1998 Chevrolet Tahoe LS9
HIGHLIGHTS
LS9 Engine Swap - Factory Correct Install With 700+HP
35,000 Mile Original Truck Purchased From First Owner
Built To Top Specification Throughout
Hardened and Significantly Upgraded Drivetrain
SPECIFICATIONS
VIN - 1GNEK13RXWJ374352
Engine – 6.2L, supercharged, dry sump, V8
Gearbox – 4 Speed Automatic
Drivetrain - Front Engine, RWD/4WD
Price - SOLD
OVERVIEW
It all started with the purchase of a one owner, 4WD, mint condition, 1998 Tahoe with only 33K miles on it back in 2012. Then came the discussion – what to do with it? What is the flat out most ridiculous thing we can do with it? What is in the GM parts catalog for crate motors this month? And the Tahoe LS9 swap was born…
The owner had a long running relationship with Titus Will Chevrolet in Olympia, WA and as such, he had their top technicians tackle the bulk of this GM parts bin swap. A factory fresh dry sump LS9 motor was ordered and mated to a new 1-ton transmission that was further built for the job. The genius of the dealership handling most of the install was the access and knowledge of all the interchangeable parts. This work was conducted in late 2012 and early 2013 and backed up with a thick stack of invoices.
The goal all along was to build something that never had to apologize or be babied. The quality of components and details are evident throughout, and the cost of the parts and labor is eye watering. Every single area of the mechanicals has been rebuilt with new or better parts. The rear end is a custom Dana 60 with 35-spline axles and a Detroit locker to get the power down. Traction bars were custom fitted during the break in miles, as it was determined that some assistance was required to keep the rubber planted in full throttle launches.
Custom work for the swap was handled by Wicked Fabrication in Auburn, WA. Wicked is well known for a number of builds (most recently the 1951 Ford Coupe that has been featured all over the internet), and had no issue bringing all the details together on the Tahoe. They were also involved with sorting all the bugs and details of the swap over the next 1000 miles of break in and use.
Brakes were upgraded front and rear, and larger wheels were needed – back to the GM parts bin for some late model 20” alloy wheels at all four corners, and then the suspension was lowered just enough to give the truck the look, but also increase the handling. When the largest sway bars on the market were not enough, the team just made a custom set for the truck – because of course they did – the whole project was like this.
The specification list follows, but truly is just an executive summary of the incredible work and invoices on this truck:
Engine
- LS9 - 6.2L Supercharged Crate Motor from GM
- Factory Dry Sump system retained
- Lingenfelter pulley and ECU kit
- Custom headers and full flow exhaust system
- Oversized cooling system – BE-COOL
- Spanky’s Rod Shop – Wiring Harness, Cruise Module, dealer serviceable as factory Corvette ZR1 electronics with all GM plugs
- Spanky’s Custom Fuel Injectors
- ZR1 fuel pump installed in tank that feeds a secondary Aeromotive fuel pump
Transmission
- GM 4L80E – 1-Ton, Strengthened
- Billet input shaft
- Performance shift kit
- TCI Maximizer torque converter
- TCI Forged flexplate
- Oversized Transmission Cooler
Driveline
- Dana 60 Rear Axle - Shot peened 3.73 R&P, 35 spline axles, Detroit Pro Locker (rear end rated for 1000+HP applications), Billet main caps
- Front Axle - GM performance 3.73 gears and bearings, Driveshaft Shop - Level 5 half shafts, strengthened main caps
Suspension
- Lowered with Superlift components
- Custom traction bars on rear axle
- Custom sway bars
Brakes/ Wheels/Tires
- BAER Brakes at all four corners with cross drilled and vented discs – 14” Front, 13” Rear
- 20” Late Model GMC alloy wheels with fresh (almost! …maybe a couple burnouts on them now) Goodyear rubber all four corners
Why We Love This Truck
Total sleeper that is overbuilt. Starting with a one owner 33K mile truck, everything is still fresh and new throughout. With the swap properly handled by top shops, it oozes quality and details in person. We absolutely fell in love with this truck and have done 300 miles in it since it arrived here. A friend asked why the rear tires had some tread block feathering – we hopped back in to show them why.
- You want to do a 200-foot burnout at every stop light? Ok, no problem.
- You want to sit in traffic for an hour with front and rear A/C blowing cold? Ok, no problem.
- You want to tow your ski boat to the lake? Ok, no problem.
- You want to surprise all the Mustangs in town? Ok, no problem.
- You want to run errands all around town – Costco, Post Office, Home Depot, Starbucks, Post Office again, Taco Time drive thru, more traffic, and back to the shop? Ok, but can we do another burnout first? Ok, then no problem.
You can put this Tahoe in “D” and just mash the pedal any time you want. It just hooks and goes. Need a little chirp to let those around you know you are here? Mash the pedal. Want to do a burnout (is there a theme here?) – just give it a little brake and half throttle and then let her go. So wonderfully overbuilt, you are unlikely to break it.
The truck will literally sit in traffic for hours and never break a sweat. This alone is an aspect of the truck we love. It is so damn tough, it just does not care. And as our good friend said – “There’s nothing kinky about it.” It just starts, runs, and drives the way you would expect if the factory built a hot rod like this.
Offered now with a clean CarFax, clear title, and a stack of invoices, this truck needs nothing. Please come pick it up and lay down some rubber on the way out of our parking lot. Then go tow your ski boat to the lake for the afternoon, haul it home in traffic, and maybe the occasional burnout with the full family on board.
Please call Jason at 206-355-7727 for more information on this LS9 swapped Tahoe for sale.
Gallery
Overview and Driving Video
Media From Around The World
Road & Track
June 7, 2018
Jalopnik
June 12, 2018
Motor Authority
June 10, 2018
CarBuzz
June 11, 2018
Power & Performance
June 11, 2018
Opposite Lock
June 12, 2018