Gary credits Madman and Company Racing for installing the suspension, mini-tubs, and rollcage. They also narrowed the Moser 9-inch rearend 6-inches, then stuffed it with a Detroit Locker and 4.71:1 cogs. Finish Line Transmissions mated up their level 5, 4L65E to the 346 ci of LS1 madness.
Engine assembly and tuning duties were left in the competent hands of Futral Motorsports. They bolted up a pair of Meaux Racing-massaged AFR 225 aluminum heads and hung a set of Diamond 10.8:1 pistons on the Manley rods. Fural’s .239/.243 duration and .612/.648 lift custom ground cam ensures appropriately-timed LS power.
The stock GM fuel injectors work in concert with the FAST 90mm intake and Nick Williams throttle body, while the CarbonFiber Whisper air cleaner houses a K&N element.
With increased air intake, the spent greenhouse need a quick path of exit, so Kooks 1 3/4-inch headers handle the task in conjunction with the Magnaflow catback exhaust system, Futral’s Y-pipe and 3.5-inch cutouts, and Stainless Works 3-inch CME tips.
BMR’s tubular A-arms, along with QA-1’s two-inch lowering springs and adjustable shocks ensure the extra strength necessary to handle the wheels-up launches Gary dishes out on a regular basis. Thanks to the AFCO springs and Strange adjustable shocks, the rear end gladly accepts 2-inches of decreased altitude and increased strength.
The five-spoke wheel has enjoyed decades of acceptance on just about every style of car; be it a Drag Racer, Street Machine, Pro Street, or Pro Touring Camaro, and the Billet Specialties Street Lites are no exception. In fact, the 15x3.5-inch wheels up front compliment Gary’s fourth-gen as effortlessly as they would on a classic first-gen. The same can be said for the 15x10-inchers out back. And it’s no accident that Mickey Thompson rubber is wrapped on all four corners. After all, it takes a quality tire to get a grip when Gary summons all 500 ponies at once.
It’s serious business in the cockpit, and the combination of stock interior parts, woven together with race-inspired components keep Gary in-the-know during quarter-mile bursts and every-day driving situations. Autometer’s Pro Comp gauges and Granatelli 200mph speedometer adorn the dash, while the Grant 633 Formula GT steering wheel, with quick-release hub, provide Gary with driving confidence and comfortable ergonomics for those white-knuckle, quarter-mile sessions.
Randall Quick fitted and sprayed the aftermarket hood, carefully matching The General’s existing Bright Rally Red pigment. He also rolled the rear’s inner fender lips to make room for the bulbous drag radials.
As with all drag guys, the search for lower elapsed times is a never-ending task; but it’s one that Gary is up to tackle. In fact, he’ll be replacing AFR heads with a set of All Pro LS-2’s, and the FLT Level 5 will make room for a TH400; soon to be accompanied by a hefty dose of nitrous.
The way this ’02 is shaping up, it’s safe to say Muphy’s Law will never stand a chance, especially with Karma at the helm.
And according to of Staff Sergeant Gary Taillon, “This should be one hell of a ride!”