A word about Ilmor (non-marine)

[C_Spray]

You get the true measure of a company when the $hit hits the fan. I run a race car rides program, and have recently begun using Ilmor as our engine rebuilding service.

After losing five engines (from a previous builder) in two months, we sent them all to Ilmor for a fresh look. They (and we) discovered that our previous supplier was pretty much grabbing random parts, and there was little consistency or record-keeping. As such, it was very tricky for Ilmor to take what we sent them and turn them into five consistent engines. They did their best, ordered up the custom parts needed (these are old Dodge engines), built up two blocks, and grabbed two sets of "ready-to-go" spare heads that our previous supplier had prepped for us. Long story short: both sets of heads had problems and had to be removed, dismantled, and sent back to Brodix for repair/refurbishment.

We headed off to our next event with <zero> spare engines and promptly experienced more problems, threatening to cripple our capacity to provide rides for our client's guests. I called Paul Ray on Saturday afternoon (in Edmonton for the Indy race) and explained the situation. He in turn called Dave Dixon and got a plan going. We had one set of brand-new, built-up heads in our truck, so we got two of our guys to drive them from Delaware to Michigan on Sunday afternoon. At 6:30 AM on Monday morning, they met the guys at Ilmor, who dismantled and totally inspected the heads to make sure there were no problems, installed them on one of the previously-dynoed blocks, machined the intake manifold for a proper fit, assembled the engine, re-dynoed it, and got our guys back on the road by 8:15 PM that night. They also committed to having another three of our other engines ready to ship by the time we leave for our next event in two weeks.

That, my friends, is S-E-R-V-I-C-E. Above and beyond.

If anyone has any doubts about Ilmor's commitment, let me know.

[drpete3]

good testimonial

[Magic Medicine]

great service, glad to hear it!

[cigdaze]

Good deal, Chuck. This is consistent with their reputation. Those Ilmor guys are awesome.

[OldSchool]

They (and we) disovered that our previous supplier was pretty much grabbing random parts,

Man, that's never happened before. Are you sure that they aren't marine builbers???:reddevil::rofl: :26:

[OldSchool]

good testimonial

What he said!! Good stuff. :)

[Sea-Dated]

Good to hear

[boatme]

Great guys great operation GREAT STORY

[DaveP]

That, my friends, is S-E-R-V-I-C-E. Above and beyond.

If anyone has any doubts about Ilmor's commitment, let me know.

Oh yeah....Mr. Indianapolis 500 winning crew chief and now head of Penske's Racing School.........what would you know??? :eek::eek:

JUST KIDDING!!!

Actually an endorsment like that coming from you is pretty huge! The ILMOR stuff (marine or not) is pretty amazing stuff.

Stay tuned...Tim Sharkey just visited their facility this week and took 100's of photos of their facility (only in parts when he was allowed to). He called me up and told me it was the most incredible mfr facility he has ever seen.

Chuck -We look forward to seeing you and Diane in a few weeks on the Chesapeake!!!!!!!!!!!

[boatme]

Stay tuned...Tim Sharkey just visited their facility this week and took 100's of photos of their facility (only in parts when he was allowed to). He called me up and told me it was the most incredible mfr facility he has ever seen.

Chuck -We look forward to seeing you and Diane in a few weeks on the Chesapeake!!!!!!!!!!!

HEy Tim was at my manufacturing facility and he said it was the most incredible mfr facility he has ever seen

I think he just says that no matter where he goes :ack2:

[bluellama]

Chuck, are you involved with the 2 seat Indy car, and the lapping Acura's that were in Toronto for the Indy?
If so a good friend of mine was treated to a couple of fast laps thanks to you guys.... :D

[C_Spray]

No, we run an invitation-only event program. Can't say much about it for various legal reasons. Smokers might know about it, though.

At any rate - Thanks again, Ilmor.

[Caincando1]

Good stuff, glad to hear it!

[SHARKEY-IMAGES]

Ilmor was kind enough to allow Sharkey-Images to come visit and take a tour of their plant. Yes, I even made it passed the frosted, electronic card access doors where all of the high confidential stuff takes place. I dared not to shoot anything that was not permitted. This place is well known for keeping things under wraps, and I only shot when I was permitted. I still have a lot of images to give some idea the size and scale of this company. You will see, anywhere in this building, you could literally eat off of the floor. Ilmor also kept me in position at the Harrison Twp, MI OPA Race with the Ilmore powered Donzi.

Great people and a great company!

Have a look at the place for yourself:

http://sharkeyimages.zenfolio.com/p550289248

Was great to meet the Ilmoredude ! :USA:

http://sharkeyimages.zenfolio.com/img/v5/p972113466-3.jpg

[ThrottleUp Props]

Very impressive! Thanks for sharing your experience with us Tim.

Julie

[SHARKEY-IMAGES]

Very impressive! Thanks for sharing your experience with us Tim.

Julie
You're welcome Julie...

I have so much more coming too !

ILMOR was not my only stop of my tour of Michigan.... :sifone:

I just need to get back to NJ to upload all of it...

[C_Spray]

I stopped by Ilmor yesterday, met IlmorDude, and got a look inside an Indy drive. Impressive - it looks like aircraft-quality stuff!

[Love Machine]

Great story Chuck. It was great to see you and Diane a few weeks ago at Skipjack Cove Marina.

[RACESDAD]

Chuck, are you involved with the 2 seat Indy car, and the lapping Acura's that were in Toronto for the Indy?
If so a good friend of mine was treated to a couple of fast laps thanks to you guys.... :D

those are from my friend here in Indy.SRS racing Jeff Sinden. Great guy, and what a ride.

[Uncle Dave]

I'm delighted with my Ilmor product.

Id buy from them again in a heartbeat.

At first I saw the Ilmor product as an answer to a non problem- why replace a big block chevy? Ive used BBC's for decades and have nothing bad to say.
I also love my Mercury product.

Beg borrow or steal a ride in an Ilmor powered boat- I believe you will be impressed.

The thing idles like a kitten, screams like a banshee, and runs cheap, and according the PR so far- will last a long time.

I get 2.4 MPG if I can keep my arm out of it- which is hard.

I'm sure the drive will prove to be every bit as awesome as the engine series.


UD

[Uncle Dave]

Oh yeah- great story!

UD

[ILMORdude]

Great people and a great company!

Have a look at the place for yourself:

http://sharkeyimages.zenfolio.com/p550289248

Was great to meet the Ilmoredude ! :USA:

http://sharkeyimages.zenfolio.com/img/v5/p972113466-3.jpg

Nice to meet you also! And great shots of the place! Its nice to let other people see behind the frosted doors.

[SHARKEY-IMAGES]

Thank you! I certainly was blown away ! It must be a pleasure coming to work there most days.... I am sure its not easy some times, but what a working environment !!! :)