Awesome!
 

I have seen many discussions here on OSO about re-powering. I have seen people inquire about Mercs, Ilmors and other custome power.

In Powerboat Magazine (May 2008) they did an article about Raylars LSM550 aluminum engine. The 434cid closed cooled small block produces 550HP / 535 Ft punds of torque and wieghs only 543lbs!!! If you were replacing 2 GM big blocks you would save almost 1,000 lbs in weight!! Powerboat Mag says that the price is $26,873 and comes complete with headers.

Why isn't anyone talking about these motors?? If I was looking to power/repower my boat- I would give these a serious thought!

Raylar http://www.raylarengine.com/550_engine.html

I think they are an awesome option, I would like to see how the weight saving has any effect on the center of gravity on other peoples boats.

I wouldn't hesitate to use Raylar's products based on the help he offers here in the tech section

I agree. I would "guess" that using 2 of these Raylar motors and saving 1,000lbs of weight would be the equivalent to having 700-800 HP motors that are normal weight. I am not an expert on this subject..anyone care to clarify this?

I have no connection to Raylar- I think they make a great product

There have been a couple threads on the subject. It is an awsome package! But it would be great to get some real world feedback.

Apparently this 292 has them. I sure would like to see a performance write-up on that rig!:evilb:

http://www.boatshop24.com/web/en/suc...totalcount=157

It says 90mph, I think that is entirely possible. Wonder if Ray can fill us in?

BBC engines are about 800lbs. The weight savings might equal a couple mph. The weight savings is the about the same as running with 100 gallons less fuel. Maybe worth a couple mph.

It would be nice to see a side by side comparison vs the 525EFI's.

Griff, I was going on the #'s that Powerboat Mag suggested. However, Mercury Racing lists the HP 525 EFI at 1,152 lbs- The HP 700 SCi weighs 1,326 lbs! - (these weights are without the drives!!) The Raylar 550 is WAY LIGHTER

KEPP has a 350ci/600hp SBC now.

That is a bad azz engine. Maybe after some more guinea pigs report good results I'd take a closer look.

I would think the TQ curve would have a factor,but again the weight is a bunch of diff!!

Strip- the PB Mag article mentions the torque curve - at 3,000 rpm it makes 500 ft pounds of tq- it also says "with electronic variable cam timing, we can build a torque curve that's almost like a diesel engine, but with a much wider rpm range.

Strange thing about that boat - I wonder if it actually exists. If you look at the pictures on that site, every pic appears to be a different boat - Paint scheme doesn't match in any of the 2 pictures...

Maybe 'if you buy it, they will build it'...

Mercury's (Noah's?) formula for speed is:

Hull efficiency (Assume 250 for a late model V-hull)
______________________ (divided by)

Square root of:

total weight
________________________
HP

As a base line, an 8500 vee hull with fuel and 2 passengers with twin 525 EFI (really 540HP ea +/-) with a "250" hull efficiency = 89.1 MPH (hull efficiency is a constant)

The same twin engine "Rayar powered" boat (assumes right balance) with same 1080 HP but 1000 lbs less (7500 lbs) total weight = 94.9 MPH

Maybe Raylar just needs a better marketing program...

nice, where is raylar located?

Yes, that is what I suspect as well. I would love to open one of the performance magazines and see a detailed write-up on that very combination (and I'm sure you would too!:cool:) I would think if Raylar provided a sweet deal to one of the big Formula dealers, and the combintation lives up to the performance we anticipate, that would really create more interest and drive new business.

I have been talking about these motors on here in a couple different threads...they are awesome!!
If Raylar wanted some excellent exposure they would rig my 28 Active Thunder with twins and some Imco drives and I could demo for as many customers as they wanted!!
That would be a perfect application for those 550's!

pretty good TQ for a sb,so it would be close to a big block

Now that would be a nice package and should really fly! What does a 28 AT weigh in at? A 292 is heavy at 7500 lbs dry, although it does have twin steps...:drink:

You're in the perfect situation! oink oink lol

Unless they're making them entirely from depleted uranium, those numbers are way high. A pan-to-carb BBC weighs about 600 lbs.

Those numbers have to be drives, gimbals, and a fully-dressed engine, from exhaust manifolds to coolers, pumps, alternator, etc.

Raylar's LSM550
 

Thanks for the acknowledgement guys! We are only two years ahead of the rest of the marine engine high performance engine companies!!
The Raylar LSM550 is an awesome package as described.
The LSM550 with a Bravo HR drive and transome weighs right at 756lbs versus a 496HO at 1320lbs so I think the 500 lbs savings per motor is realistic and at about $32K with drive versus $40K plus for HP525 also has a nice price advantage for an all aluminum hand built motor with a 6,000 rpm conservative rev-limit!!
The Formula 292 in Germany has one being installed last week and I don't have performance figures yet, but it should work wonders on an already heavy boat that came with a stock 496HO iron monster!
We have two more of these babies being dynoed and broken in on the dyno'sw as we speak and they should be in their respective boats quite soon.
I think if the high performance boat market wasn't in such a down state right now we would probably have more orders than we could even handle!
We have just quoted two to Pantera for use in a new 28footer and I think there is another Sunsation customer ready to order a new 32 with the same Raylar LSM550 twin package. Both boats should be rocket ships with this power to weight ratios and the miserly fuel consumption at cruise will alsobe a big benefit with todays fuel costs.
Raylar knows that as more of these all aluminum beauties reach the market the future will speak for itself.
Just Remember that Dynamite comes in small packages!!

Best Regards,
Ray @ Raylar

292 vs.28AT weight comp
 

Well, that's a great question; one that I have yet to get a definite answer from Pat on. I have not put it on the scales; plus I would be estimating my trailer weight. BUT.....if a single bbc 28AT weighs 4600-4800 dry, then I estimate my AT w/ twin sb & Bravos to be 5400-5600 dry....realistic wet weight is more like 6500#'s.
So, although it is a good bit lighter than a newer 292; w/o steps we run within 1mph @wot...I think.
I'm @ 71.5mph @ 4800. Well, I was until my port engine started knocking....not sure what I will do next.
I've recently learned how cost prohibitive : realistic results/reliability any upgrades will be;...just fix'r up and go boatin'.

Sure would love the LSM 550's though...I guess I'll start a fund...Any donations?

Sounds like things are starting to take off, which is great to hear! I saw the article in PB on the 288 Sunsation with the Raylar HO 525. A 32 with twin LSM550's will be a sweet package! Look forward to hearing about that.

BTW, the 292 is only available with twin small blocks. The 271, which was just discontinued, had the single big block.:drink:

An engine that light and powerful sounds like a great setup for a small cat(<30') and surface drives. When Skater did the 30 w/ Arnesons I thought it was a SWEET setup, but WAY pricey. These boats are very sensitive to weight, and a lighter engine mated to a lighter drive (I think the asd6 is lighter) would mean you could prop for speed without using as much hp to get the stern up. The result sounds like a really fast but nimble boat that the average offshore boater could afford.:cool:

Well you are right on with your estimates! Typically I run 70-70.5 mph, but on a cool day she can see 71.5 mph. 28 pitch labbed Bravo's (1.65:1 gear) and 320HP 6.2's, stock.

Sorry to hear of your engine troubles. I know it probably makes sense to just fix her and go boating, but where is the fun in that!? Good luck with whatever you decide.:ernaehrung004:

I agree with the fun part; I'm a speed junkie too....but from what I'm hearing the fun will be costly and the possibility for problems will greatly outweigh the "fun-factor". (This AT28 is a huge 28' & after going 80+mph in a 17' boat it doesn't feel fast @71.)
HOWEVER, I may just fix the motor and tighten up both & install Prochargers...I'm 50/50 vs. Whipples; more $ upfront, but apparently they do the computers too and it would have to be done w/the Prochargers anyway.
BTW..I have 350magMPI's(330 crank/300prop hp) with Stainless Marine exhaust so you may have a slight hp advantage;but with the exhaust I might have 310-315 prop hp. BTw my Bravo 1's are 1.5 and props are Hydromotive QIV 26.5" pitch x 14-1/2" dia.Labbed and cut by Throttle Up.
I just would love to get to 80 for under 10k; that's my Dream!

My estimates are based on so many hours on oso! But thanks..

Nice boat!
 

Oh Yeah...your boat is beautiful, very classy paint. My uncle has an older(86' I think) 242 w/ 260hp 5.7's. He's had for many years and I have always been fond of Formula's.
What's your fuel consumption like w/6.2's?
I typically run 3500-3800; or 4500-4600 in PR's. Get 2.5mpg all around average..

I completely understand. I think when taking on performance projects you just have to accept the fact that there will be 'issues' to deal with that can take the fun out of it. But when things are running right, that satisfaction can make it all worth while. One of my favorite sayings is "If it was easy, everyone would do it!":cool:

btw, my last boat was a 110mph Talon 22, so I know what you mean about not feeling fast...:(

It would seem reasonable to speculate that with the current fuel crisis these small blocks would be selling like hotcakes...What's up?

Thanks, I like your's too! As for fuel consumption, I don't get as good as you. I see 1.8-2.0 running 3500 all the way up to 4500rpm. One of the problems with the slower cruise mileage is (I believe) due to relatively high prop slip numbers at the slower speeds with the twin stepped hull. My mileage is the same running 37mph compared to 55-60 mph (less slip at the faster speeds). In the long run I would like to have more HP and turn 5-blades which should really help the cruise efficiency.

I read as much as i could find on this package and it seems like the way to go for weight savings...Even in a older boat like mine it would be worth a shot.....Plus that is a stock basline... just think if ya started to stuff some air down its throat what kind of power you would make.....

Chris,

I called Mercury Racing and spoke to a rep about these weights- they said these are the weights of the fully dressed engines less drives, etc..- even if the rep made a mistake and those weights are with the drives, the comparable Raylars are approx. 500lbs lighter each!!!!

Also- why would anyone care about weight of the motor without all the accessories? In the boat- the motor is fully dressed, so that's the only number that matters.

Ray

How about an "upgrade" deal I can't afford to say no to ?!? I could really benefit from the weight savings with twins... :drink:

Even comparing the weight savings to the 6.2 liter small block with heavy exhaust manifolds is impressive. Fully dressed 6.2 MPI with Bravo One lists at 993 lbs. Per Ray, the LSM550 with Bravo is 756 lbs. That is a weight reduction of 474 lbs off the back end when you are talking twins!!

Hello, is this thing on ?!?

Ray, Let's put a pair of LSM550's in my AT and see what it can do?? Finance me at a reduced "Promo-special price" and I'll be the east coast spokesperson for Raylar...with demos and test-rides; fresh water and coastal...whatever you need!
Come On Ray; Lets fire it up........

Wish my 28 was a demo boat for that package. Might even appeal to bigger boats since it weighs so much............and its rated for speeds over 80mph:drink:

What is the estimated time to rebuild on these engines? Estimated cost to rebuild?

.....and its rated for speeds over 80mph:drink:

Is that a dig on AT 28?

This is a very strong , lightweight hull.....I just think no one has ever gone much over 80 in one.

I don't think there are real concerns with the AT 28 hull until triple digits; but it would take so much power to get there it's not really an issue....now mid 80's, that's a possibility.



Nice Boat!!

bump for Raylar :drink:

We are building a Formula with the new 550

but it is a single engine 271

we add Imco extension box with 3 inch rise and large 380 K- Planes to the package