When it comes to LS-swaps, there is no car that we’re not willing to swap. And while it may seem pointless to stick an LS in a supercar like a Lamborghini, Ferrari, or McLaren, we enjoy seeing people’s reactions and the amount of modification needed to make the new combination work. YouTuber Rich Rebuilds and crew have been hard at work installing an LS powerplant in a Tesla for some time now, and while this car would not be at the top of our “vehicles to swap list,” it’s certainly fun to watch and could be one of the most talked-about creations for years to come. 

The team used light switched to activate the fuel pump, ignition, and starter on the LS swapped Tesla.

In the latest episode on YouTube, the guys are again working on completing the stripped-down Tesla and making good headway. Since the car doesn’t have a fuel tank, the team needed something to fire the engine. So, they built a fuel system out of nothing more than an in-tank EFI fuel pump, Lowe’s five-gallon bucket, and a light switch. The three switches were mounted in a plastic box to activate the fuel pump, ignition, and starter on the LS engine. With a Haltech ECU wired in, Rich hits the starter, and the car fires up. Well, it starts after they find a battery that will turn the engine over anyway, getting it one step closer to driving.

A five-gallon bucket from Lowe’s was used as a temporary fuel tank complete with an in-tank fuel pump.

Everything on the planet has been LS-swapped, except for this. It’s a fun engineering,  fabrication, and learning exercise.- Rich

The guys still have a long road ahead of them as they need to reroute brake lines, finish the transmission tunnel, build a real fuel system, exhaust, and put all of the interior back inside the car. It’s been great to follow along and see the fabrication implemented and the obstacles the team has overcome. A Tesla LS swap is undoubtedly not for the faint of heart. 

The LS roared to life with the help of a Haltech ECU.

At the end of the video, Rich has a message for all of those who question this project. He said, “To those saying I’m going backward and spending money to make the car slower, enjoying life making something no one has ever seen with friends and watching the world react is something I hope you get to experience someday. Don’t worry about how someone else is spending their money, and stick to what you do best.” Do you think Elon Musk would agree? Let us know in the comments and stay tuned for more on this elaborate build.