This Caprice Gets a Serious 6-Liter LS and Stage 6 Nitrous Plate for Sick Summer Action
For a 2-ton-plus Chevrolet Caprice, you better bring some power to move what some might consider a comfy cruiser to quicker time slips than several SUV models.
Thankfully, Kesler Soucie is using his past racing experience, including an appearance at last year’s Sick Summer Presented by TBM Brakes, to move the performance of his Chevrolet Caprice to the next level.
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The ‘95 Caprice affectionately known as ‘LSX-Orca’ holds a lot of memories for Kesler, who rode in it from his elementary school years, to moving to the driver’s seat during his time in high school. “It was the first car I went over 100 mph in,” he admits.
After racing the year for the first year in 2022, Kesler decided to make the next big step after watching drag-and-drive event coverage on YouTube. “I love the idea of proving that a car is a true street car,” admitted Kesler.
So the Caprice was prepped for the summer trip between Illinois, Wisconsin and Iowa, and Kesler was joined by good friend Tyler Hermanson and his sister Keely Soucie. The Caprice completed the event with a 13.38 average, and a top 25 finish in the Dial Your Own (DYO) class.
Later in the year, the LT1 small block decided to burn up a piston, but Kesler looked at the glass as half-full. “I decided to change over to a more serious semi-forged 6.0-liter LS platform,” he said. “I'm excited to run quicker and faster this year, but I have a lot of work left to get the car ready.”
The LQ4-based 6-liter will sport a stock crankshaft, but upgraded forged pistons and connecting rods. The camshaft will also get an upgraded, with specs of 238 intake and 254 exhaust on duration, and .621/.604 lift numbers.
A set of 799 casting cylinder heads will top off the short block, complemented by a Holley single plane EFI intake, an Accufab 1250 CFM 4-barrel throttle body, and a Nitrous Express Gemini Stage 6 plate nitrous system sandwiched between the two.
Twisted Demon supplied a built Turbo 400 transmission with a transbrake, and an 8.5-inch rear end with an Eaton TruTrac carrier and 3.73 gear set finalizes the driveline.
“I'm excited to run quicker and faster this year at Sick Summer Presented by Motion Raceworks,” said Kesler. “But I have a lot of work left to get the car ready. I plan to compete in the DYO class again, and hope to run right at around 11.50-second limit.
I think the biggest challenge for me personally this year will be learning and tuning a brand-new combination. But after the great experience on last year’s Sick Summer, I knew I had to go again.”
Written by Derek Putnam. Photos courtesy of BME Photography and Kesler Soucie.
If you have thoughts / feedback / ideas, please e-mail us at derek@sickthemagazine.com