Florida Man Builds a Working LS V8 Engine Using Only Temu Parts—For Just $700

What happens when you try to build a functioning car engine using only parts from a budget shopping app? One Florida TikToker put Temu to the ultimate test—and against all odds, it actually worked.

The $700 Temu Engine Challenge

TikTok gearhead @thatkswappedek was scrolling when he came across a bold claim: big-name auto parts brands were allegedly reselling cheap components from Temu at a massive markup. Curious (and maybe a little reckless), he decided to see if he could rebuild an entire junkyard LS engine using only Temu parts.

For just $700, he ordered everything—from gaskets to a camshaft kit that normally costs that much alone. His followers had mixed reactions.

Some were all for it. “Yes, build a Temu engine!” they cheered.

But skeptics weren’t convinced. “Nah bro, don’t do it…”

But the parts arrived, and to his surprise, they didn’t look half bad. He even weighed them against standard ones and found no obvious red flags. That didn’t mean they’d work, though.

Building the Budget Frankenstein Engine—With the Cheapest Parts on the Market

Temu has gained traction as a marketplace for affordable alternatives to everyday products, including car parts. While some shoppers remain skeptical of its ultra-low prices, others see it as a cost-effective option—especially for non-essential or experimental purchases.

Apple announced that Temu was the most downloaded app in the US App Store in 2024, marking its second consecutive year at the top. Its popularity continues to grow due to its wide range of affordable products. A recent Omnisend survey found that consumers choose Temu for savings that are hard to find elsewhere.

That price difference was exactly what caught Thatkswappedek’s attention. Instead of shelling out thousands on an LS engine rebuild, he took on the challenge of sourcing every component from Temu—spending just $700 for a full engine makeover.

Armed with his budget-friendly Temu haul, he picked up a $500 junkyard LS engine and got to work. He swapped out the camshaft with a $162 Temu cam, installed a Temu oil pump—risky move since it keeps the engine alive, and sealed it all up with Temu gaskets.

The deeper he got, the more his confidence grew. “I have a feeling I’m going to prove a lot of you wrong,” he said.

Moment of Truth: Does It Start?

After days of work, it was time to fire it up. He took the engine to a local mechanic, hooked it up, and flipped the switch.

Silence. Then—ROAR.

The engine purred like a dream, stunning even the mechanic, who checked the diagnostics and gave it the green light.

Fans flooded the comments with amazement:

“Now I’m scared my mechanic is gonna use Temu and charge me full price.” “Next challenge: Build a Temu Porsche.”

Now, a 700-Mile Road Trip to Prove the Haters Wrong

Starting an engine is one thing—but can it survive an actual road trip? Thatkswappedek is betting it can. He’s planning to drive the Temu-powered beast 700 miles to Tail of the Dragon, one of America’s most legendary driving roads.

Will the $700 Temu engine survive the trip? Stay tuned.