• If you log in, the ads disappear in the forum and gallery. If you need help logging in or getting registered, send request to: webmaster@southernairboat.com

NEW Bigger Bader 6.0 liter LS2

Southern Airboat Gallery Archives

Boating on the St. Johns
RUN WHAT YOU BRUNG RACE, JUNE 27
Knives_in_sheath
walk boards
1A4E69C8-C64C-4924-A69F-87AC6D2FFBE5
al 's boat
Waterthunder

Waterthunder

Well-known member
These are new 6.0L airboat motors that I have been working on for a while now. The main difference over a LS1 is the bore is a .100 larger. Nobody is producing a stand alone ignition system for utilizing the GM reluctor. The LS2 and LS6 motors require a timing chain cover adaptor and distributor. I have been working with a Ignition manufacture for some time now. The proto type ignitions I have been testing are now going into production. I will be able to burn a timing curve in each ignition system for the particular boat, gearbox and prop combination the motor is going on. I will be doing some dyno testing to find the best timing curve per engine load aka prop load. I hope to have all final testing and dyno work completed by the end of August. I plan on keeping at least 5 of each motor in stock at all times. I will stock a 450HP 6.0L and a 500HP 6.0L. I will be taking orders for these motors shortly. I have kept this as quite as possible because of all the work I have put into this combination.
 
I can not give an exact price because the ignitions are just being made now and I don't have a price for them yet along with one other component. However I can give a fairly close estimate that will be close either way. Remember every single component of these motors are new nothing is used or from the 1900's. I expect a complete all new 450HP LS2 to cost around $7,900 and a all new 500HP to cost around $8,900 I will have an exact price here shortly. These motors include my modified oil system, modified oil pump, modified water pump, cooling system mods, light weight starter, single wire alternator, all brackets and belts, Holley carb, ignition box with a pre programmed airboat timing curve, flywheel, plugs, plug wires and WaterThunder Performance valve covers. All motors are run on a test stand with timing and jetting set. I will supply a warranty and guarantee of no oil leaks. Motors come with oil and filter along with a spare oil filter to be changed after one ride.
 
thunder - what did you say your weights are with a gearbox ? and at what rpms does your hp come in at, you have said multiple times in the past that its not just about peak numbers but #'s under the curve. im just wondering all this because i keep reading about much larger ( possibly inflated ) hp numbers in all the hot rod mags in reference to the ls motors, these thing appently have huge potential, 600 hp with basic stuff...........
 
I do build ones that make over 600HP however remember I'm selling these for ride boats and air boaters. To get 450HP and even 500HP on pump gas and keep it reliable is much harder then twisting a compression motor on race gas more RPM's to make 650HP. I build these motors to make their power before 5,300RPM. I just built a small block airboat motor that makes over 810HP and it's a motor that the main concern was to make horsepower, reliability was not a concern also it's 16.5:1 compression and must run on 118 octane. As always my airboat motors are a matched combination to make broad power they are not built to generate large peak numbers. If I didn't care about building the best airboat combination I could easily make another hundred horse and throw around some huge HP numbers but that aint what makes an airboat run. About 12 years ago when me and Felber were hard core into drag racing and messing around with a pee wee small block that out ran big big inch big blocks we realized then let all the mail order manufactures sell their motors on inflated big Horsepower numbers. Because the broader better designed combination will always kick it's but.
 
Thunder, I'll take 450 bulletproof hp over a 650 hp 40 second fuse any day of the week. Congratulations ..... sounds like your little company is really starting to come into it own.
 
He just built me one of his 500+ LS6's and it is awesome and it does everything he said it would do
 
Sniper, where do you run in GA? I have a son in the Norcross area ...... maybe we could go for a ride in your area sometime?
 
I live in a town called Fairburn and I run the Boat in the Chattahoochee River of of Fulton Industrial Blvd I have about 40 miles of river to my self very seldom do I see anothe boat of any kind.
 
Sweet .... my kind of water. There are only 3 airboats registered in my county. This is all deep water (upper St. Johns River) so I'm the guy with 'that strange lookin boat' in the gas station. There are a lot of geographicaly challenged folk in this area that have never seen one.
 
Boy I know how that feels I get those looks every time I take my boat out it is definatly an oddity up here too.
 
Due to the fact WaterThunder Performance has not had a single failure with a LS1 ,LS2 or LS6 I'm going to start offering warrantees on my engine packages. I have been told nobody not even GM offers a warranty on their aluminum motors especially in a airboat. I will either offer a 90day or a 6 month warranty I haven't decided yet. Another option we have been testing is a new engine management system. WaterThunder Performance and a leading ignition manufacture have been designing and testing a new ignition and management controller for the LS series engines. I can set the timing curve to the engines needs, boats demands and set each cylinders timing individually every 100RPM down to a 1/4 of a degree. I will also have a temp sensor that will pull out timing if a motor is running hot. So if you burst a radiator hose, poke a hole in your radiator or loose coolant the ignition will remove timing to prevent engine failure. I am also working on a program loop for cruising that will increase fuel economy. We have almost completed all testing with our new 500HP LS2 and will be offering it shortly with a Warranty.
 
Wow .... 8) . The program loop for cruising economy sounds very cool to me. You already get excellent mileage. It will be fun to see how much more that can be improved. Your horsepower and reliability have never been in question.

Congratulations !!
 
WaterThunder

Should I waite and put this engine managment system on my new motor
instead of the one I have comming or can it be added to my new system and will it work on the LS6
 
I will always try to improve these things I just get bored doing what has already been done. And believe me LS1 motors will take over the world and replace the big block with in a few years. There are so many new things going on with LS1,LS2,LS6,LS7,L98,L92 that it's just going to become even more technically superior to the small block motor. Remember the conventional small block Chevy remained dormant and stale for 40 years. Just in the last 5 years more has been improved with the LS1 then the prior 40 years to the conventional SBC. I already have a LS1 in a 3/4 scale Mustang and have helped out a few experimental aircraft guy's and now these motors are starting to take root in the small aircraft industry. We all will benefit from this.
 
Hello Watethunder, always interesting to read your information.

What are the pros and cons of the 572 vrs your engine on a 18 ft panther with counter rotator or are there any cons

I know have a 21x9 tour boat with a 572 counter rotator with over 200 hours on the engine with no problems so far.

Just wondering your thoughts?

Tim Bryson
Brysons Airboat Tours
 
Them 572's are a great motor and on a big boat like that nothing beats cubic inches. When ever a vehicle get's to be heavy the BBC is the way to go. However the LS series motors develop as much and more power then the crate big blocks but are not as durable in a heavy vehicle at the higher power levels. I personally will never put a Small Block on a airboat over 16ft. So you probably have the best combo for your needs and if you want more power you can always upgrade your motor.
 
Thunder do you build any Big Blocks. I am in the market for one and would love to have one of your engines. Do you use aluminum blocks on your SBC?

Swampdonkey
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top