Bad news for me

[mattbags]

I pulled the motor out after firing it up and finding water in the oil. Since the motor is junk. I am thinking about putting a LS motor in it. I know the bolt pattern is the same. I need to buy new manifolds anyways so Im thinking about swapping a 6.0 in it. I did a search for someone else maybe doing the swap but I didnt find any info. I am looking for ls1 manifolds to bolt up to my exsisting exhaust. Anyone know where I can find them. I am keeping it fuel injected also.

 

[DJ]

Re: Bad news for me

Your post gives us NO idea what you currently have. It is difficult to talk about a swap if we have no clue what you are talking out.

 

[JustJason]

Re: Bad news for me

If your thinking about dumping a corvette motor with all of it's automotive fixin's into a boat, you can forget about it, there's about 1000 reasons as to why it won't work and why it's not safe either.

 

[N0 Luck]

Re: Bad news for me

that my friend belongs in a Fbody

 

[mattbags]

Re: Bad news for me

Sorry its a 1996 caravelle with the 4.3 volvo penta. It has a volvo sx outdrive. It is 18 ft long. Its not a vette motor its a 6.0l out of a escalade. Only problems I see is the motor is a little longer than the 4.3 and finding water cooled manifolds. I really dont want to do thru hull exhaust.

 

[DJ]

Re: Bad news for me

BIG differnces, other than size. Let me list a few.

1. Marine rated starter?

2. Marine rated alernator.

3. Fuel pump???

4. Marine core plugs?

5. Bell housing mounts?

About the only things that engine and the 4.3L share are that they were both made by GM......

 

[mattbags]

Re: Bad news for me

1,2,4 are already made in marine grade. #3 I'm working on intank pump and # 5 the bellhousing bolt patterns are the same since 1955.

 

[JustJason]

Re: Bad news for me

What are you going to do for a fuel system? Convert it somehow to a carb, or go with an aftermarket marine grade fuel injection system?
I'll admit I don't know much about the 6.0 block, so i'll just ask. Is it aluminum block and aluminum heads? Cast iron block and aluminum heads?? Or perhaps vice versa?
I can almost garuntee its not going to be cammed correctly for a marine application.

Heck, if you have a 6.0 escalade motor ready to go, you can surely sell it/trade it for a correct marine 350/383 setup, if the miles are low i'm sure the value is there. Believe me... many of folks have tried to re-invent the wheel that is known as the marine engine.... it's not worth the time or the money... go with what's already tried and true.... and safe.

 

[nitrosteve]

Re: Bad news for me

What are you going to do for a fuel system? Convert it somehow to a carb, or go with an aftermarket marine grade fuel injection system?
I'll admit I don't know much about the 6.0 block, so i'll just ask. Is it aluminum block and aluminum heads? Cast iron block and aluminum heads?? Or perhaps vice versa?
I can almost garuntee its not going to be cammed correctly for a marine application.

Heck, if you have a 6.0 escalade motor ready to go, you can surely sell it/trade it for a correct marine 350/383 setup, if the miles are low i'm sure the value is there. Believe me... many of folks have tried to re-invent the wheel that is known as the marine engine.... it's not worth the time or the money... go with what's already tried and true.... and safe.

The LQ9 block is a cast iron they also have an aluminum LS2 both have aluminum heads. I think escalades came with the LQ9 up to 04 but after that I think they are all aluminum. There is a carb kit with a front mount distributor for the LS series blocks they make some silly power all the LS motors are beasts. My stock Z28 with exhaust only, is putting down 330hp to the wheels. A well built 6.0 with l92 heads will be upwards of 425-450 @ crank with matching torque. You might consider a new drive too in your equation. But you go for it and I want a ride when your done.... Well whats left of the boat after that GM power rips it in 2.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Bad news for me

I'm working on intank pump

I suppose you do not want to hear that an in-tank pump will handily violate USCG regulations. Your insurance company will not like the ensuing lawsuit if someone dies in that boat. The survivors Lawyer will love it though.........

I really dont want to do thru hull exhaust.

You may have to in the second engine if this one has a reversion event due to the non-marine cam.....


I'll vote with the others. Your best bet will be to get a 350 decked out in Volvo trim. You also may need to replace the drive since the gear ratio might be all wrong for a V-8.



Good luck.....


Rick

 

[Bondo]

Re: Bad news for me

Only problems I see is the motor is a little longer than the 4.3 and finding water cooled manifolds.

Ayuh,... I think that's because Nobody has built the mold for 'em yet....

A 350 or 383, with Vortec heads will get you what you want. Without the complications...

 

[mattbags]

Re: Bad news for me

I figured out the fuel pump issue. I can use the weldon fuel pump like I have on my racecar. Its uscg approved. I have another drive lined up thats off a v8 boat. Thanks for the help guys I have a buyer for my 6.0 and already found a deal on a 415.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Bad news for me

already found a deal on a 415.

Ayuh,... On a What,..??

 

[mrbrink]

Re: Bad news for me

I would check with marine power to see about the manifolds for the 6.0. I know lots of people around here have the 6 liter in their jet boats with the vortech fuel injection, pretty much the same as whats in the GM trucks

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Bad news for me

You can of course (legally) use automotive "stuff" in jetboats and other "open" engine-compartment boats and still be in compliance with USCG rules andregs.....

Manifolds are easy too since you can just put dry-stacks on them and eliminate the reversion altogether.

 

[nitrosteve]

Re: Bad news for me

I figured out the fuel pump issue. I can use the weldon fuel pump like I have on my racecar. Its uscg approved. I have another drive lined up thats off a v8 boat. Thanks for the help guys I have a buyer for my 6.0 and already found a deal on a 415.

Is that a 400 block that's really pushing it. I know motown makes a block that's a lot of cubes on a 400 sbc. Can I still get that ride though. Good luck man keep us posted.

 

[nitrosteve]

Re: Bad news for me

You might consider just buying or building a 454 seems like it would be alot more user friendly and you wouldn't have to spin it up much since your power curve is going to be 1500-4000 rpm. Your 415 is probably going to be 3000-7000 rpm I think you would find the BBC would give you seat of the pants power where you motor is going to need to spin way up to get to the same level of torque. I don't know there are people way more qualified than me to give you advice. Its your money spend it how you want.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Bad news for me

Add risers, ignition, induction (carb/EFI). Then there is outdrive gearing & prop changes.

 

[mattbags]

Re: Bad news for me

The 415 is a dart little m block and makes 705 hp at 6000 rpm. The 454 is a nice motor but weighs too much and doesnt make alot of power. And they cost more than I want to spend to make it last and make power. I have been looking at the MEFI setup off a used boat. Also the manifolds that were on the boat are cracked so I need to buy new ones anyways.

 

[Shamus O'toole]

Re: Bad news for me

this build has my intrest peaked...keep us up to date about the swap and don't let the naysayers get to ya. They once said you couldn't fit a BBC in a vega.....