Porsche GT3 Vaporizes LS-swapped ’74 Chevy Square Body: Track Time Tuesday

By S.J. Bryan - September 29, 2020

Sophisticated teutonic Porsche squares off against classic American metal boosted with hulking horsepower.

There are a multitude of things that make the Porsche so exceptional. Porsche has produced generations of brilliant cars. They’re incomparable, nothing feels like a Porsche feels. It is luxury, exotic, sporty, and endlessly fun. Bottom line: Porsche has more than proved its mettle. But, when you are consistently at the top, a few things are certain. One of which is that someone will always want to snatch the crown…or the bragging rights, at least.

In their latest video, the Hoonigan crew challenges a Porsche 911 GT3 to drag race a fairly unlikely rival: an LS-swapped 1974 Chevy square body C10 pickup. It seems an unmatched bout. Or is it? The LS-swapped truck more horsepower behind it, and the GT3 is really at its best when using its agility to corner–less so on the straightaway.

When we first see the Porsche, we know this is going to be fun. Owned by Ivan from Strasse Sport, the 2015 991 Porsche 911 GT3 is a stunner. Not exactly “nothing crazy,” as Ivan describes it.

Hoonigan immediately calls out Ivan’s humility. This GT3 has been track-prepped to conquer. With NACA ducts, tow hooks, roll bar, a sick rear wing, Recaro seats, and a Moton reservoir–the Porsche means business. Bone stock with an Acropolis center section exhaust; it makes 475 horses and is mated to a 7-speed PDK.

Weighing about 3,100-ish lbs., the guys joke it is the weight of one the Chevy’s tires. Another advantage for the fabulous looking blue GT3. Without hesitation, Hoonigan’s crew is in agreement: the Porsche will win.

But, we have to give respect to its opponent. Hoonigan’s own Zach has his 1974 Chevy C10 square body pickup. The third-generation short bed truck is a cool classic. Plus, has a pretty great asset under the hood with the LS small-block engine. This tough 434 ci LS3 engine with some mods and bolt-ons makes 545 HP. However, that baby is going to have to pump hard as the big ol’ pickup weighs about 4,640 lbs.

So are we once again presented with the age old question: Precise German engineering, or American muscle?

Well. Not really. The Porsche just decimates the Chevy. However it is interesting.

To even the playing field, the GT3 will not be using traction control on the first race. It will also be a short race. Which is Zach’s request, although why he thinks this will play to his advantage is lost on everyone. Porsche will get off that line in a hurry, and can get major boost from a dig.

It doesn’t work. The Porsche just tears by the high-horsepower Chevy. A few times. Finally, they do a bonus round with no launch and traction control. It is the closest race, but the Chevy can’t touch the Porsche.

While the results aren’t surprising, it is interesting to see it play out. Especially when you see the difference from the aerial shots. Porsche is just a monster off the line.

But it is indeed a lot of fun to watch. Despite the outstanding LS engine, the 991 just outperforms, effortlessly. It goes to prove it isn’t about the numbers with the 991 911 GT3 (not that we’d complain over 475 HP) it’s how Porsche uses it.