With enough time, money and effort, you can make practically turn anything into a performance machine, including a ‘07 Chevy Colorado pickup truck. That’s exactly what the crew at MBRP Inc. did with the help of Hitman Hotrods, GM Canada and Xtreme Customs, and the result is amazing. With no expense spared, this potent little truck got all the glitz and glory, topped off by none other than a 1,000rwhp LS7 under the hood. And you thought your Corvette was fast….

Images: 355 Nation

We first caught word of this incredible machine on the 355 Nation forum. Although it was built a couple years ago, we were instantly hooked and couldn’t help but dive in head first to see what the truck dubbed “Colorado Speed” was all about.

For their first ever drift truck project, the crew at MBRP Inc. received a Chevy Colorado Z71 from GM Canada and started modifying it immediately. The frame is custom and custom fabrication occurred on the bed of the truck, as well as the wheel tubs that were done in the rear. Custom roll bars were put in the back of the truck for extra support.

MBRP also opted for a different front bumper and hood setup to achieve the aesthetics they were looking for.

Built by Dustin Portmess from Exotic Performance Plus (EPP), the LS7 engine under the hood of the Colorado is far from stock. To open things up a bit, the engine was bored out to 4.130 inches, giving the engine 428.69 cubic-inches to work with. It features an ATI Procharger supercharger system, Diamond Pistons, Compstar Connecting Rods, Clevite H Series rod and main bearings, ARP head and main studs, and Total Seal piston rings with AP Steel Top Piston Rings.

The engine is also equipped with a camshaft and valve springs from Comp Cams, Manley one piece pushrods, AFCO radiator and cooling fans, and O-ring heads from West Coast Cylinder Heads. An Aeromotive Eliminator Fuel System, custom 29-gallon fuel cell and Big Stuff 3 engine management system were also incorporated. With 22lbs. of boost, this bad boy is capable of producing 1,000rwhp.

The engine is matted to a Borg Warner six-speed T-56 transmission with Zoom clutches. The rear end of the truck features a custom Dana 60 with 3.54 gears, while custom fabricated spindles with chromemoly hub assemblies from AFCO, and Mosier axel shafts are used all on both front and rear.

Obviously the proper suspension setup is a must when it comes to drifting so the chassis builders and designers on the project opted for a 2 link setup. A fully adjustable suspension system featuring AFCO shocks and coil springs, and a custom truck arm was used to ensure proper balance between being able to dominate on the drag strip as well as on a drift course.

Just with the suspension, braking power also has to be perfect so F33i brakes from US Brakes were added, as well as drilled rotors.

A Reel driveline, Sweet Mfg rack and pinion, and an air conditioning system from Vintage Air were also used on the truck. Of course, the truck was also fitted with custom headers and exhaust from MBRP Inc.

The interior is fully custom, from the panels to the tweed dashboard. MBRP opted for Cobra seats with Sparco six-point racing harnesses and steering wheel for proper racing digs. The truck was finished in a custom red and black paint scheme, complete with “Colorado Speed” scribed into the box stripes. To complete the look, 19-inch Matte Black Forgeline wheels with Victory Red outer rims were used, wrapped in Nitto INVO rubber.

You can see from the photos and video that this truck is amazing! It is no surprise to us that it ended up winning the Best Truck/SUV award at the 2010 Specialty Equipment Market Association Show, as well as awards at many other events. Be sure to check out “Colorado Speed” in action in the video above.

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