Efraín Gil’s story is a testament to passion, perseverance and a relentless pursuit of excellence in the Mopar® world. His love for cars, which began in his youth, took him on a journey from being an enthusiast working with his uncle in the Bronx, to serving in the military, and eventually returning to his true calling: building high-performance Mopar vehicles. Along the way, E (as in Efraín), honed his skills, built a reputation for quality and forged lasting relationships with car enthusiasts from all walks of life.
Efraín’s journey into the world of cars began with his uncle, who lived in the Bronx and was deeply passionate about classic cars, particularly the big-body cars from the 1950s. From an early age, E would help his uncle, learning everything he could about cars. It wasn’t long before his love for cars grew and his passion pointed him toward muscle cars. His hard work would pay off as he acquired his first car at a very young age.
At 15, E purchased his first muscle car. He saved up for three years, working side jobs, all while not even being of legal driving age. His car became his canvas for learning and experimentation, a passion project which he built to his spec and was bitten by the famous mod bug that gets all of us.
In December 1997, Efraín joined the U.S. Army, where he would spend several years serving as an Army Ranger and forward observer. Originally stationed in Oklahoma, he encountered the import scene. Although originally into muscle cars, he expanded his interest and bought his first import. While stationed in Oklahoma, he started experimenting with power adders like turbos and superchargers. With his attention to detail and understanding of performance upgrades, his builds soon become the modified cars to buy. This was when the business things started to take off and he began buying and flipping cars from auctions, working on 20 to 30 vehicles at a time.
In the summer of 2009, E was now stationed in New Jersey, made a significant shift and went back to American muscle. He bought the biggest muscle car you can get at the time, a 2005 Dodge Ram SRT®-10 Quad Cab. He was initially impressed with the truck’s torque; something imports simply couldn’t replicate. The truck would eventually be built and supercharged to over 800whp with a 6-speed conversion.
In 2012, I followed in similar footsteps and got my first muscle truck, a 2006 Dodge Ram SRT-10 Quad Cab. As much as I loved the truck, it wasn’t long before I was bored of the 4-speed automatic and was thinking of selling. I didn’t want to switch platforms; I just wanted to shift gears again. The regular cab Dodge Ram SRT-10 came with a 6-speed manual, so I was looking to sell or trade to get into one. At this time, internet forums were popular compared to how Facebook groups are today. When E came across my thread, he reached out and offered to help me 6-speed swap my truck right at his house on base!
I knew E from around the forums but other than that I didn’t have any relationship with him. This is the part about cars that I love. I ended up going to his house on base. It was a warm welcome arriving at E’s house with multiple friends showing up to hang out and talk cars, plus his wife generously offering a delicious dinner.
Efraín didn’t just agree to 6-Speed swap my truck, he took me his under his wing to teach me anything he could. I eventually left my truck at his house and would come down every weekend to work on it in his garage and eat his wife’s cooking. It was a sad day when he got restationed in California, but I am forever grateful for the work he did on my truck and everything he taught me.
While stationed in California, E began working on Jeep® SRT8s, further expanding his skills with SRTs. Unfortunately, after an impressive build, his Jeep was stolen one Halloween night, and despite the setback, he replaced it with an SRT Hellcat. It was a blessing in disguise because getting that SRT Hellcat set up the foundation for the builds he does today. As E worked on his SRT Hellcat, modifying it and racing it, he used his firsthand experience to assist others on forums and social media. Efraín has always made himself the test subject before doing builds for others.
By 2015, E had established his own shop located in Jacksonville, Florida, dedicated to Mopar vehicles exclusively. With a focus on performance builds, he specializes in building SRT Hellcats that could handle the rigors of high-speed racing, all while maintaining street-legal functionality. Over the years, he’s built more than 60 cars, with each one reflecting his attention to detail, safety and performance.
His own SRT Hellcat became a showcase for his abilities. Initially running in low 11s in the quarter-mile. It has now achieved a personal best of 8.38, with E aiming for 7 seconds this season. The car has undergone numerous transformations, with E continuously testing and upgrading based on his personal experiences at the track. His wheelie-popping Charger will makes its debut in the 2025 season opener of the MSHS.
Despite his achievements, Gil remains humble, never considering himself a pro. He takes pride in helping others, offering track support and advice to fellow racers. Unlike other shops that focus solely on quantity, E has a very special eye for attention to detail. He doesn’t overwhelm himself with too many projects, or have cars sitting for months or years like other shops. He does not rely on his shop to survive financially; he builds cars because he loves it and every build is done with passion or not done at all.
E’s family plays an integral role in his business. His son, who assists with social media and detailing, has his own Mopar project. A 2005 Chrysler 300 V6 that they swapped with a 5.7L HEMI® engine, with Hellcat headers, a custom intake manifold, and Hellcat brakes. E’s shop operates with a small, tight-knit team, which includes just one employee and his son. This minimalist approach allows him to focus on what truly matters: creating exceptional cats that meet his high standards. He caters to all budgets and knows how to stretch a dollar to give every client the most for their investment.
Looking forward, Efraín plans to continue his work at a slower, more relaxed pace. He is not interested in big deadlines or the pressures that come with running a larger shop. Instead, he is content focusing on the quality of his builds and enjoying his retirement years. This racing season, E and I will reconnect as we team up in the Modern Street HEMI Shootout.
From a young boy helping his uncle in the Bronx, to a military veteran, and now a respected SRT Hellcat builder and racer – E’s life illustrates a lifelong passion for all things muscle and performance. Whether working on high-performance drag cars, restoring classic Mopar vehicles or teaching others the craft, E’s commitment to quality, safety and the joy of building Mopar vehicless shines through in every project. Through his humble approach and dedication to his craft, he has created a lasting legacy of the fastest man on base!
Contact information
Instagram @___SRT_E___
Shop Address:
1524-4 Virgils Way
Green Cove Springs, FL 32043
Photo Credit: Dub Mediaworks
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