An Alcohol-Fueled GMC Truck Makes the Switch from Blower to Turbos to Prep for first Drag-and-Drive
A storied GMC truck is in the process to write its next chapter in the drag-and-drive arena, as the conversion is underway for a winter vacation at Sick Week Presented by Gear Vendors Overdrive.
Fellow Saskatchewan, Canada enthusiast Colin Gee got us hooked on this clean 1987 GMC Wrangler pick-up truck and its current owner, James Frayn. “I’m assisting in the change from blower to twin turbochargers, as well as a new radiator and dual fuel system,” said Colin.
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James gave us the lowdown on the unique pick-up. “I bought it in July of 2021, after it had been advertised for sale a very long time,” said James. “I bought the truck being blown alcohol because my dad had some experience in the past making a dragster (with a similar combination) run some impressive numbers.”
The truck was originally built in Regina, Saskatchewan over 15 years ago, but had never made a very successful quarter-mile pass. “The original builder (Todd Geortz) was building the truck with the goal to be that it was all steel, and for it to make it into the 8-second range,” James said. “Unfortunately, he passed away of cancer before he could see that happen.”
Once James acquired the truck, it only took a couple weekends and some transmission repairs to get the 427 cubic inch small-block Chevrolet combination figured out.
“The next trouble was trying to slow it down to keep it in its 8.50-certified roll cage limits,” said James. He raced it for one full season in that configuration.
“My first drag-and-drive event was Sick Week this year as co-pilot with Chris Hein in his ’33 Factory Five Hot Rod,” said James. “I learned very quickly that getting there and completing the event is the most challenging part.”
That experience solidified his next chapter for the truck, as it will make a transition for time on both the street and the strip.
True North Turbos came in to supply the twins, and a Holley Dominator will control the functions. Although the truck will now pack a different power-adder, as well as seeing road miles, James didn’t forget its roots, so the dual fuel system will be set up to handle pump gas and alcohol.
A Bruno-Lenco transmission will pass the power rearward, and Colin Gee has made the chassis updates to make the truck good to 25.4-specs (7.50 e.t. limited).
“My goals for 2024 is to compete and hopefully complete two drag-and-drive events while making it run back-to-back 7-second quarter-mile passes,” said James. “Looking to enter it in the Unlimited Iron for Sick Week in 2024. Currently working very hard to be ready, and I would also like to attend Miles of Mayhem as well, with it being that it starts only 3.5 hours from home for us this year.”
“Drag-and-drive events appeal to me because they are the ultimate challenge for man and machine,” James admitted. “They are also the closest group of friends that are really complete strangers.”
Written by Derek Putnam. Photos courtesy of James Frayn and Colin Gee.
If you have thoughts / feedback / ideas, please e-mail us at derek@sickthemagazine.com