[1]It seems like the LS swaps have made their way into every kind of vehicle – drag cars, drift cars, hill climbers, sand rails, you name it. But now they have been transformed into something we thought we’d never see – outboard power plants. Seven Marine [2] paired up with Intrepid Powerboats [3] to launch their new outboard offering at the 2011 Miami International Boat Show. Seven Marine decided that the supercharged 6.2L LSA engine would serve the increasing demand for powerful outboard motors. According to a informational and promotional video large offshore boats that were running three or even four engines can now get improved performance from a pair of powerful outboard engines.
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Based out of Wisconsin, Seven Marine’s new 557 series produces 557 horsepower and 550 pound-feet of torque. While capable of running on 89-octane fuel, Seven Marine suggests using 92-octane to achieve maximum performance under any condition. According to Seven Marine, the 557 produces approximately sixty-percent more power than the next most powerful offering on the market at present.
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A GMPP crate LSA powerhead is mated to a ZF transmission and drive unit by way of a proprietary transfer case, and the end result is an outboard engine that, used in pairs, can propel a 40-plus foot offshore fishing boat to speeds in excess of 70 MPH.
Though these outboards are going to undoubtedly be pricey, Seven Marine says that compared to a triple or quad-motor setup of equivalent power, you’ll actually see a cost savings, and they point to the fact that these engines have had all the bugs worked out courtesy of their engineering development for the Cadillac CTS-V.
Over the next few months Seven Marine will continue to test the 557 to ensure the best quality product on the market. Seven Marine plans to put the 557 into production by the fourth quarter of 2011. For those interested the LS power offered by the 557 Seven Marine’s website offers a plethora of information such as warranty information and technical specifications.