The future of performance marine engines?
 

http://img299.imageshack.us/img299/8...0zr120lko6.jpg

Blow up of the new LS-9 engine in the stunning ZR1 Corvette. 620+hp and 600+lb/ft torque. Is this motor the future of marine performance? It'd be nice to see more LS type performance marine engines hit the market . . .

The aluminum block will probably hold it back from the performance marine world.

Can't wait to see that Z in real life though. it's the first 'vette in years to get my heart pumping.

zr-1 were 32 valve heads do you meab z06?

Why? just make it closed cooled like a 525 or ilmore V-10's.

http://jalopnik.com/cars/detroit-aut...r+1-301413.php

2009 ZR1

I think Raytec or someone here on the board was playing with the idea but at the present time that motor wasnt very conducive to the idea. something about the RPM range of the powerband being to high. the motor can take it but i think maybe the Bravo might not be so happy running at 6K plus

He is talking about the new ZR1. Not the C4 body.

WPM has built several very fast LSX motor based boats.

cool, actually i think i was mistaken. i see this is an LSX and i was thinking LS1. not sure what the difference is but i thought i remember Raylar or someone posting about it one time. Got pics of the WPM stuff?

ray has it on his site doesnn't he?

Yes he does.

http://www.raylarengine.com/images/550_engine.jpg

But given the motor's potential, I find it difficult to understand why he is the only one working on it? It seems like it'd be natural for more manufacturers to offer it.

Indmar, Crusader, Marine Power all offer a version of the GM Vortec 6000 marine engine which is LS-x derived.

There's still way too much capital invested in GM's "old" small block to warrant a mass exodus to the LS powerplant.

Raylar is figuring somewhere in the mid-upper $20k price range for that LSM 550. Someone's got to want to be the first point on the curve, not just the leading edge.

LS "X" stands for 1, 6, etc... I meant LS based.

There are pics from the Jacksonville poker run of a twin WPM Cat with LSX based motors.

Will the real "LS" marine HiPo engine please standup!
 

The picture of the new 600HP Corvette motor is exciting and quite a work of GM performance art.
Remember though its a supercharged engine and to get to those power levels it needs to turn 7000rpms.
This is going to be a bit of a problem for the marine performance industry with a supercharged "LS" based engine.
One, it will be in a boost condtion even at cruise rpms and that would seriously shorten its expensive engine life. It will also not be practicle to operate this type of engine for extended persiods under high boost as it would be doing in high speed boat use, not even counting the large fuel use rate.
Mercury and others in the marine engine world are set to release supercharged versions of the GM "LS" 6.0 liter engine later in 2008 but we feel this lower horsaepower version of about 500HP will suffer from the same inherent problems of engine life and such.
This is exactly why we developed our version of the "LS" engine in our LSM550 and its advantages are , its NOT SUPERCHARGED but normally aspirated, the LSM550 weighs under 500 lbs., it runs on 89 octane fuel, it makes 550HP at 5600rpms and 565ft/lbs of torque all the way from 3700 rpms to 4700rpms and it is all aluminum, closed cooling and all forged internals with a reasonable rev-limit of 6000rpms. This motor is here and available now after a year and half of testing and development.
We will also be able to increase the power of this motor to over 600HP without supercharging for those higher performance applications!!
We are proud of the fact that we are first to market with a real honest replacement for the iron big blocks and iron small blocks with comparable power and torque levels.
Imagine taking 1000lbs out of the back of any 28-36 foot twin engine performance boat! This is huge!! and its the way of the future in marine performance engines!
Want a small lightweight high performance marine engine now, CALL RAYLAR ! WE GOT YOUR MOTOR!!
No need to talk about the future, its here now!

Best Regards,
Ray @ Raylar

Too many parts & too much "tech".

You can do the same thing with any EFI 540 and have a much more reliable, much longer lifespan package with BIG bottom-end torque.

I am amazed the ZR 1 does not have headers:confused:

my new 30 skater is going to have LS7 460 cubic inch small block motors around 700 hp efi no blower closed cooling alminun block and heads the future

Thanks for the info Raylar. i had forgot it was the SC version that had the high RPM issue. the LSM550 looks awsome.

I really like your boat/power combination. That is a great choice.