7 Cars That Would be 100x Better with LS1 Power
The argument can be made that 95% of all cars for sale on dealer lots could be greatly improved if they only had an LS V8 engine in them. The LS-based engine has become the gold standard for engine swaps because of its relatively affordable price, excellent performance, exceptional reliability, and huge aftermarket support. Here is a list of cars that we think could be improved exponentially by way of an LS engine.
1. Nissan 240sx
The Nissan 240sx was released at the onset of the 1990's and was touted as the return of Nissan's performance edge that had been dwindling since the 1970's. The handling was said to be precise and direct with its new multilink rear suspension while still providing a taut, compliant ride, which is why the drift crowd has had such a following for these cars. The 240sx has a small frontal area for a reduced drag coefficient making this platform perfect for high-speed runs. With an LS engine, the 240sx comes in at a perfect 50/50 weight distribution while remaining under 3,000 lbs. The aftermarket is aplenty with modifications for the 240sx, thus providing us with so many tricked-out Nissans. If Carlos Lago (a man who gets to drive various cars for a living) states that an LS-swapped 240sx was the best car he had ever driven, chances are it would make for an awesome ride.
2. DeLorean DMC-12
The DeLorean DMC-12 was best known for its role in the Back to The Future movies, but in the real word, quickly getting up to 88 MPH was quite a chore. Many would agree that John DeLorean's vision for an "ethical sports car" never truly materialized with the DMC-12 as many of the original ideas for the car were dropped due to time constraints and budget issues. The result was still quite appealing with its exotic gullwing doors, stainless steel body panels, weight-saving construction, and a rear-mounted engine, but its 130 horsepower Peugeot-Renault-Volvo (PRV) 2.85L V6 resulted in less than stellar performance. The car has the look and aura of an exotic, so adding a pulse-pounding LS engine would definitely help bring its performance up to snuff.
3. Porsche 924
The Porsche 924 was a joint engineering effort between Volkswagen and Porsche that was originally planned to be Volkswagen's top-tier sport coupe and Porsche's entry-level model which utilized a 2.0L VW 4-cylinder engine. Volkswagen would eventually drop their plans of releasing the car, but Porsche pushed ahead with the project and released the car in 1975 as a '76 model. The standard 924 model was produced from 1976-1986 and was praised for its handling and good fuel economy, but was regularly knocked for its poor performance numbers as it only produced 95-110 horsepower. Nearly 150,000 units were sold worldwide and with handling that was considered to be the best that Porsche had produced at the time, these cars are just begging for more horsepower that can be had with an LS swap.
4. Jaguar XJ (Series 1, 2, & 3)
The LS1 is typically associated with sports cars, but many feel it would be well suited in the classic XJ Jaguar for the ultimate classic tourer. When the XJ platform was released in 1968, it was considered the benchmark for ride quality and handling among saloon cars; however, by the mid-1970's build quality had begun to take a turn for the worse and vehicle reliability suffered. Fortunately, the iconic body lines and timeless attributes such as supple leather and polished walnut interior inlays make these cars ripe for a swap. Ditch the problem prone electrical system and the underpowered straight-6 for a modern LS engine that will allow you to reliably cruise in style for miles on end.
5. Mitsubishi Starion/Chrysler Conquest
The Mitsubishi Starion (also marketed as the Chrysler Conquest) was a Japanese 2+2 sport touring car produced during the mid-eighties to compete with other Japanese cars like the Toyota Supra and Mazda RX-7. Unlike the European markets which received the highly regarded 4G63 engine as eventually found in the Lancer Evo models, the US cars received a somewhat bland 150 horsepower 2.6L turbo-four. While people praised the Supra and RX-7 cars, the Starion seems to have slipped through the cracks despite its endurance and touring car racing success. Regardless, you are not likely to be ridiculed for swapping an LS engine into a Starion, and with its attractive 80's Japanese styling (especially the widebody versions) would make for a unique sleeper.
6. Mazda Miata
The Mazda Miata has always been a great driver's car praised for its handling and chassis balance. These cars are just downright fun to drive, which is why you will see more Miatas raced at the track each weekend than any other car. That said, the complaint that you will continually hear is "If the car only had X more horsepower it would be epic!" With a curb weight of under 2,500 pounds and the boost of 200+ horsepower provided with an accompanying LS engine, it would make for a vehicle with supercar-esque performance numbers. Although an LS-powered Miata may not be 100x better than the original car, it is pretty darn close!
7. Saturn Sky/Pontiac Solstice
The Saturn Sky and Pontiac Solstice roadsters were aggressive, yet stylish examples of what GM could do with a compact, 2-seat sports car. When the cars were announced, so many orders came flooding in that GM had to apologize for the potential delay in delivery times. While the cars definitely looked the part and were great for a Sunday cruise, owners were left wanting when they stepped on the gas pedal because the little 170 horsepower Ecotech 4-bangers struggled to briskly propel the 2,900-pound roadsters. Much of the horsepower shortcomings were improved upon with the turbocharged Redline/GXP model variants, but wouldn't 350 horsepower and 350 pound-feet of LS1 muscle really wake one of these cars up?
For help with your LS powered car or truck, check out the how to section of LS1Tech.com.