If you own a modern GM full-size SUV with a 6.2L V8 and you simply need more performance, then Hennessey offers a solution – specifically, a big flippin’ blower. Now, we’re watching what happens when a Hennessey-tuned GMC Yukon takes on a factory-spec Cadillac Escalade in a drag race thanks to the following brief video.
Clocking in at three minutes, 40 seconds, the video provides dramatic evidence of what forced induction can do for a vehicle’s straight-line speed.
In the video, both the GMC Yukon and the Cadillac Escalade run the naturally aspirated 6.2L V8 L87 gasoline engine, which is rated from the factory at 420 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 460 pound-feet of torque at 4,100 rpm. However, taking a look under the hood of the GMC Yukon, we find Hennessey’s H650 upgrade, which is highlighted by a 3.0L supercharger unit, high-flow intercooler, high-flow intake, hardened pushrods, crankcase ventilation, stainless steel exhaust, and custom tuning.
Put it all together, and peak output rises to 650 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 658 pound-feet of torque at 4,200 rpm, an increase of 230 horsepower and 198 pound-feet of torque compared to the factory ratings. Those are certainly impressive figures, but numbers on a page are one thing – actually seeing how they translate into real-world speed is something else entirely.
To that end, Hennessey sets up a drag race to show exactly how big of a gap the supercharger system can create over the stock L87. The video actually includes two drag races, including a race from a dig, as well as a roll race. As expected, the supercharged GMC Yukon takes the win in both scenarios, but the way in which it accomplishes that feat is pretty dramatic, pulling out ahead of the stock Cadillac Escalade by a city block from a dig, and handily jogging by the Escalade in the roll race.
See for yourself right here:
As a reminder, both the GMC Yukon and Cadillac Escalade ride on the GM T1 platform, while production takes place at the GM Arlington plant in Texas.
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Comments
As a reminder, the Cadillac Escalade is available with supercharger as stock.
Should have raced a new V-Series Escalade to see if aftermarket supercharger and tune is better than a stock factory one??
Would be interesting.