Car engine into a boat

[CraigVmax]

Anyone know how simple this is?

Thinking of putting a modern v8 into an old boat, Porsche 928 ideally but dont know how weight friendly this is and what the proceedure is to marinise it?

[buggalugs]

Interesting one! I think boat engines tend to get worked harder than car engines so oil & water cooling will need looking at.

Oh and I think we have different ideas about what's 'modern'

[Sam_68]

It's not terribly difficult as engineering projects go, but saltwater in particuylar can be a pretty harsh environment to have around an internal combution engine.

Have a look at the Lancing Marine website for components and advice, if you're serious.

[stevieturbo]

CraigVmax said:

Anyone know how simple this is?

Thinking of putting a modern v8 into an old boat, Porsche 928 ideally but dont know how weight friendly this is and what the proceedure is to marinise it?

I wouldnt say a 928 is modern, nor will it be cheap.

I guess a lot will depend on how you intend to run the engine. fuel injection, carb ?
What way does it fit into the boat, and what drive system, bellhousing etc ?
How much room do you have ?
What sort of weight can it handle ? Will it need to be all alloy, or is iron block fine ?

A few obvious choices would be the LSx, BMW's V8, Maybe Lexus V8. Certainly the latter pair can be found at sensible money sometimes from local breakers.
The LSx should be readily available too, although may cost a bit more.

I just cant see the Porsche as being a cost effective option, as parts will always be expensive.

[Tony427]

Theres quite a few Lexus V8's being used in speedboats in Australia and New Zealand. Typically they are also supercharged.

Do a search on www.lextreme.com which should give you a few ideas.

Cheers,

Tony

[dmulally]

I think a small block v8 of either ford or chev background should be plenty fine. A 928 engine is a rather complicated beast and not sure how it would go attaching itself to a stern drive. Good luck though and let us know the answers to those q's above.

Cheers

[jeremyc]

CraigVmax said:

Thinking of putting a modern v8 into an old boat, Porsche 928 ideally but dont know how weight friendly this is and what the proceedure is to marinise it?

I just hope it's not the boat I'm thinking of.

[chuntington101]

big Block Chevy with either a couple of big roots blowers strapped on to or a couple of turbos.

Chris.

[CraigVmax]

jeremyc said:

just hope it's not the boat I'm thinking of.

Hahaha, no not that one, it's a bit frisky with only 25hp that one!

[Boosted LS1]

I've built a few ski boat engines, sbc's. The owners seem to like the weight of the iron engines because they sink the stern into the water plus they're cheap. As for rpm's, they rarely go over 3000 revs because that's what suits pulling a skier along or a wakeboarder. When the engines break its frequently a cracked block during the winter because they don't always have anti-freeze and sealed coolant systems. They do like to run with water cooled exhaust pipe castings as that stops the hull from getting a bit to hot

[chuntington101]

Boosted LS1 said:

They do like to run with water cooled exhaust pipe castings as that stops the hull from getting a bit to hot

I always wondered why they rad watercooled manifolds until i saw a twin turbo BBC in the back of a boat. The headers where glowing cherry red. the owner said that they would do that for the whole (30 min to 1 hour) race! lol