Built Outside the Box
The aftermarket scene is home to builds that automakers wouldn’t otherwise create due to factors such as brand identity and development costs. The community gathers every November at the SEMA Show, showcasing unique creations that can inspire enthusiasts to push the boundaries of automotive customization.
Two Porsche 911s at this year’s SEMA Show are taking an unconventional approach with V8 engine swaps. Both builds, sponsored by Japanese oil company Eneos, depart from the 911’s traditional flat-six formula, a move that could either upset purists or leave them impressed. One is based on a 1978 911 SC and uses a Ferrari-built Maserati V8, while the other started life as a 2007 911 GT3 before receiving a GM LS2 small-block engine.
Eneos
A Change of Heart
Given the use of a Ferrari-built engine, the modified 911 is nicknamed “Porrari.” The engine was sourced from a 2007 Maserati Quattroporte. Maserati and Ferrari once had a close engineering relationship, but the arrangement ended in 2023.
To make the swap possible, the builder, Jimmy Oakes, installed a custom bellhousing, clutch, and flywheel to mate the V8 with a 6-speed manual transmission from a Porsche 996. It also features individual throttle bodies adapted from an E90/E92 BMW M3’s S65 V8, a custom exhaust system, period-correct Volk Racing VRX-10 wheels, upgraded brakes, coilover suspension, and a roll cage.
On the other hand, the LS-swapped 911 was built by Faruk Kugay, who previously ran the car with a Subaru STI EJ25 flat-four engine. The latest engine was chosen for the drift-focused build, likely because the LS2 has a relatively compact pushrod design and delivers strong torque, which can be useful for maintaining wheelspin while drifting.
The engine features LS3 cylinder heads and a dry-sump lubrication system, helping maintain consistent oil delivery during the sustained lateral forces experienced while drifting. Other notable specifications include a Porsche 996 Turbo gearbox with a custom two-way limited-slip differential, a hydraulic handbrake, a Wisefab steering-angle kit, and a widebody conversion.
Eneos
The Road Porsche Never Took
Porsche is no stranger to V8s, having used the engine configuration in models like the 928, Cayenne, and 918 Spyder. However, the automaker has never fitted one to a production 911, potentially due in part to packaging and cooling challenges associated with its rear-engine layout, as well as concerns over weight distribution. As such, these builds offer a glimpse of what the iconic sports car could be like with two extra cylinders thrown into the mix.
The 2026 SEMA Show runs through November 6 at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.
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About the author
Rex Sanchez
News Editor