Crazy engine swaps are nothing new. We have almost seen about everything – from the LS V8 epidemic, to the Toyota 2JZ swap, and an alphabet full of Honda swaps. But even we were stupefied to learn that someone was crazy enough to swap a $375,000 Lexus LFA.
This LFA is a unique piece of machinery which comes out of the factory with an already amazing 4.8-liter V10 that revs so fast, the tachometer has to be digitized in order to keep up with the pistons. The unconfirmed backstory of this particular LFA is that it was damaged in 2011 by a tsunami and was reincarnated into a drift machine by OTG Motorsports in Japan. The rev-happy V10 was tossed out, sorry to all the purists out there, in favor for a TRD built NASCAR V8 hooked up to a sequential transmission.
to maintain than the V10, and also the V8 produces more torque which is crucial in drifting. Rumor also has it that it currently produces 750 horsepower, and by the end of the season will be boosted to create power numbers in the four-digit range. Youichi Imamura has been tapped as the driver so look at D1 Grand Prix.
No matter what powerplant was employed to do the job, the LFA gets a second chance to show off its beautiful body lines and create tons of tire smoke, all while giving drift fans something refreshing to look at. This drift build is definitely causing a stir as there is always a group that doubts the sport or tackling this sort of swap, but we think it is something different and unique.