lambogini engines in a 35ft cig?
08-03-2025 | 01:01 PM
#21
Thread Starter
Registered
Joined: Aug 2025
Posts: 20
Likes: 6
From: Phoenix, AZ
Way out of my comprehension now. I know nothing about gear reductions and whatever. Maybe someone who knows something should call them and see? If warranty and financing are there, i doubt they would exist without it working how its supposed to and wouldnt finance it for folks.
08-03-2025 | 01:07 PM
#22
Registered
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,422
Likes: 1,062
From: Orlando, FL
Way out of my comprehension now. I know nothing about gear reductions and whatever. Maybe someone who knows something should call them and see? If warranty and financing are there, i doubt they would exist without it working how its supposed to and wouldnt finance it for folks.
What's the fine print in their "guarantee"?
08-04-2025 | 06:10 AM
#26
Registered
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,337
Likes: 860
I can only think that if the engines were viable, Gino (loves his Lambo's) and Cigarette (AMG engines) would have been all over them for their builds - both are running QC4v's.
Always up for hearing about an alternative power success story - I wouldn't bet my money on this (4 fan radiator in a bilge is an interesting concept but no idea how to get enough air flow through).
BTW, both boats on their website are running other known power (Cig 515 Merc Racing QC4v 1550 and the Jimmy John's 388 Skater had Sterling BBC)
Always up for hearing about an alternative power success story - I wouldn't bet my money on this (4 fan radiator in a bilge is an interesting concept but no idea how to get enough air flow through).
BTW, both boats on their website are running other known power (Cig 515 Merc Racing QC4v 1550 and the Jimmy John's 388 Skater had Sterling BBC)
08-04-2025 | 07:30 AM
#27
Registered
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 210
Likes: 50
In terms of power and torque, these engines could be usable with the right gearing – perhaps paired with older TRS drives or one of the surface drives and a ZF 63A transmission.
However, exhaust headers is likely a major challenge. Designing and building a durable, purpose-built exhaust headers is no small task. Given the high RPMs, valve overlap is probably significant, which means reversing could be an issue that needs to be addressed.
Cooling the engines with a closed-loop system and running the exhaust through an open-loop isn't really problematic – that part can be engineered.
Still, getting everything to run flawlessly would be quite a project.
And spare parts?
I had similar – though not as severe – issues when marinizing an LS376/480 engine, so I know firsthand how long it takes and how nerve-wracking it can be to sort out what initially seem like minor problems.
Before it finally ran the way it was supposed to, I came to truly understand the saying that powerboats run on torque, not horsepower...
And I ran into exactly the kinds of problems that led to the common belief that car engines don’t belong in boats. They actually can be great – but only with the right planning and consideration.
However, exhaust headers is likely a major challenge. Designing and building a durable, purpose-built exhaust headers is no small task. Given the high RPMs, valve overlap is probably significant, which means reversing could be an issue that needs to be addressed.
Cooling the engines with a closed-loop system and running the exhaust through an open-loop isn't really problematic – that part can be engineered.
Still, getting everything to run flawlessly would be quite a project.
And spare parts?
I had similar – though not as severe – issues when marinizing an LS376/480 engine, so I know firsthand how long it takes and how nerve-wracking it can be to sort out what initially seem like minor problems.
Before it finally ran the way it was supposed to, I came to truly understand the saying that powerboats run on torque, not horsepower...
And I ran into exactly the kinds of problems that led to the common belief that car engines don’t belong in boats. They actually can be great – but only with the right planning and consideration.
Last edited by plavutka; 08-04-2025 at 07:37 AM.
08-04-2025 | 08:22 AM
#28
VIP Member
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 3,533
Likes: 2,137
From: SW Ohio
Im new here, dont blow me up, but Im on a pretty basic budget and trying to repower a 94' 35 ft cigarette. Its sat for 12 years, doesnt gotta run tomorrow. It has worn out merc 502s now, both shot, one locked up. just sat too long and was fresh water but didnt get flushed like it should have. It seems like marine engines are nuts now, hell i didnt pay the cost of what im seeing at merc for new engines for the whole damn boat 25 yrs ago. Brings me here. I found a site in south florida (im in AZ), but they are selling it appears lambogini v10 engines that are 600 horses each for 40k installed. I think installed its not exactly clear. anyways, its each. Anyone do this deal with them or finance with them? www.palmbeachoffshore.com. Googleing the name there was a company thats pretty close to this name a few years ago that screwed a bunch of people rin there area but i think its different than this co. Name is close so i am wondering what people know before i reach out. They are offering financing w 50% down. I can pull this off if legit. Next thing, it looks like my boat is only worth 30-45k and wondering if its even worth considering or try and get into something newer. Also, on a 35ft cafe racer, is 600 horses reasonable or should i be looking more/less? The attraction of the lam engines has me thinking. Cool factor? Surely someone has done this here for insite. Anyone have a solid set of standard engines like drop in for my boat? I dont know if the origs has any overhaul value or even if possible sitting so long. Advice?
For $40K each, I'd think you could get into a pair of brand-new, Dart block 565s. Maybe even with Whipples if you're doing the builds yourself and saving the labor costs. But then you'd have to consider your drives. Don't think you specified there...
The BBC platform is well proven in offshore boats. No need to reinvent the wheel.
The shoutout to Innovation Marine is a solid one. They are selling 496HP3s for a very reasonable price. $40K total, and you're done. Throw those Whipples into the mix and you're probably 80+MPH and very reliable.
Thanks. Brad.
08-04-2025 | 08:27 AM
#29
Registered
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,869
Likes: 797
From: St. Pete Beach, FL
@600 hp, 8000 rpm and gear ratio 1.5 you have only 590 lbft torque, but you need on prop shaft at least 750 lbft, better 850 or more lbft to turn B1. prop.
Engine with 600 hp and 8.000 rpm bring out only 390 lbft on engine shaft.
I you want to use a conventional IO drive with a 1.5 gear ratio on such a heavy speedboat at 8000 rpm, you would need more than 800 hp.
With an Arneson or another surface drive, you can use a gear ratio that delivers up to 3,200 rpm at the propeller, which is ideal for speeds around 70 mph, and the speedboat would have really good acceleration.
Engine with 600 hp and 8.000 rpm bring out only 390 lbft on engine shaft.
I you want to use a conventional IO drive with a 1.5 gear ratio on such a heavy speedboat at 8000 rpm, you would need more than 800 hp.
With an Arneson or another surface drive, you can use a gear ratio that delivers up to 3,200 rpm at the propeller, which is ideal for speeds around 70 mph, and the speedboat would have really good acceleration.
Dont mess with this Lamborghini experiment, stupid.
Find another shop to do rebuilds or buy some engines from blueprint engines.
08-04-2025 | 11:15 AM
#30
Registered
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 210
Likes: 50
No way.
Changing the pitch helps when the RPM is slightly too high or too low, but here we have 8,000 RPM going into the gearbox and 600 hp, and with a gear ratio of 1.5 or 1.65 there's simply not enough torque for any propeller suitable for this kind of speedboat—maybe for a very lightweight one.
A propeller absorbs engine power based on the fourth exponent of diameter, the third exponent of RPM, the second exponent of pitch, and linearly with the blade's frontal area.
A quick look at the claim shows that RPM has an exponentially greater effect on power than pitch, and there’s no solution here other than increasing the gear ratio.
These Lambos would perform very well with a gear ratio between 2.2 and 2.5, but with a classic drive at 1.5 or 1.65, it’s a complete no-go.
The situation changes entirely with those high-power lambo engines from list. Above 850 hp, even at 8,000 RPM, there’s enough torque—and then it would really fly.
My experience:
- boat 4900 lbs.
- engine LS376/480.
- with ZF63A-1,56 I have a snail with Signature SL5-22" and max speed 60 mph. No go over 5.600 rpm.
- with ZF63A-2.04 it is drag boat with Maximus 30" and speed over 70 mph and 6.000 rpm. (Still testing, but it looks like it could go 2-4 mph over 70 mph.)
Changing the pitch helps when the RPM is slightly too high or too low, but here we have 8,000 RPM going into the gearbox and 600 hp, and with a gear ratio of 1.5 or 1.65 there's simply not enough torque for any propeller suitable for this kind of speedboat—maybe for a very lightweight one.
A propeller absorbs engine power based on the fourth exponent of diameter, the third exponent of RPM, the second exponent of pitch, and linearly with the blade's frontal area.
A quick look at the claim shows that RPM has an exponentially greater effect on power than pitch, and there’s no solution here other than increasing the gear ratio.
These Lambos would perform very well with a gear ratio between 2.2 and 2.5, but with a classic drive at 1.5 or 1.65, it’s a complete no-go.
The situation changes entirely with those high-power lambo engines from list. Above 850 hp, even at 8,000 RPM, there’s enough torque—and then it would really fly.
My experience:
- boat 4900 lbs.
- engine LS376/480.
- with ZF63A-1,56 I have a snail with Signature SL5-22" and max speed 60 mph. No go over 5.600 rpm.
- with ZF63A-2.04 it is drag boat with Maximus 30" and speed over 70 mph and 6.000 rpm. (Still testing, but it looks like it could go 2-4 mph over 70 mph.)
Last edited by plavutka; 08-04-2025 at 11:21 AM.
