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There are a lot of wild custom car builds popping up all over the Internet with exciting engines under the hood. From Hellcat Miatas and Judd Supras to RB26 Mustangs and LS-swapped 240s. However, few have stocked their personal builds with 12 cylinders. Lone ranger mechanics are in luck if they want high-revving Italian flair in their cars, but it costs a pretty penny. If you’ve got a cool six figures to play with, you can put a Lamborghini Aventador V12 in your car today.   

Lamborghini Aventador V12 horsepower figures

Built from 2011 to 2022, the Aventador featured the most powerful Lamborghini engine made up to that point. The L539 powerplant was only the second V12 the Bologna-based automaker made in their history stretching back to 1963. With 690 horsepower and 509 pounds-feet of torque, the Lamborghini Aventador V12 could propel the 3,472-pound car to 60 mph in just 2.9 seconds. It had a top speed of 217 mph but could also achieve a reasonably respectable 16 mpg on the highway. At least, if you’re comparing it to a Hummer.

Given that a 2022 Aventador has a starting MSRP in the half-million dollar range, one can expect the drivetrain to be expensive. Whether you count the Lamborghini Aventador V12 itself or all the wiring that goes with it, the engine is between one-fifth and one-fourth of the supercar’s price.

How much is a Lamborghini Aventador V12?

This Lamborghini Aventador V12 can be bought
Lamborghini L539 V12 from Aventador LP 700-4 | Victor Sokolowicz, Bloomberg via Getty Images

The question depends on whether the engine is being put back into a Lamborghini or not. For $125,000, Scuderia Car Parts USA sells the complete engine assembly, an excellent replacement for one who revved their Aventador too much. But if all potential buyers want is the stand-alone engine, it’s only $106,969.16.

Most builders and shade tree mechanics may not have the technical wit to mate the L539 to a 4L60 transmission from General Motors. It may not even be possible. Therefore, one may also have to pick up a Lambo gearbox. The shop mentioned above can also fulfill that need. But it’s another $40,000 and change for the seven-speed independent shifting rod automated manual transmission.

What car can the V12 fit in?

Likely, a Miata isn’t a good donor car. The custom Hellcat build used more space than the roadster had. That’s why the engine stuck out of the top. It’ll be the same story for most other cars. The shop says the engine in question will fit in the Aventador LP700 and LP 720 Coupe and Roadster, as well as the LP750 SV Coupe.

Nevertheless, there are surely some other vehicles the Lamborghini Aventador V12 can power. Two-seater sports cars with long, sweeping hoods are an option. For instance, most muscle car bodies from the 60s and 70s could swallow the powerplant—even if some metal cutting must be done. Or, realistically, any pickup truck bed will do.

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