Manoli Katakis 
Sixteen Power, LLC turned a lot of heads at the 2019 SEMA Show last month, which considering all that there is to see there, is a pretty difficult thing to do. But when there’s a twin-supercharged LS V16 engine just sitting there, in the open, even the most desensitized among us tend to notice. However, there was one major downside with that engine on display: it was meant for boats only. But at the 2019 PRI Show in Indianapolis last week, Sixteen Power debuted another V16, this time fit for automotive use.
The LS V16 engine went on to win the PRI Master of Motors trophy.
“Deleting water cooled headers and heat exchangers, converting front accessory drive and throttles position appropriate to vehicle” were some of the changes that were needed for the conversion, Sixteen Power told MC&T. And where boats modulate speed with a throttle, the dynamic of multi speed transmissions in automobiles open up valve timing choice to allow higher RPM. More RPMs are good!
Katech put the finishing touches on the sixteen cylinder small block engine, which from the sounds of it below, sounds pretty much just like a small block Corvette racing engine at full tilt.
In terms of power output, the range is wide but impressive. Starting at 900 horsepower and going up the scale through 1,200 hp it can make as high as 1,400 hp in naturally aspirated form. There are options for 1,600 supercharged horsepower and a staggering 2,200 horsepower quad-turbo variant. The engine block was designed to accept standard and aftermarket LS-style V8 cylinder heads and intake manifolds. This allows for more flexibility through more efficient maintenance and upgrades.
Sixteen Power LS V16 engines will be tested in the spring of 2020 in one of the company partner’s 42-foot MTI catamarans. And if you want one, you better have at least $100,000 ready. But that’s for the marine application. Pricing and production timeline for the automotive LS V16 is not yet finalized.
