Roast Tires All Day: Squarebody Blazer Rips With Big Twin-Turbo LT Power
When most people think about building a Squarebody Blazer, they automatically start talking about a lift, big knobby tires, a bull bar, etc. But this one takes a complete opposite approach, lowering the classic off-roader and adding big power for plenty of smokey drifts. The fact it's so unexpected makes this Chevy that much cooler.The owner has had this Chevy Blazer, which is a 1973 in case you're wondering, since 2020. He purchased it from the original owner up in Idaho. Formerly it was used for hunting and sported a nice rattle can camouflage paint scheme.
In its present form, this Blaer is built for autocross, prioritizing not only big power but also tight handling and impressive skid pad performance. Like what happens so many times, the owner tells Shawn Davis of Autotopia LA that he didn't start off with this vision in mind. Instead, it sounds like he was thinking of doing a straight restoration.
To get the heavy beast rocketing forward in a hurry, there's a built 5.3-liter GM LT V8 paired with 56mm twin turbos is pushing a mighty 1,000-horsepower at the crank and just under 850-whp. On top of many of the internals being swapped out for performance parts, the engine is running port injection over direct injection, meaning there's a lot of fuel getting dumped into each cylinder.
The guy is smart going with smaller turbos, something he mentions in the interview. They don't take long to spool up, giving him instant power, which is what's needed in autocross.
Helping to maximize that power is a Tremec Magnum F manual transmission, independent hubs sourced from a Corvette, No Limits suspension, Viking triple coilovers, plus Wilwood brakes with 14-inch discs and six-piston calipers at all four wheels.
As is always the case, this build is a riot and Autotopia LA gets the owner to really show what it can do, with plenty of tire smoke involved. Check out the video, it's well worth your time.
Images via Autotopia LA/YouTube
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
31 minutes ago
- Yahoo
2024 Corvette E-Ray Drops $30K in Value After Just 1,600 Miles
2024 Corvette E-Ray Drops $30K in Value After Just 1,600 Miles originally appeared on Autoblog. Sometimes It's Best To Cut Your Losses With the number of listings for brand-new sports cars and other enthusiast-focused fare on websites like Bring a Trailer, it's tempting to think that holding onto a car rather than driving it is always the smart move. But the owner of a 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray recently found out that depreciation is still a thing. As relayed by Carscoops, the owner listed the E-Ray on Bring a Trailer and turned down a high bid of $101,500 for the hybrid sports car. The owner may have thought they could get a better price by waiting, but the car ended up selling for $89,000 after it was delisted on BaT. A Historic Corvette View the 4 images of this gallery on the original article The E-Ray's 2024-model-year introduction was a historic one. The E-Ray is the first Corvette hybrid, and the first with all-wheel drive. Its 6.2-liter V8 works with a front-mounted electric motor to generate a combined 655 horsepower. With a zero to 60 mph time of 2.5 seconds, the E-Ray is actually quicker than the C8 Corvette Z06, although it lacks that car's soulful, high-revving 5.5-liter V8. The E-Ray can also run the quarter mile in 10.5 seconds at 130 mph, according to Chevy, and a "Stealth Mode" lets it drive on all-electric power at speeds up to 45 mph, albeit not for very long. For 2024, Chevy offered both coupe and convertible versions in 1LZ, 2LZ, and 3LZ specs. The car in question is a 3LZ coupe in Arctic White with an Adrenaline Red/Jet Black interior. It has the 14-speaker Bose premium audio system, GT2 seats (with heating and ventilation), a heated carbon fiber steering wheel, and Chevy's Performance Data Recorder. It was bought new by the seller for $118,935 and was listed with 1,654 miles on the odometer. Good News For C8 Shoppers View the 4 images of this gallery on the original article Accepting a $101,500 bid that represents a $16,895 is a tough pill to swallow, but being forced to accept an $89,000 offer that's $29,935 below the original purchase price is even tougher. It shows that while some new performance cars are holding their value, the E-Ray isn't one of them. That may have to do with the fact that, while it is novel, the E-Ray is just one of many models in the C8 Corvette lineup. It's a step up from the base Stingray, but below the Z06, which itself has now been surpassed by the ZR1 and ZR1X and is likely to see values fall as a result. It's unclear how far E-Ray prices will fall, but that's certainly good news for shoppers. 2024 Corvette E-Ray Drops $30K in Value After Just 1,600 Miles first appeared on Autoblog on Aug 12, 2025 This story was originally reported by Autoblog on Aug 12, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Yahoo
General Motors sparks buzz after bringing back popular model with game-changing upgrades: 'This is going to be a great vehicle'
Most new EVs in the U.S. still cost over $55,000, but luckily for those looking to make the switch, Chevy's most affordable electric car is coming back into the EV market. In an interview, General Motors CEO Mary Barra confirmed that the Bolt EV is returning with some upgrades, including over 300 miles of range and a faster charging system. Production will begin in late 2025, and the car is expected to hit the market in 2026. It's part of GM's plans to reclaim ground from Tesla and meet the rising demand for cheaper, more accessible electric vehicles. As reported by Electrek, the next-gen Bolt will use LFP (lithium-iron-phosphate) battery chemistry, which helps lower costs and extend battery life. The new Bolt will also adopt the North American Charging Standard, giving drivers access to Tesla's Supercharger network, which is a major convenience upgrade. On top of that, it's getting a refreshed design, updated lighting, and a quieter, smoother ride thanks to its fully electric motor. Like most EVs, the Bolt will require less maintenance than gas-powered cars (no oil changes, no tailpipe), and drivers could save hundreds on fuel costs each year. EVs are also much cleaner to operate. An MIT study found that gas-powered cars produce around 350 grams of planet-warming gas pollution per mile over their lifetimes, while EVs produce just 200 even when powered by the average U.S. electric grid. Some who are critical about making the switch to EVs point to the environmental impact of mining for EV battery materials, but the full picture tells the full story. The clean energy transition is estimated to require digging up 30 million tons of minerals per year, but we currently extract more than 16.5 billion tons of dirty energy annually. And while dirty energy gets burned and cannot be used again, battery materials can be reused or recycled. Installing solar panels can also cut EV charging costs even more. Charging with home solar is much cheaper than relying on public stations or the power grid. EnergySage makes it easy to compare quotes from trusted and legitimate local installers and can help homeowners save up to $10,000 on a system. As more automakers like General Motors roll out hybrid and electric options, EVs will be more affordable and practical for everyday drivers. If you want to start making a difference for both the environment and your personal bank account, making your next car an EV is a good place to start. "Tesla has just about completely lost their head start. Now that the serious automotive players are in the market, the only way to succeed is to be a serious product-focused company. Fluff and filler will only work for so long," one commenter wrote under the Electrek report. "I wish the Bolt well. GM knows how to manufacture vehicles. Now America needs to learn the advantages of EVs," another added. "If they update the look, let it charge faster and keep the price low and competitive this is going to be a great vehicle," a third commenter and a current Bolt EUV owner wrote. Would you be more willing to buy an EV if it could travel over 600 miles per charge? Definitely Not really Depends on the price Depends on the brand Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Yahoo
General Motors sparks buzz after bringing back popular model with game-changing upgrades: 'This is going to be a great vehicle'
Most new EVs in the U.S. still cost over $55,000, but luckily for those looking to make the switch, Chevy's most affordable electric car is coming back into the EV market. In an interview, General Motors CEO Mary Barra confirmed that the Bolt EV is returning with some upgrades, including over 300 miles of range and a faster charging system. Production will begin in late 2025, and the car is expected to hit the market in 2026. It's part of GM's plans to reclaim ground from Tesla and meet the rising demand for cheaper, more accessible electric vehicles. As reported by Electrek, the next-gen Bolt will use LFP (lithium-iron-phosphate) battery chemistry, which helps lower costs and extend battery life. The new Bolt will also adopt the North American Charging Standard, giving drivers access to Tesla's Supercharger network, which is a major convenience upgrade. On top of that, it's getting a refreshed design, updated lighting, and a quieter, smoother ride thanks to its fully electric motor. Like most EVs, the Bolt will require less maintenance than gas-powered cars (no oil changes, no tailpipe), and drivers could save hundreds on fuel costs each year. EVs are also much cleaner to operate. An MIT study found that gas-powered cars produce around 350 grams of planet-warming gas pollution per mile over their lifetimes, while EVs produce just 200 even when powered by the average U.S. electric grid. Some who are critical about making the switch to EVs point to the environmental impact of mining for EV battery materials, but the full picture tells the full story. The clean energy transition is estimated to require digging up 30 million tons of minerals per year, but we currently extract more than 16.5 billion tons of dirty energy annually. And while dirty energy gets burned and cannot be used again, battery materials can be reused or recycled. Installing solar panels can also cut EV charging costs even more. Charging with home solar is much cheaper than relying on public stations or the power grid. EnergySage makes it easy to compare quotes from trusted and legitimate local installers and can help homeowners save up to $10,000 on a system. As more automakers like General Motors roll out hybrid and electric options, EVs will be more affordable and practical for everyday drivers. If you want to start making a difference for both the environment and your personal bank account, making your next car an EV is a good place to start. "Tesla has just about completely lost their head start. Now that the serious automotive players are in the market, the only way to succeed is to be a serious product-focused company. Fluff and filler will only work for so long," one commenter wrote under the Electrek report. "I wish the Bolt well. GM knows how to manufacture vehicles. Now America needs to learn the advantages of EVs," another added. "If they update the look, let it charge faster and keep the price low and competitive this is going to be a great vehicle," a third commenter and a current Bolt EUV owner wrote. Would you be more willing to buy an EV if it could travel over 600 miles per charge? Definitely Not really Depends on the price Depends on the brand Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
