In the world of hot rodding, it’s become common practice to “throw an LS in it.” The phase to the neophyte is regarding the LS-based Chevrolet small block engine, which first appeared in this iteration in the late 1990s. The engine are plentiful, incredibly responsive to aftermarket performance components, and have a long track record of making big horsepower. The LS1 was first made available in the C5 Corvette chassis and later in the final years of the 5th generation Camaro before its demise in 2002. So why are we talking about cars here?
Well, some Southern Californian has dropped an open-headered LS1 V8 into an unusual split hull/catamaran-style ski (with help from Global West Marine Offishial Business), and backed the powerplant with a Berkley jet pump back in 2013. Those on-site recorded a maximum speed of 30 miles per hour given that water conditions weren’t ideal and that frankly, the weight of the powertrain heavily effects the ski’s attitude and pitch. Simply put, it’s not well-balanced.
Effectively, the design and shape of the hull is a miniaturized version of an off-shore race boat with the top deck looking like a Suzuki GSX-R being molded and grafted to it (it’s not). The gauge cluster is an array of mechanically-operated AutoMeter gauges, Lokar steering and trim cables, and other performance automotive aftermarket products. And before you think, “Dang! That thing is a monster,” remember that anything with open exhaust sounds pretty awesome.
