This Under Appreciated Engine is Finally Being Taken Seriously!

[@ImInLoveWithBulla]

Big power builds like this are always useful to demonstrate an engine, but what most people fail to mention is that 99.9% of all Skylines and Supras are not 1200, but more like 600 horsepower builds. And the 4200 can piss that out on a stock bottom like few other engines. Really, unless you’re a pro driver, you don’t need, or want much more than 600. Hell, more than 400.

[@lordhellfire153]

450rwhp is a wildly more powerful car than most people have ever handled. It's also the limit of what I'd ever want.

[@Thumper68]

What you’re doing is monumental. The 4200 can be the baddest inline 6 on the planet with the proper support it deserves and you’ve proved it and not given up.

[@sepg5084]

If the engine manufacturer put it in iconic sports cars then it would have gotten the "support it deserves".

[@Thumper68]

@@sepg5084 well they did have success with a race version of it. And it wasn’t even needed Calvin making more power with damn near all stock engine. Here’s some info I grabbed about it. I think if they would of used it like Calvin it would of blown up and be like 2jZ, RB lore and not affordable so maybe we should thank them🤣 The Vortec 4200 actually had a short-lived racing career. General Motors contracted with Falconer, a specialty engine builder, to construct a 5.0-liter, high-performance version of the inline-six. It produced roughly 600 horsepower at 7,500 rpm and 450 pound-feet of torque at 6,000 rpm, but shared almost no parts with the production engine. Herzog Motorsports ran the trucks and supplied the drivers. The first race truck was the Vortec Trailblazer that ran in the Baja 500 and Baja 1000 off-road races in 2000. The one-off vehicle was built with a tube-frame chassis and covered with a carbon fiber body. Driven by Larry Ragland, the 81 Vortec Trailblazer only competed in those two Baja races before retiring to Ragland’s garage. The Vortec 4200’s second foray into racing came at Pike’s Peak. Again built by Herzog Motorsports and driven by Ragland, this GMC Envoy race truck took home the overall win for the 2000 Pike’s Peak Hill Climb. It was built on a Trans Am chassis with a modified front subframe, this 4WD Envoy rode on cut-and-grooved tires powered by the same hand-built race version of the Vortec 4200. Herzog Motorsports also ran another Vortec Trailblazer in the Best In The Desert Nevada 2000. Four drivers tag-teamed the race and included Brian Stewart, Mark Miller, Bekki Freeman and Ryan Arciero. The 5.0-liter inline-six pushed the race truck to win the Trick Truck class, beating the next race team by more than 30 minutes and coming in second in the overall completion.

[@TurboWorld]

A 5.0 liter, that's gnarly !! Neat info@@Thumper68

[@tomrhadigan3085]

Love your stuff keep it going 2024!

[@stuart207]

​@@Thumper68 An all wheel drive version sounds very interesting 🤔

[@pdubowner]

Just attending PRI is a sign of accomplishment. Having something to show people AT PRI is an accomplishment to be proud of. Congrats.

[@Calvin-Nelson]

Thanks!

[@chevy383jt]

This channel has changed my mind on wanting to LS swap my trailblazer. I just finished my single turbo 5.3 in my 90 GMC, so I'm going to rebuild the 4.2 and put a turbo on it.

[@nessie42786]

Have you seen the trailblazer that was tuned on the Fasterproms KZbin channel?

[@AuditingTheCorrupt]

I enjoy your style of engineering and delivery, thank you and your Dad for all the effort and energy put into your KZbin channel

[@Calvin-Nelson]

Thanks so much!

[@richb.4374]

The Artec intake is awesome. I can't wait to see 1000 hp dyno pulls from this engine. It's refreshing to see an engine project that isn't a rehash of the million LS builds all over YT.

[@Low760]

Or Barras in Australia.

[@benjaminwatson7868]

Ya it’s still not gunna be popular based on everything that needs to be done to even compete with an ls

[@shifty1927]

Love what you're doing with under appreciated engines. Did the same 20+ years ago. Me and my father starting messing with his bmw e36 328. No one had made over 400 with one. We made 715whp (05) with the stock block and were the first to break the 1000whp(07) and first in the 9s.(with full interior, heated leather seats and ac 😂) Now its the preferred engine to boost for e36 guys. Keep up the great work.

[@shannonsisk]

If someone started casting or fabbing a few oil pan options for this engine, I really think that would help this platform take off in a huge way. That seems to be the biggest pain for most

[@Jack-im2wd]

I think that once you cross that 1000whp goal, you'll start turning a lot of heads. It kinda seems silly, but a lot of the discussions I see on the topic of i6's ultimately comes back to someone asserting that "X engine can go to 1000hp". I've seen this in reference to the 2J, RB, and Barra, but never in reference to the 4200. Specifically, if the 4200 can meet or exceed that same threshold, there's no reason for the 2J/RB guys in the US to keep ignoring this platform. Great work on the intake, let's see what she'll make!

[@robertjohnson4784]

Hey guys, I absolutely love what you're doing With the 4200 ARTEC helping out is awesome. You guys are pioneers and developers. Who knows the 4200 might be the next 2JZ Keep developing and pushing the envelope

[@76629online]

Fantastic! Makes perfect sense to hotrod an engine that has a natural perfect balance.

[@Calvin-Nelson]

Yessir!

[@jonmac155]

Best part of the the video - Mom's big smile walking in. It's like she's taking her two favorite nerds to Comic-con. Moms the best seriously. Btw not nerds, ultra gear heads. Can't be a nerd if your laying the cut. You're hard work is getting measured by manufacturers.That is no small feat. Be proud. As for the intake - man that's a sweet piece.

[@hendo337]

I met a few guys that I thought highly of and when I met them in person they didn't let me down. Finnegan, Freiburger, Tony Angelo, Dallas Brown(owner AHRA), Steven Lang(freelancer TTAC, C&D, ect),, Jordan Frank(Sloppy Mechanics, RCR) all bonafide car guys that are very cool. I have only met one person, that I would not recommend, UTG, I'll leave it at that.

[@lostallmymoney2082]

Really excited to see this come to market. This was the single largest hurdle to overcome with doing a Vortec 4200 and really appreciate you guys pioneering the path for the GM Atlas LL8. Keep it going.

[@hendo337]

I'm really stoked about these 4200s if I could get one, attach it to a T56 and controll it with Holley for reasonable money in my '04 GTO 6M I would absolutely do it. When I get beack to the USA from Brazil that's what I am going to look into. Even if I am forced to run it with a super cheap GT45 and a mechanical wastegate unintercooled with low boost on pump E85 that's what I'll do. If Toyota 1FZ-FE 4.5L I6s, 4L Barras, 1JZ or 2JZs were more readily available and cheap I might lean that direction but, the Atlas can certainly provide more than enough to make a street drivable car very quick, 500-550whp according to Matt Happle, on the Diehl Paving dyno, is more than enough to party the tires off and overwhelm most people well up to 100-120mph, it takes a lot to keep a transmission, driveshaft and axle behind that much power ao it should be adequate.

[@robsorgdrager8477]

Man, what a feeling it must be. I have only recently joined your channel but I have been a mechanic for the better part of of 30 years . I spent about 6-7 of those years working for GM. I have always thought the Atlas 4200 had potential and it was shown buy a guy and his father.... congratulations man!

[@punksrfr]

Thanks Artec!

[@thegalli]

Looks like dad is getting around a little easier 💪

[@Calvin-Nelson]

Definitely. Better and better.

[@J-Whit]

great to see the platform getting attention. thanks for all of your hard work with developing and pushing the 4200!

[@Jbomb-ep4jr]

The most wholesome automotive channel on YT. Love the content. Thanks for sharing.

[@Calvin-Nelson]

You're welcome. Thanks for watching!

[@philbetthauser9547]

Congratulations, thats awesome that you were featured in the booth at PRI it's an amazing experience.

[@Sleeperdude]

It was nice to meet you guys at pri keep doing what you’re doing.

[@paulmartin8212]

You guys are starting to get the recognition you deserve. Keep it up. I think people will want this platform over the 2JZ . Bigger is better. Only a matter of time.

[@robertwest3093]

It's funny that this video came across my feed. My bro in law just threw cylinder one rod through the block! Yes, he ran it low on oil. But before he blew it up that engine had great power for its size.

[@michaelblacktree]

Rolling that engine through the front door gave me a chuckle. 😄

[@mikeb6555]

Calvin, Thanks for your sheer determination to make this THE engine to have.

[@jeremyl4600]

It's good seeing you giving yours and your father's insights on the 4200

[@3xeplodng_3agle_studios]

I absolutely CANNOT wait to start my 4200 (5.0) swapped jag build and its all thanks to you that i even had the idea. Now the platform is getting proper development and attention. Can't wait!

[@CapablePimento]

Atlas King 👑🥇🏆when Atlas engines dream, they see Calvin floating in through the window, drifting toward them with a glowing halo.

[@jfseaman1]

Very nice. Fingers crossed.

[@bubbakushingtonIII]

Dude, I love these videos. The mellow mood with piano is just different. Thanks for being you guys.

[@RoB_666_]

Good to see the industry finally coming around on the 4200....bout time.

[@CarsCatAliens]

Cal, you are MY hero..... Appreciate what you do .

[@MrBigR928]

That was a sight to see you & pop pulling your engine through the front door🤣 They had to acknowledge you no doubt about it! I'm sure someone said, "Why is this guy pulling a Honda motor in a wagon"🤣 Priceless 🥰👍🏿

[@ryanknapp4964]

Awesome! That’s a huge step for the 4200

[@wacoracer]

The booth I was working was so close to where your engine was on display. I can't believe I missed it!

[@steventurner476]

This is awesome Calvin 👏👏 yall should be proud. Glad to see your dad is back on his feet too. Routing for the whole Nelson crew. 💪💪

[@Calvin-Nelson]

Thanks man!!

[@DrFiero]

Was really confused when you were rolling the engine into the show, as to why it was so short! Then saw it on the stand.... AhhhhHHHhhhh..... :D

[@716monk]

I really hope the support from other aftermarket manufacturers ramps up too! What you're doing is incredible and I'm super happy for artec backing this platform. I've got a mk3 supra just begging for a beefier heart than a 7mgte

[@Carbonneutraldrop]

Subliminal message to artec…”oil pans”

[@alanunruh7310]

I'm a hard-core Barra boy... but I'm also an American 😂 meaning your my hero!!! I might not be able to build my Barra within budget and enjoy it but you have pioneered our solutions!!! Thank you good sir 🙏 👏 👍

[@chrisw5837]

Thanks to people like you, you’re getting this thing on the map and showing its potential. Keep innovating and good Lusaka with 1000hp. I know you’ll get there, just have to keep at it.

[@billfog393]

Great to see your dad out and in the mix❤

[@cartailincautodetailing946]

I love the fact that they are giving u n ur dad the respect u guys deserve as custom car builders Plus the Chevy orange on that 4200 looks amazing

[@Calvin-Nelson]

Thanks. I was hoping the Chevrolet script would pop a little better. That was a last minute addition.

[@billfog393]

GM part number 200 isnt it?

[@dxd48c]

Merry Christmas. Blessings for the new year.

[@Calvin-Nelson]

Merry Christmas!!

[@davidpartridge4980]

Congratulations guys! Hard work pays off for great people.

[@outfitsgarage88]

Very cool. Congrats on the PRI invite. Looking forward to seeing the 1000 hp aswell

[@Jpilgrim30]

I love your channel and I think it’s awesome that the 4200 is getting some love. We have an 05 Trailblazer that we handed down to our daughter and it’s still getting her around today. That thing was a tank and it had some pretty impressive power in stock form. We pulled boats and trailers with that thing with ease. I love hot rods myself and I’m amazed at the power you are making out of these engines.

[@fromthebeginning6064]

I love inline sixes. My Cummins has over 560,000 miles still never opened up.

[@douglasmcdowall5006]

I'm really thinking it's the next engine going into my 03 Mustang in place of the 32v.. I've been following along and researching them for the last two years, the exhaust manifold got me really excited before but I don't have the fabrications skills to make a custom oil pan or intake. I know Emtech stopped making the pans last I had checked, but I'm super excited to see Artec making an intake manifold now! I think it's time to pick one of these up! Thank you again for really sticking to and pioneering these engines for all of us!

[@Calvin-Nelson]

Hopefully we can get some more oil pans out there soon.

[@douglasmcdowall5006]

@@Calvin-Nelson Man, that would be awesome! This all made my day. Lol

[@codemanrose]

Nice job guys! None of our group could make it this year but would have been sweet to see the setup at the booth. Maybe next year! Keep up the work by making this path to these motors wider and wider.

[@Calvin-Nelson]

Ah. That's a shame. It was a good show. Thanks!

[@wyatteells9033]

TRAILBLAZER MOTA VS THE WORLD

[@802Garage]

This channel deserves so many more subs.

[@SloppyMechanics]

🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@Edward135i]

3:13 So cool you got to hang out with Herman from Platinum Racing Products, and GReddy and ARTEC put the the LL8 right next to the legendary RB26 and 2JZ...your in good company with those brands.

[@Mastermindyoung14]

You're singlehandedly running up the market on 4200s. There was a Sloppy tax...and now there's a Nivlac Tax. I'm not mad at all!

[@IamJ007]

03 stock, 185k still runs like a beast. My dad similar. Engine is reliable and a tank.

[@hendo337]

I think it would be sick to see a large bore, short stroke 4200, even if it required sleeves, even a big bore, stroker for well over 5L, for n/a and high torque lower rpm turbo applications would be cool to build. It'd be cool if a sleeved, stroker 5.5L, with ported heads, cams, Tri-Y tuned headers and a variable length Intake with 30" and 15" runners was able to reach 120% VE, maybe hit 1.5 lbs/ft tq per ci and 1.65hp per ci n/a, 342ci 513TQ 564hp.

[@Calvin-Nelson]

Agreed. We will do a short stroke one someday.

[@mpetersen6]

You're going to be limited on just how big a bore you can go due to bore spacing. The limit is probably around 3.750"

[@ericwilson2585]

Kind of a new subscriber here, but thank you for the great footage of PRI 2023 looked like a really good show. And good luck on the 4200 and the 4 digit number, it's really looking good.

[@Calvin-Nelson]

Thanks! Also, welcome aboard

[@TweezDeez]

This is awesome! Nice work.

[@bvward]

Calvin, now that you are the undisputed "Boss" of the 4200, will you next achieve that designation for the North Star? Cadillac decals would be cool☺

[@danielfmyers]

Yay! Also that intake, once installed, leaves the injectors and fuel rail easily accessible/serviceable

[@Calvin-Nelson]

For sure.

[@modeverything1]

Can't wait to see it happen!

[@jonmac155]

I'm currently in Ecuador and there are tons of perfect Trailblazers around. I mean a buff and show quality. It's gonna be low 70 degrees for the next century. Not even surface rust. Had an Envoy. Loved it. The question? Talk me out of a 5.3. I'm half way there cause 'Merican straight 6 but LS is LS. Can you sell me on the advantages of the 4200. Of course I will buy my parts from you. Btw be a dealer of the goodies

[@hammbone1612]

Wish you the best man. I like to see guys taking a different path to horsepower.

[@bobg3034]

I see 1300+ HP come in the future!

[@ze_german2921]

You should have your own intakes casted with your name on it!

[@prevost8686]

I appreciate what you’re doing. Have a Merry Christmas to you and yours.👍

[@Ephet]

I think its amazing that this engine is finally getting noticed after being introduced 20 years ago.

[@Кто-тоНонея-у2я]

Well done! I believe that you will succeed. If not this time, then next time for sure.

[@TheMlc4life]

Kinda ironic you have '42' thousand subs right now!

[@RChero1010]

Shame I missed you at PRI, would've loved to chat about the 4200 trailblazer I'm boosting. Good stuff, I was bugging some rod and piston companies to start stocking parts for these motors, looking forward to seeing your projects continue

[@vee950]

Yup i may have to grab 1 of these engines for sure now while there still dirt cheap because when tuners start playing with these its really gonna be a game changer and these 4.2 I6 will get very expensive very fast

[@hondatech5000]

👏 👏 👏 well done. Artec + Nelson + 4200 =💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻

[@rajcam80]

Great work guys!

[@ramonmolina1695]

Hell yeah!!!!

[@slfrules1]

Doing big things bro!!! Way cool!

[@tylergensmer8376]

Can't wait to see the upcoming video's!

[@Calvin-Nelson]

Thanks!

[@justinwhitaker3537]

You and your pops are some hard workin dude's keep up the good work!!!

[@matthewlarson1050]

Congratulations on your recognition and success 🎉👍

[@matthewlarson1050]

Will that intake fit a GMC Envoy???? And where do I get one???

[@A2J_Tim]

A buddy of mine by the Name of Cam is part owner of Artec, he owns a performance shop in Red Deer Alberta called Light Speed Innovations..

[@rikukerola3844]

looks like solid engine. hope to see more ppl get into it

[@MrBigR928]

Excellent 👍🏿

[@joeyjojojr.shabadoo915]

Hey Cal, I personally LOVE the sound of the Audi Inline 5 from the Imsa/Rally Days of the early 90's, but am afraid of it as a platform, as it's very popular in Europe, just not in North America. Is it possible to get a Turbo Charged Vortec 3700 5cyl to sound as good ? do they share a firing order with the Audi ? I know nothing about Inline 5's. My knowledge is SBC/LS/RB26DETT.....that's it.

[@TurboWorld]

Awesome video, gnarly content! That intake looks glorious, but it sure is touching that master cylinder, mine was doing kind of the same but mine was touching the reservoir. Mine, completely different motor, my red block, so I remote mounted the reservoir. I'm gonna guess you will shave the master and the flange surface on the intake to get better clearance? Super congrats on the sponsor, you deserve it. You will stomp that 4 digit goal, I bet!

[@edugj23]

Really awesome to be at the vanguard of development as a small family garage. I feel we need that kind of drive to introduce a new option here 🇧🇷 as well, the VW EA827 is so popular it's actually getting scarce at this point. In another topic, locally manufactured Chevy 250 billet blocks are rolling out, with a few already achieving strong results on track.

[@HarryStirnemann]

who is making 250 billet blocks

[@edugj23]

@@HarryStirnemann MRB, who runs pro mods here and in the US (team formerly known as Speed Unlimited) and is now venturing into performance parts manufacturing

[@brandonrohrer7914]

Can this new intake have air to water intercooler sandwich into it ?

[@BrickNewton]

Thank you for pushing for more aftermarket parts for this engine. Now we can keep the Barra's here and stop you guys ys taking them all lol 😂

[@neilbrown82]

Don't worry we really don't want em anyway..

[@Low760]

Love the work to get here. So the manifold is supplied needing to be welded?

[@BuildaMan]

i need this intake.....

[@Ryan.p852]

This guy is a legend, I had one of these engines until today😢 my car got totaled

[@Calvin-Nelson]

Sorry to hear that man.

[@kevinjokipii4260]

14:07 is it my imagination or can you actually see the witness marks of the styrofoam grains from the lost foam core that was used to cast the block? I didn't realize how fine detail the process is capable of producing.

[@DrFiero]

You can certainly see it! Always thought it was crazy that the foam "lived long enough" to be able to see it.

[@Calvin-Nelson]

You absolutely can see the witness marks.

[@xozindustries7451]

Congrats!

[@dannyjr7997]

Mostly bc of this channel I've decided to purchase a 06+ Chevy trailblazer to build the 4.2 over time to be a 600+hp family sleeper suv.

[@markreibson7030]

56 years ago, that waltz accompanied an epic science fiction movie scene.

[@assaultlick2169]

Congrats, y'all ! All your hard work and dedication is paying off !

[@yassinenattah]

If you want a new engine to work on i'd recommend the Volkswagen 07k (2.5 inline 5) that came in the jetta and rabbit cause these engines are basically a naturally aspirated steel block rs3 engine and we know what hp you can get outta these (1300 hp if i remember well in a rs3)

[@raccoonvallie]

I've always loved the inline 6 but there never had many aftermarket stuff

[@mikejohns3104]

Congratulations! Always liked these engines since before they made it into production. My concern is the ease of compatibility across various platforms. It IS a TALL boy. Can you cover some possible reception candidates in the future?

[@BrickNewton]

Then Ford Barra is very tall too. And can be an issue fitting it into smaller engine bays. A good example is the Street Machine channels Turbo Bara MX5 drag car.

[@kens8903]

Now I want to turbocharge one of these 4200s in a single cab Chevy Colorado…

[@Calvin-Nelson]

Dooo it!!