Ilmor Marine engines

commandomatt · Jan 15, 2011

Hey,

Being an offshore fan and having been involved with that for quite some time I am just curious. Has anyone heard of, or done, an install of an Ilmor marine, V10, engine in their Viper ? Maybe used marine parts in certain areas.

When they first became available as a marine application I remember the valve covers still having the Viper logo on them. Last boat show I went to had a beautiful Viper parked right in the middle of the engine display.

I realize that there would be some mods having to be done to make it work in an automotive application, but the marine engines are really sweet and put out 725hp (gen IV) in a normally aspirated application and a whole lot more on tap. Extremely strong as they run in arguably the toughest enviroment possible for an engine, this at 6000 rpms + for hours at end. They must have a really good 'recipe' for how to set them up.

Anyone having listened to a side by side pair of V10's, on the water, know what I am talking about when I say that not much comes close to the sound.

I know they are very expensive, but then again, this doesnt stop people from doing amazing(sometimes crazy) stuff with their cars.

Curious ....thats all.

Matt....looking at 2 feet of snow outside !!!

mbccenter · Jan 15, 2011

I would think you could use them........Why not

Mopar Boy · Jan 15, 2011

Don't the marine engines run in reverse direction? :hmmm:

Doug Supercharged Vipers · Jan 15, 2011

Mopar Boy said:
Don't the marine engines run in reverse direction?

Not exactly, you would want the Port and Starboard engines (left and right engines respectively) to turn in the opposite directions from each other, this would suffice for handling and performance.

It's always easier to install a marine engine in a car, rather than install a car engine in a boat. A stock Viper motor in a boat would run like a docile puppy

BTW, check out Mercury Marine's new Twin Turbo 1350 hp engine! It comes with a warranty but you can only use the M8 drive in your color choice

. The number 6s' won't handle the power.

Now that would be the ticket (minus the drive of course) for your Viper! And it will only set you back a meager $200 grand :rolaugh:

1994viper · Jan 15, 2011

commandomatt · Jan 16, 2011

Doug Supercharged Vipers said:
Not exactly, you would want the Port and Starboard engines (left and right engines respectively) to turn in the opposite directions from each other, this would suffice for handling and performance.

It's always easier to install a marine engine in a car, rather than install a car engine in a boat. A stock Viper motor in a boat would run like a docile puppy

BTW, check out Mercury Marine's new Twin Turbo 1350 hp engine! It comes with a warranty but you can only use the M8 drive in your color choice . The number 6s' won't handle the power.

Now that would be the ticket (minus the drive of course) for your Viper! And it will only set you back a meager $200 grand

Havent seen any rigged with the new 1350's in person yet. Hopefully there will be some at Desert Storm in Havasu this spring. Closest run for us Mountain folks.

The last frontier.....the water.....no lanes, no speed limits (in most places), no seat belts, no problem with tinted windows or front license plates

.....and Bikinis everywhere !!!!

Matt

I know.....I posted this thread in the SRT section...should probably be in the General section

vancouver-gts · Jan 16, 2011

Mopar Boy said:

Don't the marine engines run in reverse direction?

Click to expand...

With the introduction of the Bravo 1 drive back in 1988 ,there's no need for reverse rotation engines.Simple swapping shifter cable orientation turns the props right or left hand for twin engined boats.

Ilmores are sweet sounding only at WOT .
Me checking out the Ilmor for sound at idle

You must be registered for see images

No contest in the sound department to V-8 1550 HP Sterlings! .

Here we're at a local Poker run

You must be registered for see images

YouTube - 42 outerlimits with 1550 Sterlings

commandomatt · Jan 16, 2011

Sure Sterlings are always impressive, but those will need a refresh before 100 hours of use and the Ilmors will just keep thumping away. I still like the sound of the V10's, even under WOT. Its a powerfull crackling that tells you there is something very healthy under the hatch.

It will be interesting to see how turbos do since marine engines, for the most part, have relied on blowers to get their power. Now that the industry is getting under the gun for emissions and sound, the builders will have to refine their engines even more to keep those high hp numbers that some of these boats require.

Matt

Mopar Boy · Jan 16, 2011

Well, I guess we all now know what era of inboards I work on!

BigDawg · Jan 17, 2011

vancouver-gts said:
With the introduction of the Bravo 1 drive back in 1988 ,there's no need for reverse rotation engines.Simple swapping shifter cable orientation turns the props right or left hand for twin engined boats.

Ilmores are sweet sounding only at WOT .
Me checking out the Ilmor for sound at idle
You must be registered for see images

No contest in the sound department to V-8 1550 HP Sterlings! .

Here we're at a local Poker run

You must be registered for see images

YouTube - 42 outerlimits with 1550 Sterlings

We need more pics/videos of your boat please.

Paul Hawker · Jan 17, 2011

Word on the street (water) is that the Viper engines just go and go. They pour out dependable torque for hours on end. While more expensive than the big block V-8's they are super reliable, and that sometimes is the most important thing for off shore boats.

While the Viper vehicle line is shut down, I believe they are still building a bunch of V10 engines for different applications, including Ilmore.

Maybe even make a couple more Tomahawks if there is a demand.

vancouver-gts · Jan 17, 2011

BigDawg said:

We need more pics/videos of your boat please.

Click to expand...

The yellow 28 Eliminator with the Ilmors belongs to a guy in Wa state . he comes to our local poker runs.
The 42' outerlimits with the Sterlings belongs to Terry ,also from Wa state. Terry used to own my boat before he bought a 35 Nordic . He upgraded the Nordic to a tune of 1800 HP and was the fastest Nordic in the Pacific Northwest. 115 mph wasn't fast enough so he upgraded to this 42 OL that's capable of 140 mph .
Unfortunately those Sterlings cough occasionally and he broke down last year's Desert Storm in Havasu . Hopefully it will run great this year.
My boat is a Mirage 257 with twin 6.2 MPI's [ 377 cu] Bravo1X drives spinning Bravo1 26P props. Here're some pictures and videos>

You must be registered for see images

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WD4mqNO0kNw[/media]
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GhLxB4pPOa0[/media]
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7lBQMFaKOHc[/media]

BigDawg · Jan 17, 2011

Still not too shabby!

Thanks for the pics.

vancouver-gts · Jan 17, 2011

BigDawg said:

Still not too shabby!

Click to expand...

Thanks , my boat is easier on the vallet and a bit more reliable

.

That OL goes through $ 1500 worth of AV gas on a very short poker run . :crazy2:

Scotty-tnt · Jan 18, 2011

I have the Yellow 36 Nortech up here in Seattle with Mercury Racings 850s. We have seen 142mph and average in the high 130s. The reliability of my engines are amazing, but you pay for that.

Ricks boat with the Ilmor engines was the first here in Washington to run those. When they first came out, the valve trane wasn’t strong enough and I think he went through several motors before upgrading to the Gen 3 you see in there now. He runs in the high 120mph range with those engines. He has it dialed in nice now and seems to run at every run.

Terry has had the Sterlings in there a while now, but I know the fuel bill is insane due to the fact that he has to run 116. I think he was around $3800 to $4200 each poker run and then it had some issues staying together.

commandomatt · Jan 18, 2011

Your 36 Nortech is absolutely beautiful. One of the best looking designs for cats in my opinion. The fact that you have a little room below makes it even better I think.

I got close to buying the Lambo Yellow 05 Supercat that has the 800 Teagues in it (you probably know the one). I was ready to close the deal when the seller backed out of it in the last hour. Shortly thereafter the market went south and as it turns out, it was probably just as well I didnt get it. Besides I was never crazy about the Teagues. I am sure Bob builds a great engine but you just dont see them in Nortechs and that was always a concern of mine.

You cant go wrong with Mercury Racings and 6's

Enjoy that great cat.

Matt

shooter_t1 · Jan 18, 2011

Sooo,

has anyone put one of these in a Viper?. And how are they getting 725 hp. Heads, cam,,,?

commandomatt · Jan 19, 2011

Ilmor, being a worldclass performance engine company, mostly through its experience with Indy cars, are very hush, hush about what exactly goes into anything they build. They are very progressive and are working on a 5 stroke engine right now.

I do know that they are building off road, truck racing engines based on the marine version V10 Viper engine. This truck engine is a 700hp, dry sump version and it survives the torture of desert racing.

First generation marine engines were not lasting but once they worked out some issues, its now considered to be one of the more bullet proof engines on the water. This has of course a lot to do with the fact that they dont use (or even recommend)any blowers.

I am not sure who actually builds their engines. I doubt that Dodge is doing it and think they are just supplied the core parts for the engines and that Ilmor builds them in house. I may be wrong about this, but if Dodge was in fact building them, why wouldnt they incorprate some of the internals that were developed for the marine engines and offer it for their cars, especially if they are proven to work as well as they are.

We need to get an answer from somebody that works in the marine industry, on these specific engines, in order to find out what really is on the inside.

Matt

vancouver-gts · Jan 19, 2011

xxxxxxxxxxxx

vancouver-gts · Jan 19, 2011

xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Paul Hawker · Jan 19, 2011

Boat applications have no noise restrictions for intake or exhaust. They have no emissions regulations, and can run multiple fuels.

They can be set up with dry sumps and other modifications to increase hp.torque, and mount them lower in the boat.

They are not warranteed for 50,000 miles, need no cats and can use lake/ocean water for cooling.

Much easier to make hp in a marine environment.

VENOMIS · Jan 19, 2011

You are WRONG!! Boats do have noise restrictions and have to meet emissions laws. Do some research sir before you post. New boats are equipped with cats now. Albeit you dont have to take them and have smogged like our cars, but yes CARB has gotten ahold of the boats and also off-highway vehicles (v-8 powered sand rails come to mind) for the same emissions related crap. Also it is now illegal to run race gas in the desert in a street legal vehicle. Im sure will be just a matter of time for the boats as well. Hell I had to just smog my 08 diesel pickup :crazy2:

I love Cali

In havasu if you goto launch at the havasu marina and you boat does t meet the DB law( i think its something stupid like 88 db) they wont even let you put your boat in the water there. Have to goto to a differnt marina/site to launch.

shooter_t1 · Jan 19, 2011

vancouver-gts said:
I remember when one of the engines quit shortly after the PR start at Harrison.

Scotty ,is that Spetre 30 is Caleb's next to you ?
Here's a short clip ,is it your boat ? I was in my buddy's 35 Fountain going 96 mph with the helicopter above ,when either you or a Skater flew by us like we're standing still

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eyWcFxusUPg[/media]

Maybe we could move this to a NON-Viper area instead of the SRT10 and SRT10 Coupe area huh.

vancouver-gts · Jan 19, 2011

xxxxxxxxxxxx

vancouver-gts · Jan 19, 2011

xxxxxxxxxxxxx

vancouver-gts · Jan 19, 2011

xxxxxxxxxxxx

commandomatt · Jan 19, 2011

VENOMIS said:
You are WRONG!! Boats do have noise restrictions and have to meet emissions laws. Do some research sir before you post. New boats are equipped with cats now. Albeit you dont have to take them and have smogged like our cars, but yes CARB has gotten ahold of the boats and also off-highway vehicles (v-8 powered sand rails come to mind) for the same emissions related crap. Also it is now illegal to run race gas in the desert in a street legal vehicle. Im sure will be just a matter of time for the boats as well. Hell I had to just smog my 08 diesel pickup I love Cali
In havasu if you goto launch at the havasu marina and you boat does t meet the DB law( i think its something stupid like 88 db) they wont even let you put your boat in the water there. Have to goto to a differnt marina/site to launch.

You are right about the fact that newly manufactured engines do have to pass the California (surprise) emissions standards starting in 2010. The noise regulation is still up to each state, or particular body of water, to enforce. Sure Havasu is strikt at the in town launch but there are several others, like you mention, that you can put in at, and you wont have a problem all day. Go to Lake Powell and no one will care what you run and how loud it is, at any of the many launch areas. They are more concerned about the Zebra Snails than noise.

I mentioned earlier that I thought this thread should move elsewhere, but I have no idea what needs to be done to do this.

Matt

commandomatt · Jan 19, 2011

Paul Hawker said:
Much easier to make hp in a marine environment.

May be easier to make hp but the marine engines are superior in quality to car engines and the environment so much more demanding that they are certainly not easier to build. As mentioned in an earlier post, install a car engine in a boat and not only will it not do much, but it would blow up rather quickly.

Matt

Viper Specialty · Jan 19, 2011

A little birdie told me that Ilmor is working on a new bag of tricks

VENOMIS · Jan 19, 2011

I have got 2 tickets on the water for my boat not having mufflers. It was thru transom exhaust with water. Once in Lake Elsinore and once in Parker.

Ilmor Marine engines

Enthusiast

Legacy Supporting Vendor

Enthusiast

Enthusiast

Enthusiast

Enthusiast

Viper Owner

Enthusiast

Enthusiast

Enthusiast

Enthusiast

Viper Owner

Enthusiast

Viper Owner

Enthusiast

Attachments

Enthusiast

Has Left the Room!

Enthusiast

Viper Owner

Viper Owner

Enthusiast

Viper Owner

Has Left the Room!

Viper Owner

Viper Owner

Viper Owner

Enthusiast

Enthusiast

Legacy/Supporting Vendor

Viper Owner

Similar threads

Forum statistics

Share this page