WE FOUND AN LS V16 ENGINE AT THE 2019 SEMA SHOW

The SEMA Show always has an abundance of incredible and over-the-top creations, and what we stumbled across at the ARP booth at SEMA 2019 is no exception. While we’ve already covered the existence of the LS V12, what you are looking at is a single block LS V16 engine from XVI Power. That is not a typo.

Sure, as epic as it is, a V16 engine is nothing new, but what makes this one different is that while is has one block, it also has a total of four cylinder heads, two intake manifolds and two Magnuson superchargers, mounted opposing each other with air intakes on either side of the engine.

This adds up to a mountain of an engine that we’d love to see in a car, but it is highly unlikely due to the size and shape. Not that it couldn’t be done, and perhaps one day we will see an LS V16 swap in a muscle car, pickup truck or SUV at the SEMA Show, but alas, this engine is built with competition boats in mind.

Tom Robinson of XVI Power gave us a bit more details:

With the help of engineers who worked on the legendary Cadillac Sixteen concept vehicle from 2003, the block is one-piece as well as the camshaft and crankshaft. However, rather than having to also engineer and machine specific cylinder heads and intake manifolds, they designed the block to accept standard and aftermarket LS-style V8 cylinder heads and intake manifolds. This allows for more flexibility through more efficient maintenance and upgrades. The block was also specifically designed with space in the center between the sets of cylinders to not only allow for the modularity but also to integrate appropriate marine sea pumps and coolant systems.

The overall design and engineering leads to outlandish power but also reliability. Racers have been pushing the limits of the LS engine and exceeding them for years, often in spectacular fashion. So, rather than following the same path, XVI chose to add more cylinders to spread the power out. With less stress per cylinder, reliability can increase, be it naturally aspirated or boosted.

In terms of power output, the range is wide but impressive. Starting at 900 horsepower and going up the scale through 1,200 it can make as high as 1,400 naturally aspirated. There are options for 1,600 supercharged horsepower and a staggering 2,200 horsepower quad-turbo variant. Due to the modular nature, the options are nearly endless and the example on display at SEMA was a 2,000 horsepower build.

XVI 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.