After a tough 10-month thrash, the Drag Challenge VS ute we’ve called Grimace finally makes some big horsepower on the dyno!

Taking it from a stocko, V6 manual car to a Dart LS, twin-turbo monster was no small task. In this episode it all finally comes together, as LS master tuner Adam Rogash at MPW Performance & Race Fab works his magic on the Nexus R5 VCU to get the combo singing. 

Before we get into the power runs, here’s a basic rundown of the ute’s grunt package:

• 427ci Dart LS Next block
• Proflow SuperMax+ intake manifold
• Custom-grind Crow Cams camshaft
• Pulsar 7375G reverse-rotation turbos
• Custom MPW manifolds and exhaust system
• Proflow intercooler with MPW piping
• TurboSmart ProGate 50mm wastegates
• Proflow fuel pumps and surge tank
• AllFast Converters-built Powerglide
• RTS nine-inch diff, full-floater axles
• Haltech Nexus R5 VCU and IGN-1A coils
• E85 pump fuel

After doing his basic set-up process, Adam ran the ute up for a mesmerising 503kW/675hp. This was amazing, as it was the first full pull on the lazy base pressure of just 7psi.

He slowly crept up on the boost, the combo easing past the 1000hp barrier at 20psi to make 789kW/1059hp. We should note that this was all happening without CO2 assistance, and because it’s early days, the tune is still quite rich. In short, we’ve really only scratched the surface of what this combo is capable of.

The 1059hp pull wasn’t the biggest of the day, though. Before the intake pipe blew off the throttle body, Adam gave her one last run where the big 427-cuber went for even more. How much, you ask? Well, you’ll just have to watch the video below to find out: