Someone Has Built An LS7 V8 That Revs Beyond 11,000rpm
11,000rpm is a figure that’ll probably seem fairly familiar to you right now. We’ve been talking a lot recently about the Aston Martin Valkyrie hypercar, which has a 6.5-litre, naturally-aspirated V12 that tops out at a ridiculous 11,100rpm. Not bad for a road car, right?
The trouble is, the Aston costs at least £2 million, and only 150 will ever be made. Which is why we like this V8 - it’s an 11,000rpm-capable engine that’s a little more of the people.
That’s not to say creating this high-revving monster - dubbed ‘Project Spinal Tap’ - was easy. The V8 - which started life as a regular LS7 - has been a three-year labour of love for EFI University founder Ben Strader. The bulk of the work involved creating a valvetrain that wouldn’t shake itself into oblivion when pushed way beyond the stock redline of 7000rpm. In the dyno test you see here, it hit 11,230rpm.
A partnership with COMP Cams help deliver the goods, and here we are. Strader told Engine Labs that the LS7 hit 921hp (908bhp) at 9300rpm, while peak torque of 545lb ft arrived at 8000rpm.
More importantly, though, what do you think about the way this thing sounds?
Growing up on a diet of World Rally Championship highlights and lengthy Gran Turismo 2 sessions, a life in cars was as good as inevitable for Matt.
Comments
I swear to God some idiot will comment “But will it fit in my Honda” on this thread thinking he is funny
But…. will it fit in my Honda???
at the end of the day, (and night), it’s still a pushrod engine. What silliness. Buy an AMG, made by OCD-infused Gerry’s who have grown up around go-fast roads; Not the 55 MPH rubbish that IS the American highway system which gave rise to leaf-sprung Cadillacs and Chrysler Land Yachts…
There’s a bloody good reason why an Aston costs what it does lads!
The corvette has pushrods and leaf springs and is one of the best drivers cars around. It’s not for everyone but you don’t have to go on a smug rant.
ok boomer
Lmao go watch 1320Video on YouTube. Just cuz road laws are there, doesn’t mean Muricans (Texans in particular) are gonna follow them 😂. Not hating on Euro cars, I love them but even the average mustang on that YT channel will put your $300k Astons to shame lol
I’m really impressed. Pushrod engines aren’t really known for high revs
I’m genuinely surprised that an LS engine can rev that high. Probably required a lot of changes made to cam profiles, pistons, con rods, valves and valve springs.
Holy crap
Epic project name, turn it up to eleven!😁
11,000rpm on a Pushrod engine, holy sweet mother of god! this is my reaction…..
Put the same money in a DOHC V8 and it’s gonna rev even higher
happy Coyote noises
Doubtful. I bet the limitation here was dealing with piston speed and crankshaft harmonics rather than valve train stability.
Never thought I’d see the day where a pushrod engine sounded like a superbike.
Also I love how the reason this project started was essentially ‘because science’. That’s how the best projects start.
valve float, who dat?
Really impressive engineering