Creating a fun and exciting street and track ride that could withstand the 8,000 foot Colorado altitude was the goal in mind when Larry Brown embarked on the build of his ultra –rare 1993 GMC Typhoon. A journey that lasted a total of seventeen years and included several builds has resulted in nothing less than a one of a kind masterpiece creation that is a true testament to automotive craftsmanship at its best.

The GMC Typhoon is a high performance SUV that was produced from 1992 to 1993, and was based on the 1991 GMC Jimmy. Aside from a handful of prototypes, only 4,697 Typhoons were built by GMC: 2,497 in 1992, and 2,200 in 1993. Unlike regular production Syclones, Typhoons were offered in various color configurations that differed by year, with black/black being the most common.  All new vehicles featured a Mitsubishi TD06-17C/8 cm2 turbocharger, Garrett water/air intercooler, and a 4.3 Liter V6 engine with a LB4 intake manifold and a 48mm twin-bore throttle body.

This one of a kind build offers convenience and comfort along with neck-snapping performance for both the experienced and novice driver on just about any track or street venue. With fun and excitement as the driving force in this project build, Brown picked up his Forest Green canvas in 1993 from Emrich GMC Dealership which happens to be the same dealership that sponsored the Ferrari versus Syclone challenge back in the day, where the Ferrari got smoked by a factory Syclone in the quarter mile.

After acquiring No. 2270, it didn’t take long for the modifications to begin. In 1994 the 4.3 Liter V6 build would come to a finish in 2011. After several enhanced V6 builds with different combinations from turbos, to blocks, to forged internals and add-ons, the modified 4.3 liter V6 would obtain ETs of 12.5 – 12.6 on the quarter mile.

Still not quite satisfied with the results of the performance enhanced 4.3 liter V6, Brown decided to take things to the next level to achieve the desired results on and off the track. Looking to increase power and to decrease overall weight as well, Brown teamed up with Weld Performance to swap out the 4.3 liter V6 for the powerful naturally aspirated LS7 427 7.0 liter V8 modified motor, taking this immaculately preserved, low 20,000 mile, single-owner ride to new heights in performance.

The installation of an LS7 GM Engine would retain AWD and Brown also had custom heads and headers installed. To bring things to halt with this added performance, Brown installed front and rear 4 piston Wilwood disc brakes, 15 inch Weld ProStar Wheels with BF Goodrich drag radials. The custom Dakota Digital hybrid dash with data logging keeps track of the vitals, and this emission legal ride is not only a great grocery getter but a track beast as well.

This spicy new combo is now producing 750 horsepower and 700 lb/ft of torque on on pump gas. The AWD platform splits traction between front and rear with just  35% going to the front and 65% to the rear. This is no trailer princess, Brown takes his forest green beast out on average once or twice a month for an afternoon spin or to the local track for some testing and tuning.

Ensuring this multi-purpose build creation experiences the best that the car arena has to offer, he also brings his ultra-rare numbered Typhoon out twice a year for the show circuit to attend Bandimere Truckfest and local cruises at neighboring drive-ins. With eight awards amassed, including the Badimore Speedway 2014 Show 1st class award, Brown’s seventeen year project build has proven to be a win in so many ways both on and off the streets.

Enjoying the overall originality of this creation, Brown is at about 95% completion of the build and enjoys the amazed looks and stares when the engine is running due to the deep, loping cam. Very unlikely to ever see another LS7 AWD Typhoon anywhere this is a one of a kind project build that was created with limited parts, knowledge, and challenges that have resulted in nothing less than a success on many levels.

If you’d like to share your ride with us here at SLTV, send us an email at Reader’s Wheels, and tell us a little about your car. Get some pictures ready and we’ll contact you and get more information and you’ll be on your way to sharing your car with the rest of our readers. Let us know what you think in the comments section below!