End of the Volvo big block motors......

[stephanies]

Volvo penta have just announced a new 6.0 litre V8 380hp, no more 8.1's or 425hp......
http://www.volvopenta.com/volvopent...m.aspx?News.ItemId=130559&News.Language=en-gb

 

[bruceb58]

Re: End of the Volvo big block motors......

Should actually read end of GM big block motors used by Volvo although the link doesn't say anything about the 8.1 not in the current model offering.

 

[gtochris]

Re: End of the Volvo big block motors......

GM Hasnt had an 8.1L in a truck in a number of years now!
I'm actually still surprised they continue to use the old blocks and nothing has migrated to the new 5.3L/ although a few use the 6.2L. GM hasnt made a 5.0L or 5.7L in a decade plus in the truck format.

 

[Don S]

Re: End of the Volvo big block motors......

GM hasnt made a 5.0L or 5.7L in a decade plus in the truck format.

No, but GM probably makes a good bit of money selling the 5.0 and 5.7 to the marine industry..

 

[r.j.dawg]

Re: End of the Volvo big block motors......

Here are the current GM marine offerings.
http://www.gmpowertrain.com/MarineEnginesControllers/ProductPortfolio.aspx

 

[bruceb58]

Re: End of the Volvo big block motors......

I'm actually still surprised they continue to use the old blocks and nothing has migrated to the new 5.3L/ although a few use the 6.2L.

probably because the 5.3L has an aluminum head and would require closed cooling and be too costly in the type boats its target is. Also, the 5.3L develops its peak torque at a lot higher RPM than the 5.7 which makes it a poor marine choice.

As fas as I know, GM Workhorse motorhome chassis are still offered with the 8.1L engine so the engine is still being manufactured.

 

[Don S]

Re: End of the Volvo big block motors......

2 days ago, Volvo was still listing the 8.1 here http://www.volvopenta.com/VOLVOPENT...INE_STERNDRIVE/Pages/GasolineEngineRange.aspx
Today it's not listed.

 

[QC]

Re: End of the Volvo big block motors......

GM discontinued the 8.1 due to cost and low volume. I know one company building new ones. They do have tooling, but I don't know where they got it . . . http://psiengines.com/products/psi-8-1l/

 

[r.j.dawg]

Re: End of the Volvo big block motors......

2 days ago, Volvo was still listing the 8.1 here http://www.volvopenta.com/VOLVOPENT...INE_STERNDRIVE/Pages/GasolineEngineRange.aspx
Today it's not listed.

Crusader has the 8.1 listed also. http://www.crusaderengines.com/Products/index.html

 

[RotaryRacer]

Re: End of the Volvo big block motors......

As fas as I know, GM Workhorse motorhome chassis are still offered with the 8.1L engine so the engine is still being manufactured.

Nope. Workhorse is now part of the Navistar family of companies. They stopped using the 8.1 a few years ago. At this point they don't even offer a gas option for motorhomes and most of the manufacturers are either offering front engine diesels (which Workhorse offers) or have moved to Ford chassises exclusively for gas.

 

[Thalasso]

Re: End of the Volvo big block motors......

probably because the 5.3L has an aluminum head and would require closed cooling and be too costly in the type boats its target is. Also, the 5.3L develops its peak torque at a lot higher RPM than the 5.7 which makes it a poor marine choice.

As fas as I know, GM Workhorse motorhome chassis are still offered with the 8.1L engine so the engine is still being manufactured.

GM quit making the 8.1. Mercruiser developed their own 8.2 liter big block
V8-380 features variable valve timing using a hydraulic cam phaser, plus a deep skirt cast iron cylinder block with high compression aluminum cylinder heads. It has full freshwater cooling and a high flow, catalyzed aluminum exhaust system developed for the marine enironment.The result of all this high technology is an exceptionally high power to weight ratio and low fuel consumption and emissions. On the practical side, the seawater pump, coolant reservoir and and both oil and fuel filters are located on the front of the engine for easy access.

The 380hp VP is the LY6 6 liter VVT V8
Intake Manifold: Composite

 

[bruceb58]

Re: End of the Volvo big block motors......

Nope. Workhorse is now part of the Navistar family of companies. They stopped using the 8.1 a few years ago. At this point they don't even offer a gas option for motorhomes and most of the manufacturers are either offering front engine diesels (which Workhorse offers) or have moved to Ford chassises exclusively for gas.

You are right and it looks like there is no more Workhorse as of a few days ago:

http://www.rvbusiness.com/2012/09/navistar-closing-down-workhorse-to-cut-costs/

Heard the Ford V-10 is also going to end production for motor homes.

Will be interesting if Volvo will ever have a big block motor again.

 

[bostonfishing]

Re: End of the Volvo big block motors......

Its good but i really love those 8.1's or 425hp.

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: End of the Volvo big block motors......

So much is changing in the auto industry its hard to put evertything in context. Beyond being a Ford fan boy what they are doing and other's will follow with ecoboost is nothing short of extraordinary. If you just forget fords name and think of a 3.5 v6 doing 365hp and 420 lbs ft of tourqe is mind boggling..Remeber the Powerstroke did 275hp and 525 lbs ft of tourqe with 7.3 liters.

The 5.0 ecoboost is in development it has been seen...think 550 hp and 600lbs ft of tourqe...in a undertuned or safe state of tune..Both GM and Chrysler will follow suit and up the anti... that is just the way it happen's..Its time for change and changing it is. What marine maybe signaling here is the tech is starting to come down the hill..Lighter engine's...better econ.. higher tourqe...huge hp...ohh variable cam timing..the end of reversion.. and reliability that is uncanny in high stress application's.

What i find very intresting is the metalurgy that is being used...In a propoganda film Ford takes ice chiiled water and doses a hot engine under high rpm and it lives......Try that with any 350 or 351 and yet no one talks much about it.. For myself i would miss the unmistakeable rumble and roar of a big block on the water..but its's days are numbered.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: End of the Volvo big block motors......

Yup, my new (2 me) boat has twin 454's. . . Just hope I do not have to repower any time soon. Replacement engines in those sizes are only gonna get more and more expensive.

 

[JEBar]

Re: End of the Volvo big block motors......

If you just forget fords name and think of a 3.5 v6 doing 365hp and 420 lbs ft of tourqe is mind boggling...

it certainly is .... their ECO Boost equipped F150's have a mind blowing trailer tow rating of around 11,700 lbs .... that rivals or exceeds that of many 10 year old diesel trucks .... knowing folks who have them and who are towing large campers on cross country trips, I no longer question their power but for me the jury is still out on their longevity

Jim

 

[QC]

Re: End of the Volvo big block motors......

VW, SAAB, Volvo and Subrau have been selling 100+ bhp per liter, turbo'ed engines for a looooong time. They also have a good longevity record. The Scandinavian examples even have decent tow ratings.

 

[FormulaFanMN]

Re: End of the Volvo big block motors......

This new 6.0 from Volvo is based on the L96 GM engine.

Question for QC, with the torque curve on this new Volvo engine produces max torque of 400 lb-ft at a whopping 4400 RPM and the Merc 8.2 produces over 503 lb-ft at a more respectable 3200 RPM.

I noticed an earlier posting reply about horsepower is horsepower and you mentioned

" This is especially true when you get into 6.2s and going to be even more true when we finally see the awesome 6.0s. I think I'd like to add to the old adage of there is no replacement for displacement and tack on, but horsepower is still horsepower. And if anyone here hasn't seen my ramblings about the misunderstanding of peak torque, and it's relative value, you have been warned"

How can this new engine survive in a heavier boat where it's only producing 400 lb-ft of torque at such a high RPM compared to a big block?

Thanks!

 

[QC]

Re: End of the Volvo big block motors......

Survive is an interesting word. None of us can really comment about longevity if that's what survive means. No data. But I really think you mean how could it do the same job as a 502 (in the case of Volvo the 8.1). I guess I would say that it might be able to do the same job, but differently. To take advantage of the higher rated RPM, a lower pitch propset will have to be used. So that will effectively help improve the torque at the propeller as there will theoretically be more RPM at any speed. Soooo, the 6.0 will get closer than the numbers alone may suggest. Also, the lower weight has to be considered. My guess is that it won't do quite as well with hole shot, but with a DP drive and the lower propset it may get pretty dang close. All need to remember that peak torque only comes into play with the throttle(s) mashed. So if a similar boat with a 380 502 planes easily, then a 6.0 may not struggle much at all. it all depends on how much reserve power is spec'd.

Oh, and welcome aboard!!

 

[5150abf]

Re: End of the Volvo big block motors......

Ran one of our company toons(Bennington) this year that had the 380 in it and thought it ran great, had a Bravo III on it and it just jumped out of the water.

Got 44 mph with it in a 25' decked out boat with our new wake tower although I have never run one with a big block.

Oddly enough I have a big block 8.1 they are building in the shop right now, we did one last week and there is another next week so we must have the very last of the run, absolutely massive engine.