Ilmor MV8 570 Release Slated for Summer

Ilmor High-Performance Marine of Plymouth, Mich., is planning to release its LS-platform-based naturally aspirated 570-hp V-8 engine this summer, according to company president Paul Ray. Dubbed the MV8 570, the compact 7.4-litre engine is two inches shorter and narrower than V-8 8.2-litre engines.

High-performance boat durability testing is scheduled to begin this month.

Unveiled at the 2012 Miami International Boat Show in February, the Ilmor MV8 570 is scheduled for production and sale this summer.

“This MV8 570 has the same basic internal structure as the engine we’ve been doing for MasterCraft for some time, and those have been getting a lot of hours and miles on them,” said Ray. “So we already know quite a bit about its durability. But we will be conducting additional testing in a 30-foot Eliminator (catamaran) as well as in boats from other manufacturers”.

Ilmor is working with companies including IMCO and Teague Custom Marine to develop drive packages for the engines.

“We are not developing our own drive for the engine, at this point in time,” said Ray.

As for pricing, Ray said it will be comparable to that of other engines of similar power output.

“We’ll announce pricing when we release the engine,” said Ray.

The MV8 570 runs on 87-octane fuel and features a dual-equal hydraulic phaser that adjusts cam timing for intake and exhaust valves. The engine’s maximum operating speed is 5,900 rpm and its compression ratio is 10.7:1.