A V8 engine in a small pickup, we know the recipe. What’s much more exciting is this Chevy Colorado swapped with a supercharged Atlas I6 engine. Instead of opting for a classic LS, Sky Perry from the YouTube channel Reignited – Cycle and Automotive, chose to install a GM inline 6-cylinder, nicknamed the “GM 2JZ,” equipped with a large turbo. After months of work, the project resulted in a functional and formidably effective race truck.
An Ambitious Project on a Tight Budget
It all started with the purchase of a Colorado for $1,200 with a blown engine. Perry, known for his Hemi swaps, this time found an Atlas 4.2L I6 engine from a Chevy Trailblazer for just $300. This “budget” project ultimately cost him about $7,800, including the pickup.
250 Hours of Work and Customization
This controlled budget is the result of hard, self-reliant work, estimated at 250 hours. Perry machined the intake manifold for the VS Racing turbo himself, handled the engine programming with a MaxxECU, installed an 8.8-inch rear axle, and lowered the suspension by 3 inches. Remarkably, the original AR5 manual transmission was retained, requiring a custom flywheel. All this is paired with a $100 clutch.
Proof on the Dyno: 426 Horsepower
The result is spectacular. On the dynamometer, the Colorado produces an impressive 426 horsepower at the wheels and 413 lb-ft of torque. The most incredible part? These figures are achieved with only 0.7 bar of boost. A machine as powerful as it is loud, as confirmed by its builder.
A Community Around the Atlas I6 Swap
Sky Perry is not alone in this adventure. He was supported by Calvin Nelson (Nivlac57 on YouTube), a specialist in this engine. Nelson is famous for installing a 1,000-horsepower Atlas in a 5th-generation Camaro and pushing a Trailblazer to under 10 seconds in the quarter mile. A passionate community is forming around these Atlas I6 swaps, a trend that is as technical as it is exciting.