This 996 Porsche 911 isn't just water cooled - it's copping an LS V8 transplant

Tom White

Deputy News Editor

2 min read

What do you do when your 996's engine kicks the bucket? LS swap it, of course.

Thats right, our US counterpart Tyler Hoover over at Autotrader's Oversteer is in the process of stuffing a 6.0-litre LS2 Chevrolet V8 from a 2007 Corvette into the 911's flat-six shaped engine bay.

The 996 is notorious for engine issues, and after a massively impressive run of almost 400,000km, a track day caused this one to meet its end (as in, oil-filter-looking-like-a-glitter-tube-style end.)

At least for now... Tyler notes he's already sold his rooted Porsche engine as a rebuildable core for the equivalent of AU$2,000 in preperation for the heart transplant.

Interestingly, the LS2 motor puts out almost as much power as a late '90s 911 Turbo and, thanks to all-aluminium construction, weighs roughly the same as the original Porsche flat-six.

You're probably thinking "surely, it won't fit..." and normally you might be right, but thanks to the prevalence of LS engine swaps in the US there is a company that offers a pre-fabricated kit for this particular Porsche to make it all work.

Here's one we prepared earlier: The kit tucks the alternator and AC compressor under the banks of the V.
Here's one we prepared earlier: The kit tucks the alternator and AC compressor under the banks of the V.

The cost of the kit and engine together add up to just over AU$13k - which is what it would have cost to rebuild the original block anyway.

Tyler plans to detail the intricacies of the build on his YouTube channel. We'll be watching.

What do you think - should a Porsche ever receive all-American octuple-bypass surgery? Let us know in the comments.

Tom White

Deputy News Editor

Tom’s way into motoring journalism was anything but straightforward despite annoying his parents to no end as a child by identifying makes and models with ease, and acquiring a large collection of Matchbox models. Other interests took over in the intervening years, including tinkering with electronics and computers, and an interest in the past, which eventually culminated in a Bachelor of Arts and Science from the University Of Sydney with a major in Ancient History. During this time, Tom was exposed to all sorts of cars by working as a valet and eventually the Bell Captain at The Star casino in Sydney. He then went on another side-quest, studying law at Macquarie University before applying for a job at CarsGuide. After being hired Tom worked his way up the ranks in a variety of roles and refined his craft, now serving as CarsGuide's Deputy News Editor, with special interests in new technologies and electric vehicles, as well as emerging trends from China. Tom has been recognised by his peers as the EV Journalist of the Year at the 2026 Newspress Australia Awards. He’s personally owned a selection of wheels from a 1981 Holden Gemini to a 2009 Ford Falcon, through to his current 2011 Subaru Forester and many others in between. You can find Tom on LinkedIn and Instagram. Education Bachelor of Arts and Sciences | The University of Sydney | 2010 - 2014 Graduate Certificate of Laws | Macquarie University | 2015 - 2016 Awards 2026 Newspress Australia EV Journalist of the Year Featured Publications CarsGuide | 2016 - present
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