--- title: "Land Speed Car With Homemade V12 Sounds Silly on the Dyno" description: "This homemade land speed car is powered by a custom-designed 6.0-liter V12 that revs to 12,000 rpm and sounds nutty." date: "2023-05-14" modified: "2023-05-14" authors: - name: "Nico DeMattia" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/nico-demattia" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/land-speed-car-with-homemade-v12-sounds-silly-on-the-dyno" categories: - "News" --- # Land Speed Car With Homemade V12 Sounds Silly on the Dyno ![]() Pete Aardema and Kevin Braun build custom racing engines in San Diego, California and their latest creation is a 6.0-liter V12 that's being prepared to go hunting for land speed records. While [Aardema Braun]() won't disclose power figures just yet, they recently brought the land speed racer to a dyno and its homemade V12 sounds nutty. The block and cylinder heads were custom designed by Braun, who bought older, used [NASCAR ]()and [IndyCar]() engines, broke them down, and studied their designs and technologies. Then, using 3D-printing, he was able to create templates with which to create the new racing engine. Both Braun and Aardema admit that their tech is probably years behind what NASCAR and IndyCar are doing now but even old racing tech is more than enough for their homemade V12. Once all of the components were individually made, a custom crankshaft and pistons were made for it. Aardema and Braun estimate that the naturally aspirated V12 will rev to about 12,000 rpm and should make between 750-800 peak horsepower. Dyno results will be revealed at a later date. ![]() On the dyno, the Aardema Braun V12 sounds violent but unique. It idles pretty high but has a deep, burbly sound, almost like a NASCAR V8. But it revs higher than a NASCAR engine, so it makes the sort of high-rpm wail that you hear from IndyCar engines, just not quite as high-pitched as those small-displacement V6s. It isn't as exotic sounding as something like Cosworth's 12,000 rpm V12 in the[ GMA T.50 ]()but it still sounds awesome. This engine is mounted in a custom tubular frame chassis, with a super long wheelbase, and it seems to be paired with some sort of sequential manual gearbox. Aside from its engine size and estimated power, there aren't any other specs provided by Aardema Braun. Cal Rothe will be driving this V12-powered missile in the first 2023 Bonneville Speed Week event on May 20, at the El Mirage Lakebed in California. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPWREuXghm4 *Got tips? Send 'em to tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Nico is a writer and reviewer from New Jersey who probably thinks he’s a lot funnier than he actually is. His love of cars began when he was just a kid playing Gran Turismo 3, grinding out enough race wins with a Mazda Miata to save up for an in-game RUF 911. That passion for small, lightweight sports cars drove his desire to learn more about the industry, get his hands on as many cars as he could, and bring those experiences to life on the page. He cut his teeth writing about BMWs, Volkswagens, and Audis, mostly, and has owned far too many of each. He’s on his fourth 3 Series sedan, but all of his old, cheap German cars have forced him to learn more about car maintenance than his mechanical capability can handle. Too many late nights have been spent scrambling to get a car running by morning so he could get to work. For some reason, he never seems to learn that old Bimmers probably aren’t the best daily drivers. But he loves more than just old German cars. He’ll gladly drive and discuss anything with four (or even three) wheels. Cars aren’t his only passions, though. Nico is also a big nerd and loves movies, video games, comic books, and cares far too much about the New York Giants. So don’t be surprised if you see football references or dumb, obscure movie quotes in any of his car reviews. ### Author social links [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()