Why doesn't Mercury use the 6 liter LY6 engine available form GM?

[Dave S]

Here are their various offerings. http://www.gm.com/explore/technology/gmpowertrain/engines/specialized/marine/marine_engines.jsp

and here is the LY6 offering http://www.gm.com/explore/technolog...s/specialized/marine/2008_6000_LY6_Marine.pdf

This engine puts out 385 HP and has 400 lb-ft of torque. While not quite as powerfull as the big block motor, it looks like a good choice to me. I wonder who GM sells this engine to if Mercury doesn't use it?

 

[SeaRide]

Dave,

I believe Crusader has been marinzing the 6.0 with closed cooling for several years. When the 496 disappears it will be interesting to see the replacement. For example, the 280DA moves along fairly well with a single 8.1 as does the 340DA with twins. I really don't see the 6.0 as a replacement for the 8.1 in these applications, especially the 280DA.

Then again maybe it is......

 

[SeaRide]

Just had another look at the 6.0 link. I do not believe the earlier versions have variable valve timing.

 

[Dave S]

It could be because the aluminum heads would probably require closed cooling as standard. Another reason might be the manifolds they would have to develop. Right now I would think the manifolds for the 5.0, the 350MAG, and the 6.2 might all be the same since the heads have the same exhaust ports. The LS style heads would require a completely different set of manifolds unique only to that engine.

Who knows what the reasons are. :huh: I would think though that this engine could very well replace the big blocks when they go out of production. Guess we will just have to wait and see.

 

[Hampton]

I have a 6.0L GM in my Truck. It runs like a bat-out-a-he44, and with the straight pipes, it sounds great too.

 

[keokie]

The real question is why don't the marinize the 6.6L Duramax?

 

[Hampton]

My question would be "Why don't they marinize any of the engines?" Maybe it's just me, but it seems that other than the true marine diesels, most of these motors are just barely good enough to get by in the ocean. Even my 8.1 Horizons with fresh water cooling are just barely sea worthy. Look at all of the parts and accessories that corode in/on the engine. If it were me, I'd spend for the extra weight and have fresh water running through absolutely everything except the raw water side of the heat exchanger.

$8,000 transmissions are cooled with salt water. If planned obsolescense is the justification, it's even worse. If there was a market for these machines in Japan, they'd make 'em right. They are starting to do so. Merc better break the mold and start thinking outside of the box. Some of this stuff is ridiculous.

 

[fc3]

Merc likes cheap. Stroking the 5.7 to 6.2 is probably a lot cheaper than to marinize an entirely new engine family. There are a lot of common parts between the 4.3, 5.0, 5.7, and 6.2, which makes for cheaper manufacturing. Now that the 6.0 has variable cam phasing, that's another reason Merc won't want to touch the 6.0 since they'll have to write new software for their proprietary PCM.

Crusader doesn't have a problem with using this engine as people expect to pay more for a Crusader and Crusader uses GM's engine control modules.

Follow the money.

Best regards,
Frank