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Mad Genius Creates LS-Based V12 Engine

Chalk this up as one of the most unique motors we’ve ever seen: LS1Tech forum user V12Baker is showing off a boutique LS1-based V12 engine. Yup. An “LS12,” as it’s been nicknamed.

Two LS1 engines were sacrificed in the making of this piece of art, with the block, heads, and cam being welded into solid units. The crank, on the other hand, is bolted together in the middle. All told, the displacement rests at 8.9 liters, while only being 8.8 inches longer than the standard LS1 V8. Naturally, the V12Baker has plans to add forced induction.

And wouldn’t you know it? It’s said to be the new heart of a Datsun 280Z, which weighs around 2,600 pounds. Good gosh.

As for the four unused cylinders, well they’ve been turned into an equally interesting LS1-based V4. It’s hard to muster up the words to express our delight for the whole project, as are jaws are still pinned to the floor.

Former staff.

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Comments

  1. seen this on another site its innovative but i gotta question the integrity of a welded block/heads though seems sketchy with the kind of power output this leviathan would be capable of..especially with forced induction! i will commend him on his effots though sink or swim this is innovation @ its best!…and i surely wouldnt call a engine thats 8.8 inches longer than a standard small block and displaces 8.9 liters a small block though

    Reply
  2. Hmm…

    5.7 / 8 = 0.7125

    0.7125 * 12 = 8.55

    I wonder where the extra displacement came from. Also, I’d like to see just how wildly crooked the crank is.

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    1. Increased bore, perhaps?

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      1. Maybe it was an LS2 6L

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  3. Well Holly Shiet, & GM only Gave us an LSX

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  4. What does one say here, bolted crankshaft and welded block and cam… How about Booom and then Oh Crud…

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  5. Is Holly Shiet a new super model…

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  6. I think this would be right at home in a 2/3 scale P-51 Mustang. After a few reliability tests that is…

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    1. Actually from what I understand the first engine those guys built, is indeed installed in a P-51 replica

      however that engine didnt have a pieced together crank, it had a new billet one

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  7. how about these comments, people who don’t work on cars talking about how a guy who made the engine he wanted is gonna have it fall apart, that’s a website about cars usual comments for ya though

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  8. Two comments:

    1), There is NO SUCH THING as “most unique”, or “less unique”, either, for that matter. The word “unique” means “one and only”. Either something IS of IS NOT “unique”. If you don’t know the meaning of a word, don’t use it! I believe that, at this time, this engine is, indeed, UNIQUE.

    2), Properly constructed, such an engine assembly can stay together. Engineering analyses of the components can be accurately simulated using today’s computer-aided design capabilities and design deficiencies eliminated before construction. Bolt-together crankshafts have been used successfully many times, so that part of the concept is not necessarily a problem. Welded up cylinder head and block assemblies have also been used before. There is no inherent impossibility in this design concept. I must say, give the guy credit for having the guts to try it!

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  9. Well I hope all works out and we can all get one to toss into our next project car…

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  10. Have you guys heard of Ryan Falconer (Falconer Racing Engines) did the same thing (back in the 90’s) to a Gen II small block with a one piece billet crank & new head & block castings. Used those engines in unlimited class Race planes, they were pretty successful. One of those engines even found it’s way into a street rod hear in SO Cal!
    Can’t see how this LS V-12 could find the space for the coupling arrangement to attach the cranks together without sacrificing counterweights & main journal integrity in the center. I make billet crankshafts for a living, maybe I can help him out!!

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  11. well its going to be boosted so maybe they bored it out or slight piston/rod size change?

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  12. Curious as to what the cooling is going to be like around the 5 and 6 cylinder area. no waterjackets. But none the less flight or fail its an awesome idea. I’d love to see a v6 ls comparable to a 4.3L in an s10.

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  13. MOST OF YOU GUYS FLUNKED ENGINE SHOP! OF COURSE ANYTHING DIFFICULT IS POSSIBLE, THE IMPOSSIBLE WILL ONLY TAKE US A LITTLE BIT LONGER! MORONS SHUT UP, IF YOU DON’T THINK SO!GO TO SCHOOL! PAY ATTENTION!

    Reply

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