How 'n Why I'm goin' DIESEL with Duramax Power

[MAD JAX]

When I salvaged this '80 Formula 302 back in '98 I knew I wanted to restore it with Diesel Power, but the options available at that time were very limited, and My "Partner" absolutely refused to consider working on any project involving an "Oil Burner"...IMHO Diesel provided more safety, fuel efficientcy, and long-term reliability than "Gas", and further than that? I figured I could readily use alternative fuels -- such as "Bio-Diesel", Waste Vegetable Oil (WVO), etc. -- in those times of limited accessability to Fuel...like for some Sheik farting somewhere in the middle-east, etc.!!!

Soon conditioned that "Marine" was slang for "Lotsamoney", and -- for lack of both Balls AND $$$ -- harboring no desire to "Go Fast" in terms of what the Boat reportedly once achieved-of-speed during it's early 80's West Coast Racing Career ("Surgeon" #71 reportedly had a 122 mph KILO run in '84), I still wanted to get this baby in the water so that I could then share with others that awesome feeling I got the first time I rode in such a craft! I figured loosing two 330 H.P. engines and drives could be mitigated to My satisfaction...that if I built an LS-6 spec. 500+ H.P BBC using a Multi-speed transmission and using a more efficient Out-Drive such as the Arneson, the loss of "Twins" would be made-up for the weight-savings, etc.

That "Gas Engine" today remains in figurative moth-balls for My relocation from the West Coast, as My "Partner" is out of the project for the move, and I'm back to "Plan A" having since aquired an '06 LLY Duramax, which I'm working to "Marinize". If you haven't seen or heard of the Banks Power Marinized Duramax you must, as it is absoulutly the most impressive Powerplant!

I don't have Jay Leno's budget, but I have every bit of "Heart" in working toward accomplishment of this endeavor some day.

Granted, there are many obsticles to overcome...the most difficult problem will be obtaining a modified controller for the Common-Rail Diesel Injection System in this non-automotive application...it's a high-degree of difficulty, but I am motivated ; )

 

[FormulaFanMN]

Is this what you're talking about ??

www.banksmarine.com

How does this cost compare to say a Merc 525 engine ??

 

[GSENT]

GALE BANKS HAD ALWAYS HAD A GREAT REPUTATION FOR TOP QUALITY PRODUCTS.
THESE DURAMAX ENGINES ARE NOT GOING TO BE AVAILABLE FOR A WHILE. STILL IN TESTING STAGE. PROBABLY NOT UNTIL 2012.

 

[toofast]

Wow, what an engine...

I gotta believe it will be a whole lot more than a Merc 525

 

[FormulaFanMN]

I'm sure the weight savings of the Duramax diesels over say a Volvo D6-370 would be huge.

The D6 has a compressor, so the low end torque might be "better" than the Duramax, but I'm only guessing...

Isn't the Duramax a cast iron block and aluminum head design ??

 

[MAD JAX]

YES...This is IT!!!

www.banksmarine.com

Now They've also got a Twin-Turbo Supercharged version that kick's 800+ H.P./1500 ft.lb. @ 4200 RPM (it's a "Special Military Marine Application" that I saw last year in the Sept. issue of Diesel Power Magazine).

http://www.dieselpowermag.com/tech/chevy/1009dp_800hp_twin_turbo_duramax_crate_engine/photo_01.html

The Twin-Turbo weighs-in around the same as a BBC, is at least TWICE as fuel-efficient, has as much POWER, will be safer for the use of something OTHER than "Gas" as its fuel, and last a lot longer for Diesel durability!

The Blocks are Iron and the Heads are Aluminum...future blocks will be of a "Compact Graphite-Iron Composition" (?), which is supposed to be much stronger than Iron and have other desireable features as well.

If it out-lasts two to three 525's in durability/reliability on the H.O.B. are We ahead for the price? Methinkz YEP!!!

That said, I'm not sure it's that much more in terms of $$$ spent...even for a "Retro-fit" from Gas to Diesel...but I don't know what they'll sell for -- yet.

Now think about this: It's really more in the "Power" league with those new Super-Charged 1100 H.P. BBC's -- and THEY are not cheap at 'tall -- considering what their Torque out-put is, and further of that? For what their "Half-Life" likely is, this "Marinized Duramax" is THE REAL DEAL! ; )

IMHO this powerplant...gentlemen...is the FUTURE of Marine Performance Power!

 

[smarquis]

I think the biggest problem that you will have is finding an outdrive to handle the additional torque. Pacific Performance Enginnering makes an outdrive, but it is big $$ (over $27,000). http://www.pacificp.com/store/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=56

I'm pretty sure that all of their products would be helpful and useful, but this is going to cost you some $$.

They also make programmers,and will even redesign your wiring harness for marine applications. I have had experience with their programmers for a duramax in a Chevy and they work great.

If you are successful, please let us know. I would love my truck engine in my boat. I am currently upgrading it to a triple turbo set up that should easily have 600-700 hp at the rear wheels, and upwards of 1100 lb. ft of torque!

 

[MAD JAX]

The smallest Arneson Surface Drive -- which I am using BTW -- is rated for Torque @ 650 ft. lbs.,and -- according to Rik Wimp at Arneson Research -- will take a real-world 750 ft. lbs., and for the purpose of which I intend to use this boat that will work just fine.

I'm in touch with PPE as late as yesterday, Thank You...and as said, they do offer solutions to the challenges I face, albethey Pricey! : /

The Tech-Support I spoke with told me they had four Duramax Boats in there right now...one of which is running the 6-speed Allison! The rest are going into the SCX Out-drives...which are much more pricey than an Arneson ASD-7 "Bravo-Conversion" or ASD-8s, either of which will easily handle Power such as a highly modified Duramax can offer.

BTW Good luck with that Triple-Turbo...that'll getcha' launched 'n off-the-ramp a lil quicker! ; )

 

[smarquis]

I'm glad that PPE could at least offer some ideas for you.

Do you know how much the Arneson drives cost? I was just on their website and didn't see anything about prices. They are certainly awesome drives though.

By the way, if you ever consider using a "highly modified" Duramax, you may need something more than a ASD-8. I've heard of many modified duramax motors exceeding 1200 ft/lb of torque at the rear wheels!

By the way, the triple turbo kit is excellent. I attached a picture so you could check it out. The two air filters at the bottom each go into a smaller turbo. The condensed air is taken directly to a Cheetah aftermarket turbo that sits in the location of the original. It will put out between 50 and 60 psi of boost with the tunes that I am currently running (but we are still trying to dial everything in). It is certainly fun though! The shop that performed the work is Extreme Prejudice Racing out of Salt Lake City, Utah. If you need help modifying a Duramax, give Trent a call. http://extremeprejudiceracing.com/Default.aspx

 

[aquaforce]

How is the project coming???


I am all about diesel in an SS or cruiser and I think the Dmax is perfect. I too would like to have the same engine in my boat as in my truck. ;D ;D
If I had a single problem with a D6 370HP it would go on a chain as an anchor and a Dmax would take it's place. ;D ;D ;D ;D

 

[MAD JAX]

Just a coupla things throwin' a stick-in-the-Prop over the last year or so, not the least of which was:

1. Lookin' to fix a cracked driveway...and finding a 20+ deep "Pine-Log Trash Pit" running under the front-door of my House! How extensive was it? Between me 'n My "Amigos" (and My "Structural Engineer", whose prudent solutions always include some manner of me having to "Pound-Sand" ; ) I saved at least $50 grand fixing it myself...still lookin' to skin' 'n salt a "Responsible Party"!

2. Thru to today for having to deal with My 2/3 completed Terraced-Garden Retaining Wall/Performance Stage structure that -- I discovered, amongst OTHER things! -- the Mason mistakenly used an inferior mortar in assembling...currently skin'n 'n saltin' the "Responsible Party".

3. The rest of "Life" in-between all of THAT : ? Thankfully, at-least the Family remains safe, together, and We still have our health!

Ah, and as long as I'm alive 'n kickin' so-lives the dream...I've been con-currently in the throes of design and fabrication of the adaptation(s) needed to accomodate the desired Multi-Speed Transmission -- the theory (pipe dream???) is that this will allow it to "Spool" during launch and then WHAM We're off into Hyperspace upon Planing!

And too, I've still got to complete the hulls retro-fit from Twins-to-Single...got what's needed and lookin' to make it happen soon as the weather warms.

Meanwhile have you seen the latest developments with Banks Power and their Marinized Duramax program? Who in their right-mind would do anything different -- especially for the cost difference in $$$!!! -- than convert to such Diesel Power for the performance, endurance, economy, and Safety deficientcies over maintaining "Gas" anymore?

http://www.banksmarine.com/

 

[MAD JAX]

Here's a pic. of My "Rig":

'49 Brill C-27 Coach-Conversion (the "Mobile Sex Bungalo")

'80 Formula 302 "Big-Dick Boat" (as one "Marine Surveyor" defined it ; )

 

[snoproblem]

Now that is a way out tow vehicle!!!!!I bet you get allot of looks when towing her around.Do you ramp it or have it lifted off the trailer?

 

[MAD JAX]

These types of boats are spectacular to begin with, but one of 'em tied to the back of that old bus draws some real attention anywhere it goes.

This boat's been a project of mine for well over a decade now, thus it's had more water IN IT than it's actually BEEN IN for more than that long...whenever anyone asks how fast I've gone in the boat I just say "The day it gets out from behind the Bus I'll know!"

Ciao!

 

[aquaforce]

MAD JAX

I know what you mean about problems with the property in the way of the boat. I've been trying to get a stroker done for a while now but my efforts to, as you say, "skin n salt", the responsible party have taken all my loose change. Good luck with your dilemma.


That old iron can haul the mail. I'm sure the Formula doesn't make the bus work hard. That is a cool looking rig.

My tow rig is an 06 Dmax. This is the first time for me to own a diesel. Since I work on them I would never own one but since the technology has finally gotten to a respectable level with diesels, now I absolutely prefer them!!

I would love to have a pair of Banks plants in a 400SS. That would be one sweet set up. ;D

 

[MAD JAX]

I retroed a TD 427 BBC into that "Pusher" back in '95...only once did I have to down-shift to third for a hill anywhere between California and North Georgia...the coolest stretch was I-40 between Little Rock 'n Memphis...handled like I was in a Vette, but I'd be stupid to drive it as fast as it would go. (And it does look kewl, thank you ; )

I bagged an '06 LLY to retro IT, but I'm afraid it's too wide, so I got an '96 6-BT 5.9 Cummins for it...and it's lookin' like the Turbo positioning is a problem, but soon we'll see...

On that tangent, the question only begs to be asked: (lol) How can a man ever die for always having a "Work in Progress"?

Regarding the Banks Power Marinized Duramax, who wouldn't?!?

But untill they put-out (some pricing) it's like Women who don't wear their "No Pest Strip" (a ring) when they should...let us know what the game's about so we can either jump-on-it or get-on little doggie!