The “Death Kart”: A Junkyard LS Race Car With No Suspension

The world of motorsports often feels like a playground for the wealthy, where speed is bought, not built.

Kevin and Matt of Centurial Inc. decided to challenge that idea head-on with an ambitious project: to build a mid-engine, formula-style race car using cheap, widely available junkyard parts. Their goal was to prove that incredible performance could be achieved on a blue-collar budget.

A Junkyard Heart

The project began not in a high-end speed shop, but in a local salvage yard. The team sourced a complete powertrain from a wrecked SUV, a choice made for its power, durability, and affordability.

For narrator Matt, the mission was about more than just one car. “I want this build to be repeatable,” he explained. After a long day of pulling parts, they had the heart of their Death Kart build.

Building a Budget LS Monster

With the engine back in the shop, the team tore it down for a full rebuild, aiming to extract as much power as possible. They ported and polished the cylinder heads by hand and installed an aftermarket camshaft, targeting over 450 horsepower.

While the rebuild wasn’t strictly necessary for the budget, it was a way to demonstrate the performance potential hiding within these common truck engines.

The “Death Kart” Decision

The most radical part of the build came with the chassis design. To save money and simplify the construction, the team made a questionable decision: they eliminated the suspension entirely. The solid rear axle was mounted directly to the custom tube frame using only firm polyurethane bushings.

“That’s right, ladies and gentlemen, no suspension,” Matt declared. “This thing is a proper death cart now.” It was a massive compromise, but one they felt was necessary to meet their budget goals.

A Pause, Not an End

After years of work, the initial test drive was both a triumph and a setback. The car moved under its own power, but the transmission refused to shift properly, bringing the test to an early end. While a frustrating hurdle, the team remains determined.

“I promise you we are not done,” Matt stated. “Kevin and I did not spend 10 years chasing this dream and three attempts just to give up and quit.” The Death Kart build, a raw combination of junkyard ingenuity and relentless ambition, will be back to prove that big speed doesn’t always require big money.