In the world of engine swaps, few powertrains are more popular than LS engines. However, what is rare is to see a special V12 LS installed in a mundane Kia van. You could easily call this one of the craziest sleepers ever created.
Built in a matter of days by some Australians in a shed, the V12 sits below the passenger compartment of the van. Yes, this really is a mid-engine V12-powered Kia work van that was created for a bit of fun.
For those wondering what exactly a V12 LS engine is, it is the work of this duo of Australian revheads and was revealed in prototype guise back at SEMA in 2016. The company, simply dubbed V12LS, would like to refine the engine to a point where it delivers 1000 hp without any use of forced induction. If that goal is achieved, it will be remarkable.
As you can imagine, buying a custom LS with 12-cylinders isn’t cheap and it costs $46,200 for a turnkey example with a standalone ECU and a touch over 700 hp.
Impressively, the massive engine actually slots into the Kia van relatively well and is completely usable. Watching it roar down the road really is mind-blowing to see.
The only issue? The go-getters decided to keep the stock Kia radiator in the van but it is woefully incapable of cooling such a massive powertrain and the van can only be driven for a few miles before overheating.