The GMC Syclone was way ahead of its time, considering that it’s a turbocharged AWD V6 pickup truck. This vehicle is loved by its followers, and many people wanted to see its return, but it was never brought back by GMC. Specialty Vehicle Engineering (SVE) does produce a new version of the Syclone, but with only 100 being built and a price tag of over $40,000 on top of the purchase price of a new 2019 GMC Canyon, few can afford it. So what do you do if you can’t buy a new Syclone?

You build one, of course!

Strictly Performance Motorsports is a performance shop out of Michigan and does everything from complete engine builds to full projects, custom fabrication, and tunning. They have also created a cool tribute vehicle that’s based loosely on the GMC Syclone.

Their version of the Syclone started life as a full size lifted 2008 GMC 4×4 single cab short bed. The project was cleaned up and then lowered to get the proper stance. Naturally, the truck had to be all black with red lettering to pull off the signature look of the ’90s icon. For the power plant, Strictly Performance Motorsports used one of their boost prepped 5.3-liter engine packages. The L83 has all of Brian Tooley Racing’s (BTR) valve train along with a Strictly Performance Motorsports production turbo kit and a Treadstone intercooler. The 76mm turbo gets the 5.3 to the 708 horsepower mark and 862 lb-ft of torque. The transmission is a fully built 4l80E with a straight cut planetary for first and second with a built triple-disk torque converter. The full-size Syclone still has the with a stock rear-end and stock axles. In BigKleib34‘s video, the full weight truck ran a stout 10.45 at 132 MPH at Holley’s LS Fest East this year.

While the purist will probably hate it, in our opinion the Strictly Performance Motorsports Syclone is a super cool twist of the original Syclone. We wouldn’t dare say it’s a better version, but it is AWD, turbocharged, and has BIG V8 power making this Syclone tribute one wild ride. Our hats are off to Strictly Performance Motorsports for a creative rendition of one of the most iconic trucks ever built.