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Specialty Vehicle Engineering, the company behind the legendary Yenko name, is turning its attention to the 2018 Chevrolet Silverado for a limited-production supercharged muscle truck. Called the Yenko/SC Silverado, the 800hp truck is upfitted at the Specialty Vehicle Engineering production facility in New Jersey before being sold at authorized Chevy dealers nationwide.
Headlining the Yenko/SC’s spec sheet is a supercharged 6.8L V-8 that puts out 750 lb-ft of torque to go along with its stupendous power rating. The blueprinted, aluminum-block engine is based on GM’s LT1 architecture, enlarged from the Chevrolet Performance version’s 6.2 liters. A forged crankshaft, forged aluminum pistons, a CNC-ported cylinder head, and a custom stainless steel exhaust help the engine spin and breathe freely.
Doing its best to rein in the engine’s massive power is a performance suspension consisting of 2-inch–lower progressive front springs and a 5-inch rear suspension lowering kit, as well as a larger front swaybar. Massive 305-width tires help keep everything stuck to the pavement, and the Yenko/SC makes use of a GM Performance Parts brake package with six-piston calipers and 16.1-inch vented rotors.
The Yenko/SC package adds a lot of style to the Silverado, thanks to that hunkered-down suspension, 22x9.5-inch six-spoke wheels, a unique hood insert, and plenty of Yenko graphics. Cowl stripes and the Yenko crest mounted in place of the Chevy emblem make sure passersby know this is no mere single-cab Silverado.
The base package, which includes all of the aforementioned features, demands $46,995 plus the cost of the truck. Specialty Vehicle Engineering requires the donor vehicle to be a short bed/single cab LT Z71 with four-wheel drive and the GM Performance Parts brake upgrade kit, a configuration that starts at $45,485 with destination. From there, the customer can add a special interior trim package with contrast leather or leather/cloth seating for $2,495, plus a variety of custom-color options (supercharger, brake calipers, side stripes, and headrest embroidery), ranging between $145 and $995. All in, a finished truck with every option box ticked could cost close to $100,000.
Now, to be certain, that’s a lot of money for a pickup, but it’s still a decent bargain in terms of horsepower per dollar. Among production cars, it’s right up there with the 840hp, $84,995 Dodge Demon, and it’s way ahead of the $79,495 Chevrolet Corvette Z06, which gets by with "only" 650 hp. And for some, even those sporty cars can’t capture the cool factor that only a muscle truck can provide (see also: Pioneer Ford’s SVT Lightning tribute, a 2017 F-150 with a supercharged V-8 and a $50,000 price tag). And unlike some hastily produced modified vehicles, the Yenko/SC Silverado retains a three-year/36,000-mile warranty on the engine, supercharger assembly, and other componentry.
Admittedly, our opinions of sporty trucks at the Truck Trend office are split (this author loves ‘em). But there’s no denying this: the Yenko/SC Silverado is a pretty impressive package, offering more power and torque than most supercars at a third of the price.
Last week, we covered Ohio-based dealership Beechmont Ford, who sells brand new Mustang GTs with 700-horsepower for just under $40,000. For the second chapter of Beechmont's proclaimed "horsepower war," the dealership is planning an all-out assault on the performance pickup truck class with its 725-horsepower Ford F-150, inspired by the venerable SVT Lightning.
For just $37,995, Beechmont will take a 2018 F-150 XL Sport and slap on a 2.9-liter Gen 3 Whipple supercharger, bringing the power output up to 725-hp and 675 pound-feet of torque. For the same price, customers can also choose to add a ROUSH supercharger if they prefer a more established brand, although power goes down to 640 horses and 600 pound-feet of torque.
Just like with its Mustangs, Beechmont will work with each customer to adjust any F-150 trim to that person's needs, and with more than 65,000 performance parts in the dealer's inventory, each truck is unique. "The process starts with our performance team mapping out a game plan," said Charlie Watson, marketing manager at Beechmont Ford. "Once we know what that end goal is, we build accordingly!"
Unfortunately, Ford won't cover any damage caused by the supercharger, but for a little more money, Whipple can hook you up with a three year, 36,000-mile warranty. Considering the price of this Hennessey VelociRaptor-killing truck, that warranty is definitely worth it.
The Whipple-equipped F-150s can be purchased right away, and the ROUSH F-150s are available for preorder but will arrive in roughly 60 days.
Beechmont Ford says the "horsepower wars" have just begun, hinting that the next stage of its crazy build campaign is already in the works. While we're sure this next project will be based on another model in Ford's lineup, the dealership mentioned that it will eventually try its hand at Chrysler products as well. We can't even imagine what it could do with a Dodge Demon.
02-24-2018, 03:12 PM
Wild, 800HP 2018 Yenko/SC Chevrolet Silverado Now Available
