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Lamborghini Diablo with LS3 V8 Engine Swap Has 550 HP

Remember that "What can you HEMI?" thing where people used to put big V8s on fruit juicers and grills? Well, it appears that it works with GM crates like the LS3. You've probably never seen one stuffed into the back of a Lamborghini Diablo.
Lamborghini Diablo with LS3 V8 Engine Swap Has 550 HP 10 photos
Photo: Renegade Hybrids
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There's just something about the way America does things that you've got to love. I mean, these folks just take a quick look at a featherweight Porsche 911 or a classic Italian supercar and decide a Detroit engine wold have been better. I suppose that's how they made the De Tomaso Pantera, but that's another story.

This next project is about the marriage of a 1995 Lamborghini Diablo and an LS3 V8 engine, probably out of a Camaro. Responsible for this abomination is Renegade Hybrids, a first that specializes in such undertakings. They've created custom mounts that fit between the stock LS3 and Diablo body. Considering there aren't that many mint condition Lambos from that era, we're glad there wasn't any cutting involved.

Dyno testing revealed the V8 produces 550 horsepower at the crank and 480 at the wheels. That's about the same as the classic V12 that the Diablo came with.

The new heart of the beast is connected to a modified Porsche G50 transaxle. Pretty much every part of the car had to be custom-made. The owner also had large cup holders, cruise control heated seats and a new stereo. Good for him!

Even though the idea of taking a V12 and replacing it with a V8 sounds stupid, we kind of know what the owner was thinking. You see, during the Gumball 3000 rally, we spoke to a guy that drove a Lamborghini LM002 and said the servicing costs for his engine were getting out of hand. Pretty soon, we might see an LS-powered Lambo SUV, but for now this Diablo tickles our funny bone.

Photos courtesy of Engine Swap Depot
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About the author: Mihnea Radu
Mihnea Radu profile photo

Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida.
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