Tesla Model S to Get Six-Speed Manual Thanks to LS V8 Swap and Rich Rebuilds

The reasons why people give up on their engines and have them replaced with electric motors can vary. In some cases, maybe repairing the engine is too expensive, or maybe it's so broken that it can't be put back together at all. Other times, though, the owners might just like the idea of a completely silent car that's very easy to use as a daily driver.

Whatever the motivation, we've seen plenty of EV conversion involving vehicles of all types, from classic Ferraris and Porsches to Rolls-Royces and even Shelby Cobras. Ironically enough, though, we've never seen things done the other way around. Ever wondered why that is?

Well, for one thing, why would someone put an internal combustion engine into the body of an EV? The reverse makes sense: some of these vehicles are classics, and their owners don't want to see them scrapped or gathering rust in the yard. Since they've only been around for a decade, there are no classic EVs out there.

When one catches a bullet, it can either be repaired, become a donor for other EVs - or EV conversions - or gracefully make its way to the car crusher. Well, according to Rich Rebuilds, we're about to see the first LS-swapped Tesla Model S, and we can't say we're not kind of excited.

Rich's history with Tesla goes a long way, and, particularly lately, it hasn't exactly been smooth sailing. Despite that, he continues to own Teslas, both in functional and non-functional form. Among the latter was a Model S that had its entire front end missing - after he gave it to a fellow YouTuber who needed it for a restoration job - and seeing the EV like that gave Rich an idea.

Since he's a car enthusiast above all and still loves a good old fashioned V8, he decided to try to fit a 6.2-liter LS under the frunk cover of the Model S. The video below shows him buying the unit - a 426 hp motor off a 2010 Camaro - complete with a six-speed manual transmission, the fuel tank, and other bits and bobs he's going to need for the gutsy swap.

And it is indeed brave. It will involve three different Model S sedans - well, what's left of them, anyway - and a whole lot of cutting, welding, and figuring things out as they progress. There are two major things to consider here: first, the Model S was obviously never intended to be used with an ICE and a transmission, which means its architecture isn't built to accommodate all that.

Second, the battery pack plays a major role in the vehicle's structural rigidity, and it is going to be missing completely from Rich's custom vehicle. That means he'll have to compensate with other elements and, since it is the first time anybody's ever attempted something like this, nobody really knows what to expect.

In the end, we'd like to point out that as ridiculous as this entire project sounds, it does make a sliver of sense. Batteries and motors apart, the Model S is a pretty lightweight car for its size, so the V8 should be able to offer decent performance levels.

And then there's the EV's impeccable aerodynamics. Assuming Rich manages to keep most of the body unmodified and he finds a way to channel the air toward the engine without disrupting the flow too much, we could be looking at a pretty efficient V8-powered five-seater that could also pack a considerable punch when needed. Much like the original Tesla Model S, except significantly louder.