Bigger is almost always better when it comes to how much power you’re packing at the race track. Getting that power can come from crazy amounts of boost from a turbo or supercharger, a wicked hit of nitrous, or just a boat load of cubic inches — after all, there’s no replacement for displacement, right?

Going all-motor is exactly what Michael “Gup” Gilbert did to the tune of 727 cubic inches that rocketed his Holden to a 9.87 at over 136 mph in the quarter mile.

The muse for Gup’s giant engine is a 2006 Holden HSV Special Vehicle Clubsport R8, a pretty nasty car to start with that’s similar in a lot of ways to what those in American know as the Pontiac G8. The Holden VE Commodore is the basic genetic code behind the factory Clubsport, with the Clubsport having upgraded trim and interior. You could get the Clubsport with a LS2 and Tremec T56 that would give you a top speed of about 160 mph. 

Stuffed under the hood of Gup’s Holden is a 727 C.I. Sonny’s Hemi-headed engine that makes over 1,275 horsepower on 91 octane pump gas. Feeding this monster is a massive 3,500 CFM throttle body that is controlled by a BigStuff3 unit. Taking the abuse from the Sonny’s mill is a two-speed Powerglide and 2,000 stall converter. Another trick piece is the custom 9-inch rear end setup that maintains the IRS out back with 3.25 gears. 

So, more than doubling the size of the motor that came in the car is going to cost you some creature comforts right? Nope, as this Holden still maintains power steering, air conditioning, ABS, and traction control. Just don’t ask about fuel mileage. 

There are plenty of videos on the web of Gup abusing various sets of tires, and who wouldn’t with all that power under the loud pedal? The video we have from Drag Videos Australia shows Gup running a blistering personal best of 9.87 at 136, and then being promptly asked to leave for not having the right safety gear.