color. Do you have any ideas?
Now, here’s the fun part – and where you guys come in. They need to come up with a name for this multi-purpose performance truck, and they are willing to hand out some swag to get it. We’re told that if one of our readers comes up with a cool name for the truck and the folks at TCI like it, they’ll give that person a really cool TCI Engineering jacket.
So, what are you waiting for? Email us at [email protected] [16], and let us know what you think they should call this truck-turned-musclecar. All responses must be received by August 25, 2017.