Record-Holding LSX 4×4 Silverado Takes On Tesla Plaid
In an epic best of three drag race, watch as a 1,500 HP LSX Silverado furiously outwit a neck-breaking fast electric sedan.
Anybody familiar with drag racing knows that Tesla’s all-electric high strung Model S Plaid has been putting up some serious competition for even the fastest cars. With over 1,000 HP and instant torque driven through its AWD drivetrain, it’s ready and set to run from a dig–not unless a special Silverado jumps in the fun.
The $130,000 electric sedan has been taking wins against a variety of fast vehicles of all kinds on Hoonigan‘s This v. That show on YouTube. So much so that they now have the Tesla on the show as a benchmark standard for all other vehicles to compete against.
However, all win streaks must come to an end. We couldn’t be happier that this comes in the form of a heavily modified 2004 Chevy Silverado 1500 built by Beto and the team at Ondgas in Houston, Texas. Let’s find out a little bit more about what makes this truck so deadly.
A Chevy 1500 with 1500
For those unfamiliar with Ondgas, they are a performance truck tuning shop in Houston. The team also have a popular YouTube channel where they regularly post both vlogs and original content related to their builds.
This time they ventured out from Houston to Hoonigan headquarters in Southern California with their “work truck”. The thing is when Beto, owner of Ondgas, means work, he actually means racing.
However, he is insistent that this Silverado is built for the street. This is even with the fact that the Chevy has no cooling system and a parachute on the back. Not your average streets as you can see.
According to Beto, this is “nothing too crazy…we from Houston, this is standard there…the truck game in Houston is crazy.” We are inclined to believe him as the twin-turbos sit menacingly in the engine bay without disguise.
Record Fastest 4×4 Silverado with LS Engine – 8.30 1/4 mile time
Originally the Silverado was purchased as a daily about a year and a half ago. However, this only lasted about 2-3 months before Beto decided “I wanted to go fast.”
Fast forward to a 427 LSX, twin 79mm Garrett turbos running on M1 fuel with a 3-speed Rossier Th 400 transmission.
This build is good for about 1,500 HP, but Beto stated they would most likely turn the boost down about 1,200 HP to grip on the unprepped surface.
Long-term Hoonigan resident, Dan Sommer, quickly responds with “what about when you’re not lying?” to which Beto responds, “same thing,” as they laugh it off.
Stock axles, suspension, and transfer case
You might think that this truck is completely built out to support the crazy power levels that a big LSX engine can provide. However, the lack of supporting mods is surprising.
Most of the front end is actually completely unmodified, however, Beto admits that they do “break axles every now and then.”
To try to keep the truck in one piece, pre-race burnouts are usually done in RWD and then switched back to 4×4 for the launch.
The truck is a bit lighter than stock, as there are custom fiberglass doors, windows, tailgate, and bumpers to bring down weight.
Race 1: heads up – 1,000 ft
Is it possible for Tesla to match the output of this Silverado? Likely not. However, the electric gravedigger has claimed many an unsuspecting victim.
As we hear the wild turbo spool of a completely uncorked LS scream for the first time, things are not looking good for the Tesla.
On launch, the Silverado absolutely grips the surface and achieves a stunning 60 ft launch, making the Plaid, known for its violently quick launch, look slow.
By the 1,000 ft, the Tesla had been no contest gapped by about a 5 car distance. There were some rules to be adjusted for the next one.
Race 2: Tesla 3 car advantage, Silverado gets the jump
Due to the uneven first battle, the Tesla owner negotiated a 3 car advantage but gave the Silverado the jump to balance out.
Unlucky for the Tesla, the driver reacted extremely slowly on the jump and had lost the race before they had even put down the pedal to start.
Another decisive win for the Chevy meant they had won the contest with a best 2 out of 3. However, the fun was not over yet.
Bonus Race: Tesla starts at 30 roll, Silverado at a dig
To finish off this battle, the two owners decided on the most interesting format possible for the final race.
The Tesla was given a rolling start at 30 mph while the Silverado would start at a dig.
Without a doubt the closest of the 3 races, the Tesla would barely edge out the Silverado by about a 1/4 of a car.
It was a really solid race for both competitors. We are still blown away by how quick this Silverado is.
Hoonicorn v. Silverado Next?
Considering the fact that the benchmark Plaid was simply no competition for the twin-turbo Silverado, the next obvious target is the epic Hoonigan Hoonicorn, the fastest vehicle the team has to offer.
We are hoping that a future episode features this matchup and it was teased as a possibility at the end of the episode.
The Ondgas shop has about 20 different trucks, this Silverado is the fastest for the “street.” Beto is also currently building another truck which he plans to do a 6-second, quarter-mile pass in.
Who knows which one will be the next that they bring out for the next race. One thing is for sure, those Houston work trucks are no joke!
