G-ZERO | 1998 Chevy C1500

An OBS that Crushes Dreams

The phrase “ground zero,” according to Webster’s, refers to the point on the ground directly below a nuclear detonation that marks the point of the most severe damage or destruction. This term can also be used in relation to earthquakes, epidemics and other disasters. But for Franky Hernandez from Mission, Texas, ground zero is where all other truck enthusiasts’ dreams of having the coolest OBS in the country are crushed. Most guys hope for cool air-ride suspension or maybe a turbo-charged SBC, but when your standards are as high as Franky’s, those details are just the beginning. 

Starting with a simple plan to build a cool truck to cruise with the family, Franky ended up spending around two years and $50,000 perfecting this project. No corners were cut, and no expenses were spared. An all-new drivetrain, powerplant, leather interior and a fresh coat of paint started off the project with a bang, although the three-link air-ride suspension from The Drop Shop in Mission, Texas, really sets this truck apart. RideTech shocks fill each corner and Air Lift airbags get the truck off the ground. A new set of upper and lower control arms had to be fabricated, but the time was well spent. 

Engine power is important to Franky, so he let the crew at Ignite Motorsports in Mission, Texas, take the reins. The donor ’08 GM 454ci V-8 engine was first balanced and blueprinted before receiving a new set of polished and ported GM heads. The internals on this monster include Oliver Rods connecting rods, Diamond pistons, Total Seal rings and a 9:0 compression ratio. APR main stud bolts keep the case together, and a Callies crankshaft was added as well. 

To maintain the proper fuel pressures, a Holley Sniper 102mm EFI intake was bolted up with 160cc Injector Dynamics fuel injectors. Dual Walbro 450cc fuel pumps were utilized along with an MSD ignition box, coil and plug wires. To fancy up the front of the engine, Franky had a Billet Specialties serpentine pulley kit installed as well. Dirty Dingo motor mounts keep the block in the correct position, and dual Garret GT35R turbos with Tial Sport wastegate and blow-off valve are the icing on the cake. To move the spent air out of the engine bay, a set of 1⅞-inch custom-built headers were built and bolted to the mandrel-bent header back exhaust system.

To allow all the sensors to communicate to the proper channels, Ignite Motorsports added a Toro custom wiring harness. Transferring the power to the 4:10 Eaton rear axle gears is a GM 4L80E transmission with a Circle D 252mm Pro Series converter and a 3,600 stall speed. To keep it cool, they installed a Trans Cool transmission cooler. The Billet Specialties Invader wheels look amazing at each corner with staggered fit sizes—the front are 24×9 and the rear are 24×12. Both have Saffiro SF5000 tires and Wilwood 16-inch big brakes tucked under Slosh Tubz wheel tubs. There are plenty of other details to spec, but take a look at these pics while you read the spec box. It’s an impressive OBS build to say the least!.  

  Truck Specs:

Franky Hernandez
1993 Chevy C1500
Mission, Texas
Club: Ground Zero is our Limit

Chassis/Suspension

• The Drop Shop Customs three-link rear suspension
• Air Lift airbags
• RideTech shocks
• Custom-built upper and lower control arms

Engine/Drivetrain/Performance

• ’08 GM 454ci V-8
• Balanced and blueprinted
• Polished and ported GM heads
• Oliver Rods connecting rods
• Diamond pistons
• Total seal rings
• 9:0 compression ratio
• APR main stud bolts
• Callies crankshaft
• Billet main caps
• Custom grind camshaft with 243/251 lift and 117LSA duration
• Holley Sniper 102mm intake EFI
• 160cc Injector Dynamics fuel injectors
• 1⅞-inch custom built headers
• Mandrel bent header back exhaust
• MSD Ignition coil and plug wires
• Dual Walbro 450cc fuel pumps
• Billet Specialties brushed finish serpentine pulley kit
• Garret GT35R turbos with Tial wastegate and blow-off valve
• Dirty Dingo motor mounts
• Toro custom wiring harness
• GM 4L80E transmission
• Circle D 252mm Pro Series converter with a 3,600 stall speed
• Trans Cool transmission cooler
• Driveshaft Unlimited driveshaft
• 4:10 Eaton rear axle gears
• Wilwood 16-inch Big Brakes and master cylinder
• Engine work by Ignite Motorsports in Mission, Texas

Wheels/Tires/Brakes

• Billet Specialties Invader wheels
• Front: 24×9; rear: 24×12
• Saffirro SF5000 tires
• Front: 315/30/24; rear: 265/30/24

Body/Paint

• T-REX billet grille
• LMC smooth bumper
• Front and rear Slosh Tubz
• Shaved tailgate handle, stake pockets, third brake light and bumper steps
• Smoothed firewall
• Painted by Omar Vegas

Interior

• Red Ultraleather Snowden seats
• Custom interior by Palamas Upholstery in McAllen, Texas
• Dakota Digital gauge cluster
• Billet Specialties steering wheel
• Kicker KMC5 head unit
• Custom-built door panels with DS18 speakers
• DS18 subwoofers in a custom enclosure
• Smoothed and painted dash
• Billet interior pieces