If you’ve ever wondered what just about anything would look like with an LS engine stuffed into it, chances are you’d find the answer at LS Fest West.

A premier destination for car enthusiasts nationwide, the event invites participants and spectators alike to gather under the Las Vegas, Nevada sun and take in the sights, sounds, and energy of pushrod performance. Inside the iconic Las Vegas Motor Speedway, LS fans experienced the creativity and innovation that shapes car culture in 2025.

rear view of a ls swapped Nissan 370
Early in the day the crowds were already showing up in force. (Image/Summit Racing – Lukas Golubeckis)

LS Fest is an annual automotive event series organized by Holley Performance Products to celebrate the power, versatility, and sheer creativity made possible by GM’s LS engine platform.

Since its 2010 launch in Bowling Green, Kentucky (the home of GM’s first LS powered vehicle—the C5 Corvette), the event has grown into a nationwide phenomenon, drawing car enthusiasts, racers, and builders who share a passion for the almighty LS engine.

Twin Turbo LS Engine
This beautiful twin turbo Tahoe build set a high bar for engine bay aesthetics. (Image/Summit Racing – Lukas Golubeckis)

Born from the rising popularity of GM’s iconic pushrod V8—renowned for its performance, reliability, and adaptability—LS Fest showcases everything from classic muscle cars and modern street machines to off-road rigs and wild engine swaps.

What began as a single regional event has since evolved into a multi-location series that includes Kentucky’s LS Fest East, LS Fest Texas, and, of course, LS Fest West. Held in Las Vegas, LS Fest West has developed its own identity by embracing the distinctive automotive culture of the West Coast. 

Camaro approaching nhra summit racing dragstrip in vegas
There was no shortage of action on The Strip. (Image/Summit Racing – Lukas Golubeckis)

Kicking off on April 25 at the legendary Las Vegas Motor Speedway, 2025’s festivities featured a dynamic lineup of events, showcasing big power, versatility, and good ol’ hotrod ingenuity.

Highlights included drag racing, autocross, and drifting exhibitions, where drivers pushed the limits of speed and handling. Off-road challenges put trucks and buggies to the test across rugged terrain, while the burnout wars delivered an all-out smoke-filled spectacle.

Drift Car Doing a Burnout
The drift cars put on a great show with the Las Vegas skyline as their backdrop. (Image/Summit Racing – Lukas Golubeckis)

The car show celebrated both craftsmanship and creativity, with vehicles ranging from flawless restorations to wildly imaginative engine swaps and purpose-built competition machines. Beyond the action on the track, attendees are invited to explore vendor displays, witness live dyno pulls, and check out unique exhibitions throughout the weekend.

Collectively, these events delivered an immersive, high-energy experience capturing the spirit and diversity of the LS enthusiast community.

LS Swapped Infiniti G37
What’s better than an LS? An LS with forced induction! (Image/Summit Racing – Lukas Golubeckis)
LS Swapped Twin Turbo Datsun Z Car
(Image/Summit Racing – Lukas Golubeckis)

As always, the sea of LS-powered vehicles was a sight to behold. From the moment attendees arrived at the gates, they were hit with an endless showcase of creativity and engineering from every corner of the automotive world.

From a twin-turbo, fully caged hearse from hell built to dominate the drag strip, to a slammed, right-hand-drive, fully customized K5 Blazer, there was no shortage of jaw-dropping builds to admire. In keeping with tradition, Corvettes and Camaros showed up in force across the track events—holding their own in autocross, drifting, and of course, on the drag strip.

LS Swapped Cadillac Hearse
This twin turbo Hearse was just one of many wild builds on display. (Image/Summit Racing – Lukas Golubeckis)
interior of a race car cockpit
(Image/Summit Racing – Lukas Golubeckis)

Naturally, they were joined by the usual suspects—Chevy trucks were well represented, along with a few Fords (gasp!), the occasional Cadillac CTS-V, and even a Holden or two, all making it known that they were serious competitors.

That said, the event was far from predictable. Unique builds and high-horsepower swaps were everywhere. The Japanese scene was strong, featuring battle-tested drift cars and an ultra-clean LS-swapped RX-7 FD, to a Datsun 510 grip missile equipped with every piece of functional aero you could imagine, and a wing big enough to make the fighter jets at Nellis Air Force Base more than a little jealous.

LS Swapped Datsun 510
The attention to detail on many of the vehicles was incredible. (Image/Summit Racing – Lukas Golubeckis)
LS Swapped FD Mazda RX7
(Image/Summit Racing – Lukas Golubeckis)

European entries weren’t to be outdone, either. A slew of LS-powered BMWs and a nasty widebody Mercedes W201 lit up the Drift Challenge, sliding through the course with smoke and style to spare. One of the standouts from the Euro contingent was a beautiful blue widebody single-turbo BMW E36. There was even a seriously fast Volvo in the mix.

Black C6 Corvette
Participants were proud to show off the results of their work under the hood. (Image/Summit Racing – Lukas Golubeckis)
LS Swapped BMW
(Image/Summit Racing – Lukas Golubeckis)

In the heart of the Nevada desert, surrounded by the sound of roaring LS engines and the scent of burnt rubber, LS Fest West reminds us why we fell in love with cars in the first place. It’s not just about speed or power (though there was plenty of both) it’s about community, creativity, and pushing the limits of what’s possible under the hood. As the dust settles and the tracks go quiet, what lingers is the unmistakable feeling that this is more than just another automotive event—it’s a symbol of car culture, those who strive for perfection, and a celebration of the unyielding spirit that fuels true performance.

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Or, if you’re planning an LS swap, check out the Summit Racing LS Engine Swap Guide too.

And don’t forget about our massive library of LS engine technical articles. Here’s just a taste of what you’ll find at OnAllCylinders:

Keywords
LS Engine, LS Fest
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Author: Lukas Golubeckis

After spending years in the shop and on the sales floor, Lukas now shares his real-world automotive knowledge through his writing for Summit Racing. His experience spans a wide range of roles—from restoring classic American muscle cars and servicing high-end European exotics to consulting both beginners and professionals on their performance parts selections. His deep-rooted passion and technical expertise have driven his career and now fuel his work as a writer. As part of the catalog production team and a regular contributor to The Speed Article® blog, Lukas blends hands-on automotive insight with engaging, informative content for gearheads everywhere.