--- title: "9.9L Lingenfelter Suburban POV: Behind the Wheel of the Ultimate Sleeper SUV" date: "2025-05-02" modified: "2025-05-02" authors: - name: "Byron Hurd" job_title: "Editor" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/byron-hurd" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/9-9l-lingenfelter-suburban-pov-behind-the-wheel-of-the-ultimate-sleeper-suv" categories: - "Chevrolet News" - "Culture" - "History" - "News" - "News by Brand" tags: - "Chevrolet Suburban" - "suv/crossover" --- # 9.9L Lingenfelter Suburban POV: Behind the Wheel of the Ultimate Sleeper SUV ![]() *\Tedward via YouTube\* A few years back, we caught wind of one of [Lingenfelter's 550-horsepower Chevy Suburban 2500s]() for sale out in Washington. Fitted with a 9.9-liter Mercury Marine V8 rather than the standard 7.4-liter, or 454, this low-volume upgrade from our friends over at Lingenfelter Performance Engineering reads like peak '90s land-yachtism. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBNh8KJaoFw While Lingenfelter has conjured up more than its fair share of [eye-wateringly fast GMs](), this Super-burban wasn't actually the tuner's idea—at least not in concept. It came instead by way of a request from the Saudi Arabian government, which was in search of a new heavy-duty, high-performance law enforcement vehicle. GM turned the bid over to Lingenfelter, which in turn produced the monstrosity you see here. This insidiously quick sleeper package was then made available to the public, because hey, why not? We noted its 550 horsepower off the top, but that V8 also puts out 705 pound-feet of torque, which was enough to get the barge from zero to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds [when *Car & Driver* tested it in 1994](). On modern tires, this thing is probably quick enough to make a [Durango Hellcat]() driver sweat. With specs like that, its pre-COVID price tag of $17,000 seems like a bargain in today's economy. But does it really live up to the hype? ![]() *@TedwardDrives (YouTube)* ![]() *@TedwardDrives (YouTube)* [Tedward]()' managed to get his hands on one of these juggernauts—tough to do, given that they were produced in very low numbers—and his drive reveals both the big 'Burban's strengths and weaknesses. It has all the thrust in the world (at one point he says it "makes the 454 feel like a Corolla") and sounds great showing it off, but it gets up to speed so quickly that he'd feel a lot better if it had some beefier brakes, which he acknowledges would be difficult while maintaining its original sleeper aesthetic. And that under-the-radar theme is only reinforced by the effortless way it builds speed. Sure, you'll hear this thing, but it's not trying to draw unnecessary attention. ## Author Byron is an editor at The Drive with a keen eye for infrastructure, sales and regulatory stories. He brings a light, punchy style to all of his content, believing that there's plenty out there to be laughed at—himself included. Born and raised in Maryland but now based just a stone's throw from Detroit, Byron is an auto enthusiast and generalist who enjoys building and tinkering with things of all kinds, from cars, computers and digital cityscapes, to the new garage that will soon house his fleet (a CT4-V Blackwing, a JK Wrangler and an NA Miata). Inspired by an early love of rollercoasters, Byron quickly caught the high-performance driving itch. He's been tracking and auto-crossing his cars since 2007. In his downtime, Byron enjoys reading, playing city builders, and studying the history of the Motor City. ### Author social links [Bluesky]() [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()