Sportsman Spotlight: Marco Guerra’s LS-Powered Joker

Marco guerro 4

At one time, drag racing with a truck wasn’t very popular. With most trucks from the past being as aerodynamic as a brick, it didn’t make much sense going that route. However, with automakers looking to utilize every single mpg, trucks aren’t the squared off, breadbox design they once were. That, and the entry price for getting into a truck has helped spark their popularity at the drag strip.

Marco Guerra was having fun at the track, racing his ’96 Camaro Z28. However, as much fun as Marco was having, he wanted a truck. “The truck scene down here in south Texas is really popular,” Marco says. Therefore, he purchased this 2003 Chevy Silverado with the thought of building a budget-minded 4.8-liter LS engine with a single turbo. So, a BorgWarner 72mm unit was acquired, and the little LS received the benefits of a camshaft upgrade, and the added benefit of a better fuel delivery system. The Tellez Motorsports-built “Joker,” as Marco calls it, propelled the truck to mid-10’s in the 1/4-mile, at 132 mph.

The truck's new 6.2-liter LS3 will inhale boost from a pair of 66mm turbochargers once air has traveled through a Chiseled Performance intercooler. Marco's goal is to run in the 8s, and since the previous combo ran 9.70s, that is an attainable goal.

The truck’s new 6.2-liter LS3 will inhale boost from a pair of 66mm turbochargers once air has traveled through a Chiseled Performance intercooler. Marco’s goal is to run in the 8’s, and since the previous combo ran 9.70’s, that is definitely an attainable goal.

Like usually happens to all of us, Marco became bored with the truck’s performance with this engine, so it was time to step up. This time, the upgrade came in the form of a Jaiva Racing Engines-built 6.2-liter LS3 with Wiseco pistons and Callies connecting rods. The short-block also hosted a Tellez Motorsports (TMS) Holy Death camshaft, while a Holley Hi-Ram intake manifold made its home atop the engine. A single BorgWarner 84mm turbo from Forced Inductions came along with the 6.2-liter engine, as did a TMS-built 4L80 with a Jake’s Transmissions’ Jake Brake, and Circle D 252 converter. With TMS also handling the tuning chores, the truck responded with a 9.71 e.t. at 144 mph with Calvert Racing CalTracs and QA1 shocks out back.

The truck's original leaf spring arrangement has been replaced with a backhalf setup with ladder bars and coilover shocks. Tellez Motorsports, where Marco is employed, performed the majority of the work on the truck.

The truck’s original leaf spring arrangement has been replaced with a back half setup using ladder bars and coilover shocks. Tellez Motorsports, where Marco is employed, performed the majority of the work on the truck.

If those mods delivered good results, then of course, more are better, right? Marco decided to go ahead and upgrade the rear suspension, by having the truck’s rearend narrowed. At first, this round of upgrades were budget-minded, but those thoughts went up in smoke when he decided to do a narrowed 14-bolt rear with a Detroit Truetrac differential, disc-brake conversion, a T/A girdle, and Bogart GT6 wheels measuring  15×15 and 17×7. Along with the narrowed rear, the truck also received a ladder bars, and a chromoly rollcage. Tellez Motorsports, located in Mission, Texas, also performed the chassis and suspension work on the truck, and also the latest conversion to twin 66mm turbochargers with a Chiseled Performance 6-core intercooler. To get the most out of the new combination, Marco has ditched the stock electronics in favor of Holley’s Dominator EFI unit.

With the current combination, Marco’s goal is to run an 8-second 1/4-mile, and he would eventually like to have an LSX combination in his future.

Tellez Motorsports also fabricated the truck's rear wing and aluminum bed cover. And you can see the truck's namesake, The Joker, on the tailgate. There will be plenty of people who will see the business end of The Joker.

Tellez Motorsports also fabricated the truck’s rear wing and aluminum bed cover.

About the author

Michael Johnson

Michael Johnson brings his years of experience in the Mustang aftermarket and performance industry to StangTV. He has been passionate about cars since childhood, with a special affinity for the Mustang.
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