It spins at over 7,000 rpm, and you can even buy one.
The LS Swap. Few phrases can evoke the same level of enthusiasm or contempt in the world of custom-built automotive builds. Because of its small size, reliability, affordability, high horsepower, and affordability, the GM-built V8 engine has been a huge success. It’s why it can be found in everything Chevy Camaro restorations to street rods. And yes, it crosses the forbidden line to power Ford Mustang builds as well as all manner of import projects. You can see LS contempt at a Mazda rotary meeting with an LS-swapped RX7.
LS Swap All the Things:
What if you don’t want the V8 rumble but still want the LS experience? Get started Race Cast Engineering based in Australia, who love the LS engine and have a serious mad scientist vibe. Since the early days of the big-block LSX, the team has been experimenting with a V12 version. It’s now ready to be a 750-horsepower (559 kilowatts) naturally aspirated crate engine. You can see the insane 9.5-liter (yes, even 9.5-liter) monster on the dyno as well as inside a car. Kia van. We were serious. Mad scientist thing.
We will be getting technical. The details of this mill are fascinating even for people who don’t know the LS language. This is clearly a single-piece custom build, not a V8 with four additional cylinders welded in place. The iron block is identical to the 7.0-liter LSX with the same 4.125 inch cylinder bore. Race Cast uses the 3.62-inch stroke of smaller displacement LS engines to rev it up. The camshaft is quite mild (one cam in the block), and it spins at 7,100 RPM when fully throttled. It is also extremely streetable as it idles at a remarkable 900 RPM.
The torque curve is perhaps even more impressive than the maximum 755 horsepower at 6,500 RPM. It’s actually not a curve. More than 600 pound-feet (814 Newton meters) are available at almost any rpm. This results in tire-shredding thrust just by touching the throttle. This is the base engine that uses a safe tune, according to the video. A hotter cam and aggressive tuning can produce over 1,000 horsepower.
Australia’s V12 LS engine is being showcased at the 2019 SEMA Show in a Factory Five Racing project. According to the company’s website, they are available for order now. However, it is not inexpensive as you would expect. This engine is a turn-key option and costs $55,200. However, builders looking for something unique with big power may find this the perfect LS swap.