Holley’s LS Fest is always a hit with LS enthusiasts. Getting to see how individuals and shops alike are pushing the limits of Chevy’s Gen III engine is not only a blast but it also helps spur innovation. This year Jessie Jewart of Jessie’s Performance came all the way from Fort Worth, Texas to show off two of his most innovative builds and he did not disappoint.
Jessie opened his shop after a long career working as a fabricator and mechanic. Originally, his initial goal was to get started on his own personal car but the business took off and in his words “blossomed into an amazing opportunity to work on a wide variety of cars.” His shop is equipped with all the tools necessary for some really stunning fabrication work and it is obvious that he and his crew are quite experienced.
One of his more fascinating builds is a Toyota GT 86 that he built for a handicapped client. The car is 100% handicapable and features a turbocharged LS engine under the hood. It is clear from the Hoosier slicks on the rear that it features a full drag setup and is ready for the track.
After taking delivery of the car, the owner’s first time 
behind the wheel was on the LS Fest track where it could be seen rocketing towards the dial boards.
Jesse also brought his own personal car. A 1979 Pontiac Trans Am. While at first glance this Black and Gold finished Pontiac looks to be nothing more than a well restored example, lifting the hood is all it takes to realize that this is no ordinary Trans Am. Under the hood is a twin turbo 427-cid LS engine backed by a Magnum T-56. The combo is putting an incredible 1,400-horsepower to the ground but what is really just stunning about this car is Jessie’s trim, fabrication, and finish work.
According to Jessie, Holley products are at the heart of nearly all of his builds. He relies on Holley for a variety of tried and true performance parts.
Elizabeth is hardcore horsepower enthusiast with unmatched intensity for making things faster and louder. She wakes up for power and performance and only sleeps to charge up for the next project that’s heading to the track. From autocross to drag racing, Elizabeth is there with you, so stay tuned for her unique perspective on horsepower news, builds, tech info, and installs — with her, it’ll never be boring!
