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Marine Power - the STORY

The Lamborghini factory had never entered any kind of racing, the only Lamborghini's that ever showed up on the track were private entries, but when the Mimran's arrived, things changed.

Note that the late Ferruccio Lamborghini actually had two four-liters V-12's installed in his personal Riva Aquarama back in 1969, so Patrick Mimran decided to use an enlarged version of the V-12 for off-shore powerboat racing.

At that time there were plans for a large-displacement engine ready, but Mimran decided to actually produce them, in 1984 the development of these engines began, end led to 8200cc and 9300cc engines. However, these engines were too big and too heavy with their special fuel-injection systems and sophisticated mechanics to be fitted in a Countach or even in the big LM-machines.

Nevertheless, they were just right to be installed in the big off-shore powerboats. The 8-Liter engine, a 60-degree V-12 boasting 7973.89cc and a bore/stroke of 97.5x89 mm could produce 720 Bhp at 6000 rpm with its fuel injection system, but it weighed in at 360 Kg.

However, these engines had a dry sump lubrication system and could rotate clockwise or counterclockwise, which made them perfect for powerboats and with their 360 Kg, they were still less heavy than the big piston diesels usually installed in this type of boats. Aldo Cichero designed the 'Bull of the seas', the luxurious Lamborghini Quetzal 1 and the competition type Quetzal 2, both boats used a single-hull design consisting of a three-layer molding, a new composite material created by Cichero which used superimposed layers of PVC, Kevlar and carbon-fiber.

The Quetzal 1 was very lavishly finished, with a lounge/bedroom, a kitchen, a bar, refrigerators, air conditioning, hi-fi, telephone, radio, television, etc. Naturally, the Quetzal 2 did not have any of these luxury items, but it did put out 1440 Bhp by using two 720 Bhp fuel injected V-12 engines. Lamborghini engines became used for competition from 1985 on, mainly with the help of Daniele Audetto, Board Member of the International Powerboating Federation.

CUV singe-hulls powered by Lamborghini engines made their entry in the Italian and European competition, and even won the title thanks to the results of the Italian ace Renato Della Valle. In 1986 the same results were obtained, but 1987 became much harder, mainly because the Lamborghini powered single-hulls were not very competitive in calm, flat water, where catamarans are much better suited.

However, in 1987 the Sant'Agata engines did win the prestigious Viareggio-Bastia-Viareggio, mounted in the 'Sun International' of Stefano Casiraghi and the Cowes-Torquay-Cowes, in the 'Rocky' of J.P. Frutier. That same year, the grueling New-Orleans-St. Louis, a 1034 mile race on the Mississippi River was won by a Wellcraft-Scarab powered by Lamborghini engines and piloted by none other than Don Johnson (famous from the television series Miami-Vice) in a world record of 19 hours 51 minutes.

Thanks to these results, a contract was signed with Mercruiser, who would buy 300 engines and distribute these in the United States. Two types where supplied by Sant'Agata, an 8.2-Liter version for racing and a 9.3-Liter for pleasure boating. The 8.2-Liter engine, type L 804 was used for the 1989 offshore competition.

Specifications :

Number : L 804, 1989 offshore competition engine

Type : V-12 60 degree light alloy block
Distribution : Dual overhead camshafts, chain drive, four valves/cylinder
Main bearings : 7
Cyl. Capacity : 8172 cc
Bore & stroke : 97.7 x 89 mm
Compr. ratio : 11.5:1
Max. power : 880 bhp at 6650 rpm
Max. torque : 102 mkg. at 5500 rpm
Cooling system : by sea water
Ignition : Integreated Marelli electronic
Fuel system : Electronic Lamborghini injection
Dry weight : 398 Kg
Generator : 85 amp

Number : L 900 Lamborghini-Mercruiser

Type : V-12 60 degree light alloy block
Distribution : Dual overhead camshafts, chain drive, two valves/cylinder
Main bearings : 7
Cyl. Capacity : 9336 cc
Bore & stroke : 105.5 x 89 mm
Compr. ratio : 8.4:1
Max. power : 630 bhp at 5300 rpm
Max. torque : 91.7 mkg. at 4200 rpm
Cooling system : Sealed system with heat exchanger
Ignition : Integreated Marelli electronic
Fuel system : Six twin-choke Weber 44 DCNF carburetors
Dry weight : 420 Kg

Lamborghini Quetzal 1, luxury fun boat

Engine : Lamborghini V-12
Capacity : 7974 cc
Bore & stroke : 97.5 x 89 mm
Max. Power : 550 bhp at 5500 rpm
Compr. ratio : 9.5:1
Distribution : Double overhead camshafts driven by chains and gears
Engine weight : 350 Kg
Cooling system : Water, supplemented by ram-air cooling
Lubrication : Conventional oil pan lubrication
Exhaust system : Special construction in stainless steel
Rotation : Right or Left-hand rotation available
Generator : 85 Amp.
Fuel System : Six Weber down-draft double-barrel carburetors
Fuel capacity : 1350 Lt.
Range : 400 Nautical miles
Top speed : 65 knots

Lamborghini Quetzal 2, Class 1 Off-Shore competition boat

Engine : Lamborghini V-12
Capacity : 7974 cc
Bore & stroke : 97.5 x 89 mm
Max. Power : 720 bhp at 6000 rpm
Compr. ratio : 9.5:1
Distribution : Double overhead camshafts driven by chains and gears
Engine weight : 360 Kg
Cooling system : Water, supplemented by ram-air cooling
Lubrication : Dry oil pan, conventional oil pan lubrication optional
Exhaust system : Special construction in stainless steel
Rotation : Right or Left-hand rotation available
Generator : 85 Amp.
Fuel System : Fuel injection
Fuel capacity : 1350 Lt.
Range : 400 Nautical miles
Top speed : 80 knots

Power is transmitted via a reverser with two, three or four propellors.

Reverser : (similar on both types)

Type Lamborghini
Hydraulic engagement of forward and reverse drive
Forward reduction ratio between engine and propellor : 1:1.5
Max. input torque : 737 lb.ft.
Max. input speed : 6500 rpm
Available for both right and left-hand rotation engines
Variable position input shaft
Aluminum casing
Weight : 60 Kg

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August 29. 2008

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