The Chevy S-10 Xtreme was one of the most radical pickup trucks of the 1990s and 2000s. It was basically an appearance package for Chevy’s compact pickup that included a different front fascia, body-color bumpers, special wheels, and a lowered suspension. Running from 1999 through 2004, all Chevy S-10 Xtreme models were equipped with the 4.3-liter Vortec V6 engine that was available in the standard S-10 and the only engine available in the related Blazer SUV of the same era.
The Vortec V6 that was originally in this truck wasn’t bad, but also wasn’t very “Xtreme.” At its best, in stock form, it made 190 horsepower and 250 pound-feet of torque. One S-10 Xtreme owner on the LS1Tech forum decided that wasn’t quite enough and swapped in a 6.0-liter V8 that the owner estimates that it now makes between 500 and 550 horsepower.
The V8 in question is an LY6 which originally saw duty in GM HD pickup trucks and full-size SUVs in the late 2000s. In stock form, an LY6 makes 361 horsepower and 385 pound-feet of torque, but this one is generously modified. The most significant mod on this engine is the LSA supercharger which was used on performance cars like the 2012 through 2015 Chevy Camaro ZL1. Other engine modifications include Injector Dynamics ID850 high-flow injectors, an LS9 camshaft, Stainless Works headers, and a Holley Dominator EFI system.
Power is sent to the stock rear end via a close ratio Tremec TR6060 six-speed manual transmission. According to his build thread, the owner is planning on upgrading to a 4.11:1 ratio 8.8-inch Ford rear end this winter.
Aesthetic modifications to this step-side truck are fairly limited. It has an aftermarket hood with a large cowl and OEM wheels from a C6 Corvette Z06 which is a nice touch. It’s good to see a footnote in Chevy truck history get some attention with a well-executed build like this.