Trailblazer SS Bolt-Ons - Tricks Are For Kids

We then installed SLP Performance 1 3/4-inch long-tube headers. The headers are mandrel bent, ceramic coated, 409 stainless. This is a great time to install these as everything is out of the way.

The passenger side header was installed from the top of the engine and the driver's side from underneath. Tune Time has found that this is the easiest way to install headers in the Trailblazers. The fit was excellent on the headers and we had no issues as we started to bolt everything back together in the engine bay.

With that, we buttoned everything back up on the topside of the motor including Tune Time's cold-air intake kit specifically for the Trailblazer SS application and a set of 46-psi Lingenfelter fuel injectors.

We then put the SUV up on the lift and gutted the exhaust. SLP took care of us from exhaust port to the ABS rear fascia panel--literally.

From the factory, all Trailblazer SS's have one exhaust pipe out the back of the truck, and due to the high demand for dual exhaust, SLP sells a complete cat-back kit.

The kit comes with a new rear fascia panel available in all TB factory colors, plus 4-inch dual polished, all the piping, muffler, stainless steel tips, and a lifetime warranty. It looks and sounds fantastic.

Like any other build, we ran across some issues along the way, but made amazing power when we were all said and done. Matt set the Trailblazer on the dyno and by the time he was done custom tuning, we were looking at 456 peak rear wheel horsepower and 419 peak rear-wheel torque, a gain of 147 hp and 92 lb-ft. We could not have been happier with the results.

We had every intention of making some hits at Atco Raceway the next day, but the transmission exploded while making a few quick hits on the street near the shop. It wasn't a surprise as the Trailblazer's nickname has long been "Transblazer" due to the stock 4L70Es they consume. Anger Management Racing is presently redoing the transmission and we are going to be installing a 3,400-stall Precision Industries Vigilante triple-disc torque converter. This combination should be good for mind-blowing 11-second quarter mile passes, while still maintaining street manners.