Insane GMC Sierra Is the Quickest Stock LB7 Duramax on the Planet: Track Time Tuesday Presented by the All-New Nitto Recon Grappler™ A/T
With 300,000 miles on the clock and stock head bolts, this GMC Sierra is regularly beating up on the competition.
Drag racers come in all shapes and sizes, from front-wheel-drive compact cars to full-size diesel trucks. From there, virtually every size budget is represented as well, with some straight-line terrors being held together with chicken wire and duct tape, while others cost more than some people’s houses did. Buddy Callaway‘s 2003 GMC Sierra falls in the former category, and yet, someone, it beat all the odds and became the quickest stock-engine LB7 Duramax-powered pickup on the planet, as we learned from this Nitto Driving Line article.
Callaway runs his beat-up 2003 GMC Sierra in the Outlaw Diesel Super Series 5.90 Index class, a relatively new category that has spawned some intense competition. There are no weight or turbo restrictions, just 19 trucks representing a nice mix of GM, Ford, and Dodge/Ram products. Out of all of them, however, Callaway’s Sierra defies all logic by racking up wins with a true budget combination.
The LB7 Duramax that powers this pickup is shockingly almost completely stock, with a whopping 300,000 miles on the clock, and yet, it’s run a best eighth-mile pass of 5.73. The turbo and even head bolts are the originals, but this mill generates 1,200 horsepower at the crank, thanks mostly to a 12mm stroker CP3, 200-percent over injectors, a tune from Danville Performance, and a four-stage nitrous system. Somehow, this combination has survived over 200 passes so far, which is pretty incredible.
That copious amount of power flows through a Twisted Diesel 4L80E transmission to a King Pin Dana 60 up front and a 14-bolt AAM 10.5-inch rear axle. The rear suspension consists of a four-link setup with coilovers, while the front IRS was ditched in favor of a leaf spring setup. That, combined with Callaway’s talents, translates to consistent 1.31-1.33 second 60-foot times.
So far, that’s been good enough to earn Callaway a number of wins in the 5.90 Index class, despite the presence of some serious big-money competition. Personally, there’s nothing we love more than seeing a ragged budget build beat up pricey racers, so needless to say, Callaway and his Sierra have made us fans for life.
Photos: Nitto
Presented by the All-New Nitto Recon Grappler™ A/T
The Recon Grappler™ A/T combines versatility and distinctive design into an all-terrain tire that stands out from the crowd. Learn more here.
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