Anatomy of a Debut: Inside the Formula 353 and Ilmor 570 Project
 

Let's try this again, http://speedonthewater.com/new-boats...0-project.html.

Here's the back story on the development of the Ilmor Marine MV8 570 engine and how the first two came to find a home in the Formula 353 FAS3Tech that will be in the water at the Miami Boat Show this week.

Book me a demo ride for around 1:00 PM Thursday!

Nice article Matt.

Thanks, Ilmor Dude. Looking forward to the next chapter—actually getting on the boat—tomorrow.

Aside from the testing tank at Formula, the boat reportedly touched the water for the first time yesterday.

Nice thorough and comprehensive write up. I look forward to the impending comparisons. The engine looks like a winner.

Wow, thank you very, very much. You, C_Spray (you know he was the general manager for Penske Racing, right?) and Ilmor Dude have it all over me on the truly technical side of things. So a compliment from you is huge. Thanks again.

I knew who C_spray is. And that Penske had a hand in Ilmor.

Like I said I'm a fan of the company. I'm a fan of Mercury and Volvo too. I think when the 8.1l went away Merc made the wrong decision. The LS engine is damn good platform. The bottom end is stout. The 6 bolt mains that are tied into the oil rail make for a very stable base. You have to make some serious power be for they start to move. (1000hp -1500hp depending on the block, (The LSX block is pinned billet mains they won't be moving around. with parts list the Ilmor has for internals should hold up well past 1000hp.)( eventually the heads lift off the deck but that's another story)

The Valve train is very stable, 6000 rpm is walk in the park. 15 degree valve angles, The factory heads flow into aftermarket BBC territory. Oil pump design is miles ahead of a BBC. The gasket designs are super reliable, etc.

My guess is that 1350hp was eating up so much of Mercs R&D budget and time that revamping the core engine line up was out of the question. Better to stick with what you know works. Time will tell if that was the right decision.

It's nice to see some competition play out, I think in the long run the consumer wins. I bet that 570 package starts to pop up all over soon. I think if an engine like this could get combined with an efficient affordable hull, that builder would have a hard time building them fast enough.

BTW, I'm sure it does not get said enough, but I think allot of us look forward to the speed on water articles. You and Jason do a great job. Thank you

Word is they were prop testing all day. I'll let you all know how that turned out tomorrow night when I file my next story. It will be tomorrow night because I won't get on the boat until around 3 or 4 tomorrow. I need some time on it and, of course, time to write.

I have to admit that being at the leading edge of reporting on this project for speedonthewater.com is fun as hell. Work, for sure, but fun as hell.

Great article Matt, real content, no "teasing". After being a BBC guy for years I'm one of the LS converts. Ilmor made a great decision. Formula is smart to offer customers the choice.

professor speed - how about that LS combustion chamber...

Shallow valve angles allow new things, its amazing what they do when you put some boost to them, You can get away stuff you can't on older Tech. I never say that The LS is a replacement for a BBC in all instances, But under 600hp NA, I like it better. If you add in boost you can push that alot further. I think mercury could the same basic Power packages with the LS from the 380hp-800hp with no problems.