The formula to create horsepower in a dragster chassis has been the same for decades: add a small or big block Chevy and hit the track with reliable oomph. But with the new GM LSX platform engines and aftermarket parts becoming more readily available, that formula — like it has in the door car ranks — is poised to change.
The LSX-based engine has been swapped into pretty much every make and model of vehicle with four wheels and some things with less because of its stellar reliability and power potential. And now weekend warrior racer Ryan Gledhill is taking what others have learned with full bodied cars, strapping a low mileage LS6, adding a blower, and mixing in a hit of nitrous oxide for good measure to a dragster to see how far he can push the new generation GM powerplant.
About a year ago Gledhill purchased a 207-inch hard tail dragster that came with the standard SBC and Powerglide combo. After some debate a new plan was hatched. “After doing some clean-up and updating on the SBC, I decided on putting a very low-mileage LS6 in it that I had sitting around,” says Gledhill. So began the process of updating the dragster for a fresh chassis certification and getting it ready for its new LS6 heart.
The list of goodies that Gledhill is going to put in his new project are impressive, unique, and show a glimpse of the dragster’s potential. The LS6 will retain a stock bottom end, but will be topped off with a pair of 243 heads CNC machined by Lingenfelter Performance Engineering that will have an upgraded dual valve spring kit from ADM Performance and a boost-friendly Comp Cams custom-grind camshaft. Feeding the air into the LSX mill will be a Magnuson TVS2300 supercharger kit and a Nitrous Outlet 90mm plate kit added in for extra measure. Gledhill plans on making his own headers with a Dynatech stainless header kit.
After the car is completed and sorted out Gledhill plans on attending the LS events at Bowling Green, Norwalk, and Indy in 2015. With the new advancements in LSX technology and part offerings from Chevy Performance chances are you’ll see even more LS-powered dragsters at your local track in the years to come.