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CHEVROLET BLAZER TO BE SUPERCHARGED BY LINGENFELTER: EXCLUSIVE

Think Of It As An Unofficial Blazer SS

Chevrolet Blazer

Lingenfelter Performance Engineering has finished development of its supercharger upgrade for the General Motors 3.6L V6 engine, and will install the kit for $6,995. The kit utilizes a Edelbrock TVS1740 Supercharger, and sends 450 horsepower to the crank. In short, it provides the desired power of a V8, without the added cost and complexities of performing an outright engine swap. For the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon pickup trucks, there is expected to be high demand, as GM hasn’t offered any high output performance solutions from the factory. Additionally, we’re told that the tuning company has received unexpected demand for supercharging an unexpected vehicle: The current Chevrolet Blazer, as we have exclusively learned.

If we’re all being honest with each other, the C1-platform Chevrolet Blazer is just another crossover SUV that comes with mildly attractive sheet metal which could also be mistaken for what’s coming out of Japan and Korea these days. It’s definitely not the rugged Ford Bronco rival it once was, nor is it all that sporty compared to something more dedicated like the Dodge Durango.

“It might be something different and cool – we’re gonna try one,” said Lingenfelter Performance Engineering Vice President Mark Rapson to MC&T.

Supercharging the midsize crossover might be the closest thing that we’ll get to a Chevrolet Blazer SS, or any kind of high-performance model, as we won’t be getting one from the factory. Giving it 450 horsepower with a supercharger upgrade would put the Blazer in striking distance of the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT, which has a 6.4L Hemi V8 engine that’s good for 475 horsepower. It would otherwise sucker punch its closest rival on paper, the 335 hp Ford Edge ST.

“Blazer was not on our radar initially, but we knew it was the same motor (as the Colorado and Canyon) and the supercharger will fit (even though it’s transverse)… I can’t tell you how many people came up and said ‘can I get this installed on a Blazer?’ We might go down that path. But they have to be all-wheel-drive, not two-wheel-drive.”

However they do it, putting down all of that extra power will definitely require an upgrade in suspension, tires and brakes, so we’d be willing to bet that LPE won’t limit its work to just what’s in the engine bay. Lingenfelter also plans on offering a pulley upgrade on top of the supercharged V6 package, which will bump the output to an awesome 500 horsepower to the crank. Pricing for this package is TBA.

Written by Manoli Katakis

Muscle Cars & Trucks was founded by Manoli Katakis - an automotive media veteran that has been covering the latest car news since 2009. His journalism has uncovered dozens of major product changes, updates, plans, and cancellations long before automakers were ready to make things official.

Some highlights over the years of his reporting include the uncovering of the Zora trademark before anybody else reported on the coming of a mid-engine Corvette, as well as the dead-accurate reporting of the coming of the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2, two years before it hit the market, and even before the debut of the concept vehicle. This type of reporting has immediately continued here, with reports of the original seventh-generation Camaro plans being shelved, as well as what's in store for the Chevrolet Silverado.

Some of his work can be found on massive automotive media outlets, such as Motor1. He also has been a guest on the 910AM Radio Station with Detroit News auto critic Henry Payne, as well as the enthusiast-oriented Camaro Show podcast.

Over the years, Manoli has interviewed various automotive industry titans, leaders, and people that make things happen otherwise. These include figureheads such as GM CEO Mary Barra, GM President Mark Reuss, automotive aftermarket icon Ken Lingenfelter, Dodge firebrand Tim Kuniskis, along with various chief engineers of vehicles such as the Ford F-150 & Mustang, Chevrolet Camaro & Corvette, and many more.

At MC&T, Manoli is taking his journalism expertise, deeply planted sources, driving abilities, and automotive industry knowledge to new levels, covering more vehicles and brands than ever before. This is the place where you will continue to read groundbreaking stories about American performance vehicles, pickup trucks, and sport utility vehicles. Here is where you’ll also read insights and quotes from various automotive subject matter experts on the latest relevant products, as well as some of the latest official news from their manufacturers.

Fun facts: he also once beat Corvette Racing driver Tommy Milner in an autocross with a Chevrolet Bolt EV. The biggest vehicle he’s ever driven is a John Deere mining truck. Besides a go-kart, the smallest vehicle he’s driven has been a Hyundai i10. He’s also spent time in the cockpit of various American performance vehicle icons, including the fifth-generation Chevrolet Camaro Z/28, Dodge Challenger Demon, and Ford Mustang GT350R. He has reviewed dozens of trucks, SUVs, and performance vehicles over the years.

One of his favorite new vehicles on the market today happens to be the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 Bison. He is also a card carrying member of the Sports Car Club of America, and regularly participates in Detroit Region autocross events.

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