When large quantities of people collaborate on just about anything, there is bound to be some mismatched opinions and hurt feelings. With a show-styled vehicle involved, the project's identity could get lost and suffer from garbage rather than glam. Those facts just don't support the story in this case. DSO Eyewear, GM's Hummer Division, Vortec Engines, and Maxum Boats are the brains behind the brawn splayed across these pages. What should have been a complete nightmare has morphed into a fairy tale of affordable fun.
Starting with a base $29,500 2006 Hummer H3 replete with the Vortec I-5, and knowing that the SUV would never see dirt, a McGaughy's suspension kit moderately shortened the distance inside the wheelwell. Adding to that are 22-inch MHT DUB Cream wheels and BFGoodrich 305/40ZR22 G-Force T/A KDW tires. Compensating for the higher-weight rotating mass are QA1 Stocker Star 12-way adjustable shocks. The planned motor mods called for some potent power, and that necessitated the use of an AP Brakes 6-piston caliper kit squeezing down on slotted and cross-drilled 15-inch rotors. Stainless brake lines add to the performance feel when the brake pedal sees heavy-duty use.
The bucky little I-5 Vortec engine currently powers H3s, and for all intents and purposes they make an adequate 225 hp. Adequate does not a custom make, so on went a Turbonetics ceramic ball bearing turbo. Inside the turbo is an F1 turbine creating a maximum of 8 psi of atmospheric boost while sucking cool air through a W.A.V.E. technology Spearco intercooler. Added to all this is a UniChip fuel and timing controller and a Raptor bypass valve ganging up on the 5-cylinder engine to create 300 hp. Passed gases route through the turbo and then out a polished stainless Gibson dual-outlet exhaust.
Truly boxy by nature of design, Auto Air Colors made all the difference in the H3's persona. Paint 'n' Place was saddled with the responsibility of turning the H3 into a rolling piece of art. Before the coloring could go on, all the rough textured plastic surfaces were knocked down to a smooth sheen. Then, utilizing Auto Air Colors' palette, Paint 'n' Place sprayed a full body coating of Sparklescent Nightmare Blue over Hot Rod Sparkle White. Star Shield Armor clear vinyl protects the leading edges of the SUV. The H3's taillights were darkened, and billet galore was added for shine. Defenderworx's glistening chromed aluminum bits highlight the hood grille, bumper hooks, mirror skins, antenna bezel, and roof rack knobs. PIAA lights replace the driving lamps and headlight bulbs, and paint-matched AMP Research motorized access boards reside under the rockers.