GMC Typhoon
The GMC Typhoon was a turbocharged, all-wheel-drive two-door SUV based on the GMC Jimmy platform. It used a turbocharged and intercooled 4.3-liter V6, a four-speed automatic transmission, and a full-time all-wheel-drive system.
Model Overview
The GMC Typhoon was produced for the 1992 and 1993 model years. It was related to the GMC Syclone pickup and used a turbocharged version of GM’s 4.3-liter V6 paired with all-wheel drive.
The Typhoon body was based on the two-door GMC Jimmy SUV rather than a pickup body. Compared with a standard Jimmy, the Typhoon used performance-specific engine, drivetrain, suspension, wheel, tire, exterior, and interior equipment.
Core Specifications
| Model | GMC Typhoon |
|---|---|
| Model Years | 1992–1993 |
| Market | North America |
| Body Style | Two-door SUV |
| Platform / Body Basis | GMC Jimmy / S-series truck platform |
| Layout | Front-engine, all-wheel drive |
| Engine | Turbocharged and intercooled 4.3-liter V6 |
| Engine Family | GM 90-degree V6, LB4-based turbo application |
| Displacement | 4.3 liters / 262 cubic inches |
| Valve Train | OHV, 12 valves |
| Block / Head | Cast-iron block, cast-iron cylinder heads |
| Induction | Turbocharged and air-to-water intercooled |
| Horsepower | Commonly listed at 280 hp at 4,400 rpm; some references list 285 hp |
| Torque | 350 lb-ft at 3,600 rpm |
| Transmission | 4-speed automatic |
| Drive System | Full-time all-wheel drive with viscous-coupling transfer case |
| Wheelbase | 100.5 in |
| Length | 170.3 in |
| Width | 68.2 in |
| Height | 60.0 in |
| Curb Weight | Approximately 3,800–3,900 lb, depending on source and equipment |
Output figures vary by reference. Many period and enthusiast sources list 280 hp and 350 lb-ft; some later specification databases list 285 hp.
Engineering Character
Turbocharged 4.3L V6
The Typhoon used a turbocharged and intercooled 4.3-liter V6. The engine was based on GM’s 90-degree V6 architecture and used production-truck engine family hardware with performance-specific turbocharging, intercooling, fuel, and calibration changes.
All-Wheel Drive
The Typhoon used full-time all-wheel drive. Power was routed through a four-speed automatic transmission and a viscous-coupling transfer case.
Automatic Transmission
Factory Typhoons were equipped with a four-speed automatic transmission. A manual transmission was not offered as a factory option.
Two-Door SUV Body
The Typhoon used a two-door SUV body based on the GMC Jimmy. This distinguished it from the Syclone pickup while retaining related powertrain and all-wheel-drive hardware.
Model-Year Notes
| 1992 | First Typhoon model year. The vehicle combined the turbocharged 4.3-liter V6, four-speed automatic transmission, all-wheel drive, and two-door Jimmy-based SUV body. |
|---|---|
| 1993 | Second and final Typhoon model year. Equipment, colors, and production totals vary by year and should be checked against specific vehicle documentation. |
| Syclone Relationship | The Typhoon shared its general turbocharged V6 and all-wheel-drive performance concept with the GMC Syclone pickup, but the Typhoon used the SUV body and was produced later. |
Drivetrain And Hardware Notes
| Turbocharger | Factory turbocharged V6 application with air-to-water intercooling. Exact turbocharger and intercooler component details should be verified against vehicle documentation and service references. |
|---|---|
| Transfer Case | All-wheel-drive system used a viscous-coupling transfer case. Driveline condition should be evaluated separately from standard two-wheel-drive Jimmy models. |
| Suspension And Brakes | Typhoon-specific suspension, wheel, tire, and brake specifications differ from standard Jimmy applications. Exact equipment should be confirmed by model year. |
| Road vs. Modified Specification | Many surviving vehicles have modifications to boost control, exhaust, fueling, engine management, turbocharger hardware, suspension, or wheels. Factory and modified specifications should be documented separately. |
Modern Enthusiast Relevance
- Turbocharged and intercooled 4.3-liter V6
- Four-speed automatic transmission
- Full-time all-wheel drive
- Two-door GMC Jimmy-based SUV body
- Relationship to the GMC Syclone pickup
- Early-1990s factory turbocharged truck/SUV performance application
- Short 1992–1993 production run
- North American market performance SUV specification
Comparable Cars
GMC Syclone
Turbocharged all-wheel-drive GMC pickup related to the Typhoon. It used a pickup body rather than the Typhoon’s two-door SUV body.
Buick Grand National
Turbocharged GM performance car from the previous decade. It used a turbocharged V6 and rear-wheel drive rather than the Typhoon’s all-wheel-drive SUV layout.
Ford F-150 SVT Lightning
Factory performance truck from the same general period. It used a V8 pickup layout rather than a turbocharged V6 all-wheel-drive SUV configuration.
Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.9 Limited
Later 1990s performance-oriented SUV using a naturally aspirated V8 and four-wheel-drive architecture rather than a turbocharged V6 all-wheel-drive package.
Buying And Ownership Notes
Evaluation should confirm model year, VIN, production documentation, drivetrain condition, turbocharger condition, intercooler system operation, boost-control hardware, transmission behavior, transfer-case condition, suspension condition, brake condition, corrosion, and prior modification quality.
The Typhoon should be distinguished from standard GMC Jimmy models and from the GMC Syclone. Typhoon-specific trim, cladding, wheels, drivetrain components, and interior details can affect parts availability and valuation.
MSC Taxonomy
Summary
The GMC Typhoon is a 1992–1993 turbocharged all-wheel-drive two-door SUV based on the GMC Jimmy platform. It used a turbocharged and intercooled 4.3-liter V6, four-speed automatic transmission, full-time all-wheel drive, and Typhoon-specific performance equipment.