These Two Porsche 911s Are Both Hiding Powerful V8s
A V8-powered Porsche 911 may sound like a bad idea. However, last month, an Australian firm crafted a wild, twin-turbocharged V8 example and set it up for drifting. Not to be outdone, a pair of modified Porsche 911s with V8 engines have been unveiled at SEMA by Eneos, and they're just as excessive.
The first is a 2007 Porsche 911 GT3 built by Faruk Kugay from Devspeed. Kugay purchased this GT3 several years ago and, in 2023, fitted it with a bespoke widebody kit and Subaru's famous turbocharged 2.5-liter EJ25 boxer four-cylinder. Now, it's undergone a second engine swap and has been morphed into a wild drift machine.
The Subaru engine has been replaced with a naturally aspirated 6.0-liter LS2 V8 that has somehow been crammed into the 911's small engine bay. The centerpiece of the new powertrain is a custom exhaust with CNC-bent header tubes crafted by German engineer Christian Koegler. The exhaust pokes out from above the engine bay where the 911's rear window would normally be. It looks like a work of art, and is functional too.
Mated to the V8 is a manual transmission from a Porsche 996 Turbo, a two-way limited-slip differential, custom suspension components, a Link ECU, and a widebody kit. As the car has been built to go drifting, the interior has been stripped out and includes a roll cage and a pair of lightweight carbon fiber racing seats.
This 1973 911 is packing an Italian V8
The second Porsche 911 on display at the Eneos SEMA booth is a 1978 Porsche 911 SC from Jimmy Oakes. It's powered by a Ferrari F136 V8 used in models like the Maserati Quattroporte and has custom independent throttle bodies based on parts from the E92 BMW M3's V8. Like the GT3, the 911 SC has a manual transmission from a 996-generation 911 and upgraded Porsche Boxster brakes.
A special widebody kit has been developed for the car that dramatically enhances its stance on the road. A fresh coat of Guards Red paint adds to the dramatic look, as does the lack of a front bumper. Sitting in place of the rear bumper is a custom-made stainless steel exhaust. A set of 17-inch Volk Racing wheels completes the car's wild transformation.
According to Oakes, his 911 SC's design draws on Japan's tuning and motorsport culture. If he wants to double down on the JDM style, perhaps in the future he could swap that Italian V8 for the Nissan Skyline GT-R's iconic RB26 inline-six?
