Introducing “Tainted”, a Holden Commodore built by Llama Engineering, designed to dominate burnout competitions and captivate car enthusiasts.

Leon Kenny has always been drawn to the thrill of burnouts and the roar of powerful engines. Growing up in Masterton, he attended numerous burnout events, not just as a spectator but also helping run these events. Leon’s love for cars, especially those with huge horsepower, fueled his desire to build something extraordinary.

Leon had always envisioned creating a vehicle that would leave a lasting impression on the burnout scene. This inspiration drove him to pursue his goal, and the opportunity to bring his vision to life came when he acquired a Holden Commodore Ute from Australia.

In 2018, Leon imported the Holden Commodore Ute to New Zealand. At the time, it was fitted with a twin tunnel ram LS1 engine producing around 450 horsepower on E85 fuel. Leon participated in several events with this setup, but he always had bigger plans for the Ute. The ultimate goal was to install a blown motor and significantly increase its performance.

 

 

With this vision in mind, he recruited Llama Engineering to take on the challenge, transforming the Ute into a true powerhouse. The build included an LY6 Block 403 Engine; ‘Kelford cams’ camshaft; CNC ported heads, rods and pistons; LS7 lifters; a dry sump system; and an 8-71 blower. Running on E85 Fuel and managed by a Haltech Nexus R5.

Here at Llama Engineering we worked closely with Troy from Warspeed Industries who delivered us a long motor for the build. We installed the engine and supplied all injection technology and cooling systems, with a full electrical install and dyno tuning. The results speak for themselves. It was awesome for us to be working with such a talented engine builder in Troy, with this level of comfort and collaboration.

We next moved onto the suspension system for the Ute, as we stripped the vehicle down we found the underbody area and airbag suspension had been damaged by heat and fire. The opportunity was taken to remove everything and produce a heavy-duty four-link setup with pushrod suspension connected to sway bars and airbags through rocker arms above the deck, resulting in this unique setup. This has proven to be 100% to Leons liking, the vehicle behaves exactly as he likes on the burnout pad, and provides that mean, slammed look for parking and presentation. 

The primary purpose of “Tainted” is to lose traction and compete in burnout competitions across New Zealand. Leon recently won an entry ticket to Australia to compete in the ‘Summernats’ burnout competition, he’s next vying for a spot to get flights and transport covered for him. Additionally, he enjoys participating in track days, trying to keep traction in comparison from the usual spinning of the wheels. 

One of Leon’s proudest achievements is seeing his vision come to life, thanks to the skilled team at Llama Engineering. The transformation of the Ute into “Tainted” is a testament to their expertise and commitment. Looking ahead, Leon plans to refresh the paintjob and install a roll cage, ensuring the Ute remains competitive and safe for future international competitions.

Every project faces its fair share of challenges, but Leon is quick to credit Llama Engineering for their ability to handle any issues that arose during the build. Their problem-solving skills and dedication to excellence ensured that “Tainted” met and exceeded expectations.

“Tainted” is more than just a burnout ute; it’s the work of Leon Kenny’s lifelong passion and a showcase of automotive engineering excellence. With a bright future ahead, this blue beast is set to make waves in the burnout scene, both in New Zealand and beyond.